1. Take advantage of the last rays of sunshine with Franklin Fountain’s delicious and foodstagram–worthy ice cream. Bonus level: walk there, back or both and treat yourself (guilt free!) to hot fudge as a reward.
(116 Market St, 11 a.m.–12 a.m.; franklinfountain.com/)
2. Make a personal pact to finally make it to First Friday in October. To reiterate: it’s a free opportunity to gallery hop and sample wine in Old City. Put it in your calendar and stop making excuses. (First Friday of every month, Old City, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/first-friday/) also: 34st.com/article/2014/09/first-friday-art-crawl
3. Visit The Gold Standard Cafe with some bubbly for mimosas and good company. Indulge in brunch while you enjoy the now–crisp September air—from inside the restaurant. (4800 Baltimore Ave, Brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. thegoldstandardcafe.com/)
4. Don’t miss the final days of Spruce Street Harbor Park. You’ll find hammocks, arcade games, food trucks and a beer garden. We’ve heard rumors it will be transformed into a winter wonderland...but that’s for another list.
(Spruce St and South Columbus Blvd, officially closes Sunday, September 28th; visitphilly.com/outdoor-activities/philadelphia/spruce-street-harbor-park/)
5. Wake up early on Saturday to check out the Clark Park farmers' market. Fresh fruit, veggies and locally–made jams (plus a picnic in the park) will do wonders to nurse that hangover. (43rd St and Baltimore Ave, Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; universitycity.org/clark-park-farmers-market)
6. Take you–and–some–friends out to the ballgame: attend a Phillies game before the season ends on September 28th. (Next game is on the 26th, held in awareness of Deaf Awareness Night) philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=phi)
7. Catch Inception (Sept 23rd) or Seabiscuit (Sept 30th) at Dilworth Park as part of their Pictures in the Park series. Chairs are included, but we suggest BYOBlanket. (7 p.m. .ccdparks.org/dilworth-park/dilworth-park-events/pictures-in-the-park)
8. Enjoy the last free music concert from the 40th Street Summer Series on September 27th, featuring Needle Driver and Man Man. Ditto on the BYOBlanket—honestly, bring two. One to sit on and one to keep you warm. Don’t say we didn’t warn you if it dips below 50˚. (40th St and Walnut St, September 27th 6 p.m.; ))
9. Perfect your downward facing dog with the last pay–as–you–wish yoga class at Schuylkill River Park on September 27th. The group meets at the bank of the river, near the Locust Street entrance. Make sure you bring your own mat—otherwise, the hard ground might ruin your zen. ()
10. Wake me up.
