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City Cast Philly

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Siani Colón

May is National Bike Month, when we’re reminded of cycling’s multiple benefits, from exercise to transportation. While biking can be a solitary activity, Philadelphia has a strong community of cyclists who host meetups throughout the city for riders to safely cycle together. If you’re looking for a group near you to explore with, here are a few local clubs.

Have you ever heard of a walking school bus, where a group of students walks to school with chaperones? Similar to that concept, bike trains consist of cyclists commuting together to jobs, school, or other destinations. 

 has six main routes around the city, with riders meeting up weekly.

Riding your bike at night can be intimidating due to lower visibility and other dangers. But just because it’s dark out doesn’t mean you can’t go out. 

 organizes biweekly social bike rides throughout the city. Interested cyclists can learn about an upcoming ride and the designated route on the organization’s website and social media channels. The miles vary with each ride, and routes will note their difficulty levels.

this group hosts evening social bike rides

 but focuses on Northwest Philadelphia. Riders meet up every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. Upcoming dates and routes are posted on Instagram and 

Sometimes, to get people out of the house, you need to come up with a good theme. 

 leans into its name by organizing monthly themed bike rides. Past themes have centered on Earth Day, the spring equinox, and Valentine’s Day. Riders meet at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps at 8 p.m. and head out at 8:30 p.m.

 promotes gender inclusivity and racial equity in biking and the great outdoors. The Philadelphia chapter has organized bike campouts, picnic rides, and “carb crawls” to local bakeries. The group also runs a gear library, sharing bike bags and camping equipment.

Want to join these groups but don’t know how to ride a bike? Adults and kids alike can practice biking in Hunting Park’s 

. And the Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition hosts two-hour adult learn-to-ride class every month at Lloyd Hall along Boathouse Row – 

Why bike solo when you can join a community that also loves exploring the city on two wheels?


Where To Ride a Bike With Others in Philly

Ride a Bike and Make a Friend at These Philly Biking Clubs

Find the best of everything that Philadelphia has to offer.

Philly’s Best

Philly's Best

On May 21, Philadelphia will celebrate a new holiday. City Council 

 last month recognizing the date as “Ona Judge Day.”

, an enslaved seamstress, and Andrew Judge, a white indentured servant, Ona “Oney” Judge inherited her mother’s status as a slave 

 and worked on the estate of George and Martha Washington in Mount Vernon.

When Judge was a pre-teen, she was assigned to serve as Martha’s personal maid. Despite the trust and responsibility required for this role, her enslaved status did not change. When George became president of the United States, the household moved to New York and later Philadelphia, bringing nine enslaved workers with them. Judge was among those moved to Philadelphia without a choice, leaving her mother and family behind.

exposed to the free Black and Quaker abolitionist

 communities working to abolish slavery. While inspiring, Judge was in a precarious situation. Pennsylvania’s 

 allowed slaves to claim freedom after six months of continuous residency, but Washington got around this by rotating his enslaved workers between Philadelphia and Virginia to prevent them from qualifying. Judge did not risk leaving.

That all changed when Judge, in her 20s, learned the Washingtons 

were planning to transfer her to Martha’s granddaughter as a wedding gift

, Judge said: “Whilst they were packing up to go to Virginia, I was packing to go, I didn't know where; for I knew that if I went back to Virginia, I should never get my liberty.”

On May 21, 1796, Judge slipped out of the president’s mansion during a dinner party. With the assistance of the free Black community, Judge 

, N.H. Two days after her escape, the Washingtons 

 demanding her capture, offering a $10 reward.

Judge would remain in New Hampshire, where she later married John Staines, a freed Black sailor with whom she had three children. The Washingtons never found her, and 

Visitors at Independence National Historical Park could 

literally walk in Ona Judge’s footsteps

. At the former site of Washington’s home, footsteps are embedded in the pavement, replicating the path she took to her escape.

executive order signed by President Donald Trump

 last year demanded the removal of materials from national parks, museums, and monuments that “inappropriately disparage Americans.” Several panels from the President’s House that referenced slavery were removed and later partially restored as a 

court battle between the Trump administration and the city drags on

🎧 Yet the inaugural Ona Judge Day ensures that her legacy will not be forgotten. Learn more about the Ona Judge Coalition’s efforts to preserve her story on 

A new holiday honors one woman’s brave escape to freedom even as there are efforts to erase that history. 

Why Philly Is Celebrating Ona Judge Day

Who Is Ona ‘Oney’ Judge?

People, places, and scenes from Philadelphia's past.

Philly History

It’s warming up in Philly! Rising temps may have you eager to grab a swimsuit and head down to the Jersey Shore, but there are plenty of opportunities to splash around this spring and summer in the city itself. As we wait for the city to reopen our pools and spraygrounds (help them open quicker by 

 offers free community boating on Saturdays now through Oct. 17. Rowboats, kayaks, and canoes are available for 30-minute rides. Instruction is provided, so beginners are welcome! No signup required. The organization also hosts free family fishing every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Fairmount Park Conservancy, in partnership with the Independence Seaport Museum, hosts community paddle boating at FDR Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

 are on May 16, June 6, July 18, and Aug. 15.

Over in Torresdale, you can boat along the Delaware River and Poquessing Creek. Rowboats, kayaks, and canoes are 

 on a first-come, first-served basis on select days through September.

Just outside of Philadelphia and a short walk from the Regional Rail’s Cheltenham Station, you can learn to fish. The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, which covers both Philadelphia and Montgomery counties, 

 on Tuesday evenings from now through Sept. 15. Rods, tackle, bait, and instruction are provided.

 two weeks before your preferred event date to register.

 leads several kayak excursions along the Delaware River. This includes an introductory lesson ($25), a 2-3 mile excursion ($65), and a 6-mile excursion ($75). The museum also offers special events such as an ecotour, teaching about the river’s ecosystem and how to better the environment, and a morning paddle paired with coffee.

You can also head to Penn’s Landing Marina and 

 during the day or night, taking in the views of the harbor.

Riverfront North Partnership, in partnership with MidAtlantic Youth Anglers & Outdoor Partners, will 

teach you how to fish along the Delaware River

, right by the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge. Lessons every other Thursday until June 18  are capped at 35 participants.

You can learn how to fish every other Thursday until June 25. 

. There’s also a public boat launch at this site.

Located in Philly’s Kingsessing neighborhood, 

 is not just home to the oldest surviving botanical garden in the U.S. Here, visitors can enjoy the water. Free boating is available on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., equipment and instruction provided. If you have your own boat, you can launch a non-motorized boat from Bartram’s dock. Free fishing occurs on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with weekly catch-and-release fishing on Wednesdays. Rods and tackle are available for free.

locations along the banks perfect for fishing

 near Center City, Grays Ferry, and Southwest Philly. Fishers must abide by state law and have a current, signed fishing license.

You can take a professional guided tour with 

 along the Schuylkill River. Basic kayak tours are $40 per person, and sunset/moonlight tours are $45 per person. You can also catch a movie after you finish kayaking right along the riverbank.

 for upcoming fishing lessons, tours, and other activities.

Row merrily down Philly’s rivers or learn how to catch a fish at these seasonal programs. 


Where To Boat and Fish in Philly

Free and Low-Cost Aquatic Activities in Philly

On Tuesday Philadelphians will line up at the polls or return their mail-in ballots for this month’s primary election. Voters will not only decide on a pick for the bluest congressional district in the country, but also party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, state senator, and state representative. Plus, there’s a race for state committee that you may not have known was happening. And we can’t forget ballot questions.

If you’ve mentally checked out of politics to preserve your sanity, here’s a last-minute cheat sheet.

You haven’t seen any commercials or billboards advertising this race, which is why you might be confused by all the names appearing on your ballot.

State committeepeople endorse statewide candidates and guide statewide policy platforms for their respective parties. In the booth, the names that appear correlate to 

Some will be names you recognize, like elected officials and ward leaders, while others are everyday neighbors heavily invested in politics. This is more of an internal party role.

Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican State Treasurer Stacy Garrity are running unopposed in their respective races for Pennsylvania governor on Tuesday. Although the competition will really heat up as November’s general election approaches, both candidates have been fundraising hard.

Learn more about our gubernatorial candidates on 

Three candidates are running for the nomination for the second-highest elected office in Pennsylvania. 

 include serving as president of the Senate and chairing the Board of Pardons.

, a Democrat, hopes to serve another term alongside Shapiro. Two candidates, 

, are running for the Republican nomination. Venture describes himself as the “never socialist” candidate who is “Pro-God, Pro-Life, Pro-Constitution, Pro-Freedom.” Richey, an attorney, earned an endorsement from Garrity and promises to be a teammate on economic growth.

Read more about candidates for lieutenant governor here

While Democratic and Republican races for the Second and Fifth Congressional Districts have no competition, there are four candidates vying for the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Congressman Dwight Evans. No Republican nominee has emerged in this deep blue congressional district, making the primary winner the Philadelphian who will likely be seated in the House of Representatives.

Dr. Ala Stanford, a pediatric physician, rose to national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Founding the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, Stanford was on the front lines of the pandemic working to ensure that under-resourced and marginalized communities had access to the vaccine. More recently, she founded the Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity in North Philadelphia and served as a regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 Retiring incumbent Congressman Dwight Evans, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, former candidate David Oxman

Stanford comes in free of past political baggage and has the support of 314 Action Fund, a super PAC focused on electing pro-science candidates. The PAC has invested over $2 million in TV ads and mailers in support of Stanford.

 A true outsider, voters might be skeptical about the transferability of Dr. Stanford’s medical brilliance to the halls of Congress.

State Rep. Chris Rabb has built his political career overcoming challenges from the Democratic establishment. Defeating party-backed candidates to win and hold on to his Pennsylvania House seat, Rabb has built a loyal base of voters who are fed up with business-as-usual politics and the perceived failures of the establishment Democrats in standing up to the right-wing movement.

 The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board, Working Families Party, Democratic Socialists of America, Reclaim Philadelphia, OnePA, Justice Democrats, Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke, State Representative Rick Krajewski

 Unlike the most recent mayor’s race, which saw the city’s progressive vote divided, Rabb will likely enjoy the benefit of a united bloc. His decision not to seek reelection at the state level to focus on his congressional efforts appears to have paid off, quite literally. Rabb’s most recent campaign finance report saw him outraise his opponents by a nearly 2-1 margin.

 Even among Democrats, the 3rd Congressional District is politically diverse. Rabb will have to appeal to voters that fall closer to the center of the political spectrum than the progressive base that has repeatedly sent him back to Harrisburg.

Son of former Mayor John Street, State Sen. Sharif Street has worked for years to establish his independent political bona fides. A Penn Law graduate, Street has risen through party leadership ranks serving most recently as chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

 Street has garnered the most institutional support, with endorsements by Democratic City Committee, Mayor Cherelle Parker, former Gov. Ed Rendell, and the Building Trades unions. Numerous other elected officials have also offered their endorsements, including Council President Kenyatta Johnson, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, former candidate and current State Rep. Morgan Cephas, and Councilmembers Cindy Bass, Jimmy Harrity, Katherine Gilmore-Richardson, Curtis Jones, Jr., Rue Landau, and Anthony Phillips.

 Beyond his instantly recognizable name, Street heads into this race with financial and field support. A non-presidential election typically means lower turnout in Philadelphia which tends to favor party-endorsed candidates.

 For those voters sick of business as usual in Washington, sending a career politician to represent Philadelphia might be seen as blowing on the coals of a fire they are trying to douse.

The lone South Philadelphian in the race, former public servant Shaun Griffith is an attorney and operations manager at a Roxborough-based tax services firm. His policy priorities include a moratorium on data centers, a $15 minimum wage, and the reintroduction and passage of the Green New Deal.

 With the rest of the candidates hailing from the northern part of the congressional district, Griffith could appeal to voters who want someone from closer to home.

 With no name recognition, endorsements, or resources, Griffith faces an uphill battle.

Most candidates in the primary are running unopposed. Here are the competitive races on the Democratic side:

Now over in the state senate, where senators serve four-year terms, there are two competitive Democratic races against a couple of sitting senators:

All registered Philadelphia voters are allowed to vote on referenda, regardless of  party affiliation. There are two ballot measures to change the city’s 

The city is asking voters whether to create a Philadelphia Retirement Savings Board and whether to make the Office of Youth Ombudsperson a permanent office. 

Read a full explanation of both measures here

On this month’s ballot are a competitive congressional race and a stacked committee race you may not have known was happening. 


Your Guide to Pennsylvania’s 2026 Primary Election

What To Know Before You Head to the Polls on May 19

What's being decided in Philadelphia City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Philadelphia City Council. 

Philly Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

Philly’s cocktail scene is ever-growing, from cozy corner neighborhood spots to upscale lounges mixing innovative, specialty drinks. To celebrate World Cocktail Day on Wednesday, here are some places we recommend.

Get a bird’s eye view of the city from atop the Cambria Hotel. Attico is making World Cocktail Day extra special by 

. Drink Prohibition-era signature cocktails inspired by the 1920s. Dress to impress and enjoy an open bar and hors d’oeuvres.

More Philly restaurants and bars are offering zero-proof “mocktails,” but at this bar there is no alcohol at all. 

, with mocktails including a Moscow Mule (ginger, lime, coconut blossom nectar, and Topo Chico) and Philadelphia Thursday (ginger, lime, yuzu, grenadine, and Topo Chico).

 is perfect for an intimate night out with its moody and chic interior. City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz recommends the Fig Around, an olive oil-washed vodka with lemon, fig, and black pepper. For Milk Punch fans, try either Stay Grassy Philly (rum, creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and lime) or Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn (

rums, pineapple, apricot, coconut, citrus, and bitters).

 focuses on a farm-to-table menu, with seasonal offerings. City Cast Philly executive producer Matt Katz recommends the stiff P&K Old Fashioned (bourbon, demerara, bitters).

Whether you’re a guest at Hotel Anna & Bel or just 

 offers a respite to all. The bar is known for well-balanced cocktails with light and breezy vibes, but also has drinks with savory flavor profiles. The menu now features Over the Garden Wall (a floral and bubbly drink) and Ulivo e Limone (perfect for martini fans). City Cast Philly newsletter editor Siani Colón recommends pairing your drink with one of the small plates, like the cheese and charcuterie.

Your new favorite drink could be inside this former gas station. 

 offers a Mexican-Chinese fusion menu with speciality cocktails that lean into its location: Spark Plug (arbol-infused mezcal, lime, and sugar), Fender Bender (mezcal, strawberry-rhubarb, mint, Aperol, and citrus), and Gas Guzzler (mezcal, Campari, orange grapefruit, and lime).

 is a must-visit for brunch with an extensive 

. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri recommends the Nashville Sunrise, a bourbon and blood orange smash with Aperol, citrus, and honey.

🎧 Want even more recommendations? Check out our episode on 

, the trend that’s replacing your typical happy hour.

Take a sip of classic and creative cocktails from Philly’s best mixologists.

Where To Grab a Cocktail in Philly

Celebrate World Cocktail Day at These Philly Bars

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Philadelphia. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Philly Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Philly is a sports town, and that includes golf. Its history runs deep, producing top athletes like 

, the first American-born golfer to win the U.S. Open, and 

, the first Black golfer to win a PGA Tour event. Philly’s also home to the 

 in U.S. courses since 2020, a 21% increase, the sport’s popularity isn’t slowing down. In the Philadelphia area, amateur and professional golfers alike can choose from several local ranges and courses to play a round. Here’s where to golf in Philly, whether it’s your first or 100th time picking up a club.

’s range features 63 stalls to show off that swing. Need lessons before you start the game? 

 from local teaching professionals on-site. If you need something easier for the kiddos, the center is also home to an 18-hole mini golf course. The center is open daily. Clubs are available for rent.

 to allow men and women of all ethnicities to play. The site reopened in 2025 as a new and improved hub for golf and STEM education. Golfers can play on a 68-bay driving range and 

. Additional courses are expected to reopen in 2027 and 2028.

. Open to the public daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., reservations are only required on weekends and holidays.

 is located right in East Fairmount Park. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., prices start as low as $5 for a bucket of 25 golf balls. Golf clubs are complimentary to use on-site if you don’t own a pair. Lessons are also available.

. The club also has simulators, a practice facility, and a pro shop to stock up on golfing necessities. Players are required to bring their own set of clubs (rentals are available) and wear proper golfing attire. Want to become a regular? Walnut Lane offers different membership tiers.

 on today’s episode of City Cast Philly.

Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, test out your skills at these local golf ranges and courses. 

Where To Golf in Philly

, yet one particular park stands out as our most iconic. Fairmount Park is the jewel of our park system, with both east and west sides encompassing over 2,000 acres. Before it became home to important landmarks such as the Philadelphia Zoo, Please Touch Museum, and Boathouse Row, Philly’s oldest park was created for a practical purpose.

The park gets its name from “Faire Mount,” a hill overlooking the Schuylkill River where the Philadelphia Museum of Art exists today. The name and a sketch of the hillside are visible on the 

 designed by Surveyor General Thomas Holme. Its natural landscapes fit into William Penn’s vision for a “greene Country Towne” and attracted aristocrats to establish estates in the area.

As the city’s population grew, so did its risk for disease. Following the yellow fever epidemics in the 1790s, which were partially 

blamed on contaminated conditions in Philly’s water supply

, the city made it its duty to provide access to clean water. In 1812, the city purchased Faire Mount to establish the 

, Philadelphia’s sole pumping station. It was considered a marvel for its steam technology and Classical Revival exterior design. Gardens, walkways, and sculptures would later be added around the facility. The site quickly became a tourist attraction.

More needed to be done to protect the Schuylkill River as pollution from upriver mills and other growing industries put residents’ health and safety at risk. The city government continued to acquire more land in proximity to the river, 

starting with the Lemon Hill estate in 1843

, which would expand the city’s territory.

. The mayor at the time, Morton McMichael, advocated expanding the land to create a space that would rival New York’s Central Park. Philadelphia hosted a 

 to repurpose Lemon Hill and Sedgley to protect the city’s water supply.

Over the 19th century, Philadelphia would 

 associated with today’s Fairmount Park. Fairmount Park was 

 to be forever “an open public place and a park for the health and enjoyment of the people of said city, and the preservation of the purity of the city’s water supply.”

 in West Fairmount Park, which established new landmarks associated with the park today. Although many structures from the event no longer exist, 

 are still standing. Memorial Hall currently serves as the home for the Please Touch Museum.

So when you visit Fairmount Park today, remember that it was designed with public health, recreation, and natural beauty in mind.

Starting with just a large hill that left William Penn in awe, Fairmount Park is now the largest landscaped urban park in the world.

How Philly’s Fairmount Park Came To Be

defends its decision to pass the School District’s facilities master plan

, not everyone believes that closing 17 schools is necessary. Members of City Council disrupted the vote on April 30 in a last-ditch effort to halt the closures and have promised to withhold funding and 

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who also chairs City Council’s education committee, spoke with City Cast Philly to explain the council’s response to the master plan. Here’s an excerpt from that conversation.

“ A lot more could have been done. We offer compromises. We say, ‘Hey, how about this? How about that?’ We offered a number of suggestions. [The School District of Philadelphia] took a position that they weren't gonna negotiate anymore, and they weren't gonna be open to dialogue.

“So as a legislator who's responsible for funding the school district, how is it fair that you come to us and ask us for money, but then tell us we gotta put up the money, but don't get no input and don't get no say. And the things that we're advocating for is reflective of what the people we represent are asking for.”

Councilmember Thomas said the logic behind the closures in the facilities master plan doesn’t match the accomplishments of the schools set to shutter.

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas Has Lingering Questions After School Closures Vote

Council Member on School Closures: ‘Probably the Worst Decision I’ve Seen as an Elected Official’

This mini-crossword is filled with clues on Philly history and headlines. 

Philly, Explained

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