Elmwood Park Zoo Cub Climb Ropes Course
This charming suburban zoo has a challenging ropes course for anybody four and a half feet tall or taller. For smaller adventurers, there’s this course that’s just five feet off the ground at its highest point but still features more than 15 games and a 100-foot-long zip line. 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, PA 19401, elmwoodparkzoo.org/treetop-adventures/courses.
Wild Island Scooters
There’s no better way to get around at the Jersey Shore. All you need is a regular driver’s license. Well, and a helmet. $150 for a full day. 4000 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260, Wildislandscooters.com.
Stoop and Stank
A Stoop and Stank tee. Photograph by Picman Media “Black Dads Are Dope.” “A Black Girl Will Save the World.” “Not Today, Gentrifier.” “Black Boys Deserve To Grow Up, Too.” This well-designed, powerful line of tees, sweatshirts and more — created by Philadelphian Brianna Downing — is inspired by Black pop culture and rooted in empowerment. stoopandstank.com.
Pizza Gutt
Young pizzaiolo Dan Gutter is just out there slinging dope square pepperoni-and-onion pizzas out of the back of a coffee shop, and people who know what’s up are reserving their pies ahead of time via Instagram. We live in a world where this is possible, and that’s a wonderful thing. 931 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, pizzawhat.com.
Commissioner Kevin Bethel
Knock on wood, but it appears that the appointment of this decorated veteran officer has been astute thus far. The department’s recent dealings with the Penn encampment could have gone really badly, as they did at other universities across the country. Bethel’s patience was unique and, for once, kept the department out of the headlines instead of creating them. Progress? Fingers crossed.
Serpico
Thanks to Cope's corn ravioli a mashup of old-school Lancaster dried corn, chorizo, and hearts of palm soaked in lime juice the most riveting pasta in town is no longer Italian, but Mexican by way of the Pennsylvania Dutch. 604 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, serpicoonsouth.com.
Salsa Caliente at Painted Bride
Dont know your salsa from your merengue? Get yourself to the Painted Bride Arts Center on the first Friday of the month (from September through June) for lessons in sexy Latin dancing with experts from Flacos Dance Factory. After the one-hour lesson, youre ready to dance the night away with a real live Latin big band. And if youve never done the cha-cha to a live Latin band, well, youve never done the cha-cha. 230 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, paintedbride.org.
Carlos Rogers at Hush Salon Philadelphia
Show us a dude who says he's not obsessed with his dome's sprouts, and we'll show you a fibber. Hush co-owner Carlos Rogers understands. From his salon tucked in the back of Old City's Sweat gym, Rogers makes the most of man's sole groom-able God-given gift, working with volume and texture, face shape and style needs, gently breaking inconvenient truths about thinning tops, and sending fellows back into the cold, hard world with the best of all possible looks. 45 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, hushsalon.com.
St. James and the Apostles
This trio of self-described “soul-stirring psychonauts” blends psychedelia and hard rock with an irreverent dose of Southern gospel inspiration and puts on a damn exciting show. stjamestheapostles.bandcamp.com.
Greensgrow Farms
Philly's best-known urban farm takes as much care with its ferns and honeysuckles as it does with its kale and carrots. And supporting it supports the neighborhood: Greensgrow does everything from planting trees along nearby streets to creating jobs to running a food-share program for its neighbors. 2501 East Cumberland Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, greensgrow.org.
Victoria Roggio Beauty
It’s the makeover straight out of a ’90s rom-com montage: Get a facial, a massage and a body wrap, plus have your hair, makeup, brows and nails done, all in one Old City spa. 219 Cuthbert Street, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106, victoriaroggiobeauty.com.
Karamoor Estate
Bright, easy, glug-able, with the slightest bit of oak for depth — because we’re quite done with overly oaked chardonnays, thank you very much. 40 East Skippack Pike, Fort Washington, PA 19034, karamoorwines.com.
Mango Tree Bistro
No fish head curry here, but the more traditional varieties are well done at this Thai joint in a converted home right on Ridge Pike. 3120 Ridge Pike, Eagleville, PA 19403, mangotreethai.com.
Commerical Snow + Ice
When winter hits, these guys hit back harder, even if that means clearing trickier spots the old-fashioned way with a shovel in hand. Just ask the dozens of schools, townships and businesses that trust them to get the job done. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, philadelphiasnow.com.
Pure Fare
Fast food—fresh, organic and locally sourced—salads, soups and sandwiches in a cool to-go case has finally been done right. Try the cold quinoa salad and the creamy cauliflower soup. 119 South 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, purefare.com.