Where to Find Healthy Food, Self-Care, and Outdoor Fun in King of Prussia
SoulCycle instructor and dance fitness extraordinaire Alexis Rose Artis gives us the scoop on all things healthy in her neighborhood, King of Prussia.
Photograph by Eric Prine.
Philly has an insanely wonderful fitness scene, but the truth is, many of us tend to stick to our own neighborhoods — we’ve all got our favorite corner coffee shops, yoga studios, running trails, and more. That’s why we’re asking local fitness pros to give us a tour of their neighborhoods — and to spill all their secrets on the hidden gems they can’t quit.
Photograph courtesy of Alexis Rose.
If you were at Be Well Philly Boot Camp this year, then you definitely know Alexis Rose Artis. Not only did she teach a session of here signature Alexis Rose Experience classes — “Dance Like Beyoncé Is Watching” — she also gave us some serious inspiration as our keynote speaker.
A transplant from New York, Artis landed in Philly — well, King of Prussia to be exact — two years ago as a SoulCycle instructor. Since then, she’s taken both KOP and Philly by storm. Below, you’ll find her favorite places in King of Prussia for healthy eats, some self-care, and more.
The Best Spots for Healthy Eats and Drinks in King of Prussia
Coffee shop: “Gateway Cafe is a hidden treasure in the KOP community. Right in my backyard, a ten-minute walk from my house, Gateway gives me the feeling like being back at home in Long Island, New York. After a while everyone knows your name and knows exactly what you want to order no matter what time of the day!”
Healthy brunch spot: “Founding Farmers will never disappointment your taste buds. Supporting local farmers and eating a fresh meal is a double bonus for me! My favorite is the Coconut Chia Bowl on their brunch menu which includes compressed apples, balsamic strawberries, blueberries, candied pistachios, mixed seeds, and peanut butter. It’s light, filling, fresh, and so yummy!”
Healthy lunch spot: “I live seven minutes from the King of Prussia Mall, where True Food Kitchen is located. The menu is simplistic, but full of colorful options. I like to order my food as takeout. My go-to order is their grilled salmon with arugula, roasted beets, and cilantro pumpkin seed pesto. While waiting for my food, I enjoy their fresh-squeezed Kale Aid Green Juice.”
Healthy date night spot: “Not that my life allows much room for date nights, but I do enjoy a romantic scenery and Davio‘s has it! An upscale Italian-inspired restaurant located in KOP Town Center is a nice place to go after a long week. You have to try the lump crab cakes, asparagus, and cauliflower rice. The food is top-notch and so is the service.”
Bar: “There’s a chill, laid-back factor about Maggiano’s. I like that I can go there for a family dinner and also stop by for happy hour with my girlfriends. Located right in the heart of King of Prussia, it’s situated right on a corner and welcomes you in. When I’m out enjoying happy hour, I like to keep my food lite — drinking opens up the food gate for me, so once I start it’s hard to stop! A cold glass of rosé with a simple flatbread margarita pizza usually does it for me. It’s good on the tummy and the pockets, $11 to $15 includes my food and tip!”
Healthy takeout: “Who doesn’t love Honeygrow? My favorite part of ordering is ordering from the touchscreen! I like that I can customize my order each time. Depending on the type or amount of workouts that day, I can choose what I need based on what I feel. My go-to custom order is sesame garlic stir-fry with shrimp, kale, broccoli, spinach, peppers, cilantro and cashews. Of course, I can’t forget to mention my absolute favorite item on the menu — the Honey bar! You can create your own delicious fruit cup. Here’s mine: Light maple syrup, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, coconut shavings, and chocolate chips. If you haven’t tried it please do yourself a favor and go for it!”
Grocery store for healthy foods: “I love the display of color as soon as walk into Wegmans — it’s like a healthy kids candy store! My first stop is the fruit and vegetable section, where I grab strawberries, blueberries, bananas, cucumbers, lemons, and peppers. These are my grab-and-go essentials. Living life out of a Lululemon leather gym bag means having fresh and easy to eat foods, that I can eat on the run, are life savers.”
The Best Self-Care in King of Prussia
Meditation studio: “I have a section in my basement that was designed for me to stretch out my body and release my mind. It’s filled with my chakras, diffusers, and vision boards. In my day-to-day life, I’m constantly surrounded by noise, and this space has become my sanctuary. It’s the only place where it’s quiet enough for me to hear and see my thoughts. A lot of ideas were brought to life in my mediation space.”
Beauty treatment: “With such a active lifestyle, it’s been so helpful to be a monthly member of Hand and Stone. My two favorite services are the brightening facial followed by a one-hour deep tissue massage. My favorite esthetician at this location is Maria! We have a monthly standing appointment. Her facials are so good that I fall asleep! I’m really big on preventive care and anti-aging, so it was no surprise that I feel in love with Maria who proactively thinks about the future of my skin.”
The Best Outdoor Activities in King of Prussia
Nearby trail: “Valley Forge National Historical Park is where I like to bring my daughters to bike ride. It’s absolutely breath taking. Our favorite site to sit and rest is the National Memorial Arch. It’s a beautiful backdrop for a family picture.”
Park: “Upper Merion Recreation Center has a indoor playground, basketball court, and lots of activities for adults and children. It’s where I like to go swimming with my daughters and it’s only six minutes from my house!”
Annual events: “The King of Prussia Music Town Center festivals are such a good place to meet people within the community! When my family and I moved here from New York City two years ago, it was important that we allowed the children to explore their new surroundings. Feeling like you fit in is very important at any stage of your life, so we explored and visited as many different events we could find within the schools radius. This allowed my daughters to make friends and see familiar faces once school started. Happy children make happy mommies!”
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