To do this week: Go chase some waterfalls
To do this week: The region’s best waterfalls, meet your farmer, and an easy way to de-litter your neighborhood.
On the to-do list this week: We have three different ways to interact with the outdoors. First up, we have a carefully curated list of the region’s best waterfalls, in case you need some nature at its most magnificent. We also have a list of local CSAs, so you can support farmers directly and get farm fresh produce all summer long. And, finally, we have a way you can help keep the urban environment a little more pristine: A little-known program that helps keep litter out of your home and neighborhood.
And remember: We’ve collected our best Philly tips all in one place here.
Stay healthy, stay safe, and, as much as possible, it’s still a good idea to stay home.
Know this
Here’s how to find LGBTQ-friendly mental health support in Philly, by Mike De Socio
Mother’s Day is coming up. Here’s where to buy the best chocolate in Philly, by Grace Dickinson and Jillian Wilson
Here are the best kid-friendly road trip destinations near Philly, by Nick Vadala
» Ask us a question through Curious Philly: Inquirer.com/askus
Do this
Here is one highlight from our weekly events calendar:
☀️ Roller Skating Rink at Dilworth Park (Seasonal / in-person / kid-friendly) Taking a cue from Penn’s Landing, the plaza facing City Hall turns ice rink space over to the other kind of skating. The new, retro rink has a checkerboard floor and hula hoops overhead. Limited tickets available, masks required, reservations recommended. Ages 4+. (Admission, $5-$10, skate rental $5, locker rental $10 April 30-June 27, 15th & Market Sts., centercityphila.org, add to calendar)
🔎 Find more of this week’s events, and we even have a kid-friendly events calendar, too.
Do go chasing waterfalls
Who doesn’t love a waterfall? Water is soothing to look at; watching it cascade and drop over craggy rocks and crash into the pool below, it just does something to the soul. Pennsylvania has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to excellent waterfalls. Elizabeth Wellington found eight fantastic falls in the region that are worth a trip, whether you’re up for an ambitious hike, have kids in tow, or need a wheelchair-accessible path. Here are a few:
Dingmans Falls: Part of the Delaware Water Gap, Dingmans is the second-tallest waterfall in the state — gushing over 130 feet. The falls meander through a scenic hemlock ravine, and it’s close enough to also see the smaller, but equally cool, Silverhead Falls at the same time. Plus, it’s less than a mile of paved trail to get to the falls, and wheelchair accessible, too.
Ricketts Glen State Park: With 7.2 miles of steep, trail and 21 named waterfalls in this state park, Ricketts Glen is an ambitious trek, but most of the falls are visible from a shorter 3.2 mile inner loop. And the waterfalls are so close to each other you will get frequent breaks to see each one.
Ohiopyle Falls: Located in the center of Ohioypyle State Park, this low, wide waterfall is one of half a dozen falls in the park, including the other main cascading attraction Cucumber Falls, less than a mile away, down an easy walking trail. And it’s a great place to spot opsrey, kingfishers, and the occasional bald eagle. It’s considered one of the state’s most photogenic falls.
Find more falls, details for each, and why it makes us feel so good to look at a waterfall in Elizabeth’s full piece. And yes, we have TLC in our head now, too.
» READ MORE: 8 waterfalls in the Philly area to feel the majesty of nature
Eat Philly
If you’re not familiar with them, CSAs are a very cool way to get your food. You support a farmer directly by buying a “share” in their farm; in return, you get a steady stream of fresh, beautiful produce all season long. Jenn Ladd scoped out more than a dozen CSAs where you can sign up all across the region (even down the Shore). Choosing the right farm can be difficult, given the ridiculous bounty that exists in the region; here are some questions to help you narrow down your choice:
Do you need delivery, or can you pick up? Some farm shares will deliver to your home or to a central location like a farmer’s market.
Do you need to customize your selection? If you just really can’t stand kale, or can’t eat carrots, fear not. Some CSAs let you make substitutions, or omit certain items entirely.
Do you want add ons? Many CSAs also offer more than just produce, some in partnership with other local producers.
Do you want to get hands on? Some CSAs offer pick-your-own options, or a discount if you do want to go pick your own during the season.
Do you want a specialized share? There’s more on offer than just farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. Some CSAs offer special items (either as add ons, or as their own option). Think: flowers, mushrooms, cheese (yes, please), and more.
Find the farm that fits you best in Jenn’s full story.
» READ MORE: 14 Philadelphia-area CSA farms share subscriptions for fresh food this summer
Life advice
If you’re sick of getting flyers, circulars, and other unsolicited paper material dropped off at your house, only to find it end up littering your neighborhood, there is something you can do about it. It’s called the circular non-delivery decal program, and it’s run by the Department of Licenses & Inspections. Here’s how it works:
Essentially, it’s a program that lets you register your home with the Department of Licenses and Inspections to “opt out” of having advertising handouts left on your property. Put the program’s “circular-free property” sticker on your door or window, and it should help stop, or at least reduce, the number of circulars, flyers, menus, and other handbills that you get. Any company that leaves you circulars can get a “Code Violation Notice” — a $100 fine — from L&I. And that applies to most kinds of handouts that you receive, minus anything delivered by the post office.
It’s easy and free to apply for, and an easy way to keep less junk out of your house and your neighborhood. Find out how to apply, and how it all works, in Nick Vadala’s story.
» READ MORE: Circulars and flyers are a big litter problem. There’s a free program to curb it.
COVID-19 resources
😷 How do the mask rules work now? Use our guide.
📅 What’s safe to do after you get the vaccine? We asked 7 experts to rank them.
💉 What if I’m afraid of needles? Use these strategies
🥂 Can I have a drink after I get the vaccine?
🤢 What if I have no vaccine side effects?
» More at Inquirer.com/covid-tips