South Bowl Promises 26 Lanes And Happy Hour Bowling Every Week

No plans for the weekend? Lace up your bowling shoes and head to South Bowl! Located at Front Street and Oregon Avenue, this bi-level venue—the sibling facility of North Bowl in Northern Liberties—is home to 26 bowling lanes, two bars, arcade games, billiards tables, and a roofdeck. What's more, local music acts regularly take the stage to provide live music for guests of the bar and bowling lanes.

For the best deals, be sure to stop by South Bowl during happy hour, which is held 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight Mondays through Thursdays and 4 to 6 p.m. on Fridays. You'll score discounts on tater tots, select beers, and pizza! Note that South Bowl is only open to those over the age of 21 after 9 p.m.

In addition to being a great spot for a drop-in bowling game, South Bowl is a popular spot for private parties. Lanes and private bowling areas are available for corporate events, birthday parties, anniversaries, fundraisers, and more.

South Bowl
19 West Oregon Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 389-2695
www.southbowlphilly.com

North Bowl: Bowling and Beers With Retro Style

If you’re tired of visiting outdated, smoke-filled bowling alleys that haven’t been updated since the ‘80s, you’ll love the chic, retro style of Philadelphia’s North Bowl. This hip and upscale bowling alley is just as fun and relaxed as the older options, but it features 21,000 square feet of lounge spaces, bowling lanes, and dining areas that you just won’t find at your typical bowling alley.

In the downstairs level of the bi-level building, you’ll find the colorful bowling lanes, a dining area, and a sleek bar. If all of that bowling makes you hungry, you can grab gourmet food items like braised beef wonton tacos and crunchy Asian ramen noodle salads. You can even order food laneside! Upstairs, North Bowl has four more private bowling lanes, pool tables, arcade games, and a cocktail lounge.

If you’re really serious about bowling, North Bowl hosts bowling leagues for various skill levels where you can engage in a little friendly competition.

North Bowl
909 N. Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-BOWL
www.northbowlphilly.com
www.yelp.com/biz/north-bowl-philadelphia

Union Transfer: Plan A Music Lover’s Perfect Night Out

It’s easy to find great live music in a city as large as Philadelphia, and if you’re looking to catch a set this weekend, pay a visit to Union Transfer. This popular bar and venue is one of the best places in the city for all genres of live music, from up-and-coming indie rock groups to beloved singer-songwriters from years gone by.

While it was once a Spaghetti Warehouse restaurant, it has since been transformed into a bona fide venue with a great sound system, incredible architectural details, and a large stage that ensures a great view from every seat in the house. There is a spacious bar with skilled bartenders that can create any type of cocktail that you have in mind, plus craft beers and premium wines, as well. Grab a drink and a seat at one of the numerous bar stools before heading to the front of the stage to rock out with your favorite acts.

Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 232-2100
www.utphilly.com

Cardio and Strength-Training Converge at Philly Power Yoga

Beginning a yoga practice can be intimidating, which is why the staff at Philly Power Yoga goes out of their way to welcome new comers. Whether you've been practicing yoga for years or you’ve never given it a try, the talented teachers at Philly Power Yoga can whip you into shape in no time (and do so with a smile).

If you haven't yet mastered the basics, come to a Beginner's Yoga class to learn the main principles of yoga. But if you are already an expert, jump right into a Power Yoga class in a room heated to 90 degrees, so as to allow deeper, safer bending. You can also opt for a Pilates class instead and work on building strength throughout the body, specifically in the core, or come to a barre class for a full-body workout. Philly Power Yoga even offers cardio classes to complement your strength-training workouts.

Philly Power Yoga
2016 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(267) 908-5395
www.yandpphilly.com
www.yelp.com/biz/philly-power-yoga-philadelphia

See Al Capone’s Cushy Cell at Eastern State Penitentiary

The very first time Al Capone was arrested—the first of many—he landed in the Eastern State Penitentiary. The charge of carrying a concealed, deadly weapon only earned him eight months in the slammer, but that was enough time for him to get comfortable. His cell at Eastern State still looks much like it did back then, outfitted with high-end furniture, oriental rugs, and even a radio. And you can see it for yourself on a tour of Eastern State Penitentiary.

The rich history of the prison comes to life via the narration of actor Steve Buscemi in an audio tour of its many hallways and cells, but you can also opt for a guided tour for access to some behind-the-scenes spots. Either way, you'll learn more about the people who lived at the notorious prison, what landed them there, and how day-to-day life unfolded after they were locked up.

Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 236-3300
www.easternstate.org
www.yelp.com/biz/eastern-state-penitentiary-historic-site-philadelphia

Institute of Contemporary Art: Contemplate the Cutting Edge

Featuring installations, video art, architectural sculptures, and more, Philadelphia's Institute of Contemporary Art exhibits a broad range of artistically innovative pieces from artists around the globe. This internationally recognized museum is committed to showcasing adventurous, risk-taking artwork that pushes the boundaries of current artistic forms and challenges us to think and see the world in new ways.

There is no permanent collection at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Instead, exhibits regularly rotate so every time you visit it's an entirely new experience. On any given day you might find a moveable glass wall pocked with what seem to be bullet holes, treehouses built to convey an environmental message, or huge canvasses covered with single-tone paint. Best of all, there's no admission charge, so it's easy to visit as often as you like.

Institute of Contemporary Art
118 South 36th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-7108
www.icaphila.org
www.yelp.com/biz/institute-of-contemporary-art-philadelphia

Where to Find Philly’s Most Iconic Foods

Most people automatically think of cheesesteaks when they think of Philadelphia’s most famous foods, but there are a few other iconic food landmarks in the City of Brotherly Love. Here are just a few of Philly’s most memorable bites, and none of them come in traditional restaurant form.

Reading Terminal Market
This historic public market is located conveniently in Philadelphia’s Center City, and it is home to a wide variety of restaurant stands and grocery vendors. The market’s stands sell local produce, Amish specialties, meats and seafood, and even fresh cut flowers. Visitors fill up on Thai food, salads, pizzas and pasta as they shop, and the market even offers quality wines and baked goods.

Pat’s and Geno’s Cheesesteaks
Though the two are always in friendly competition, Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks are arguably Philadelphia’s most famous cheesesteak vendors. Pat’s has been around since 1930 and Geno’s first opened in 1966, but today both are known for that signature thin-sliced steak, melted cheese, and freshly baked bread that tastes distinctly like Philly.

9th Street Italian Market
Philadelphia has a very large Italian-American population, and this has translated into South 9th Street’s unique mix of sights, smells and tastes. The 9th Street Italian Market is located in the area of the city’s first Italian restaurants and grocers, and it still sells the same high quality herbs, spices, fresh seafood, pastas ,and other traditional Italian fare.

Browse Gifts and Party Supplies With a Twist at Occasionette

This East Passyunk Avenue boutique offers a whimsical selection of gifts and party supplies. South Philly artist Sara Selepouchin, who was trained as an architect, opened Occasionette in 2013 as a way to expand her online business. She has been selling fun, quirky diagram drawings under the label Girls Can Tell since 2005, and her shop offers her entire line of items, as well as a selection of other offerings from makers from around the country.

You’ll find reusable recycled cotton lunch bags, baby onesies, bar and tableware, notebooks, cards, temporary tattoos, and tea towels. Girls Can Tell wares are all printed in the U.S., and many are printed in the studio attached to the shop. Items not printed in-house are handled by local, independent printers. Also, you’re welcome to bring your dog into the shop.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Occasionette
1825 East Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 465-1704
www.occasionette.com
www.yelp.com/biz/occasionette-philadelphia

Get Up Close and Personal With Sharks at the Adventure Aquarium

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

La Colombe: Premium Coffee and Prime People-Watching

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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