Theatre Contra
We’re pretty sure we’ve never given out a Best of Philly award for live readings before because, well, they generally inspire yawns. But then we discovered this scrappy young theater company that does dramatic live readings of scripts from movies like Die Hard, Snakes on a Plane and The Fast and the Furious. The events are held at a variety of bars and venues: Watch them do the Nicolas Cage-John Travolta sci-fi action movie Face/Off on September 4th at Tattooed Mom. theatrecontra.com.
The Arden
A five-show subscription unbelievably starts at just $125, and you’ll more than get your money’s worth this upcoming season. On the ticket: a play from MacArthur Fellow Lynn Nottage, a world premiere from Philadelphia playwright Michael Hollinger, South Philly Pulitzer winner James Ijames directing August Wilson’s King Hedley II, Philly stage veteran Jennifer Childs at the helm of an uproarious comedy about the presidency, and the return of Rent. 40 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, ardentheatre.org.
Fergie’s
One of the longest-running trivia events in Philadelphia — if not the longest — is still the best. Get there early on Tuesdays if you want to play, because trivia night at this 30-year-old Irish pub can get very busy. And come prepared: One of their regulars was on Jeopardy! recently. These people don’t mess around. 1214 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, fergies.com.
Longwood Gardens
Philly has some beloved, beautiful fountains. But you have to go out to Longwood Gardens to see what a real fountain display is all about. Their main fountain garden includes almost 2,000 fountain jets, synchronized music, and remarkable landscape design. Look for fireworks nights into October and make it a twofer. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, longwoodgardens.org.
Coco Academy
“We just want to teach kids to make cool things” is the tagline for this STEAM-centered maker space that offers classes for kids ages five through 14. And what cool things they will make as they learn all about laser-cutting, 3D printing and circuitry. You can buy a series of classes or drop in for a single project-focused open studio on Saturdays. Just think of how your kids’ gift game is going to be upped by the time the holidays roll around. Everybody wins, especially because Isgro Pastries is a couple of doors down. 1001 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, cocoacademyphl.com.
Iron Menace
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A “dive coaster” has a vertical — i.e., 90-degree — drop after you climb that first hill. And thanks to Dorney Park, the Mid-Atlantic finally has one. But the engineers pushed it to 95 degrees. Plus, when you get to the top, you don’t just drop. They put a brake on it to dangle you up there before you plummet face first down to earth. 4000 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA 18104, dorneypark.com.
Philadelphia Folk Festival
After a spectacular and controversial collapse, the legendary folk fest, which started in 1962, has a new director and is back in business at Montco’s Old Pool Farm. The resuscitated festival runs August 16th to 18th, with acts including John Oates, Gangstagrass, and renowned banjoist (yes, banjoist!) Tony Trischka. We hope it will continue for many years to come. folkfest.org.
MVMNT Center
This small-but-mighty space is less than a year old but has quickly established itself as a go-to, with everything you need for optimal wellness: a roster of Pilates, strength training and mobility workouts plus cold-plunge tubs, infrared saunas and vitamin C showers. There are also rotating events on topics like breathwork, nutrition and skin health. Good (ahem, great) news: A second location is coming soon. 609 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, mvmntcenter.com.
La Chelé Ellis Preserve
Okay, so La Chelé isn’t exactly new. The cult-favorite med spa got its start in New Hope more than 15 years ago, then opened locations in Newtown and Upper Dublin. But its latest outpost in Newtown Square, which debuted in April, just might be its best yet because this one comes equipped with a private infrared sauna and red-light therapy, plus an aromatherapy shower for you to enjoy post-sweat-sesh. 101 Squire Drive, suite B, Newtown Square, PA 19073, lachelemedspa.com.
Studio LIT
You’ll feel it as soon as you walk in — wafts of therapeutic infrared heat from this studio’s packed roster of hot yoga classes. But Studio LIT cranks up the heat on other workouts, too. Think hot Pilates, strength training, meditation, and high-octane trampoline and cardio dance classes. For those new to yoga, all classes are dimly lit and open level, which means you’ll be sweating alongside beginner and advanced yogis. 22 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA 18940, studiolitfit.com.
Practice Yoga Co-Op
This Queen Village cooperative brings yoga back to the basics with a simple, no-frills studio; free mats and props to use; and a lineup of donation-based drop-in classes. (A $5 minimum is suggested.) But if the biz model is basic, the classes are anything but: Expect 60-minute Ashtanga and vinyasa practices with super-skilled, friendly teachers plus blissed-out sound-healing sessions. (Certain lyengar classes run 90 minutes and cost $20 for drop-ins.) Can’t make it in person? Take a $20 Zoom class held on Tuesday mornings. 804 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, practiceyogacoop.com.
Aqua Experience at Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa and Salon
Scrub devotees, you won’t want to miss this. You’ll lie on a heated hammam table and get a full-body cleanse and polish in the spa’s own Turkish bath — a room tricked out with overhead Vichy showers, a color-changing crystal ceiling for LED light therapy, and seriously relaxing herbal steams. Save time for a hang in the salt lounge afterward. Philadelphia and Springfield, PA josephanthony.com.
Boro Piercing
The recent opening of this adorable, family-friendly boutique piercing studio in Yardley means that those of us looking to finesse our earscapes no longer need to go to tattoo parlors or take our chances with piercing guns at crappy mall stores. They’ll pierce septums and belly buttons, but ears are the primary focus here, as evidenced by the shop’s impressive assortment of pretty piercing jewelry. Not sure what you want? Owner Nicole Hiner will help you plot out a perfect piercing plan. (Tip: Gather a group of friends, and the shop will host a private piercing party just for you.) 16 South Main Street, unit A, Yardley, PA 19067, boro-piercing.square.site.
Heavy Metal Hair Salon
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This cool-as-hell salon from stylist and owner Brittany Goldberg features a lot of neon — plus a Marshall amp mini-fridge stocked with beer, and copious leather and studs, obviously. (You’ll likely hear Mötley Crüe, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden while there.) The salon specializes in vivid and creative coloring — including leopard-print–dyed hair for wrestler Joey Janela — and is a hot spot for trendy mullets and shags. 1604 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, theheavymetalhairsalon.com.
Honey Hollow Farm
Go with your friends, go with your mom, or simply go solo — however you arrive at this bucolic Bucks County sanctuary and National Historic Landmark, you’ll have a transformative experience thanks to host Layla Broumand, whose programs range from workshops to customizable weekend stays. Activities take place in and around the restored stone cottage and could include a cacao ceremony, cooking classes (Broumand’s soups are stellar) or garden yoga. You’ll leave with a new zest for life, and your next visit on the calendar. 2799 Creamery Road, New Hope, PA 18938, honeyhollowfarm.com.