Wharton Esherick Museum
Sculptor Esherick's former home is now a please-do-touch-the-art, worth-the-advanced--reservation gem (without the bitter Barnes neighbors), and it displays more than 200 of his works mostly wood furnishings that haven't been moved since the artist's death in 1970. $12 for adults; $6 for children. 1520 Horseshoe Trail, Malvern, PA 19355, whartonesherickmuseum.org.
Ministry of Secret Jokes
Our favorite Philly funnyman, Doogie Horner, and his comedic friends go at it full-throttle every second or third Wednesday of the month upstairs at Fergie's, where the bar's namesake is known to get in on the action ... after a few beers. It's free and hilarious, so show up early if you plan on sitting. 1214 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, ministryofsecretjokes.com.
Rescue Run 5K
Need some motivation? How about a pile of cuddly puppies waiting for you at the finish line? That's what you'll find at this October race at the Navy Yard, which is put on by the Monster Milers and raises money for dog rescue and adoption. Rescuerun5K.com.
Nutty Buddy at Wister
Imagine if the Little Debbie chocolate wafer bar was homemade. Now stop imagining and go taste chef Benjamin Moore’s version for yourself. It has Franklin Fountain ice cream, chocolate peanut ganache, caramel, and broken shards of homemade cone. 26 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, wisterbyob.com.
Tom's Dim Sum
The new Tom's Dim Sum squats under a bridge on 11th Street like some kind of troll's shack in a culinary fairy tale. The treasure here? Soup dumplings as big as toads, thin-skinned, juicy and perfect in their tin basket steamers. 59 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, tomsdimsum.com.
The Universal Sphere
Make a reservation for the Universal Sphere in the upper lobby of the Comcast Technology Center. It looks like a mini EPCOT globe from the outside, and you step in for a dome theater experience that kind of feels like a ride. It’s hard to explain, but it’s only seven minutes long, so you’ve got time. 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, comcastcentercampus.com/universal-sphere.
Kelce and Harper
Also known as the Zoo’s adorable new sloth bear cubs, born in January. They just came out of their den for the first time in May, after which the public named them for two Philly sports heroes. See them before they lose their baby cuteness. 3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, philadelphiazoo.org.
Sierra
Consider this the HomeGoods of sporty life: You’ll find everything from Schwinn bikes to North Face rain jackets at such steep discounts that it’s NBD if you give up your newfound paddleboard obsession by next summer. Additional location in Moorestown. 107 East Swedesford Road, Exton, PA 19341, sierra.com.
Frederick W. Oster Fine Violins
For 45 years, Oster has sold 17th-century instruments so expensive that he won’t even list some prices. If his luthiers are good enough to handle those masterpieces, you bet they’re good enough for your grandmother’s old fiddle. 507 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, Osterviolins.com.
Jenzy
This e-comm app created by two local women tells you what size shoe you should order in a variety of popular brands (See Kai Run, New Balance, Livie & Luca) based on a photo of your tot’s feet. jenzy.com.
The Blue Béret
Like walking into the pages of a Madeline, Paddington Bear or Winnie the Pooh book — or any other tome that’s European and ultra-sweet. What started as an online shop last spring is now a pop-up shop (open until January at least …) that’s shared with other local makers and artists. 122 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, theblueberet.shop.
The Colored Girls Museum
Contact the museum to set up a time, then let the guide wind you through the three-story Germantown home, where an intimate collection of art, literature, scents and sounds will open your eyes to something often overlooked or altogether erased: the everyday experiences of black and brown girls. 4613 Newhall Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144, thecoloredgirlsmuseum.com.
Bob & Barbara’s Lounge
The longest-running drag show in Philly is still fresh (thanks to a rotating cast of Philly favorites and up-and-comers), still under the direction of show founder and iconic hostess Miss Lisa Lisa – and still the best $8 you can spend on a Thursday night. 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bobandbarbaras.com.
New York Bagel Butler
Unwilling to wait in line for some of the city’s best new bagels? Let us suggest this service, which on Fridays and Saturdays leaves Philly at three a.m. to collect New York bagels (and bialys, and schmear!) and delivers them right to your door. nybagelbutler.com.
Midnight Lunch Studio
This boutique is both woman-owned and woman-curated, selling artwork, housewares and clothing designed and made by women or people of color. Pick up floral prints, paintings and photographs, or snag peace-sign candles and stress-relief shower steamers to make your home feel like a sanctuary. 20 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, midnightlunchstudio.com.