ABOVE PHOTO: Museum of the American Revolution. (Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)
VISITPHILLY.COM
There’s one thing we know for sure: Philadelphia is a city with incredible heart and remarkable resilience, and we’re capable of weathering any storm.
Right now, there are still a ton of ways to experience and support the teams behind the city’s museums, attractions, restaurants and more while also practicing social distancing.
In Greater Philadelphia, that means getting curbside pick-up or delivery from a new or favorite neighborhood restaurant; shopping online for essentials from your go-to independent boutique; exploring museum collections virtually,; and staying healthy with online workout classes from local studios.
Read on for some of the ways you can experience Philadelphia from home.
1. Support local independent shop owners by shopping online
Now is a great time to shop online — and the city’s many shops and boutiques have lots to offer that can be delivered right to your home. Another great way to support these small-business owners: Stock up on gift certificates to use in-store in the future. Many places are offering free shipping or other promotions, like M Concept (50% off gift certificates) and Kim Boutique (donating 10% of all online and Instagram sales to Philabundance). Use our guides to menswear, womenswear and Black-owned shops in Philly to shop from home and continue to support Philly-area entrepreneurs.
Where:Various locations including Kin Boutique, 1014 Pine Street https://apnews.com/35333567339199dbdbea7fb69efb482c
2. Help restaurateurs and their employees by purchasing gift cards
Everyone is playing a role in helping to support one another during this challenging time for the hospitality industry. That includes CookNSolo owners Mike Solomonov and Steve Cook, who are donating 100% of gift card sales toward supporting their hourly workers. And the team at University City District started a gift-card matching program that doubles patron support at up to $250 per restaurant. Buy a gift card to any tasty neighborhood spot now through March 31, and make plans to dine in in the future. Find ways to purchase gift cards and tip your favorite bartenders or baristas through Philly Restaurant Relief, a one-stop source to support more than 50 restaurants in the area. Also, be on the lookout for virtual tip jars and individual GoFundMe campaigns for your favorite restaurants, cafes and bars. Where: Various locations including K’Far Cafe, 110 S. 19th Street
3. Order curbside pick-up or contactless delivery to help local restaurateurs
Curbside pick-up and contactless delivery options abound at restaurants in neighborhoods all across the city and region thanks to food-delivery services like Uber Eats, GrubHub and Caviar. (Bonus: Uber Eats is waiving delivery fees on orders from independent restaurants. Just look for the EAT LOCAL banner on the app). A couple cool current promotions: The pizza purveyors at Dock Street Brewery are whipping up DIY pizza kits for customers eager to hone their culinary skills, and The Bourse Food Hall family is offering new mix-and-match meal combos featuring fare from different vendors to help bring the food-hall experience to people’s homes. Check out our guide to see how to get your favorite dishes from eateries around Greater Philadelphia — all while practicing social distancing — and see Dining at a Distance Philadelphia for more options.
Where: Various locations including Village Whiskey, 118 S. 20th Street
4. Take virtual museum tours and explore online collections
It’s easy to experience Philly’s awesome museums and attractions virtually, thanks to online museum tours and collections. The Academy of Natural Sciences’ collection of diatom photos gives virtual visitors a new appreciation for algae (no joke!); the Barnes Foundation’s robust online collection features a neat slider tool that shows visually similar and surprising works side by side; and the Museum of the American Revolution offers a virtual field trip program geared toward kiddos. Check out our guide to learn more about the best ways to virtually visit Philadelphia museums and attractions.
Where: Various locations including Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street
5. Stay healthy with online fitness and meditation classes from local studios and gyms
Need to get in a sweat shirt while practicing social distancing? Local fitness studios and gyms like Three Queens Yoga, Unite Fitness, The Wall Fitness and more are live-streaming classes and sharing workouts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Zoom. If you’re looking to clear your mind and re-center, try online meditation classes from local spots like Palo Santo Yoga Studio, Vitality Meditation and Sanctuary Yoga and Mindfulness. Check out this list for some options, or search studios on social media channels to see if they are posting info about virtual classes.
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