Art Star Gallery and Boutique
Go because you love the non-brand-name charm, because shopping here gives you instant street-style cred, and because you want your friends to come here when it's time to buy gifts for you. 623 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, artstarphilly.com.
Morgan's Pier
Finally, someone has taken the guido out of Delaware Avenue. Grab a few drinks in the beer garden, and then open-air-dance the night away with some of the city's best DJs. This place is the best thing to happen to Philadelphia's waterfront since ? well ? since IKEA? 221 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19123, morganspier.com.
Menagerie
Much of the outfit-making jewelry at this year-old shop is of owner Kate Lawson's own design; some of it is from boutique names like Coralia Leets; all of it will end up either in your shopping bag or on your wish list. Eagle Village Shops, 503 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, ajeweledmenagerie.com.
La Cucina at the Market
Anna Maria Florio's intimate classes on basics like yummy from-scratch pasta and flawless fish dishes mean you'll have more than just Hot Pockets in your repertoire next time the in-laws come to dinner. Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107, lacucinaatthemarket.com.
Poe’s Sandwich Joint
Leave it to pothead N.A. Poe to come up with the ultimate match for the munchies. The bulging, cheesy meatball, chicken and eggplant parmesan sandwiches — and, yes, the funnel cake fries — are available late on weeknights and, blissfully, until 3 a.m. on weekends. 1429 Marlborough Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
Neighborhood Ramen
Lines out the door, graffiti on the walls, hip-hop on the playlist, and some of the most inspired ramen and gyoza you’ll find anywhere. Rumor is they don’t let you take leftovers. Who knows if it’s true? We’ve never had to ask. 617 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, neighborhoodramen.com.
Philly Chef Conference
Every year, this event — dreamed up and organized by Michael Traud of Drexel’s Center for Food & Hospitality Management — pulls in some of the biggest names in food and food media in the world. And that only means good things for Philly’s food scene. 101 North 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, phillychefconference.com.
The Crème Brûlée Waffle at Avenue Kitchen
When you need energy to power you through your morning, you get eggs. When you’re staring down an obligation-free Sunday, you order this Belgian waffle, which comes with vanilla bean cream and a shell of caramelized sugar that cracks when you tap it with your fork. 509 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, avekitchen.com.
Mickey’s Tavern
This Delco watering hole attracts all types at its every-other-Friday events, so you might hear Guns N’ Roses followed by Whitney Houston followed by Miley Cyrus and — since we are in Delco — a little Sinatra. 129 South State Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082, .
Cadence Cycling & Multisport Center
Opt for the “Overhaul” if your two-wheeler needs new life, or simply ask for a brake adjustment: The staff at this longtime local fave will give you their best work no matter what. (You’ll probably wind up coming back for a fitting or indoor spinning class, too.) 5000 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128, cadencecycling.com.
Franklin’s Table
It’s not your typical college food hall. Instead of an omelet station and cereal dispensers, it’s a fast-casualized highlight reel of some of the best restaurant fare in Philly, from Double Knot sushi to Kensington Quarters burgers. 3401 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, shopsatpenn.com/franklins-table.
Mariel Freeman
A skilled yogi in her own right, Freeman is the mentor behind other top Philly yoga instructors who have come through her Queen Village studio. She’s down-to-earth, and her myofascial release technique will teach you how to use a tennis ball like you never have before. 410 Monroe St, Philadelphia, PA 19125, threequeensyoga.com/mariel.
You Should Be Running programs by Goalsfit
People actually pray for thunder to get out of the timed intervals at Kasey Manwaring’s Roxborough High School track workouts. But there’s a reason they keep coming back: The Boston Marathoner’s training programs make experienced runners faster and help first-timers finish major races. 4450 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19128, goalsfit.com/running.
Fort Mifflin
Yes, it’s the only Revolutionary War-era fort in the city, and yes, you can actually camp out here overnight, but the big draw is that this tiny slice of land along the Delaware River is literally next to the airport, and there’s no better place to watch big jetliners come in for landings. 1 Fort Mifflin Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153, fortmifflin.us.
Soft Co.
Cow-print earrings, custom aprons, and beautiful, supple sling bags make up some of Ambler’s own Soft Co.’s small-batch leather goods. The offerings are extremely limited and purchasable by Instagram DM and on the website; commissions for items like accessories and housewares are also welcome. softcoleather.com.