Beilers Bakery
It used to be you could only get yeast doughnuts this fresh during the yearly three-day Pennsylvania Dutch Festival at Reading Terminal. But now 90 cents buys you one straight from the fryer any Tuesday through Saturday gussied up in varieties from chocolate mousse to key lime cream. Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, readingterminalmarket.org/merchants/view/2.
Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa and Salon
If the hypothetical Real Housewives of the Main Line retreated to this big-as-a-McMansion salon and spa for body floats or sea soaks or Alpine herbal steam therapy or any number its sublime Service and Help, they wouldn't, hypothetically, argue so much. 243 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, josephanthony.com.
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.
Scarlett Alley
You think of Old City's eclectic boutique for gifts, decorative knicknacks, tableware even PJs. But jewelry? Oooh, yes. Pay attention and you'll find charm bracelets from Findings, chunky statement pieces from John Wind/Maximal Art, and make-your-outfit brooches from Alexis Bittar. 241 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, scarlettalley.com.
Arcadia Boutique
Owner Ali McCloud knows green and really knows gorgeous, as witnessed by her organic, recycled and otherwise sustainably made dresses, skirts, jeans and accessories from coveted labels like Otto Defey, Kelly Lane and Prairie Underground. 819 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, arcadiaboutique.com.
Raw Brussels Sprout Salad at Pure Fare
EXPERT PICK: "This organic salad includes brussels sprouts, carrots, raw cashews and orange slices, and is mixed with a spicy mustard dressing. The good-quality oils they use in dressings here are a restaurant rarity. And the mix of textures helps stave off salad boredom." —Ali Shapiro, health counselor, alishapiro.com. 119 South 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, purefare.com.
Fit Ryde
The next best thing to a bike ride through the countryside? A bike ride at this natural-light-soaked indoor cycling studio, where a fleet of 18 state-of-the-art exercise bikes, invented by a cyclist, tilt and lean to better simulate real riding scenarios—and give you a solid upper-body workout to boot. 1572 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 19317, fitryde.com.
Groothie at HipCityVeg
You can't help but hit your fruits-and-veggies quota with this yummy (and filling) meal in a cup, which includes blended-up organic apples, greens, bananas and seasonal fruit. The real trick is making it back to the office with any left. 127 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, hipcityveg.com.
Parkway Central Library
Prominent black Philadelphia architect Julian Abele designed this Beaux Arts gem in the 1920s, and library staffers are happy to show you around — for free. The hour-long tour starts at 10 a.m., but definitely stick around for the 11 a.m. tour of the rare books department, too. 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Freelibrary.org.
Jane Winchester Paradis of Jane Winchester Jewelry
Oversize coin pendants emblazoned with symbols and words (and, soon, zodiac signs) without any cheesy trappings are what make this Wayne designer’s necklaces smart. What makes them brilliant? How they only get cooler when layered. janewinchester.com.
Renee Hill
Sure, Hill wowed Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano on this past season of Project Runway, but we’re happy the Moore College of Art and Design alum is back home, because her fierce-but-feminine designs (that genius five-way VersaCoat!) could only be dreamed up by a Philadelphian. harx4.com.
Juju Salon and Organics
If you must get a gel mani, go to Juju Salon & Organics in Queen Village, where they use Bio Seaweed gel (as durable as other lacquers, but sans toxins), then set it with LED instead of UV, so you get two weeks of perfect polish without any nail-stripping after-effects. 713 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, jujusalon.com.
Eeva
Pizza and wine is Eeva’s main game, sure, but every weekend, the kitchen crew bakes crispy-skinned bagels completely coated in everything spice, country loaves so airy they could double as kick drums, glistening focaccia, French baguettes and cookies. 310 Master Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, eevaphilly.com.
The Turning Point
Imagine your favorite Shore breakfast spot, only better, any time of the year. (Fluffy pancakes! Fresh-squeezed OJ!) It’s like someone in this fast-growing Jersey-born chain—now with six locations in Jersey and Pennsylvania—answered our off-season prayers. Multiple locations, theturningpoint.biz.
Franky Bradley's
There are bars that happen to have music, and then there's this place, whose whole second floor has been turned into a space for entertainment. On any given night, that might be a touring rock band, your favorite local act, or a Balkan dance party with the West Philadelphia Orchestra. 1320 Chancellor Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, frankybradleys.com.