Exhumed Films
Bloodcurdling screams! Satanic slashers! Cellar-dwelling one-eyed torture beasts! It could only mean one thing: Exhumed Films' monthly double (sometimes triple) feature of some of the best and worst -horror films ever made. International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, exhumedfilms.com.
Linen
If the name doesn't say it all (see what we did there?), the shelves of duvets, sheeting, pillows and throws from names like Dwell Studio, Pine Cone Hill and Area probably will: Linen is the place to make sure you-and your guests-snooze in style. 8133 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, lineninteriors.com.
Moo Jin Jang
Unlike most Philadelphia Korean restaurants that specialize in Korean-style barbecue, the highlights at this superb home-style restaurant are soft tofu soup and braised fish. But bring a translator, because beyond "bathroom" and "check, please," the staff here doesn't seem to understand a lick of English. 6443 Market Street, Upper Darby, PA 19082, .
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.
Nicki Dekunchak
The secret to a really, really relaxing Shore vacation? Bringing this Philly-based therapist along for the ride. She sees clients in their homes from A.C. to Cape May all summer long, offering Zen-filled massages and facials, along with waxing and makeup services. Philadelphia, PA 00000, handsathome.com.
Wonderspaces
Head to Wonderspaces for a night full of interactive art that will spark discussion, imagination, and some unique Instagram snaps. Bonus: A stroll through the thousands of lights of Squidsoup’s Submergence puts candlelight to shame. Another bonus: There’s an on-site bar so you can tote cocktails on your gallery jaunt. 27 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, philadelphia.wonderspaces.com.
Our Robust Therapy Scene
There’s a lot to process right now, but there are also lots of ways to get help doing so. Options include LGBTQ+ outfits like Emerge Wellness (emergewellnessphilly.com), which was founded by Kristina Furia to provide a safe and accessible space for therapy, as well as millennial-oriented organizations like the Shrink Chicks of the West Chester Therapy Group (wctherapygroup.com), who post almost daily on Insta, host a free podcast, and offer virtual therapy sessions starting at $75. Nonprofits like the LiveWell Foundation (livewell-foundation.org) offer free Zoom support groups for those struggling with depression, while A Better Life Therapy (abetterlifetherapy.com) has online sessions for $80 to $175. For Black Philadelphians working through the trauma of racial injustice, Black Men Heal (blackmenheal.org) provides free therapy from Black therapists, and Oshun Family Center (oshunfamilycenter.org) recently raised more than $80,000 to offer free counseling services.
Addison Bay
Ready to look beyond Lulu? Local gal Marguerite Adzick’s e-comm shop carries cheery sweats, capris, sports bras and travel apparel from brands like Spiritual Gangster, Sundry and Michi, and her own line of AB leggings, too. addisonbay.com.
Melissa Weller
This James Beard-nominated pastry chef came from New York’s famed Per Se to help open Walnut Street Café. Memories of her apple slab pie will stay with you long after you’ve licked the plate clean. Walnut Street Café: 2929 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, melissaweller.net.
Puppy Yoga
Don’t expect to do a lot of working out in this workout. It’s mostly about animal rescue orgs helping puppies find homes – and puppy snuggles. Lots of puppy snuggles. Popping up at studios like Amrita Yoga & Wellness and OpenBox Athletics.
Bar Poulet
Some people were surprised to learn that this new Center City spot is pairing pressure-fried chicken and champagne, but it’s been a thing, and one taste of the sharp bubbles cutting through the rich bird will convince you we’ve long deserved this brilliant concept. 2005 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, barpoulet.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.
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.