Neuf
Best thing about Neuf: sitting at the bar and snacking on the kitchen's house-baked bread. It's crumbly, crisp-crusted and perfect, served with only parsley pesto and a few olives, because nothing else could improve it. 943 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, neufphilly.com.
Haverford Nature Trail
Think of this flat, unpaved 2.2-mile loop around the perimeter of Haverford College (a go-to for newbies and seasoned runners alike) as the prettiest track you've ever set foot on. 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, haverford.edu/arboretum/files/Haverford-Trails-Brochure.pdf.
Calumet Photographic
If Amazon's camera section had a storefront, it'd look something like this South Philly store, where pro photogs and amateurs alike pluck serious gear from a jaw-dropping inventory. 1400 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19147, calumetphoto.com.
Le Virtu
Pastry chef Angela Ranalli's seasonal, Italian-leaning desserts are both rustic (blueberry olive oil cake) and polished (topped with mascarpone thyme cream) but never cloying or expected. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
Home
You can spend hours searching for home-decor inspiration on HGTV or just 15 minutes in this adorable South Philly b-outique. Owned by husband-and-wife (and architect-and-interior-designer) duo Eric Heidel and Sary Em, it houses feminine accent pieces patterned geometric pillows, gilded ceramics, glossy Sputnik lights that give a ho-hum home a real OMG factor. Which, of course, is exactly what youre looking for. 1815 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, homephilly.wordpress.com.
Arden + James
In her Chadds Ford studio, Arden + James founder Bri Brant creates hand-painted raw linen totes, waxed-denim weekenders and leather carryalls. Every part of the process — from the hammered rivets to the etched designs — is done by hand, so no two are alike, but all are worth slinging over your arm. Chadds Ford, PA 19317, ardenandjames.com.
Jonathan Adler
Sprinkle your pad with a few of Adler's deliciously over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek goods Something gold! Something with colors! Something patterned! Something shiny! and the place will instantly radiate a certain Liz Taylor glamour-puss fabulousness. Even if you live in a studio with olive-green laminate cabinets and no central air 33 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, jonathanadler.com.
Honey's Sit 'N Eat
Foodies and just-plain-eaters alike in Graduate Hospital whooped with joy when Honey's Sit-N-Eat announced a second outpost in their 'hood, to open later this year and in the meantime, the NoLibs branch is still all about crispy latkes, inventive omelets and pancakes as big as your head, served by cheery hipsters. 2101 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, honeyssitneat.com.
The Golf Course at Glen Mills
The par-71, Bobby Weed-designed course celebrating its 10th anniversary this year is a consistent fave among duffers and pros alike, and now a two-time BOP winner. Daily fees begin at $39.50. 221 Glen Mills Road, Glen Mills, PA 19342, glenmillsgolf.com.
Fleisher/Ollman
This unassuming gallery near Chinatown is a gem for connoisseurs and nascent collectors alike, with a fantastically diverse selection that ranges from contemporary mixed-media pieces to the 20th-century masterworks that put the place on the map. Plus, prices are reasonable. 1216 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, fleisher-ollmangallery.com.
Sugarcube
Each pair of jeans here has a little something special. Asbury Park Clothing Company’s options have Springsteen-rocker flair (Alice Cooper’s a fan); Williamsburg Garment Company’s raw versions are exclusive to this shop; and the ones from DU/ER are stretchy and breathable — bike commuters, take note. 124 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, sugarcube.us.
Vedge
Rich Landau is the vegetable whispererthats the title one local chef has bestowed on the chef/owner of Vedge. And why not? Vedge thrills vegetarians and committed omnivores alike. If you had Landau to cook for you every day, going vegan would be a cinch. 1221 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, vedgerestaurant.com.
Louella
Employ a smart strategy when shopping at this Main Line boutique: Grab as many whale-dotted Vineyard Vines shorts, Alice and Trixie tunics and Two Bees Cashmere sweaters as you can, and you'll never have to search for an occasion-worthy ensemble again. 227 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, and 335 East King Street, Malvern, 19087, louellastyle.com.
Tommy Oliver and Mike Africa Jr. for <em>40 Years a Prisoner</em>
With their critically acclaimed HBO documentary, this dynamic duo led the way in a year when the city is finally — finally — confronting its fraught dealings with MOVE, from the 1978 shoot-out that sent Africa’s parents to jail to the infamous 1985 bombing of its compound. Oliver’s filmmaking gave Africa Jr. the opportunity to exonerate his family and reframe not just how we view that family, but how we see Black activism in Philadelphia. hbo.com/documentaries/40-years-a-prisoner.
The Rosenbach
There was much hand-wringing last year when this quirky Rittenhouse museum lost most of its Maurice Sendak collection, but in the end, it didn't really matter. There are still manuscripts from Joseph Conrad and Charles Dickens, Bram Stoker's notes on Dracula, a first edition of Don Quixote, compelling guided tours, and lively literary events like the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland in October. 2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103, rosenbach.org.