Tim McManus

November in Philly can feel like a month without an identity. Should we still be eating cider donuts and hanging out in our flannels? Or is it time to embrace the holidays and hope this is the year we actually get some snow?  The good news is you don’t have to choose. November can be whatever you’d like it to be. It’s the month that’s the best of both worlds: still warm enough for apple picking, but take a deep breath and you can almost smell the Christmas trees.  And therein lies the opportunity. The spooky season attraction you meant to get to? That pumpkin patch you never made it to? There’s never been a better time to be a procrastinator—the masses won’t be back until next year.  Or maybe you’re sick of pumpkin spice and ready to start working on your holiday shopping? Well, that holiday market isn’t going to be any less crowded next month.  Fall or winter, who cares? We’ve got you covered with the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend.RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Philly  

Philly’s best coffee shops do more than just sling some java and breakfast sandwiches. They’re our offices, our third spaces, and in at least one case, our place to listen to a record. Oh, and they all do that coffee part pretty well, too. Whether your vibe is lawn chairs and garage doors or dark and rustic; whether you prefer a pour-over or would rather grab a cup of drip and go; our guide cuts through the lukewarm and the stale to find the buzzworthy spots. Here are the best coffee shops in Philadelphia worthy of your attention right now. This guide was written by Philadelphia-based writer Tim McManus. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in PhiladelphiaThe best things to do in Philadelphia

Sure, you could stock up on produce at your local Acme or Giant supermarket, but where’s the fun in that? There’s nothing like throwing on some comfy clothes, picking up a giant cup of coffee from the neighborhood shop, and filling your bag with fresh tomatoes from a stand that will tell you exactly where—and how—they were grown. Half the joy is in the discovery. It’s finding your new favorite bakery, being talked into trying a hot sauce you’ve never encountered, or grabbing another succulent that your already crowded windowsill most definitely needs to feel complete. Philly has plenty of options, and our guide highlights the best, from pop-ups in stately public squares to neighborhood parks and even college campuses. These Philly farmers' markets offer the gambit. Whether your interest lies in standard veggie fare or you’re more intrigued by specialty ravioli and Korean tacos, there’s a farmer's market in Philadelphia for you. Before you head out and enjoy, check listings, as some markets may be seasonal, and vendors are always changing. This guide was updated by Philadelphia-based writer Tim McManus. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a city of rowhomes. So it shouldn’t be any surprise that the best of the city’s Christmas magic happens there, on the sidewalks of our dense, walkable streets. Many blocks in the city carry on elaborate holiday displays. They’re traditions that go back decades, kept alive by neighbors who are in it for nothing more than the holiday cheer. But whether you’re stumbling upon one of the city’s glowing pockets of merriment, huffing it to a nearby farm or garden, or revisiting classics like the light show at Macy’s or Franklin Square, you won’t be disappointed. Our guide lays out 14 of the best places to see Christmas lights in Philadelphia and soak in all of the Christmas spirit that the city has to offer. This guide was updated by Philly-based writer Tim McManus. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in PhiladelphiaThe best cozy bars in Philly

Any city that has a drink special so ubiquitous that you could walk into any bar in town and ask for it by name must be a place that takes its drinking seriously. That’s the case in Philadelphia, where telling the bartender you want a “Citywide,” or just “The Special,” will make a can of cheap beer and a shot of well whiskey magically appear. But while we may be a shot and a beer town at heart, Philly’s bar scene offers so much more for drinkers; our diverse scene includes sophisticated cocktail bars, rooftop gems, neighborhood gastropubs, and corner dives. In recent years, there’s also been a wave of contemporary wine bars and non- and low-alcohol programs that make bar spaces more inviting and less intimidating for all. So pull up a seat, because you're in one of the best drinking cities in the country. Read on for the 37 best bars in Philadelphia for cold beer, stiff drinks, and fun times. RECOMMENDED: 🍲 The best restaurants in Philly💵 The best cheap hotels in Philadelphia  This guide was last updated by Philadelphia-based writer Alisha Miranda. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality. And that, in our eyes, is what makes a neighbourhood truly cool. From formerly overlooked sub

  Head to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Extend your arm in any direction. You're bound to be pointing toward one of Philadelphia's world-class museums—which would be the envy of any city. But it would be a mistake to end your journey there. Sure, the Parkway may be the city’s epicenter of fine art and culture, but Philly has many more stories to tell: its Mummers and firefighters, its seafarers and scientists, its revolutionaries and entertainers. And of course, its special place in American history. For each of Philly’s many identities, there’s a museum that lovingly preserves that history and is just waiting to be discovered for the first time, or all over again. So go ahead, start on the Parkway and then use this list as inspiration to uncover the best museums in Philadelphia. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in PhiladelphiaThe best restaurants in Philadelphia This guide was updated by Philly-based writer Tim McManus. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Let’s be honest. When you think of Philadelphia, hiking probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. And if it does, then you likely don’t need this list. But that’s not to say there aren’t many amazing opportunities to experience nature in and around the city. Philly is filled with unexpected urban oases, from the lush Wissahickon Valley Park and Schuylkill Center in the northwest to the teeming wetlands of the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at the city’s extreme southern tip. Even more tantalizing, Philly sits just a short drive away from Pennsylvania’s many mountains and its vast state forest system. (Those are places where hiking is definitely one of the first things to come to mind.) There’s even a 229-mile swath of the Appalachian trail that cuts across the eastern part of the state. Here are 12 easy-to-reach spots to go hiking near Philadelphia. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Philadelphia

In the era of the $5 iced coffee, the $18 cocktail, and the don’t-even-ask beer at the stadium, we’re all looking for a few activities that let us leave our wallets at home. Good news: Philly has plenty to do that won’t have you dreading opening next month’s credit card bill. Whether you’re into high culture, history, or hiking, we have you covered with the best free things to do in Philadelphia.  Many of the city’s world-class museums offer free admission, either completely or on certain days. The historic district will transfer you in time without ever costing a dollar. Philly’s rivers and parks are a recreational paradise. And the thousands of murals splashed throughout are public art treasures. Skip the ATM and get started with these ideas of free things to do in Philly. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Philadelphia

Recognized as the most walkable city in America, The City of Brotherly Love is where you can walk the same cobblestone streets as the founding founders in the morning and spend your night fine dining at a James Beard Award-winning chef’s counter without stepping too far. We’ve got die-hard sports fans and large-scale venues to match our teams’ energy, 30+ stunning gardens and arboretums that gave us the title of “America's Garden Capital,” and a tight-knit community of culinary talent making national headlines. Supremely affordable, delightfully unpretentious, and a little gritty, Philly is a world-class city masquerading as a small town. Come for the history, stay for the food, and fall in love with the characters that make Philly unique. Here are 30 of the best things to do to kick off your visit. RECOMMENDED:The best Philadelphia hotels with hot tubsThe best hotels in PhiladelphiaThe best cabins in PhiladelphiaThe best Airbnbs in PhiladelphiaThe best attractions in Philadelphia This guide was updated by Philadelphia-based writer Alisha Miranda. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Talk to any Philadelphian of a certain age—let’s say, elder millennial and above—about their first tattoo and you’re likely to hear a story that starts in the same place: on South Street. It makes sense that the long-time home of Philly’s counter-culture would also be the place to get your first, or fiftieth, piece of ink. Many of those classic tattooing institutions remain and are worth your visit. But they’re hardly your only choice. From Fishtown to South Philly, a new generation of world-class artists has picked up the needle, bringing a wide range of styles and experiences. Whether you’re a walk-in going on an impulse or if you prefer to spend months combing through an artist’s Instagram page, there’s a place for you on this list. Here, the best tattoo shops in Philadelphia. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Philadelphia

The kind of steak Philly is best known for is usually served on a roll instead of a plate. That’s a tough perception to shake in the home of the cheesesteak. But the sweeping restaurant renaissance that hit the city over the last decade has also lifted a new generation of steakhouse standard-bearers. With fresh blood added to a roster of long-beloved neighborhood staples, the result is a surprisingly complete scene. Whether your wish is to live like the Rat Pack for an evening or to know where your steak lived before it reached your plate, or if you just have a good old-fashioned expense account to burn, we’ve got a steakhouse in Philadelphia for you. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Philadelphia

On Sunday mornings, this South Street-adjacent market welcomes 40-plus vendors and a steady flow of shoppers to the covered stretch of historic cobblestones. Along with an excellent array of produce from favorites like Beechwood Orchards, Headhouse is a great place to stock up for a party with cider from Hale & True and Ploughman, canned craft cocktails from Top Dog Cocktails, and charcuterie from Heavy Metal Sausage Co., a South Philly specialty butcher shop. 

A handful of quality farmers and makers convene across the street from the towering walls of Eastern State Penitentiary every Thursday year-round. Shevy’s Babka Paradise, which offers culturally Jewish baked goods and foods, is a regular, and Mycopolitan serves locally grown mushrooms from a basement farm.

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping—for once—at this annual gathering of local crafters, artists, jewelers, and designers. The mulled wine and boozy hot chocolate will take the nip right out of the air. 

This German-style, open-air market takes over two of the city’s most prominent public spaces for its annual run. There’s the usual arrangement of artisan vendors in wooden stalls, but the food, which includes raclette sandwiches, grilled bratwurst, and strudel, may just steal the show.

The animals may be sleeping, but you won’t be. More than a million lights celebrate the wonder of wildlife and the beauty of the planet. Displays include 20-foot trees, a tunnel through a jungle canopy, and a waterfall of lights. 

Dope Shows creates unique experiences for the hip-hop community. Or as they say, “ain’t no show like dope shows.” Their Fall Classic, headlined by Jeezy, Lil Kim, and Fabolous, also features iconic Philly stars like Beanie Sigel and Freeway.

The 48th annual show features the unique work of 195 artists from across the country, representing 13 categories of art and design, as well as 24 guest artists from Italy. You can browse work from participating artists at the show’s site. While the Museum of Art is the beneficiary, don’t forget that the event happens at the Convention Center! 

The parade, which features marching bands and more than 250 motorcyclists, gets a new route this year. The action begins at the Barnes Foundation and heads down the Parkway to Eakins Oval, where a festival of food trucks, vendors, and children’s games await. 

Forget painting with a twist and start sipping with string. Pronounced “e-lo,” this 3D fiber art workshop hosts 21-and-older sessions on Sundays where you’re welcome to bring your own booze. Pick your favorite stencil, and their instructors will show you how to use nails, wood canvas, hammers and yarn to make the image come to life.

This hybrid film festival showcases Asian & Pacific Islander filmmaking and storytelling via in-person screenings, online rentals, and interactive experiences. Catch it online or at numerous spots across the city, including its home base in Chinatown. At various venues, including Asian Arts Initiative, Vox Pouli, Moore College of Art & Design, and Philadelphia Art Museum Design

This event's open-minded vision stretches the concept of a film festival to incorporate Jewish visual art and storytelling along with film screenings from around the globe. Held at various venues around the city, including the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Gratz College, Ambler Theater and Kaiserman JCC, the program includes a master class, a shorts program, and a comedy night. Nov 14–24 at various dates and times.

Soak up the last of the fall vibes at this 49th annual celebration of the apple. There’s a treat for everyone, whether you’d prefer to sip on hot apple cider or shake it up with a treat like the “poison apple hot chocolate,” which features apple, caramel, milk hot chocolate and marshmallows. Enjoy live entertainment while grabbing fresh-picked apples by the bushel, or picking up a pre-ordered pie.