Rothman Roller Rink
Sure, the wintertime ice-skating at Dilworth is great and all, but we simply loved the retro roller rink that debuted this spring. It closed in July, but we’re hoping for an encore this fall. One South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, .
Treetop Quest Philly Treetop Obstacle Course
Hidden in the trees of Fairmount Park less than half a mile from the horse stables, this rope and zip-line course ranges from gentle and chill to downright treacherous and terrifying — especially from 60 feet in the air. 51 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131, treetopquest.com/philly.
Mai Tai at the Yachtsman
Because a mai tai, done properly, is always going to be the best cocktail of any summer. And until this one came along, nobody around here was doing mai tais in a way that even approached "properly." 1444 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
Go Vertical
Adventure junkies love the variety here: top-roping galore, the bouldering wall (with a cave), the freestanding tower, the series of lead-climbing routes. Aspiring adventure junkies love the beginner classes, held daily. 950 Penn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, govertical.com.
Express Drains
Ryan Larrimore, the clean-cut, plumber's-butt-free owner of this family-run company, doesn't patch pipes or fix garbage disposals. He does one thing and one thing only: unclog drains. And he does it no matter what unholy gunk is stuck down there. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, expressdrains.net.
Bulldog Yoga
Fast-paced, sweaty hot yoga done to pounding hip-hop — it’s the antithesis of the Zen snoozefests you’re used to. 775 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, bulldogyoga.com.
Kink Shoppe
Nonjudgmental shopkeepers? Workshops for beginners? An easy-to-navigate selection of ropes, XXX miscellany and apparel? BDSM suddenly seems—dare we say—accessible. 126 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, kinkshoppe.com.
Wishbone
They're done in a buttermilk batter and a delicious pretzel crust and served with dipping sauces like chipotle lime mayo, honey mustard and parmesan pesto. Try the wings, too. (Locations in Midtown Village and University City.) 210 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, wishbonephilly.com.
Charlie's Pizzeria
Though all the love these days goes to gourmet pies with imported toppings, Charlie's is an archetype for the kind of place we hope never vanishes the classic American neighborhood shop serving crisp, sweet slices. 107 West Germantown Pike, Norristown, PA 19401, pizzacharlies.com.
Nina's Waffles and Sweets
Something fantastic usually comes from a shop that's committed to doing just one thing really well. Anything off the hot presses at Nina's Waffles and Sweets in New Hope and Doylestown proves just that get a Belgian waffle topped with salted caramel ice cream. 31 West Mechanic Street, New Hope, PA 18938, ninaswaffles.com.
Stove & Tap
Imagine a really well-done neighborhood bar (by the Starr alums behind the Bercy, no less), then make it three times bigger. Add sweeping tables, cozy semi-private spaces for parties, and elevated crowd-pleasers (mac-and-cheese peppered with brisket ends; lamb meatballs), and suddenly there’s no reason to go to the city. 329 W Main St, Lansdale, PA 19446, stoveandtap.com.
Tiny WPA
Children and power tools: a classic combination. Tiny WPA teaches kids and teens the ins and outs of woodworking, then supervises the construction of desks, benches, seesaws, and anything else you can make out of chopped-down trees. Got a custom project you need done? The adults of Tiny WPA will work on that, too. 3021 West Stiles Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121, tinywpa.org.
The Universal Sphere
Make a reservation for the Universal Sphere in the upper lobby of the Comcast Technology Center. It looks like a mini EPCOT globe from the outside, and you step in for a dome theater experience that kind of feels like a ride. It’s hard to explain, but it’s only seven minutes long, so you’ve got time. 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, comcastcentercampus.com/universal-sphere.
Pub and Kitchen
Readers' Choice: New menu, new chef and a refreshing new remodel... but the same sort of smart offerings that fans have come to count on. Plus a very solid bar burger (and at $13, one would hope so). 1946 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, thepubandkitchen.com.
Kids 'N' Kribs
Shopping here is like going into one of the big-box kiddie stories with your been-there-done-that mom friend and having her point out the exact products you'll love, from cribs and monitors to car seats and teddy bears. 112 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, kidsnkribs.com.