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Get Up Close and Personal With Sharks at the Adventure Aquarium

September 3, 2015 by

Located in Camden, N.J., the Adventure Aquarium is home to more than 8,500 underwater species. Walk through the 40-foot, 360-degree tunnel of sharks featuring the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, or meet a hippopotamus or gator up close.

Sharks, penguins, fish, stingrays, turtles, jellyfish, and more live in recreated natural habitats. Visitors are able to experience the underwater world through hands-on, interactive exhibits. For the 6 and under set, be sure to go to KidZone where little ones can connect to nature via kid-friendly activities, games, and touch exhibits. For an extra fee, visitors can sign up for behind-the-scenes tours that offer VIP access to the hippo, penguin, sea turtle, and shark exhibits. Where else are you going to get the chance to feed stingrays or pet a penguin?

If all that underwater exploration works up an appetite, make a pit stop to the Feeding Frenzy Cafe to refuel with hot dogs, burgers, pizza, and grilled cheese. Gil's Sweet Shop is also not to be missed and serves Breyer's Ice Cream and sweets galore! Finally, grab a unique souvenir at the gift shop on the way out!

Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
(856) 365-3300
www.adventureaquarium.com
www.yelp.com/biz/adventure-aquarium-camden

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Don’t Skip These Kid-Friendly Attractions in Philadelphia

August 13, 2015 by

Philadelphia is a very family-friendly city, provided that you know the right places to take the little ones. Kids of all ages will love these exciting, fun-filled attractions, and the adults might even enjoy them just as much.

Please Touch Museum
Few museums are as hands-on as Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum, which invites children to build, drive, climb on, and explore every exhibit. The museum is centered around the idea that kids learn best through play, and it features exhibits like mazes to teach special reasoning, an interactive neighborhood, and even a Flight Fantasy exhibit that teaches balance and coordination.

Smith Memorial Playground
This historic playground is located in Philly’s East Fairmount Park, and it is targeted toward children ages 10 and younger. The park spans 6 ½ acres and hosts more than 50 pieces of safe, age appropriate playground equipment to offer children the opportunity for creative and social play. Better still, entry to this Philadelphia institution is free.

Philadelphia Zoo
Tiny animal lovers and their parents will both enjoy spending a day at the Philadelphia Zoo. This expansive zoo is 42-acres large and is home to more than 1,300 exotic animals, many of which are rare or endangered. The zoo includes a KidZooU area that is specifically designed for children, including child friendly gates, accessible restrooms and more. This area teaches children about animals in a way that they can understand, and it even offers education about the zoo’s conservation and recycling initiatives.

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La Colombe: Premium Coffee and Prime People-Watching

August 6, 2015 by

Coffee beans from Colombia are considered the best in the world, so it’s no surprise that Rittenhouse Square’s La Colombe Coffee Roasters is arguably one of the best coffee shops in Philadelphia. This atmospheric cafe is beloved by the area’s coffee fanatics for its premium brews and expertly prepared beverages, but it’s also warm and inviting to those who aren’t as knowledgeable about their beans.

Inside, La Colombe is spacious and sunny, with small tables decorated with colorfully painted designs and equally colorful mugs that clash wonderfully against the tabletops. Skilled baristas prepare cafe mochas, pour-over coffees, and iced lattes behind a long coffee bar, and beverages like the 16-hour cold brew prove that the extra effort is well worth the wait.

La Colombe in Rittenhouse doesn't offer Wi-Fi, so swap your laptop for a little conversation.

La Colombe
130 S. 19th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-0860
www.lacolombe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-colombe-philadelphia

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Sip Cold Brews in a Waterfront Beer Garden at Morgan’s Pier

July 16, 2015 by

If you can’t think of anything more relaxing than sipping an ice cold beer outdoors along the water, then you’ll fall in love with Morgan’s Pier. This summertime beer garden is situated right along the Delaware River Waterfront and offers enough wooden picnic tables to accommodate up to 500 people, making it a great place to plan a party or hang out after work with friends.

There is a casual yet upscale menu curated by some of the best local chefs in the area, and it includes peel-and-eat shrimp, grilled whole lobsters, and large gourmet sandwiches. Specialty cocktails and wines are served in addition to the extensive beer menu, and everything changes from month to month to serve only what’s in season. On the weekends, you’ll even find a full brunch menu complete with morning libations at Morgan’s Pier, one of the coolest and most relaxing seasonal spots in all of Philadelphia.

Morgan’s Pier
221 N. Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia PA, 19123
(215) 279-7134
www.morganspier.com

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Bartram’s Garden: Experience Botanical History

June 11, 2015 by

In 1728, a Pennsylvania Quaker named John Bartram purchased 102 acres near Philadelphia and began assembling one of the most extensive botanical collections in the world. His garden remains the oldest existing botanical garden in the United States, and during Bartram's lifetime, the garden was visited and enjoyed by dignitaries like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.You can spend the day exploring Bartram's Garden, as well!

Visiting the garden on your own is always free, but Yelp reviewers recommend signing up for one of the guided tours, which will explain the garden's layout and design, as well as help you identify the historical significance of certain plants. As an added bonus, you'll get a spectacular view of the Philadelphia skyline from the estate's meadowlands. Don’t forget to stop by the historic buildings that housed Bartram’s family, and be sure to step inside the nursery where you can purchase native Pennsylvania cuttings and seedlings.

Bartram's Garden
54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 729-5281
www.bartramsgarden.org
www.yelp.com/biz/bartrams-garden-philadelphia

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Capogiro Gelato: A Sweet Italian Tradition

May 14, 2015 by

If you’re looking for a great cup of gelato to complete a dinner out in Rittenhouse Square, a visit to Capogiro Gelato is a must. This artisan gelato shop is conveniently located next to some of the most popular restaurants and shopping locales in the city, and it serves a wide variety of different gelato flavors in its futuristic storefront.

Inside, Capogiro is decorated with bright blue walls, a retro ice cream counter area, and a large glass display case where customers can admire the colorful gelatos. It may be hard to decide between mouthwatering flavors like Thai coconut, peanut and salted caramel and bourbon butterscotch, but luckily the friendly employees offer as many samples as you need before making a decision.

Enjoy your gelato at one of the many tables inside, or take it to go and eat it while taking a walk around the scenic city block.

Capogiro Gelato
117 S. 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 636-9250
www.capogirogelato.com
www.yelp.com/biz/capogiro-gelato-philadelphia

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The Wilma Theater: Splendid Stage

May 7, 2015 by

Founded in 1973, the Wilma Theater has received more Barrymore Awards than any other theatre company on Earth, which is pretty impressive. This exceptional incubator was created to develop theatrical artists in the community and encourage the production of original works. In 1979, the company began collaborating with Czech artists Blanka and Jiri Zizka, who took the group to new levels of success. The pair moved the company to their new 300-seat theatre in 2006, and their productions have played in Philadelphia and all over the world.

It’s a great place to see a performance, with incredible sightlines and acoustics, and the material is uniformly great. The group has worked with luminaries like Tom Stoppard and Arthur Miller. Their seasons are innovative and invigorating, pushing boundaries and tackling challenging subjects. The Wilma offers a number of discount programs for students and seniors.

Visit the Wilma's website to see a calendar of upcoming events!

The Wilma Theater
265 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-7824
www.wilmatheater.org
www.yelp.com/biz/the-wilma-theater-philadelphia

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Quintessence Theatre Group: See the Classics

April 9, 2015 by

In the fall of 2009, Alexander Burns and Pamela Reichen established Quintessence Theatre Group to bring classic performances to patrons in Mt. Airy. All performances are held at the Sedgwick Theatre, originally a cinema opened in 1928. It's full of gorgeous art deco touches.

The theatre group has performed classical plays like Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, and Moliere’s Don Juan. The theatre group also offers workshops for children and adults interested in dramatic acting.

Visit the website for season and ticket information!

Quintessence Theatre Group
The Sedgwick Theater
7137 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119
(215) 240-6055
www.QuintessenceTheatre.org
www.yelp.com/biz/quintessence-theatre-group-philadelphia

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Peruse 3 Floors of Funky, Quirky Folk Art at Eye’s Gallery

April 2, 2015 by

Eye's Gallery is a distinctive shopping destination in Philadelphia. Its three levels of this store are chock full of unique, fair trade items made by artisans from Latin America to India; expect pottery, tapestries, furniture, wood carvings, mirrors, and many more international goods. The store also carries women’s and men’s clothing, as well as jewelry and accessories.

Julia Zagar and her artist husband Isaiah, whose distinctive mosaic art covers the facade of the building, opened Eye's Gallery in 1968 after serving in the Peace Corps. (They also own the Magic Gardens outdoor art installation six blocks away at 1020 South Street.)

Eye's Gallery's hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Eye's Gallery
402 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 925-0193
http://www.eyesgallery.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/eyes-gallery-philadelphia

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Pack a Picnic and Enjoy Some People-Watching at Rittenhouse Square Park

March 12, 2015 by

Rittenhouse Square Park is a lovely green oasis located at 18th and Walnut streets, in the center of Philadelphia's tony Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. The planning for Rittenhouse Square dates back to the original plans of Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin envisioned five green spaces for the citizens of Philadelphia to enjoy, one of these being Rittenhouse Square. Not only is this park rich with history, Rittenhouse Square Park is adjacent to some of the best shopping and dining experiences in the city!

Great for a picnic, relaxing walk, just hanging out, or reading a book on a bench, the park is beautifully landscaped and maintained. Open year-round, the park also hosts many special events including festivals, arts and crafts shows, farmers' markets, concerts, outdoor movie screenings, holiday tree lightings, and the like. Tired from a day of sightseeing? Grab a cup of coffee and a sweet treat from a nearby coffee shop and just sit back and people-watch.

There's always something interesting to see at Rittenhouse Square!

Rittenhouse Square
210 Rittenhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions/philadelphia/rittenhouse-square-park
www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60795-d138255-Reviews-Rittenhouse_Square-Philadelphia_Pennsylvania.html

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