Frankie's Summer Club is a beautiful, shady respite tucked behind the iconic University of the Arts' Hamilton Hall on South Broad Street. This summer, the hidden courtyard is the site of a popup wine garden with drinks, a collection of shareable, picnic-y-style snacks and soft serve ice cream.
It's the creation of Scout, the design firm behind the renowned Bok Building in South Philadelphia. The Bok Building is filled with 200 businesses-artists, makers, and nonprofits. The goal is to create something similar at Hamilton Hall.
Hamilton Hall was built nearly 200 years ago. It became part of University of the Arts in 1893, and when the school closed, last June, Scout bought the property at auction.
The popup is named for Frank Furness, who was the architect of the brick buildings that flank the hidden courtyard behind Hamilton Hall.
Those brick buildings, historically dormitories for students, will soon become affordable housing for artists. And it's all happening in the heart of the Avenue of the Arts.
Frankie's Summer Club | Instagram
355 S. 15th Street (15th & Pine Streets)
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Traffic Jamz is a new way to celebrate a night on the town with wheels on the ground. Kameisha Griffin is the entrepreneur behind the concept that's ready to put Philly in the fast lane of fun. The BYOB cruise on wheels features floor to ceiling windows that let the breeze flow, while you take in the sights, or dance the night away. All trips pick up and drop off at 3rd and Walnut, and run for 90 minutes through Center City.
Traffic Jamz | Instagram
Use promo code "FYI PHILLY" for 15% off your first Traffic Jamz experience!
Out West is a new cafe, coffee bar, and marketplace that features premium breakfast sandwiches and a small lunch menu. It's the latest from the founder of Down North Pizza, Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, and he brings the same mission of "fair chance hiring" to this new spot. The hometown entrepreneur won a James Beard "Leadership Impact Award" in 2024, and many people are glad to see him return to the neighborhood where he grew up, with a much-needed spot for gourmet coffee drinks and more.
Out West | Instagram
5127 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139
When Rocco Weiss opened The Bakery at 3rd and Wolf Streets in South Philadelphia, last year, it was to serve the neighborhood he's lived in and loved his entire life.
You can get a regular coffee or latte but it's the speciality drinks that set The Bakery apart.
While the coffee shop is new, The Bakery's donuts are a beloved tradition. When the former owner was ready to retire, Rocco says he convinced him to not only sell the building but also share his donut recipe. He is now, he says, the fourth owner of the hundred plus year donut recipe.
However, Rocco's background is in pizza. During the pandemic, he was gifted a pizza oven and started making and selling them in his backyard. They became so popular, he went looking for a brick and mortar.
Every Friday, he makes 40 pizzas. Rather than traditional tomato sauce, he uses his grandmother's gravy recipe and the dough is Sicilian focaccia style.
One Friday a month, he does a dinner series called After Hours by Rocco. It's a four course blind tasting menu.
The Bakery has no website and no phone, so if you're interested in those Friday pizzas or dinners, you have to follow the Bakery on Instagram.
The Bakery
2300 S 3rd Street (3rd & Wolf Streets)
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Longwood Gardens reimagined puts design and discovery in focus. It includes 17 acres of the property redesigned with design and discovery at the heart of every visit.
THIS IS PAID SPONSOR PARTNERSHIP
The historic Cascade Garden features the work of Brazilian artist and landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. With the new look at Longwood the Cascade Garden was given its own space. Inside the new building the garden was recreated using many of the same plants and stone from the designer's original garden that opened in 1993. The rainforest environment is the only surviving garden in the United States from the acclaimed conservationist.
Longwood Gardens also encourages children of all ages to discover and learn about nature. There are 30-minute nature strolls that tour specific areas of the historic grounds or there a list of classes and workshops available to learn new skills related to nature.
Longwood Gardens | Facebook | Instagram
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Beltsville State Park in Carbon County offers beach front property and more!
THIS IS PAID SPONSOR PARTNERSHIP
It has a beach, hiking trails, waterfalls and a K-9 named Kelby who serves on the lifeguard patrol.
Beltzville State Park
2950 Pohopoco Dr, Lehighton, Pa. 18235
Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, has an exciting exhibition on view from a longtime artist-in-residence, and we're giving you a peek inside his studio and the inspiration behind his work.
He's created multiple series over his 27 years as an artist-in-residence there.
The new exhibition is the culmination of his work. The centerpiece of the show is his "Animism" series, which has 24 figures that are six to nine feet each. Ward says he worked twelve years on this series.
"My exhibition is called 'I'll Make Me A World,'" says Ward. "That's my first show here on the Grounds."
Artist Clifford Ward "I'll Make Me A World" at Grounds for Sculpture
Grounds for Sculpture
80 Sculptors Way
Hamilton Township, NJ 08619