The Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby
We're suckers for this gala procession of "art and human-powered transit," a two-mile-long obstacle course full of drag queens, sofa kings, oversized skulls, beer tanks, balloons, sharks and superheroes, all battling to make it to-what else?-a mud pit. And how can you not love a fest that invites notorious two-wheeler-hater Stu Bykofsky to judge what is, underneath all the papier-mach and twisted metal, a bike parade? 00000, kinetickensington.org.
Haegeles Bakery
Every year, come Fat Tuesday, Haegele's Bakery in Northeast Philly feeds a long line of indulgees their fair share (and then some) of the city's best doughnuts: airy ring doughnuts, perfectly sweet cream-filled doughnuts, iced cinnamon doughnuts, powdered jelly doughnuts, and, of course, fastnachts. Thankfully, we can go every other day of the year and, except for the fastnachts, gobble them up without a wait. 4164 Barnett Street, Philadelphia, PA 19135, .
Mr. Contractor
This family-owned Fishtown company is a shining light in one of the more, shall we say, challenging industries known to man. To wit: Mr. Contractor won't pull the sort of disappearing act for which industry losers are known; they have 22 staff members to keep your job on track; and a BBB accreditation means you can be sure they'll resolve any problems. There now, isn't that better? 2634-48 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19136, mrcontractorinc.com.
Hop Sing Laundromat
Youve heard the hype, the rumors about mysterious owner/operator Le, the jokes about the dress code and the hidden door. But forget about that. All you need to know is that in an age in which the mustachioed and be-vested cocktail slinger has risen to the same level of cultural importance as the celebrity chef, Hop Sing Laundromat opened as one of the best cocktail bars any of us had ever been to, anywhere. And since then, it has only gotten better. 1029 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, hopsinglaundromat.com.
900 to 1100 North 2nd Street
What with local food and beers at longtime neighborhood anchor Standard Tap (901 North 2nd Street, 215-238-0630, standardtap.com), cupcakes, tapas and corsets at Bart Blatstein's Liberties Walk (1022 North 2nd Street), and dance parties, art galleries and alcoholic milkshakes at the surprisingly resilient Piazza at Schmidts (1001 North 2nd Street, atthepiazza.com), this is the city's new adult urban playground. 00000,
Han Dynasty
We love a Chinese restaurant where they'll tell you where to go if you try to order the chicken fried rice. That's how confident Han Dynasty owner Han Chiang is that the Szechuan and Taiwanese cuisine he serves in Royersford and Exton (and Old City, for urbanites) will erase any notions you had about wanting greasy corner takeout. 260 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, PA 19341, handynasty.net.
Danish Bakers
If you've ever had the pleasure of eating real Philadelphia butter cake, you know that "cake" is entirely the wrong word. And if you've ever been to the Danish Bakers in Rockledge, you know that Philadelphia butter cake doesn't get any real-er than this, with a thin bottom layer that's more flaky pastry than crumbly cake and an ooey, gooey topping that's more, well, butter than icing. 107 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046, danishbakers.com.
Fishtown Seafood
At the new Fishtown Seafood, owner Bryan Szeliga only stocks thoughtfully sourced, chemical-free fish and shellfish, including small-batch East Coast oysters dug up from Jersey to Maine. His Monday classes will teach you the fine art of shucking for just $20 — and send you home with 15 oysters so you can hone your skills in your own kitchen. 339 Belgrade Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, fishtownseafood.com.
Madison K Cookies
Sure, you can walk into this cute neon-lit NoLibs confectionery for ready-to-go candy, cupcakes and treats of all kinds. But where else can you get cookies featuring your favorite sitcom, your dog’s face or even your own face? Madison K is armed with icing and up to the challenge. 800 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, madisonkcookies.com.
Earthly Delights
This past spring, we walked down our block and noticed the most radiant flower boxes we’d ever seen, with pinks and purples and yellows all popping against a red brick facade. Did we know what any of the flowers were? Of course not! What are we, botanists? This is why you hire folks like Earthly Delights owner Carrie Borgenicht, who designed and planted those window boxes. earthlydelights.biz.
Powerhouse Dance
The beauty of Powerhouse Dance isn’t just that it’s adults-only (classes are geared toward those with some dance experience) or that pricing is pay-as-you-take (what grown-up can commit to full-year tuition?), but that the Cherry Hill Artists in Motion Dance Complex hosts a rotating schedule of classes every week — from heels and hip-hop to ballet and street jazz — that’ll get any “retired” dancer back, confidently, on the floor. 1742 Marlton Pike East, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, powerhousedancesj.com.
Shoe Museum at Temple's podiatry school
Yes, there are many, many famous museums in Philadelphia. And there’s also the Shoe Museum at Temple’s podiatry school. Mummer shoes. Baby shoes. A locker room with athletes’ shoes. You get the picture. Looking for other always-free museums? Try Fireman’s Hall Museum, the Science History Institute, and the Institute of Contemporary Art. 148 North 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, podiatry.temple.edu/about/shoe-museum-temple-university-school-podiatric-medicine.
Charming Garlands
In 2022, balloon installations are just as ubiquitous as floral arrangements. Demand for these larger-than-life creations has been so keen in the region that Ali Kahan was able to turn her pandemic side hustle into a successful business. Her two-year-old company uses biodegradable organic balloons for Insta-worthy garland installations that float like colorful clouds around chuppahs. Charminggarlands.com.
Philly Girls Who Walk
When Fairmount resident Bianca Solari founded Philly Girls Who Walk last May, she was looking for a way to get outside and socialize without alcohol. (She wasn’t alone — more than 100 women showed up for the first outing.) The low-key weekly walks, which cover about three miles near locations like the Art Museum, the Ben Franklin Bridge and Schuylkill River Park, are perfect for making new friends and exploring the city, one step at a time. instagram.com/phillygirlswhowalk.
Lagos
Founder Steven Lagos’s aesthetic pedigree dates back to his childhood classes at the Art Museum. And his signature Caviar design has become so iconic we often forget it’s a Philly brand. So when he set out to make its first men’s line, he knew he needed something bold — and landed on rock ’n’ roll. The collection gets its name from a Grateful Dead record (Anthem of the Sun), and features skulls, daggers, and even an edgy rabbit named Krunch. 1735 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, lagos.com.