The Mushroom Festival of Kennett Square
Kennett Square will celebrates its status as mushroom capital of the world with this quirky, nationally lauded tradition. Included: a parade, a 5K run, a food-and-wine festival, and a street fair. Bonus: Festival tix are a recession-friendly $2 a person. There's also a mushroom soup cook-off, a baby photo contest, and all sorts of other fun(gi). (Sorry, we had to.) West State and Union Streets, Kennett Square, PA 19348, mushroomfestival.org.
Plays and Players' Quig's Pub
Known as the "actor's speakeasy," this chill private club inside Rittenhouse's Plays and Players Theatre is popular with the local thespian crowd, so there's always an interesting scene. Memberships are $35 for the year or $5 for a night. 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103, playsandplayers.org/about/the-theatre.
Lauren Buckley Acupuncture
You get all the benefits of regular sessions like headache relief, or treatment for infertility but in a space shared with other patients. Pop into Buckley's Queen Village office anytime during her regular hours (Wednesdays 3 to 8 p.m.; Fridays 5 to 8 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) for $20-to-$40 treatments. 1532 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southphillyacupuncture.com.
Yoga Garden
READERS' PICK: This two-location studio caters to far more than just yogis. You'll also find Pilates classes, Qigong meditation, massage, boot camp, and even jujitsu for kids. We'll say Om to that. Multiple locations, 00000, yogagardenphilly.com.
Body Cycle Studio
There's no boring workout a good soundtrack can't cure. Add in some costumes (theme rides!), awesome instructors and pretty surroundings, and you've got a recipe for a workout you'll actually look forward to doing. 1923 Chestnut Street, second floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, bodycyclestudio.com.
Sip-N-Glo Juicery
READERS' PICK: The juice scene's new kid on the block is also our readers' favorite. Here's why: Its fruit and veggie juices, the brainchild of owner Kristin Lubsen, are delicious, and the smoothies (organic peanut butter, cacao powder, banana and almond milk, anyone?) are out-of-control delicious. 932 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, sipnglo.com.
Philadelphia Runner
The helpful pros at this three-outpost local chain will get you suited upfrom shoes to sunscreenfor your first 5K or your 20th Broad Street Run. Running tips are on the house. 00000, philadelphiarunner.com.
Soft Pack Floats at Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa and Salon
Sit back, relax and float? For this über-indulgent skin-softening therapy, you'll be exfoliated, scrubbed, coated in mud, wrapped in a sheet, and set to float on a bed of warm water. An hour later, your skin will look and feel brand-new. 243 West Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, josephanthony.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.
The Philadelphia Orchestra
The upcoming season is one helluva barn burner, with opera great Placido Domingo kicking things off in September; the new series WomenNOW, featuring female composers, conductors and instrumentalists; and the entirety of Bach’s majestic Mass in B minor. Totally subscription-worthy. philorch.org.
The Post
Quizzo, live music, dollar taco nights, weekend DJs, Skee-Ball and shuffleboard — a.k.a. things that are better than studying for midterms. 129 South 30th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, thepostphl.com.
Philly Improv Theater
Philly Improv Theater in Rittenhouse. Photograph by Linette and Kyle Kielinski The current social and political climate has made everyday conversations strained and kicked burnout into high gear. At these classes, you’ll remember how to loosen up and be silly and, if your life involves public speaking, how to make people laugh again. Imagine that. 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, phillyimprovtheater.com.
Bartram Avenue Beach
Away from the crowds in front of the casinos lies this quiet sunbathing spot just a few blocks before Ventnor. You’ll find plenty of space and well-maintained bathrooms, and the Ventnor Sack ‘O Subs will deliver hoagies right to your beach chair.
Maejean Vintage
One look at the rainbow-hued stacks in the photos of rings that Lancaster-based sisters Amanda Mae and Laura Jean Hornberger post on their Instagram feed, and you’ll snap them up six at a time (and probably a brooch-turned-necklace, too). Maejeanvintage.com.
Kramer Drive
There are elegant calligraphy notes for your bestie, camp correspondence sets for your kid, and cards that’ll just make you LOL. (“Oh for fox sake!”) Plus, for your activist teen, a “Write a Letter to the White House” kit. 575 Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312, kramerdrive.com.