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City Cast Philly

Tips and tricks by Philadelphia locals, for locals.

Get in reader, we’re going on a tearful journey throughout the city. Sometimes the urge to sob comes on while you’re out and about, so if you need to find a nook to let the tears flow in private, this segment is for you. Here are a few spots where you can cry in relative peace and solitude.

, sat by the water and let the tears flow on a rainy day.” - Taria B.

“Sit at a bar facing your open laptop and intermittently sip your beverage. No questions asked.” - Carla B.

“I’d suggest crying in any of those private garden/brick walks in 

. I’d argue anywhere in that historic section near where the Declaration was signed, along the rivers, in any of the city parks on a bench or picnic blanket are great spots.” - Beth R.

“Late night walks on the SRT [Schuylkill River Trail] are ok, but it is better with a mask because it’s never that private!” - Gabe P.

“Fairmount Water Works is the best: literal waterfalls lead to eyeball waterfalls. I’ve had a good cry there before.” - Heidi L.

Many thanks to these Hey Philly readers, as well as Andres P., for submitting their go-to cry spots and some pro-tips ❤️

Where do you go when you need to cry?

Get in reader, we’re going on a tearful journey throughout the city. Sometimes the urge to sob comes on while you’re out and about, so if you need to find a nook to let the tears flow in private, this segment is for you. Here are a few spots where you can cry in relative peace and solitude.


Where to Cry in Public in Philadelphia

Where To Cry in Public in Philadelphia

Philly Life Hacks

It’s time to immerse yourself in the vivid foliage that autumn brings. Gas up the car and get ready to embark on leaf-peeping road trips in the Philadelphia-area:

What’s the Leaf-Peeping Forecast This Year? 👀

Pennsylvania and New Jersey trees are expected to start shifting 

from green to gorgeous hues of red, orange, and yellow. The arboreal display should peak in mid-October, and wrap up by the end of the month.

 in Hackettstown, New Jersey is an ideal spot for viewing foliage. Soak in miles of deciduous trees showing off warm colors like crimson and auburn. 🕣 [2 hrs, 3 min drive from Philly]

 to check out a wide variety of native and exotic non-native trees from sugar maples to scarlet oaks. Sign up for a 

 starting next month. 🕣  [32 min drive from Philly]

Marvel at the glorious leaves on cherry, birch, oak, and beech trees at 

 at a campsite or cabin. 🕣 [2 hrs, 28 min drive from Philly]

 for awe-inspiring views of trees ranging from Eastern red cedars to slippery elms. 🕣 [48 min drive from Philly]

Bring your nicest camera (even if it’s just your smartphone!), and some binoculars to see foliage from afar. Don’t have any? Check if your local library carries “

Pack a snack. Depending on the length of your journey, you may get hungry!

, so you can learn about the trees you’re admiring.

) in your leaf-peeping pics, and we’ll share them in our Instagram stories and potential future segments!

It’s time to immerse yourself in the vivid foliage colors that autumn brings. Gas up the car and get ready to embark on leaf-peeping road trips in the Philadelphia-area:

Your Guide to Leaf-Peeping Adventures Near Philadelphia

City life can be stressful, so it’s important to take time to yourself and relax. Here are a few spots in Philly where you can give yourself space to breathe and recharge.

. You could hike, bike, or run on one of its 21 trails, or meditate to the sounds of the Wissahickon Creek.

 is a lovely hidden park in Center City, and it’s perfect for an outdoor lunch break or reading a good book.

 in Callowhill. Until Sept. 23, you can use “

,” a public telephone (wired to nothing) that allows visitors to speak to lost loved ones as a form of therapy.

🧊 Feeling brave? Try out cold shower hydrotherapy at 

 in Northern Liberties. Or hop in a sauna and sweat away all your cares.

🧘🏽 Recenter your mind and body every Tuesday evening with 

Where do you go to chill out?

Your Guide to Relaxation in Philadelphia

Thinking of adopting a furry friend of your own? Here’s a quick guide to finding your next four-legged bestie.

, which you can do online, via mail, or in-person at various shelters and pet clinics.

🐾 Philly has several low-cost shelters that would love to help you out. Here’s the application form for the 

. Same-day adoptions are available, but walk-ins should sign up for the 

🐾 Philly PAWS is another great option. Their website has an 

 section, featuring the animals who have been waiting the longest. You can 

 to adopt cats, dogs, and other small animals.

. Apply online or scope out a new buddy in person at 

 in Brewerytown. You’ll need two references, a veterinarian contact if you have other pets, and your landlord’s contact to confirm pet policy. The process can take up to five days.

Where to Adopt a Pet in Philadelphia

the scoop from some local bike safety experts

, a father and son lawyer team focusing on bicycle safety, Philly is ultimately safe for bicyclists and the 

city is working on building a network of safer bike lanes

. One advantage to biking in Philly is that it’s easily navigable from the immediate suburbs, says Stuart. He primarily blames drivers on their smartphones for bicycle crashes. Zach says many bicyclists get forced out of bike lanes due to construction sites or drivers but this situation has been improving in the past few years.

However, accidents can and do happen. What should you do if you’re involved in a hit-and-run? Take a photo of the car's license plate and file a police report. Although a lot of people like to start recording videos, this can lead to more escalation and a tenser situation.

While you can’t always avoid certain lanes or areas, the team has identified some dangerous intersections or hotspots you may want to be wary of. For more on that, 

How to stay safe as a cyclist

Philly was recently named the fourth-best place to bike in the U.S. But is Philly actually bike-friendly? 

How to Bike Safely in Philadelphia

How to Bike Safely in Philly

Whether you’re brand new to the city, or you’re just looking to expand your circle, making friends isn’t always easy. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few ways to meet new people in Philly.

If you’re a book lover and an adventure lover, check out 

. This group pairs book discussions with fun excursions like hiking, museum strolls, and café dining. This Friday, the group is going on a 

food and history walking tour of Chinatown

 celebrating queer literature 🏳️‍🌈

From warblers to hummingbirds, Philly is home to 

 of birds. Grab those binoculars and spot as many as you can with 

 and pick up a birding backpack, complete with a bird guidebook, park map, and binoculars.

Psst: the Free Library of Philadelphia has 

 that connects you with nonprofits and other groups in need of volunteers. Once you find the perfect opportunity, just click “sign up” and you’ll receive email updates with information about upcoming volunteer events.

Every 2nd and 4th Friday, head to the boathouse at FDR Park for 

 and a social dance party. All-levels welcome. If you’re into racket sports, the park also boasts a 

Interested in water sports? Philly has plenty of 

Have you had any success finding friends through joining a local group? I’d love to hear about it!

Tell me your Philly friendship stories

How to Make Friends in Philly

Philadelphia can be overwhelming to a new resident, but pro-tips can make a huge difference. I asked Hey Philly readers what your essential rules are for surviving Philly. Here’s some advice on becoming a local:

“Be nice to people - we get a bad rep in this city, but it’s honestly not true. Learn how to use SEPTA: my suggestion is using the Google Maps app, it gives great info on buses/subways/etc. And get yourself a Key Card! Find your neighborhood and love it - every spot is so different and has its own vibe.” - Lauren H.

“My advice would be: don’t drive in Center City as parking is either non-existent or incredibly expensive.” - Susan H.

“Use the trash cans, don’t double park, learn your SEPTA routes, be a tourist occasionally, go to a professional sporting event and arrive early, and embrace ‘

What are your essential rules for living in Philly? 

, and we could include your answer in an upcoming City Cast Philly episode!

 Essentials for Living in Philly

Philadelphia residents speak 85 languages besides English, with Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin as the top three. Learning a new language is not only a great tool to keep your mind sharp, it also opens doors to connect more deeply with your neighbors.

, an online learning tool that provides lessons in grammar, pronunciation, and cultural nuances in immersion-focused classes. You can choose from over 70 languages including Spanish, Korean, French, Arabic, Tagalog, and Igbo.

The second floor of the Free Library’s Parkway Central location also has a 

, which offers language learning and conversation circles as well as tutoring services. Residents can check out world language non-fiction books and audiobooks.

I’ll leave you with this Chinese proverb: “To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.”

Do you speak a second language?

How to Pick Up a New Language in Philly 

Philly has plenty of special interest-based clubs and groups to join. It’s a great way to make new friends, get more involved in your community, and have fun! Here are a few recommendations to check out.

 - Philly social bike rides, Wednesday nights, every 2 weeks 🚴🏿‍♀️

 - This group goes bike camping near Philadelphia. All experience levels are welcome 🚴🏿‍♀️🏕️

 -  A monthly book club celebrating queer literature, meets at Giovanni’s Room first Thursday of every month 📚🏳️‍🌈

 - Grab a beer and meet twice a month for a lively debate.

 - Get crafty every Wednesday night at Clark Park 🧶

 - Meet up with fellow art lovers and visit museums, galleries, and events in Philadelphia and surrounding areas 🖼️

 - Meet new friends and play tons of board games at Queen of Rook 🎲

 - Play ping pong in Old City. All ages and levels are welcome 🏓

 - Explore feathered friends across the city. Founder Elise Greenberg shared the 

Philadelphia Interest-based Groups and Clubs to Join

Fun Interest-based Groups and Clubs in Philadelphia 

 at 10 branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia. But did you know there are items you can check out at your local branch besides books?

If you’ve been interested in learning an instrument but want to test it out before investing, you can borrow one for three weeks from Parkway Central’s 

. You can choose from keyboards, bongos, guitars, banjos, and more.

If you want to kick your health care journey up a notch, you can start portioning out your meals with a borrowed food scale from the 

 at the South Philadelphia branch. You can even check out a blood pressure monitor ⚕️

The weather is warming up, and the birds are certainly singing their songs. Want to catch some of Philly’s 150 species in action? You can pick up 

 that include maps, a field guide, and binoculars from the Cecil B. Moore, Widener, and Andorra branches.

Once you’ve got your birding backpack, 

find out where all the best birding spots in Philly are

 from Elise Greenberg, founder of Philly Queer Birders 🎧