All Around This World
Parents rave about dad Jay Sand's internationally themed music classes, taught weekly from his West Philadelphia home. Kids eight and under are a captive audience for what one mom describes as Sand's "wonderful songs, great singing and guitar playing, ridiculous wit, crazy dance moves, and understanding of what it means to be a child." 00000, allaroundthisworld.com.
InMovement Gymnastics Education
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. Allay your guilt (if you still have any) by registering for one of the many local kids’ classes that have popped up on YouTube and across social media. See the full write up at Virtual Classes. phillyinmovement.com/virtual-summer-camp-2.
The Dogfish Head Experience in Lewes
Lewes, Delaware — a.k.a. “that town on the other end of the Cape May ferry” — is actually a charming beach resort that boasts the beer-centric Dogfish Inn. From there, you can pedal (on free Dogfish Head loaner bikes) to the Dogfish Head Brewery, where you’ll try exclusive Dogfish Head beers, and to Dogfish Head’s nearby restaurant, Chesapeake & Maine. Be sure to head home with Dogfish Head’s Compelling Gin, which has become an essential bottle in our bar. 105 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, dogfish.com/inn.
The Neon Museum of Philadelphia
Len Davidson has been finding and restoring neon signs since the 1970s, and his massive collection finally has a proper and permanent home. You’ll find original neon from places like Pat’s King of Steaks, the Horn & Hardart’s 30th Street Station shop (talk about a throwback!), McGillin’s Olde Ale House and Levis Hot Dogs. 1800 North American Street unit E, Philadelphia, PA 19122, neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com.
Stove & Tap
Opened a few months back by a couple of Starr Restaurants veterans in the former home of Molly Maguire's, Stove & Tap has already established itself as an indispensable part of the Lansdale community. This is thanks to its excellent, wide-ranging weekend brunch menu, which covers everything from peanut butter and Nutella waffles and French toast made from Parker House rolls to a solid backyard burger and cold corn soup with a crab and avocado salad. 329 West Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19446, stoveandtap.com.
Clenz
These pros scrub your home the way you know you should but never actually do, using only green products and focusing on nitty-gritty details like baseboard crevices and that gnarly space behind the toilet. They also offer the rather elusive services of eco-friendly rug and upholstery cleaning and work in both the city and select 'burbs. 1215 Crease Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, clenzphilly.com.
Graceful Gardens
Grace Wicks daughter of restaurateur and environmentalist Judy Wicks grew up in a household with a true love of nature. But that home was in West Philly with no backyard, so her family did all its gardening in pots and planters, a skill she's perfected as the owner of Center City landscaping company Graceful Gardens. Her roof decks, planters, window boxes and backyards are as artful and lush as any country courtyard. Ask her about her edible works she designed the chef's gardens for the Four Seasons. gracefulgardens.net.
Tim Gleeson
If you’ve ever admired a cool design element in Yowie or the Deacon Hotel — powder-coated steel shelves, floating desks, a sculptural foam display case that looks both organic and cutting-edge — chances are Gleeson built it. The contractor and fabricator works on home projects, too, using the same visionary perspective for bars, bathrooms and built-in shelves. instagram.com/gleepglop.
3rd Story Philly
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that the people you love, dearly, can sometimes drive you up the wall. If you’re looking for a little more space, the folks at Third Story are for you. This team of architects, developers and builders does more than just plop another level on your house; they take the time to learn what makes your home special and incorporate that into the expansion. 3rdstoryphilly.com.
Dwell & Co.
Found an 18th-century barn you’d love to call home? Want to fix up the old Victorian you live in now so it will fetch a better price when you sell it? Dwell & Co. will turn that old place into a stunning new one and help you buy or sell it. Because it’s both a design/build construction firm and a real estate brokerage, all you need to get things going is a single email. dwellcompany.com.
Wayne Edwards Workshop
With 50-plus years in business and a move to a new 1,500-square-foot shop and studio — the former home of Joseph Fox Bookshop — the Wayne Edwards team has more room to tailor your tux, plus a ready-to-wear section with luxury duds for your honeymoon. (Pair those Rubirosa sneakers with Candiani Italian denim.) And in the workshop? On average, 37 measurements to perfectly match your silhouette. 1724 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, wayneedwardsworkshop.com.
Game Gallery
All the vintage pinball and ’80s arcade games — and newer more high-tech stuff — you can handle. A two-hour stint will cost you $20, while a full day is $25. One Philly Mag staffer spent way too long trying to master Donkey Kong last spring. Just be careful: They also sell the arcade-size game consoles. So you never know what you might bring home with you. (Our staffer’s wife said no.) 140 North Pine Street, Langhorne, PA 19047, gamegallerylanghorne.com.
Settlement Music School
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. Allay your guilt (if you still have any) by registering for one of the many local kids’ classes that have popped up on YouTube and across social media. See the full write up at Virtual Classes. settlementmusic.org/music/settlement-digital.
Kampar Kitchen
One day, it’s Vietnamese home cooking — chilled silken tofu in a mushroom XO sauce, or stuffed squid in tomato sauce. Another day, it’s Sri Lankan curried vegetable buns and string hoppers. The options are always different because Kampar Kitchen is many things all at once: a restaurant incubator, an outlet for cooks with big ideas, a way for food-obsessed Philadelphians to try something new. 1901 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, kampar-kitchen.square.site.
Kennett Square
Think this town’s only got mushrooms? Chic kids’ shop Penny Lane Emporium shills fun items like rainbow ukuleles and Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls books; Marché is rich with boho home wares; Clean Slate Goods eco-boutique has ceramics, totes, and apothecary items; and trendy Urban Outfitters-inspired shops like Green Eyed Lady abound. State Street. historickennettsquare.com.