Shake Shack's Shack Track & Field Running Club
Burgers and running aren't exactly the most obvious bedfellows, but at Shake Shack, they work. Here's how: At 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, Shack staffers lead hour-long group runs from the Center City eatery. They always end back at Shake Shack, where you can feast on a post-run burger. Hey, you earned it. 2000 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, meetup.com/SHAKE-SHACK-Track-and-Field-Social-Run.
Brian Maher
You can come to him or he'll come to you—so there goes your "I'm too busy to work out today" excuse. And with Maher's tailored-to-you workouts and solid diet and nutrition know-how, you may even—gasp!—look forward to your gym time. 1429 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, phillypersonaltraining.com.
Inn at Bowmans Hill
There are plenty of B&Bs in Bucks County, but this is the only one that's earned four AAA diamonds. On the outskirts of New Hope, the inn's five verdant acres, heated outdoor pool, moonlit deck, attentive staff, and impeccable accommodations (from $295) exceed expectations. Breakfast is courtesy of the hens out back. For dinner and drinks, pay a visit to the iconic Boathouse Bar and Hamilton's Grill Room (8 Coryell Street, Lambertville, 609-397-4343). But also be sure not to miss new Middle Eastern gem Marhaba, which is BYO (77 South Union Street, Lambertville, 609-397-7777). 518 Lurgan Road, New Hope, PA 18938, theinnatbowmanshill.com.
Club La Maison
Your little video-gamer may abhor soccer practice and dread gym class, but that doesn't mean she won't find her stride in Spinning, yoga or Zumba. Introduce your couch potato to all three for free at Club La Maison's afternoon teen fitness program. 215 Sugartown Road, Wayne, PA 19087, clublamaison.com.
Shirley and Co.
Don't be fooled by its not-so-luxurious appearance; start picking through the racks, and you'll find suits by Trina Turk, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Nanette Lepore and Ralph Lauren. You'll find sizes up to 22 with F cups. And you'll find the sunhats, beach bags and flip-flops those suits would like to be paired with. See website for locations, 00000, shirleyandco.com.
Casa Papel
On a side street in the Marais, you might expect a shop like this one, so petite and pretty, with papers and envelopes in exotic colors and embossed designs that you'd like to wear, if one wore paper. But here, on a busy Northern Liberties thoroughfare, this small spot where the invitations are to die for, and yes, they can make your baby book out of that amazing Chiyogami feels entirely unexpected, like a best-possible surprise. 804 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, casapapel.com.
Mart Pretzel
Crackly crust, dense doughy insides when you break one of these open, you can feel the steamy warmth. In a city as pretzel-obsessed as Philly, you'd be amazed how rare that is. You'll be more amazed to learn it's a New Jersey pretzel shop that's showing us how it's done. 202 Route 130 North, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077, .
Duross and Langel
We'll try not to gush too much but these guys are everything that's right with the city. It's not just the products (though truly, there isn't a soap, lotion, candle or hair-care product we haven't nearly tried to eat). It's what's in them (preservative-free ingredients derived from botanicals), how they're made (in small batches, in the in-house soap kitchen or nearby lab), how they're done up (in 100 percent recyclable packaging), and how they're sold in a way that totally builds up the community the store is part of (joining with other Midtown Village businesses for sales and events, and employing local Service and Help), that make this a model for how to run an independent shop in Philadelphia. So, the gushing thing? Yeah, we take it back. 117 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, durossandlangel.com.
Vivi G. Shoes
Before youre actually captured by the covetable selection of footwear, youll be supremely charmed by how, well, pretty the store is: all creams and ivories, with large, cushy sofas and banquettes, and spaced-out shelves not crammed with inventory. Youll feel inspired to browse leisurely and try on thoughtfully, and heartened to buy that pair (oh, lets be serious those pairs) calling your name. And the selection? Pucci. Marc by Marc. Betsey Johnson. Kate Spade. Juicy. Rafe. Cancel your appointments. Youre gonna be here a while. See website for locations, 00000, vivigshoes.com.
Clam Tavern
Bivalves. Butter. Salt. Oregano. As unfussy as the place itself. And $9 a dozen doesn't hurt, either. 339 East Broadway Avenue, Clifton Heights, PA 19018, clamtavern.net.
Paesano's Philly Style
Peter McAndrews's second Paesano's and his third eatery, counting Modo Mio opened at 9th and Christian back in February. And it's even more lovable than the first one, thanks to extra seating and his new lasagna-and-fried-egg sandwich, the Bolognese. But both outposts know no limit when it comes to total sandwich debauchery, with overly drippy, saucy, cheesy, meaty and sometimes, if you're lucky, yolk-y delicious gluttony on a roll. 1017 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, paesanosphillystyle.com.
Skyrush
Opened this past Memorial Day weekend, Hershey Park's Skyrush is a blue-and-gold behemoth-200 feet high, 3,600 feet long, top speeds up to 75 mph, five zero-G hills, lift speed of 26 feet per second. What sets it at the pinnacle of our list, though, are the "wings": While the two center seats of each four-seat row sit securely on the track, the ones on either end are floorless, leaving riders' legs dangling 20 stories up. Eeek! 100 West Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, hersheypark.com/skyrush.
Avenida
Avenida doesn't just say it's kid-friendly. The kids' menu is nugget-free (flat-iron steak! Pollo frito pan-roasted chicken!), and the staff talks to, sings to and jokes with el nios all while Mom and Dad eat grown-up food like the succulent pork pibil. 7402 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119, avenidarestaurant.com.
Fond
If the note-perfect dishes and simple, spare charm of this tiny, golden South Philly BYO don't land you a second date, it really is you who's doing something wrong. But hey, at least you'll have the malted milk-chocolate ice cream with peanut brittle to console you. 1537 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, fondphilly.com.
Chops
The power crowd wants two things in a restaurant: enough of a scene that its worth being seen, and enough privacy that you can actually get down to business. Alex Plotkins City Avenue steakhouse offers both, which is why its become the perfect meeting ground for suits from city and suburb. Dine among TV newsers from nearby Channels 6 and 10, bigwigs like Carl Dranoff, Pete Musser and Charlie Pizzi, and the occasional Center City law partner playing hooky from the Palm or Capital Grille. 401 City Line Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, chops-restaurant.com.