Anna C. Verna Playground
Photograph by Jeff Fusco It’s hard not to be the best playground when you have the largest swing set in the country. And this new spot just off Broad and Pattison sports just that. There are also all sorts of nifty things to climb on and ride down — like a 25-foot slide that looks like it’s dropping kids out of the sky — and plenty of green space for chilling after your kid is finally worn out. FDR Park, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Zembo Temple of Skate and Design
When you get bored with showing off your moves on this quirky skate shop’s indoor skateboarding ramps and other equipment, they also host yoga — as well as concerts and comedy. And thanks to a new renovation, Zembo is even bigger and better. 2011 Amber Street, #2, Philadelphia, PA 19125
B. West
Back in 2015, longtime Silk City owner Mark Bee took what had been the city’s only lesbian bar, Sisters, and turned it into a Gayborhood burlesque-and-drag paradise called Franky Bradley’s. Today, he’s taken the adjacent property, formerly the storied gay club Key West, and transformed that into a magical performance space, bar and dance club that might contain more disco balls and glowing vinyl paintings than any other place on Earth. Look for regular events like a fashion-design contest called Seam Queen, Latin dance parties, and performances by Best of Philly-winning cabaret duo Glitter and Garbage. 1320 Chancellor Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Trolley Trail
Most people have no clue that a scenic trolley ran through the Fairmount Park woods during the first part of the 20th century. This new trail follows that path and opens up parts of the park that weren’t as easily accessible before — or at least not since there was a trolley. It’s a moderate four-mile loop with a trailhead near Chamounix Mansion.
48 Record Bar
Ten years ago, who would’ve thought that audiophiles and music nerds in general would be flocking to a new bar to drink $15 cocktails and listen to vinyl records (and only vinyl records) all night long? The world is weird. Maybe that means we’ll have a cassette cafe in 2034. 48 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Craft Coven
Photograph by Jeff Fusco These pop-up DIY events all over the city are organized by Philly artist Cassie Jones and feature a wide range of endeavors, such as stitching your own reusable shopping bag out of recycled fabrics, weaving a basket out of reeds, making your own watercolor paints, and drawing nude models — free beer is included for that last one.
Pirate Pebbs
Think being a karaoke host is easy — that you just hit play and introduce a singer? Wrong. You need personality. You need to be able to belt out some tunes yourself to get people in the mood. And you need to be able to deal with drunk people. Pirate Pebbs, as she goes by, checks all those boxes and can pull off Prince, Lady Gaga and Tracy Chapman, which is quite the feat. Find her at SouthHouse, Tavern on Camac and El Bar.
Puttshack
Sure, the putt-putt at the Jersey Shore is great and all. But where do you play in the dead of winter? Or when it’s raining? The answer is this neon-lit indoor complex at Liberty Place, with its four innovative nine-hole courses, fun cocktails, finger foods, and, on the weekends, DJs. 1625 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Fishtown Choir
If you’re the kind of person who sings at the top of your lungs in the shower, this community-based, all-are-welcome impromptu choir that performs everything from Marvin Gaye and Crowded House to Radiohead and Mariah Carey is exactly what you need. You simply show up, have some drinks, do a quick rehearsal, and then belt it out. Join in on August 28th at Ortlieb’s when the choir does Bruce Springsteen.
The Hen Houses
Photograph by Ben Hale If you’re hosting a bachelorette party or family reunion, this micro-resort from the owners of MudHen Brewing Company is for you. It has a series of individually themed tiny houses (the Captain Doug, the Sea Tiger, the Wildwood Haze …) and the huge and thoroughly decked-out Manor, which sleeps 14 and sports a kitchen and bar that encourage entertaining. 156 East Taylor Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Lancaster
If all you think of when you think of Lancaster is shoofly pie, you need to revisit the up-and-coming funkytown. Book a room at the Lancaster Arts Hotel — the best place to stay in the region — and explore the cool bars and dining options, from Moroccan to Himalayan to Vietnamese to Uruguayan and beyond.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Devote the day to hiking and watching raptors in all their glory. Looking for the perfect time to visit? Peak hawk activity happens mid-August into December, and International Hawk Migration Week runs September 14th through 22nd. 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529
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
The Routes to Roots Map
As part of a larger community-engagement project with creative colleague Laura Deutch, Philly illustrator Shira Walinsky hand-painted a multilingual map that shows you how to get to all sorts of gorgeous Philly green spaces using SEPTA’s vast network of buses. Find copies at the city’s central Regional Rail stations. Or take a peek online — though the physical map is much cooler. @Gettingtogreen.phl.
Adam Elbaum
Yes, this master prestidigitator does corporate events, birthday parties, and bar and bat mitzvahs. But where you really want to see him is in his Queen Village home, where he invites a handful of guests a few times each month for wine, cheese, and an intimate close-up magic show like you’ve never experienced before. He doesn’t charge admission: He asks that you donate an amount of your choosing to designated charities. Reach out via his website if you want an invite.
Val’s Lesbian Bar
Philadelphia hasn’t had a lesbian bar worth going to since Sisters closed in 2013. But South Philly couple Julia Harris and Clover Gilfor are working to change that by opening one in Old City, hopefully within the next year. Meanwhile, the pair hosts a bevy of pop-up parties, mixers and other events for the sapphically inclined, whether you’re into poetry, DJs, flea markets or live music. @Valslesbianbar.
Black Squirrel Club
Yes, they host the best jazz jam in the city. That’s each Monday. But this performing arts venue, located in a steam plant from the early 1900s, also has chamber music, comedy, mystical experiences and weddings. We think the oft-overused word “eclectic” would apply here. 1049 Sarah Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Atlantic City
Some perennial Avaloners may roll their eyes at the notion that the beach we deemed the worst in 1974 could now be the best. But stick with us. No silly beach tags are required. The sand south of the casino strip has plenty of chill, quiet space for you to set up camp. The newly renovated boardwalk runs the entire length of the shorefront. And there’s no beach more diverse in these parts. Bonus? Our South Philly friends can clock the trip in under one hour.
Otherworld
Photograph by Jeff Fusco “Trippy, unsettling and beautiful” is how one of our writers characterized this 40,000-square-foot interactive art exhibit crawling with creepy creatures, secret passages, and all sorts of other elements that might weird you out — but only in a good way. 2500 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114
Thunderbird Lanes
When you tire of those trendy new-school bowling spots and want to experience the game the way it used to be, visit these mom-and-pop operations that have been around forever. They feature killer specials like $12.99 for two hours of unlimited bowling — shoes included! — and corner-bar prices on beers. What is this, 1990? Northeast Philly and Warminster, PA
Video Games
Many public libraries offer all sorts of things to check out other than books, like musical instruments (Parkway Central) and museum passes (most suburban libraries). But thanks to a new initiative by the Free Library of Philadelphia, you can now borrow more than 100 titles for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, for up to three weeks at a time.
The Rosenbach Museum & Library
Once you’ve watched the entirety of Game of Thrones and Succession for the 23rd time, proceed directly to this thoroughly unplugged Rittenhouse wonderland. Here, you can attend Great Gatsby-themed parties, calligraphy workshops, lofty discussions, and an annual festival in June celebrating Ulysses wherein all sorts of local VIPs, scholars and dignitaries read passages from the novel. Come Halloween season, a variety of events will be centered on Dracula — the Rosenbach has Bram Stoker’s original notes in its vast collection. 2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Silent Book Club Philly
Once a month, you show up at a predetermined location — it might be a cafe, it might be a public library, it might be a local park — with whatever book you want, and you just sit and read together-ish. Socialize or don’t. It’s your call. They aptly call it “the introvert happy hour.”
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
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
Paul Robeson House & Museum
If you’re into music, don’t miss the Paul Robeson House & Museum, dedicated to the life of the interesting character who went from NFL player to Harlem Renaissance performer to political activist who found himself on the wrong side of the FBI and McCarthyism. He spent the latter part of his life at this property, which hosts concerts and exhibits about issues like MOVE. 4951 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
Matchbox Road Museum
Owner/curator Everett Marshall III calls it a “mini-museum.” But we’re not sure the term “mini” applies to a place that holds more than 60,000 little die-cast cars and all sorts of Matchbox advertisements and ephemera. Regardless, if you’re going to have a collection of 60,000 of anything, you might as well share it with the world. 15 Pearl Street, Newfield, NJ 08344
Wagner Free Institute of Science
The Wagner Free Institute of Science is an architecturally stunning natural history museum from the 1800s that hasn’t changed much since, well, the 1800s. It’s essentially a museum of what a Victorian natural history museum was actually like. 1700 West Montgomery Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Iron Menace
Photograph courtesy of Dorney Park 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
The Candy Lab
You know which kid has the best birthday parties? The kid whose birthday party includes not just eating all sorts of candy but also making (and, of course, eating) candy and doing crafts (think necklaces) with all those sweet treats. Maybe throw a new toothbrush into the party-favor bag. 22 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003
Thought We’d Never See Again
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.