JUNK RUNTAH

For Foodies.
Great food is obviously appreciated any time of the year but when those nights just keep getting chillier, theres nothing like some good ole comfort food. A few of my favorites are V Street, (fancy vegan street food-- the Peruvian Fries are a MUST.) Khyber Pass Pub, (I really miss their vegan sausage sandwich.) Farmicia, (pictured above-- their brunch is heaven-sent.) and Standard Tap. (cocktails on a cozy outdoor patio.) For all you carnivores, Fette Sau is incredibly cozy and always gets rave reviews. (And for those who dont eat meat, the pickles are pretty darn good.)

For coffee connoisseurs. 
One of my favorite things about fall is being able to take a little walk around the block with a hot coffee in hand. There are so many amazing coffee places in Philly its been really difficult to pick just a few favorites. Elixr has a great atmosphere and is a stones throw away from some of Phillys best shopping. (Also to add to the Philly-centric nature of this list, its co-owned by an Eagle.) Higher Grounds is one of my favorites because its adorable, a few blocks from my house, and pups are allowed in. Its tucked away on an adorable side street in Northern Liberties, not far from other great restaurants. Menagerie is another favorite of mine, conveniently located within a few minutes of the TV station where I work. They have the BEST almond milk cappuccinos. Chhaya is where I had my first cortado and fall in love with it. Its in the bustling East Passyunk neighborhood and a few stores down from a great vintage store and more great shopping. Last but not least, theres Grindcore House. Its a great vegan cafe in South Philly. I love the music they play and the Mate Latte has got to be one of the tastiest things Ive ever had the pleasure of imbibing.

ETA: Ultimo! How could I have possibly forgotten this one? (A kind commenter pointed it out.) Its been voted #1 in AMERICA and its really, really cozy inside. Definitely worth trying, plus the neighborhood is really nice to walk around.


For explorers.
Philadelphia gets a bad reputation for being dirty and kind of smelly but its surrounded by some stunning landscapes. There are a lot of great places to hike that are less than an hour outside of Center City. Tyler State Park is in Bucks County and its where I go to get away from "it all." While Ive never personally played, Ive heard its got one of the best disc golf courses in the county. (If youre into that kinda thing.) Wissahickon is full of beautiful trails and there are a lot of places you can wander outside of those marked trails. I love it because its good for hikers of any level. One of my favorite things to do is climb the rocks over by Devils Pool.


For urban explorers.
No Im not talking about "urbexing," though there are a lot of places to do that here. Im talking about discovering the city on a bicycle, and now that Philly has its own bike share, its easier for guests to do it! The Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk is a great place to start-- you can get easily (and safely) from South Philly to the Art Museum. (Just watch out for pedestrians!) The views are great, especially when you get up to Boathouse Row.


For the cultured.
Philadelphia has a lot of wonderful museums. You all know about the Philadelphia Art Museum but how about The Franklin Institute? (For science nerds.) Or the Mutter Museum? (For you weirdos who appreciate medical anomalies.) Theres also The Barnes Foundation, (lots of Renoir, Cézanne, and the like!) and the Rodin Museum. The museums can be a little pricey but trust me: theyre worth it. Oh, and dont forget that this is the birthplace of America. It wouldnt be a trip to Philly without a little walk around Old City to say "hello" to the Liberty Bell. (I really felt like I had to mention that one.)


For forlorn beach bums.
If youre like me and love the beach, dont be sad that summer is almost over. Early fall is actually one of my favorite times to explore the Jersey Shore. Cape May has some of the most adorable B&Bs and Ocean Citys boardwalk is so pretty when its no overrun by "shoobies." Its quiet in an almost eerie way but so tranquil and inspiring.