austin

Austin

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

nashville

Nashville

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

seattle

Seattle

twincities

Twin Cities

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Philly

City Cast Philly staff

✏️ Find past crossword puzzles below:

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

Can You Solve This Philly-Themed Crossword?

Play Our Philly Crossword Puzzle

What Philadelphians have been wondering. We break down why things in Philadelphia are the way they are and how they work.

Philly, Explained

Siani Colón

Fall is the time to turn your attention to Philly sports. Football season returns Sunday with our two-time Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, facing off against the team from Washington (whatever their name is these days) Meanwhile the Phillies are chasing another Red October while the Philadelphia Union is heating up as we head into the back end of the soccer season. And training camps for the new Sixers and Flyers seasons are just around the corner. If you can’t score tickets to games for all of those teams this season, munch on some wings and throw back some drinks at these local bars and restaurants.

 offers a chill, neighborhood vibe right on South Street. 

 runs Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re feeling hungry, you can grab more than just fries. Its 

 includes good eats from crispy calamari to cheesesteak spring rolls to short rib tacos.

This Manayunk bar is your source for craft beer and community. At 

, you have 18 different screens to turn your attention to (sound 

of course). This spot also serves brunch on the weekends, so if there’s an early game scheduled, you can always dine in first and then gravitate towards the bar afterwards.

Before you shake your head at this one, hear me out. 

 is almost synonymous with Philly sports, as you can’t go to any stadium in the city without grabbing a bucket of crab fries. If you go to any of its restaurants on a Friday, take advantage of 

. While Chickie’s & Pete’s is in multiple locations, stay close to the explosive energy at the Linc by visiting its huge Packer Avenue location.

If you want to stick to South Philly but not hang right by the stadiums, check out 

. The menu also includes several vegan and gluten-free options (including a gluten-free roll for cheesesteaks).

 also wants to be your destination to hang out throughout the Eagles season. Every Sunday it’ll host an 

 complete with a live DJ, food and drink specials, and sound on. Reservations are recommended for tables, but the bar accepts walk-ins.

 promises family-friendly fun on game day. Located conveniently in Center City, the restaurant and bar plays games on 20 high-definition TVs. If you want to secure your spot, you can already place reservations for the entire Eagles season.

What’s your go-to spot to watch a game in the city? Let us know!

Fave Philly Sports Bars

Favorite Philly Sports Bars

Make one of these bars or restaurants your prime destination to root for Philly’s teams this season.

Your Guide to Philly Sports Bars

Watch Your Favorite Philly Sports at These Bars This Fall

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

The first day of fall may be Sept. 22, but Labor Day is considered the unofficial end of summer. If you’re not ready just yet to say goodbye to the season, here’s how to enjoy what’s left of it in the Philly region.

Chase the thrill of summer on a roller coaster. If you’re willing to take a trip outside the city, you can visit the region’s amusement parks at a discounted price. Several are offering discounts up to 50% off on tickets, as some parks remain open until Labor Day and others until Halloween. You can also grab season passes for next year at a lower rate. The sales are running through Labor Day, so secure them now. Here are some parks to add to your itinerary:

 ends Sept. 26. Want to listen to other genres? FDR Park’s “

 is putting on shows through Sept. 22. And finally, 

 doesn't wrap up until October, with several shows in the coming weeks featuring performances from Boyz II Men, Willie Nelson, and MUNA.

Most Philly pools have closed for the season, but it’s still hot! You could 

 for the day before hosts drain them. You could also go to an indoor water park like 

 in West Berlin, NJ. After Labor Day, most beaches at the Jersey Shore will no longer require 

 until the following season. Lifeguards are usually 

 after that weekend, however, so swim with caution. You can also still go 

 in Philly if you’d like to be along and on the water, but not 

It isn’t a Philly summer without some scoops of water ice. 

, a South Philly staple, serves the sweet treat until the end of September before reopening in April.

Speaking of eating, if you’d like to dine al fresco, several Philly restaurants still offer 

 continues at the Homies Helping Homies Garage tonight and wraps up at Sloan Street Community Garden on Sept. 12, so make sure to catch a film under the stars. 

 is also screening movies at Penn Treaty Park throughout the month.

 ends on Sept. 27 against the Tampa Bay Rays, which also happens to be a home game. While we hope to get another Red October, we’re still waiting to see who lands in the playoffs. Head down to Citizens Bank Park before the end of the month (and hopefully you’ll be back for the postseason!).

There’s still time to ride rollercoasters, take a dip, or see a ball game. Embrace the sliver of summer that’s still left with these activities in the Philly area. 

Check These Activities off Your End-of-Summer Bucket List

Make the Most of the Last Summer Days in Philly

Tips and tricks for living your best Philadelphia life, by locals, for locals.

Philly Life Hacks

Marie Albiges

There’s no one-size-fits-all version of 

, specifically. AKA don’t force yourself to join pilates or be a runner if you hate it (but if you’re curious, 

). Maybe your version of wellness looks like sitting in a dark room by yourself (honestly, relatable) or dripping sweat in a sauna for 45 minutes. These Philly businesses offer plenty of ways to reset, whether you’re looking for something restorative, a little woo-woo, or just an excuse to slow down.  

, it was the middle of winter and I was getting over a serious sinus infection that I knew I needed to 

. dtXfy offers infrared sauna, red light therapy, exclusion zone water therapy, 

, massage pods, and cold plunge. Your first visit is $35, no matter which wellness therapy you select. Make detoxifying a 

 or girls’ night by booking the largest sauna and sweating it out together.

 of public sound healing meditations and yoga workshops. Her practice is rooted in traditional Korean Buddhist yoga philosophy with some modern techniques. Private and group 

 are available, with some fun add-ons like a candle making session or

free all-level yoga class in Fairmount Park

You know what weird body part might need a cleanse? Your colon. Also known as colonics or colonic irrigation, 

 cleans the large intestine using purified water, and it’s offered at Center City Cleanse. Other services include acupuncture, massage, yoga, IV vitamin therapy, lymphatic therapy, and infrared sauna.

Infrared sauna not your thing? Formation Sauna + Wellness offers 

, cold plunge, and cupping. Formation also holds workshops, like this 

There’s no one-size-fits-all version of wellness. Maybe your version of wellness looks like sitting in a dark room by yourself (honestly, relatable) or dripping sweat in a sauna for 45 minutes. Philly has some amazing ways to quiet the noise, get healthy, and relax.

Ways To Be Well in Philly This Fall

Ways To Be Well This Fall

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Philly

Keep It Local

Halcyon Floats was offering sensory deprivation and

founded the Fishtown business in 2014 after learning about the 

of float therapy. In a floating room or deprivation tank, stimulus to the senses is almost completely cut off, which 

gives your body a chance to relax and recover

. Here are three therapeutic and relaxing wellness services offered at Halcyon Floats:

Filled with 10 inches of highly concentrated Epsom salt water solutions so your body stays buoyant, Halcyon’s 

are sound-proof and lights can be turned off. You’ll need to shower before and after getting into the sensory deprivation tank, and then you’re free to relax and float for 90 minutes.

, or dry salt therapy, dates back to medieval times when people used to hang out in salt caves for fun. Halcyon says

 can be used to treat upper and lower respiratory problems, sinus infections, hay fever, allergies, sleep apnea, and cystic fibrosis.

3 - Experience a full spectrum infrared sauna

Get the relaxation without the unbearable heat. 

 use light panels instead of hot stones and water to heat the air around you. The infrared light penetrates your skin to warm you from within without making the air uncomfortably hot. Halcyon has saunas that can fit up to three people for 40 minutes.

Want to learn more? Halcyon has easy-to-read explainers about each of these services on its 

Halcyon Floats in Philadelphia was offering sensory deprivation and floatation therapy before it was cool. Owner Keri McGinn founded the Fishtown business in 2014 after learning about the health benefits of float therapy. In a floating room or deprivation tank, stimulus to the senses is almost completely cut off, which gives your body a chance to relax and recover. Here are three therapeutic and relaxing wellness services offered at Halcyon Floats.

Try Float Therapy with Halcyon Floats

Abby Fritz

Happy fall! Both meteorologists and astronomers agree that September marks the beginning of the fall season.

Whether or not Philly's weather will chill out is TBD.

Your Guide to September 2026 in Philly

Hispanic heritage and culture are honored across the country with a month-long celebration starting Sept. 15, and Philly is getting the party started early. Kick off the festivities on Sept. 13 with the largest Latino arts and culture festival in the city, 

. And that's just the beginning: Throughout the month, you can also go to the 

Concilio’s Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade

Philly tends to get a bit sleepy over Labor Day weekend, with folks flocking to the Jersey shore for the three-day weekend. If you stick around, celebrate Philly's history as a loud and proud union town with the city's 

Every September, the city celebrates artists creating out-of-the-box performances with the 

. From Sept. 8 through 27, you'll be able to choose from more than 350 shows happening across the city. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the options, creative producer Siani Colón wrote 

 breaking down this year's festivities by cost, location, and vibes.

Don't just see art this month, learn to make it! At 

 on Sept. 9, local film connoisseurs and animators from the movie club 

 will be your guides through an animation workshop at Fireball Printing in East Kensington. For a suggested donation of $10, both experienced and brand-new animators can learn about the lighting techniques, materials, and creative juices that go into producing stop-motion works.

You may be surprised to learn that Oktoberfest isn't just in October. The 16-day German festival starts at the end of September and was originally a celebration of the love of two Bavarian royals. It has evolved into one of the 

. While I won't be catching a flight to Munich, I will be grabbing some pints at 

 for an eight-hour beer-extravaganza on Sept. 26. The event is free, but if you want indoor seating, a buffet, seven beers, and private bathrooms, Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street is offering just that 

Raise a glass or a sax to the late and great jazz genius, John Coltrane. While he wasn't born here, he made Philly his home for over a decade and grew his musical practice in his Strawberry Mansion house. To celebrate what would've been his 100th birthday on Sept. 23, local jazz presenter Ars Nova Workshop is hosting iconic jazz composer 

 in West Philly. This kicks off a week of events honoring Coltrane and his legacy.

Summer may be ending, but the party continues with festivals, John Coltrane's 100th, and local farm boxes.

Your Guide to Philadelphia in September 2026

How to Spend September 2026 in Philly

Find the best of everything that Philadelphia has to offer.

Philly’s Best

Philly's Best

 six years ago, he envisioned a place where cyclists could stop for an espresso, fix a flat tire, grab a cookie, and spend some time talking to the person behind the counter. The small shop is a convenient stop — at least for cyclists and pedestrians — inside 

, just steps from Forbidden Drive and the Orange trail, occupying a historic barn in 

“I wanted a high-impact business with community and with customers who I could have a relationship with,” Daniels said.

It was the perfect place to chat about Philly’s cycling culture and the 

 after 10 years. Daniels, who grew up racing BMX and motocross before moving into road cycling and triathlons, has been riding for nearly four decades. But these days he’s less interested in being at the front of the pack than helping the person at the back — in line with his approach at the shop to slow down and get to know the cycling community.

“I went from literally the tip of the spear trying to win stuff to opening a shop and telling any rider the best place to be is back with me,” Daniels said.

In addition to bike repairs and services, Daniels offers 

 and sells some bikes, accessories and parts. 

 offers a variety of espresso-based hot and cold drinks, baked goods and packaged snacks.

, including a Wednesday gravel ride and Saturday mountain bike ride. Both end back at the shop, where riders get free espresso. Daniels also supports a 

 whose tagline is “create the community you want to be a part of.”

For Daniels, that's the larger appeal of cycling in Philly. “They're the antithesis of a lot of other bike communities or bike cultures in towns in that Philly cyclists are really proud about being cyclists in Philly.”

When Paul Daniels opened PAPERtrail Bike Cafe six years ago, he envisioned a place where cyclists could stop for an espresso, fix a flat tire, grab a cookie, and spend some time talking to the person behind the counter.

PAPERTrail Cafe is Philly cycling's best-kept secret

A Pit Stop at PAPERTrail Bike Cafe 

Philadelphia has one of the hottest food scenes in the country — just ask the Michelin Guide, which 

awarded three Philly restaurants a Michelin star

Since our culinary landscape is constantly growing and changing, we’re here to help you stay on top of it all. Here’s a recap of some of the Philly restaurants, bars, cafés, and other food spots that have recently opened.

Mixteca | 2113 E. York St. (East Kensington)

This New York agave bar and restaurant moved into the former site of Martha. 

 will serve agave interpretations of classic drinks as well as alcohol-free options. Though the New York site has a limited food menu, Philly’s will be extensive with dishes such as hamachi ceviche and Yucatan shrimp tacos. Patrons can dine at either the bar, lounge, outdoor patio, or private mezzanine.

Anh Em Bar & Kitchen | 1252 S. 21st St. (Point Breeze)

 is turning staple Vietnamese comfort and street foods into an elevated experience at its 45-seat restaurant. Dishes include seared octopus, baked lemongrass chicken rice platter, and bánh mì (think Vietnamese hoagie). The restaurant also serves vegan options such as bánh xèo, a savory, crispy crèpe.

Tien’s Cafe | 450 E. Wyoming Ave. (Feltonville)

Craving more Vietnamese food, but don’t live in South Philly? Check out 

, a family-owned sit-down restaurant in North Philly. Diners can warm up with a variety of rice noodle soups or cool off with Vietnamese black iced coffee. The cafe is open every day except Tuesday.

Bar Cicci | 1620 Sansom St. (Rittenhouse)

Restaurateur Ellen Yin’s latest venture is giving guests a taste of Italy. 

’s inspired by Yin’s trips to Northern Italy and the country’s casual drinking culture, which is why it has an all-day cafe and 

In Crust We Trust | 965 Frankford Ave. (Fishtown)

Inspired by Black culinary traditions, the pizza at 

 is not your typical slice of tomato pie. Each slice represents a different part of Philly, from the Uptown Crown (topped with oxtail, tomato, mozzarella, roasted peppers, collard greens, and tomatoes) to The Bottom (jerk chicken, jerk mozzarella, pineapple, hot honey). The food at this pizzeria is also halal.

Manna Bakery | 110 W Berks St. (Fishtown)

You may have seen this pop-up at farmers markets around Rittenhouse and Headhouse Square, with lines wrapped around the block. Now you can pick up its Levantine and Palestinian-inspired pastries at 

’s new brick-and-mortar shop. Signature menu items include herby cheese fatayer, creamy Basque cheesecake with seasonal flavors, and pistachio passion fruit cookie tarts.

Burrito Feliz | 4403 Chestnut St. (Spruce Hill)

 grew into a fleet of bright green trucks spreading Mexican cuisine around the city. Now the taqueria has found a permanent home in West Philly, where it serves favorites such as beef birria tacos, baja shrimp tacos, and chicken tinga.

Sister Robert’s Coffee | 2015 N 63rd St. (Overbrook)

, a new coffee shop and bookstore. Munch on sandwiches such as “Aching For Bacon” served with bacon, eggs, and melted cheese on a waffle; “The Fairmont” served with provolone cheese, grilled chicken, pesto, red peppers, and mayo on focaccia; or the “Chiwaffle Genesis," a classic chicken-and-waffles combo. The cafe is also looking for musicians to host events at no cost in its space now through September.

Chibanos | 1127 Pine St. (Washington Square West)

 is another pop-up that’s finally found a permanent home after much anticipation. This shop serves Chinese-Cuban sandwiches, inspired by the owner’s family recipes. Chibanos serves breakfast all day, with a variety of sandwiches and sweets for sale. Grab either the signature “Chibano,” which brings Señora Fong’s roast pork, ham, Swiss, haam choy, and mayo, or the “Chikibano,” with braised chicken, Chinese broccoli, and douchi garlic mayo.

Vegans Are Us | 1016 Race St. (Chinatown)

This New Jersey-based restaurant is bringing its vegan twist on soul food to Philly. 

 has moved into Chinatown Square, introducing customers to plant-based options like the “Ultimate Beast Mac & Cheese Burger,” “Philly V-Steak, and “Double Spicy Chicken Stacker.”

Blue Warbler | 8001 Germantown Ave. (Chestnut Hill)

From coffee to cocktails, this restaurant serves diners all day long. The 

brainchild of Chestnut Hill’s Fred Mogul

, the menu combines Mediterranean, Jewish, Persian, Balkan, and American cuisines to create casual yet unexpected combinations of pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian dishes.

Café Tinto | 1701 N Front St. (Fishtown)

Do you ever get a midday craving for breakfast? Well 

 serves it through the afternoon. Specializing in Colombian food and coffee, you can order empanadas and guayaba pastries IRL or have them delivered via DoorDash.

Officially open for regular dining with a 

winery downstairs and a restaurant upstairs

, this spot allows diners to pick their preferred vibe. Maybe you're in the mood for a tasting of small-batch wines, or perhaps you prefer to hang out with a signature cocktail and seasonal plate? All are options.

The Garden at City Tavern | 138 S 2nd St. (Old City)

 City Tavern was closed for around six years. Now 

 its yard for outdoor dining, drinks, and colonial history programming.

Winners Ice Cream | 1610 South St. (Graduate Hospital)

Created as a place to celebrate the wins in life, 

takes on South Street with small-batch ice creams in flavors like MVPeanut Butter Crunch and Summer Slam Strawberry. If you swing by, make sure to write your successes on a sticky note and add it to the 

Soufiane at the Morris | 225 S 8th St. (Washington Square West)

Philly’s local culinary scene is constantly growing and changing. Here’s a recap of some of the restaurants, bars, cafés, and other delicious spots that have opened since 2024. Check them out! 

things to do

Play Our Philly Crossword Puzzle

Watch Your Favorite Philly Sports at These Bars This Fall

Make the Most of the Last Summer Days in Philly

Latest articles

Play Our Philly Crossword Puzzle

Watch Your Favorite Philly Sports at These Bars This Fall

Make the Most of the Last Summer Days in Philly

Ways To Be Well This Fall

Try Float Therapy with Halcyon Floats

How to Spend September 2026 in Philly

A Pit Stop at PAPERTrail Bike Cafe

Latest articles

Ways To Be Well This Fall

Try Float Therapy with Halcyon Floats

How to Spend September 2026 in Philly

A Pit Stop at PAPERTrail Bike Cafe

Your Guide to New Restaurants, Bars & Cafés in Philly

Catch the Best Views in Philly at These Rooftop Bars

Where To Celebrate National Ice Cream Day in Philly