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Visitors to Philadelphia and locals taking a relaxing staycation can be pampered by the Marriott Downtown. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia Marriott Downtown)

The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown knows how to treat its guests well.

The hotel is now offering a generous “Treat Yourself” in-room happy hour that delivers snacks and drinks straight to guests’ rooms to ensure they have a tasty treat awaiting them after a long day of sightseeing or business meetings.

A “Treat Yourself” menu is provided in each guest room and offers a choice of five different snack options including: Philly Soda & Soft Pretzels; Wine & Cheese; Milk, Cookies & Candy; Beer & Nuts; or Bottled Water, Trail Mix & Granola. Each option is just $15.

All you need to do is check off your snack choice, along with the time you want it delivered (4-11 p.m.) and drop it off at the Front Desk. Your noshes will be waiting for you upon your return.

Whether you’re visiting Philadelphia, or taking a staycation at the gorgeous Marriott, you can count on the perfect pick-me-up to supplement your stay.

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
1201 Market Street
www.marriott.com

Downingtown’s Honey Fest, an annual charity event, is back and even bigger and better than before.

On August 19-21, the festival brings a good-times vibe of music, food and games to the scenic 600-acre Paradise Farm Camps in Downingtown.

The cause behind it all is polycystic kidney disease, which affects 12.5 million people worldwide.

Downingtown will be jammin’ August 19-21, with a dozen bands taking the stages, playing psychedelic sounds (Second Self), Grateful Dead-inspired jams (Honey Juice), funky soul blues (Los Huevos), experimental fusion (Sheltered Turtle), blues-rock (Tommy Frolic’s Magic 8 Ball) and more.

Along with the groovy live music, the family-friendly festival features a human hamster ball, laser tag and other fun games. The campground is expansive, so feel free to pitch a tent and then venture about the great outdoors where you can fish, hike, canoe and even light up a bonfire.

Tickets are available online. All proceeds go to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, which means Honey Fest is truly one sweet weekend.

Honey Fest
Where: Paradise Farms Camp, 1300 Valley Creek Road, Downingtown
When: August 19-21
Cost: Day pass $15, Camping pass $10, Friday only $10
More info: www.honeyfest.org

Nothing cools the dog days of summer better than a seafood celebration. On Tuesday, August 9, Varga Bar’s Chef Evan Turney will prepare crabs galore for an all-day Crab Bake.

The menu will include sauteed soft shells, fried oyster sandwiches, a lobster and crab steampot, grilled oysters on the half shell, crabcake sliders and of course, loads of delicious steamed blue crabs tossed with Yards and Old Bay seasoning.

Varga fills 20+ taps with a collection of unusual, American-made beers, perfect for pairing with your eats. Enjoy a casual drink alongside well-crafted pub grub, outdoors at Varga’s sidewalk seating if you wish.

Get the Crab Bake Special prix-fixe for $30, or else pay as you go.

The restaurant will be taking reservations for the Crab Fest, but walk-ins are welcome too. Call (215) 627-5200.

Varga Bar Crab Bake
When: Tuesday, August 9, noon-10 p.m.
Where: 941 Spruce Street
Cost: $30, or pay as you go
More info: www.vargabar.com

Cool down inside the dark speakeasy with ice-cold Prohibition-style cocktails at The Franklin.
(Photo courtesy The Franklin)

The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co., which has cleaned up in awards since its opening in 2009, has debuted its new summer cocktail menu for your drinking enjoyment.

The Franklin’s refreshing punch menu has been expanded to a two-page spread. Punch is offered in a classic bowl for multiple ladled servings, or else by the glass. Elixirs include the Well-Deserved Punch, Regime Change Punch and 5 Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique Punch. They’re as delicious as they are cheekily named.

The bar also brings an extended selection of cooling crushed-ice Swizzles to its summer list, including the Atlantic City Conference (Applejack, ruby port, velvet falernum and house grenadine) and Friday Foster (frothy Banana-infused Venezuelan rum, heavy cream, egg yolk and aromatic bitters).

The full, must-try-them-all menu is included, below.

The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company
112 South 18th Street
www.thefranklinbar.com

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Make the most of this summer weekend with a six-block food, beer and music festival in Northern Liberties, Franklin Square's 5th birthday celebration, a trip to gorgeous Longwood Gardens and other sunny activities. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: courtesy The Piazza, R. Kennedy for GPTMC, courtesy the Mann Center, courtesy Longwood Gardens)

It’s the final weekend in July (tear swipe) so it’s a great chance to capitalize on all there is to see and do during summertime in Philadelphia.

Here are our top picks:

Friday, July 29

The Awesome Fest presents “The Awesome Weekend” (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Beyond Philadelphia Longwood Gardens Bus Tour

Russian National Orchestra at the Mann Center — Closing Day!

Meritage Restaurant & Wine Bar Farmhouse Feast — Closing Day!

Diane Burko at the Locks Gallery

Martinis On The Portico at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Urbanism: Reimagining the Lived Environment at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Friday Night Lights at Marathon

Saturday, July 30

Kenzinger Clambake at Johnny Brenda’s

Rock and Read Festival at Bookspace

ART/GAGE at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

Collograph Workshop with Janis Pinkston at Square Peg Artery and Salvage

Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco at the Sports Cave at the Shops at Liberty Place

Carmelita Couture moving sale

Commonwealth Classic Theatre’s The Tragedy Of King Richard III — Closing Day!

Collab: Four Decades of Giving Modern and Contemporary Design at the Perelman Building

The President’s House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts at the National Constitution Center

Sunday, July 31

2nd Street Festival

Franklin Square’s 5th Birthday

Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon at the National Constitution Center

Beer Garden BBQ at City Tap House

6th Annual Car Show and Street Festival on East Passyunk

Mummies of the World at the The Franklin Institute

The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? at Act II Playhouse — Closing Day!

Phans Feeding Families Fundraiser at Citizens Bank Park

Pizza Brain Guiness World Record Display at Craft Hustle Art Gallery

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar National Daquiri Month — Closing Day!

Every summer, Philadelphians look forward to diving into Philadelphia Magazine’s annual Best of Philly® issue to see what’s the latest and greatest in our fair city.

Accordingly, it’s a pretty big deal to be crowned a winner.

So we wanted to talk to the winners and elicit from them what about Philadelphia made them proud to have been named the best among their peers.

We asked a select group of 2011 Best of Philly® award-winners this exact question and below are the answers we received.

We hope you enjoy their responses as much as we did.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Won for: Best Scene-Makers

Drew Becher, President: “Philly is growing into one of the greenest cities in the country, and PHS is thrilled to be part of the transformation.”

Fork
Won for: Best Old Restaurant

Ellen Yin, Owner: “Philadelphia has an amazing dining scene, one of the best in the country. So of course we are honored to be selected!”

Barbuzzo
Won for: Best Dessert and Best New Restaurant
Verde
Won for: Best Costume Bling

Marcie Turney, (also see below) Chef and Co-owner: “Philly is a city that has great restaurants open each year from such talented chefs who really put their heart and personality into the overall experience for the diner. So to be named the best, is a great honor… and what I truly enjoyed was telling my chefs and seeing the look on their faces!”

13th Street
Won for: Best Restaurant Row

Valerie Safran, (also see above) Co-owner (Bindi, Lolita, Barbuzzo, Verde, Open House, Grocery): “We are super excited about all of it — when we started out here over 9 years ago we never dreamed it would become the vibrant, bustling hot spot that it is! Last night I was working at Barbuzzo and the outdoor seating was packed, the shops were full, there was a line out the door for gelato across the street… I still have to pinch myself to believe that we are smack dab in the middle of it. We couldn’t be more thrilled with the neighborhood in which we work and live (we live above Bindi). Our block has it all. We love Philly!!!”

Pub & Kitchen
Won for: Best Burger

Jonathan Adams, Executive Chef: “Philadelphia is a very loyal, tough town so to be recognized really means a lot our staff. Thanks Philly.”

Standard Tap
Won for: Best Bloody Mary

William Reed, Chef: “What is great about Philadelphians, is that they make up their own damn minds about what they like. Many, many vaunted chains and concepts fail here; because we really aren’t just about hype. The place has to prove itself every day.”

West Philadelphia
Won for: Most Underrated Food Neighborhood

Lori Klein Brennan, Director of Marketing and Communications for University City District: “With a diverse residential population, our access to parks and greenspace, a burgeoning local food scene, a vibrant arts district, easy access via public transit, and large institutions educating our youth while conducting cutting-edge research, University City has something for everyone and is truly the best neighborhood in Philadelphia.”

We hear from Chef Michael Solomonov of Zahav, Sam Mink of Oyster House and more, below.

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The next installment of Night Market, Philly’s favorite roving, outdoor food bazaar is next Thursday, August 4 in Mt. Airy! And this time, it’s a true street fair, taking over a two-block stretch of Germantown Avenue between Sedgwick and Mt. Airy Avenue.

Brought to you by The Food Trust, this edition of the night market will feature not only an array of fabulous food vendors (including Vendy winners Gigi & Big R and Sweetbox Cupcakes), but also but also live performances from musicians like the UCC Royal Brass Band and Doc Gibbs and his band, as well as the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble.

Oh, and did we mention that both McMenamin’s and Earth Bread + Brewery will be on hand serving beer to ensure than no one goes thirsty?

Admission to Night Market is free, the food and drink is pay as you go. We recommend that you head over early and come hungry!

To further tickle your appetite for all things Night Market, check out the above video that the Philly Homegrown team recorded at the last night market. We’re hungry already!

Night Market: Mt. Airy
When: Thursday, August 4, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Germantown Avenue between Sedgwick and Mt. Airy Avenue
Cost: Free
More info: www.nightmarketphilly.org

Summer Love Ale is officially a Philadelphia star. (Photo by M. McClellan for GPTMC)

Wow. The good news just keeps coming in.

Philadelphia Magazine has just released its 2011 Best of Philly® awards, and we’re very happy to report that our own Victory Summer Love Ale was named Best Local Beer!

Definitely a very impressive achievement, especially when you consider how awesome so many of Philadelphia’s local beers and breweries are — we’re looking at you Yards, Sly Fox, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Troegs, Stoudts, Flying Fish, et al.

With peers like these, any type of recognition is amazing. And a Best of Philly® nod is just incredible.

But then again, and like we’ve said all along, Victory Summer Love Ale is great; it’s a deliciously crisp brew that makes for a perfectly satisfying sip in the summertime. Philadelphia Magazine calls the beer “extremely drinkable,” and says it satisfies “craft-brew newbies and serious hopheads alike.”

As a testament to its popularity, after first doubling, then tripling batches of the golden brew in 2010, Victory is now distributing the ale at bars, brewpubs, restaurants and grocery stores in 29 states nationwide.

Want to try some yourself? Check out our thorough guide to bars and restaurants where you can find the beer throughout Philadelphia. And be sure to consult Victory’s online beer finder for the most up to date locales.

Also keep in mind that this year, Summer Love Ale is available for purchase in bottles at beer distributors, so you can enjoy the beverage at home and at your next barbecue, tailgate, party, etc. And you’ll also be able to enjoy it when the With Love Beer Garden returns to the Four Seasons in August.

So a huge congratulations to Victory Brewing Company! We couldn’t be happier to be associated with such an awesome local beer and brewery. Huzzah!

Bonus: To celebrate their nod for Best of Philly burger, Pub & Kitchen is giving away a free Summer Love Ale to anyone who orders the Churchill burger this weekend.

Victory Summer Love Ale [Visit Philly]

Summer in Philadelphis means outdoor concerts galore, including at the verdant Morris Arboretum. (Photo by Arnold Winkler courtesy Morris Arboretum)

[Summer in Philadelphia is action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we'll be rounding up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

As always, Philadelphia offers a diverse range of events and activities tonight. One great option is watching the Phillies play the Giants at 7:05 p.m., either at the ballpark if you’re lucky, or around town.

Here are some other great options for how to spend your evening:

• Last night for University City Dining Days: Nearly 30 participating restaurants are offering three-course dinners for $15, $25 or $30. Remember you can still enter our giveaway: win $100 in restaurant gift certificates!

Where: Nearly 30 participating restaurants in West Philadelphia
When: Tonight is the last night!
Cost: $15, $25 or $30

• Russian National Orchestra at the Mann Center: The world-renowned Russian National Orchestra is the center’s classical season finale, and it’s the orchestra’s only performances on the East Coast. Tonight’s performance is Cirque de la Symphonie, a musical spectacular complete with aerial flyers and acrobats.

Where: 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue
When: Thursday, July 28, 8 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $10

• Bell’s Brewery Dinner at Pub & Kitchen: Pub & Kitchen and Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Bell’s Brewery are dishing up a collaborative dinner including four courses and four beers. For $40, you get to chow down and drink up some deliciously refreshing food and beer.

Where: 1946 Lombard Street
When: Thursday, July 28
Cost: $40

• The National Constitution Center’s $5 after 5: Summer Nights: For only $5, families can enjoy the museum’s extended summer hours (it stays open until 8 p.m.) and all the center has to offer including the summer blockbuster exhibition Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon.

Where: 525 Arch Street
When: Thursday, July 28, 5-8 p.m. (Thursdays all summer)
Cost: $5 (kids are free)

• Morris Arboretum Summer Concert Series: A free concert on the gorgeous Azalea Meadow? Count us in. The series kicks off tonight with “Groovin’ in the Garden,” featuring Philadelphia talent Plan B Jazz Band. Prior to the concert, be sure to catch the free beer tasting compliments of Flourtown Beverage held from 6-7 p.m.

Where: Azalea Meadow, Morris Arboretum, 100 Northwestern Avenue
When: Thursday, July 28, 7-8:30 p.m. (through August 11)
Cost: Free

• Screenings Under the Stars at Penn’s Landing: The RiverStage at Penn’s Landing does double duty as an outdoor movie theater, bringing popular movies to the Delaware River on Thursday nights at dusk. Tonight’s movie is the popular Julia Roberts flick Eat, Pray, Love.

Where: River Stage on Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd. at Chestnut Street
When: Thursday, July 28, 8:30 p.m. (Thursdays through August)
Cost: Free

• Chifa and Oskar Blues BBQ Picnic: Jose Garces’ Peruvian-Cantonese restaurant Chifa is joining forces with Colorado craft brewery Oskar Blues $65 gets you two courses with a total of nine plates, dessert and five craft beers (in cans!) paired perfectly with the fresh summer food.

Where: 707 Chestnut Street
When: Thursday, July 28, 7 p.m.
Cost: $65

• BYOB Thursdays at Balcony Restaurant: The newly opened Balcony Restaurant at The Doubletree By Hilton Philadelphia Center City is making Thursdays BYOB until Labor Day.

Where: 237 S. Broad Street
When: Thursdays through Labor Day
Cost: Varies

The With Love Beer Garden is back in August with ice cold local beers, rocking music and delicious food in the gorgeous Four Seasons Courtyard. (Photo credits: top and bottom left by M. Edlow for GPTMC, top right by M. McClellan for GPTMC)

The Summer of the Beer Garden continues!!

The With Love Beer Garden is returning, by popular demand, to the Courtyard at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia every Thursday in the month of August from 5-8 p.m.

The Beer Garden made its glorious debut during this year’s Philly Beer Week, when the gorgeous outdoor patio at the Four Seasons was transformed into PBW Headquarters, featuring a daily rotation of featured beers, freshly grilled food and live music.

Each Thursday’s pop-up beer garden night will once again feature live music in the courtyard, and will highlight Victory’s With Love Summer Ale, in addition to other Philadelphia native brews: Victory, Yards, Sly Fox and Dock Street. For a primer on these local suds, you can check out our Q&As with the brewers from Philly Beer Week.

The hotel will also offer a special delicious Four Seasons Summer Sangria.

For visitors who would like a bite with their beer, Chef Gonzalez will prepare a special menu showcasing his interpretations of cook-out favorites. Dishes may include (subject to change): “Philly Beef Slider” with Taylor pork roll, American cheese and grilled onions; Port Richmond Kielbasa Sandwich with Polish mustard; Shrimp Soft Tacos with avocado, jalapeño and pickled cabbage and fresh Philadelphia Soft Pretzels.

In addition, the Four Seasons will debut a new Woodburning Brick Pizza Oven, preparing fresh pizzas for attendees.

It’s going to be the perfect summer spot to grab a casual drink and seasonal bite after work, with awesome trees, lush gardens, streams and fountains upping the vacation feel (it is a hotel, after all).

In the case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside to the swanky Swann Lounge.

With Love Beer Garden
When: Thursdays in August, August 4, 11, 18, 25, 5-8 p.m.
Where: The Courtyard at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, 1 Logan Square
Note: You can enter straight from the corner of 18th and Cherry Streets; you don’t need to go through the hotel
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.visitphilly.com