Submitted by camcat97 t3_zlsf0a in philadelphia
Looking for ideas of more active things to do in the city that aren’t going to a bar or restaurant. Think like ice skating, rock climbing… and I’m out of ideas … not even sure what search words to use on Google to help me out.
Thanks in advance!
Omg can’t believe I didn’t think of an arcade! All super fun ideas! Thanks!
Round1 is great. I think it might be higher game prices compared to D&B, but the selection of games is so much better. Especially if you like rhythm or fighting games.
South Bowl has batting cages.
76ers and Flyers games now. Phillies in April.
Comedy Shows at Helium and Punchline
the two dozen, at least, museums and art galleries in Fairmount, Center City and Old City
Ice Skating is at Dilworth Park and Winterfest through March
Music Venues (off the top of my head): The Fillmore, Union Transfer, TLA, Brooklyn Bowl Philly, Kung Foo Necktie and Franklin Music Hall
barcade in fishtown has a bar (obviously) but you can go just for the games. they have a great collection of 80s/90s arcade cabinets and tons of pinball
Philly has so many great theaters: The Arden and 1812 (all comedy production company) are two of my favorites. Just outside Philly is the Act II Playhouse and the Bristol Riverside Theater. Plus touring Broadway shows coming to the Forest, Academy of Music, etc.
I love falling back on mini golf and the zoo.
Thank you!!
It’s also not full of jabronis like Dave and Buster’s always is.
Yeah, I recently took my son to Dave and Busters for his birthday lunch, since it was on a Wednesday and it's half price games. Also, being in the middle of the day, it is usually quiet.
The second we sat down to eat, some Christian youth group of like 100+ teenagers started to pour in. They were obnoxious and rowdy, but luckily didn't bother us any.
Checking out the main library. Touring some of the historical houses. In warm weather wandering Fairmount park or Kelly Drive.
But if you're looking for a better steak in an arcade setting, you are shit out of luck.
There are some great running communities for all levels if ya like to run or wanted to get into that. They have all sorts of events that involve general meet ups mixed in with some charity.
To piggy back on this, I think it's worth noting that a lot of places that used to have "two drink minimums" (like comedy clubs) have moved to "two item minimums". The markup on food may be steep, but it's not as absurd as the markup on nonalcoholic beverages, and it removes the "you should be drinking" signal that can be uncomfortable for some people.
Comedy shows are still filled with drunk idiots who don't know how to act in public, but it's definitely more friendly to people who don't drink than it used to be.
Disc golf at Sedgley Woods. You can play year round, meet great people, and it's free to play! (10-20 bucks to buy a disc or two and you are good. )
Seconding disc golf!!
In a similar vein, there a quite a few board game shops - some feature significant kitchens/bars.
I have been wanting to start here! Are they beginner/new person friendly? I don't really have any friends in the area (just moved) so I'd just be coming alone and it's been YEARS since I did any sort of indoor rock climbing.
There's 3 great rock climbing gyms in the city. Each offers something a little different. The Cliffs is the newest, arguably the nicest, and offers the most in terms of climbing and extras (yoga, sauna, workout space) but it's definitely the most expensive. Tufas is comp style bouldering only. I think it's a fun place that sets challenging but fun climbs. Philly Rock Gym has multiple locations in and around the city. It's the cheapest and smallest but offers bouldering and roped climbing. It's also the "chillest" I'd say out of all the three. They don't have anything fancy but they still have good climbing. I'd say they also generally set the simplest routes out of the three gyms.
I follow this account whenwherewhatphilly on Instagram and they always post about a bunch of events going on in the city. A lot of them are at restaurants and bars but not always!
Omg yes the theatre scene in Philly is underrated and underappreciated for sure! Great suggestion.
There's always stuff going on at Plays and Players theater
I've been there a few times, they seem pretty chill there, there are definitely a number of V0-V1 boulders and 5.5-ish roped climbs if you're looking to just ease in. Everyone's seemed pretty friendly and it really is a nice gym.
Also Quintessence in Mt. Airy!
I got started at the cliffs and still love it! I think they’re very new person friendly, there’s a great learn to climb package that gets you the intro to top rope class and a month membership with rentals included for shoes and harnesses so you could try that out and give it the month to see if the gym fits your vibe!
Philly has a lot of great museums. From the Art museum to the Mueter Museum. There's a lot of nice little ones that are full of niche interests. Unfortunately the Neon Musuem just closed.
Also to get on my obligatory soapbox The Masonic Library and Musuem of Philadelphia/The Masonic Temple of Philly is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and is a real hidden gem. A building that people travel from all over the world to see that most philadelphians just walk past.
> Think like ice skating, rock climbing… and I’m out of ideas …
I can see that you tried real hard.
There are a lot of bars/places that serve alcohol that have other activities, buffalo billiards for pool and darts, barcade for arcade games, northbowl or Brooklyn bowl for bowling
See statue of liberty.
Callowhill Archery!
Top Golf!
You wish you knew. Basically a running list of pop-up and one-off events going on around the city. It's my go-to for date nights involving more than just "so you wanna get a beer?"
Come over to my house. I enjoy company and we can watch a movie or something. Just let me know when so I can get some of the good snacks.
i love how you name like some of the bigger “small” venues and then just throw kung fu necktie in there lolol
btw, have never been there. how is it?
How about a tavern or an eatery?
[removed]
Trying to think of things that aren’t eating or drinking. The person I’d like to do these things with doesn’t like drinking and we go out to eat plenty.
They are definitely friendly to new climbers. Lots of bouldering and their walls aren’t too tall
Reach climbing is the best but it’s a ways out from the city
I've heard good things but never been myself
BDSM
Any good theatre recommendations
Is there still a movie night there every Monday? Their website seems kind of hard to keep up with and I’ve never been but walk by a lot
quintessence theater puts on some pretty damn good shows
Quintessence theater company
i’m not going to Mary Poppins, but I’m gonna see the whole rest of the lineup this year
I’ll have to check them out soon! I was interested in attending a show there recently but couldn’t get the time off to make it!
I was being a smartass, my apologies. The museums in the city are immaculate, it's cold but Morris Arboretum is gorgeous. Comedy clubs, I think i saw someone mention arcade, there's an arcade with bowling at 10th and Market, Flyers game...
Lantern Theater Company at 10th and Ludlow does consistently good, interesting work in an intimate theater setting for a reasonable ticket price. No affiliation, just a fan.
Went to helium not long ago. They did have the two item minimum. I actually felt better to have food and a drink than get two drinks and get kinda hammered. It wasn’t more expensive than bar food, so I appreciated being able to munch on something and felt less awkward
Kung fu necktie is an interesting place. It’s small, but the stage area in the back is decently sized. They have National/international acts, so that’s cool. It’s pretty divey so if you’re into that it’s great
Museums of course, are always a great choice. Some you need to pay for, some are pay what you wish and some are free. But there is a very wide variety of museums in Philly (as I'm sure you already know). Some of my faves are the Franklin Institute, the Mutter Museum, The American Jewish History Museum and the Rodin Museum!
To add in: if you like classical music, the Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the top orchestras in the country along with NYPhil, Boston, Chicago, and Cleveland.
I saw them once a few years ago and have been dying to get back! I’ll put this on my list!
Helium comedy shows will make you get laid trust me lol
Escape room. Axe throwing.
Indoor rock climbing at the Cliffs at Callowhill just north of Chinatown!
[removed]
The Barnes foundation if you're into art.
I’m a fan of just about all of them. I’ve only been truly disappointed by Walnut more than a few times, and for the money, I just stay away.
Curio is my favorite intimate setting quirky theatre in West Philly.
I just adore the Arden.
They are amazing. Philly Pops (I think they may be striking?) are also so much!
[removed]
At some point this black man is going to try some snowboarding which is at the big snow in East Rutherford New Jersey at the American dream Mall
Plus, if you work until 5, you don't have to worry about cooking, and hauling ass to the 7pm show, you can just eat there!
How is that course, I live near but I want sure if it was full of l or just some random baskets
Curio is way underrated and Walnut St. is way overrated, for sure.
Yes!!! Their respective Romeo and Juliet’s were worlds apart!
Cer427 t1_j06vzon wrote
Arcades, movie theaters, attend a play, ice skate at city hall, karaoke room rental, read in the library, take a cooking class, paint and wine event, make your own candle class.