Kensington Derby and Arts Festival
It takes a lot to get thousands of people to stand around in the pouring rain, but in the case of the Kensington Derby, rain makes the finale even better. After costumed teams have pedaled tricked-out homemade vehicles across three miles of obstacle courses throughout the neighborhood, there’s the pièce de résistance: the mud pit. Some make it through; others break down. Either way, the crowd goes wild. Kensingtonkineticarts.org.
Pickle Fried Chicken Sandwich at Tattooed Mom
You go to Tattooed Mom for bright, boozy drinks and the come-exactly-as-you-are vibe — not necessarily expecting great food. But that’s where you’re wrong. The pickle fried chicken is brined, double-fried, and stuffed into a sweet potato brioche bun along with house-made fried dill pickles and Crystal hot sauce mayo. There’s an equally standout vegan version, too. Either makes for a surprise when you realize this is one of the best sandwiches in the city. 530 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, tattooedmomphilly.com.
Jamal Johnson
Nobody can question Johnson’s steadfast commitment to demanding change when it comes to gun violence. The Marine-turned-activist has staged a hunger strike, marched to Washington, and put his life and body on the line to urge the city to reverse its lackluster response to an epidemic that’s continuing to devastate. If “no-B.S.” was in the dictionary, Johnson and his unapologetic advocacy would be pictured there.
Next In Line Comedy
If you want to see the best up-and-coming local comedians paired with out-of-town jokesters who’ve appeared on Comedy Central, Netflix and HBO, look no further than this collective, which stages its shows at chill venues like Franky Bradley’s and Tattooed Mom each month — all for $20, with no drink minimum. A nice change of pace from places like Helium. instagram.com/nextinlinecomedy.
Jeremy Farson
Twenty-year roofing veteran Farson is quick to respond, shows up when he says he will — and oh yeah, he has a YouTube channel. Farson tours roofs, shining a spotlight on every major and minor problem — some from wear and tear and others that were clearly the mistake of the last dude who did the job. youtube.com/channel/UCCR2iOOP0tUh3jamkjyFzQA.
Gabriella's Vietnam
If you want to brag about what makes our city’s dining scene so juicy in a single restaurant experience, take an out-of-town pal to this family-run Vietnamese spot. What with drinking BYO chilled wine on the summer sidewalk, a calm but cool South Philly neighborhood scene, and some of the greatest vermicelli platters and sizzling catfish you’ll eat during your years on Planet Earth, Gabriella’s Vietnam makes us feel luckier to live in Philly every time we visit. 1837 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, gabriellasvietnam.com.
Crisp Chik'n
So you’ve been boycotting Chick-fil-A for God knows how long, but you’re really craving one of those fried chicken sandwiches and some waffle fries. You need to get to know this Delco spot that’s just over a year old. The food is strikingly similar to Chick-fil-A’s, but better. 27 North Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050, crispchikn.com.
Mural City Garden
Streetery permits in the City of Philadelphia might be as convoluted as the plot of a Russian novel, but Mural City Cellars’ outdoor space is going strong. With Adirondack chairs and pop-ups from some of our favorite local chefs, this is a shady and spacious neighborhood spot worth crossing town for. Mural City’s locally made wines are available by the glass and by the bottle, produced with lots of care and no pretension. 2211 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, muralcitycellars.com.
Case Comedy
You already know about the two big comedy clubs in Philadelphia, Helium and Punch Line. But what you probably don’t know is that once a week, in a back room upstairs at West Philly Ethiopian stalwart Abyssinia, a rotating cast of Philadelphia’s funniest and edgiest comics (as well as some comedians from outside the city) gets together to make you laugh out loud. And no high ticket prices, drink minimums or “convenience fees” here; admission is simply pay-what-you-wish. instagram.com/casecomedy.
Hoagiefest NFTs
Last summer, Sizzli colossus Wawa proudly announced the debut of Hoagiefest NFTs, a line of “one-of-a-kind digital collectibles” that marked the convenience store/gas station’s entrée into the then-red-hot metaverse. Not long after, the non-fungible-token bubble burst. In a tribute to brand loyalty, 65,000 Shorti lovers still signed on for a sweepstakes to win the imaginary goodies — even if some grumblers likened Wawa’s move to Anakin’s journey to the dark side.
Du Soleil Photographie
Vietnamese-born Minh Cao didn’t learn professional photography until after she’d started her business as a side hustle in 2015. “My parents never deemed photography fit for a profession, so studying it never crossed my mind,” says the Ridley Park resident. She self-trained online, took some in-person classes, and today is known for snapping weddings through a dreamy, tender — almost wistful — lens that makes you never want to leave that moment. dusoleilphoto.com.
Anej Skin Studio
Jena Salzano boasts 18 years in the “skin”-dustry, and her results-driven atelier in Yardley is a little slice of sophisticated-beauty heaven. Take your pick from bespoke facials, services utilizing cult favorite Biologique Recherche, and high-tech treatments for body sculpting and optimal skin health (like the hyperbaric-chamber-based Glass O2 Dome facial), plus massages, lash and brow boosts, hair removal and personal consults. 19 East Afton Avenue, Yardley, PA 19067, anejskinstudio.com.
Panna Gelateria & Bakery
Because everybody else will bring wine, come bearing gelato instead — specifically, the kind made from scratch by seasoned pastry chefs Sally and Jemil Gadea at their Yardley outpost. Opened a year ago, the cheery gelateria features a constantly changing menu that’s based on whatever local ingredients are freshest. (Past offerings have included strawberry rhubarb; new flavor drops are posted on Instagram.) A pint goes for $12; buy a few and be the life of the party. 25 South Main Street, Yardley, PA 19067, pannagelateria.com.
Atlantic City
Some perennial Avaloners may roll their eyes at the notion that the beach we deemed the worst in 1974 could now be the best. But stick with us. No silly beach tags are required. The sand south of the casino strip has plenty of chill, quiet space for you to set up camp. The newly renovated boardwalk runs the entire length of the shorefront. And there’s no beach more diverse in these parts. Bonus? Our South Philly friends can clock the trip in under one hour.
Masonic Temple
A lot of people think that the architecturally stunning headquarters of Pennsylvania’s Masons — we’re talking the secret society, not the people who work with cement — is closed to the public. Not only is it not closed to the public, but it offers hour-long tours of the historic building five times a day, Wednesday through Saturday. Yes, there’s a gift shop, should you need some mystical-looking 19th-century Masonic art to display. Bonus: You’re just steps away from Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown. 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, pamasonictemple.org.