Homes with Frankie

Local Guide

Around Philadelphia and the suburbs

Weekend plans, neighborhood stories and practical comparisons, researched and dated. Pick a topic or browse everything.

Coming up

  1. Animation Playhouse at Philly Animation Fest
  2. Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart
  3. Louis Cato

Browse guides

Showing all 18 guides

Living nearby

  • Living nearby · Homes & architecture · 11 min read

    Put a name to the homes you like

    Put a name to the homes you like, then compare the layouts that work for you.

  • Living nearby · Town comparison · 10 min read

    Glenside or Jenkintown?

    Two neighboring suburbs with a train to Center City, compared with a year of local sales.

Weekend plans

Neighborhoods & culture

  • Neighborhoods & culture · 9 min read

    Chinatown, beyond the gate

    Family memories, food traditions and the history behind a living neighborhood.

Life & attention

Trails & paths

Races & events

Seasonal outings

Photo credits

Elfreth’s Alley facades, Philadelphia, February 2024. A historic rowhouse reference, not a current listing.Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0 · Jenkintown’s town square, March 2020. A dated neighborhood reference, not a current business directory.“Jenkintown's town square 01” · Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 4.0 · ICA Philadelphia, March 2024. Exterior reference, not a photograph of the current exhibitions.“Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia (53590175846)” · Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0 · State Street near Olive Street in Media, September 2024. Businesses and transit arrangements may have changed.“State Street EB past Olive Street Media PA” · Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · The historic Head House in Society Hill, October 2013. Location reference, not a current farmers-market scene.“Headhouse Philly am” · Photo: Smallbones · CC0 · Morris Arboretum & Gardens, November 2025. Seasonal reference; colors and access vary by visit.“Autumn Trees at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania” · Photo: Schiller12 · CC0 · Philadelphia’s Friendship Gate at 10th and Arch Streets, February 2024.Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0 · Lake Galena from the dam at Peace Valley Park, October 2017.Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Valley Green Inn beside Forbidden Drive, October 2025.Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Schuylkill Banks from the South Street Bridge, October 2022.Photo: SidewalkMD · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Runners at the Broad Street Run start on April 30, 2023. Archival event photograph, not the 2026 race or a preview of 2027 arrangements.Photo: Julian Moore-Griffin / Philadelphia Parks & Recreation · Public domain · The Benjamin Franklin Parkway seen from the Philadelphia Museum of Art in December 2017. Venue reference only, not a photo of Philly Bike Ride 2026 or a future course map.Photo: Meihe Chen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christmas Village’s Ferris wheel at night in LOVE Park. Shared in 2023; a past season, not a 2026 photo.“Christmas Village Philadelphia Atmosphere Night” · Photo: Prphilachristmas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · A Thanksgiving table seen from above. An illustration, not a Philadelphia event.“fg-thanksgiving-spread” · Photo: David Todd McCarty · Unsplash License · Forbidden Drive north of Bells Mill Road, August 2026.Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pumpkinland at Linvilla Orchards, September 2012. Archival view, not this year’s display.Photo: Jim, the Photographer · CC BY 2.0 · Frenchtowner · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Davidt8 · Public domain. Full credits and license links appear on each guide.

Plans change. Check the organizer’s website for current hours, tickets and event rules before heading out. Each guide links to its sources.

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