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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Shake Shack’s Chicken Creation is White Hot Meaty Goodness!

    May 16, 2018 /

    Story by Kelly Kusumoto, photos by Colleen Cahill Shake Shack unveiled its newest item to an already difficult-to-choose-from menu. The “Hot Chick’n” sandwich made its debut and ever since it has been taking over sales at the King of Prussia establishment. Store manager Charlotte was kind enough to take a few minutes from her hectic schedule to tell us a little more about it. She said there had been more orders for the new sandwich than for their regular chicken sandwich and that it is on par with sales for their famous ShackBurgers over the past week. While we were waiting for our food, we overheard patrons say they’d rather…

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    Kelly Kusumoto

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    Mardi Gras is Not all Boobs and Beads in Lafayette, Louisiana

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    Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania’s 2022 Conference

    June 25, 2023
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Not Your Typical Pizza Joint, &pizza Jazzes Up Pizza Pie Biz

    February 28, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Lauren Aynn Incoming pizza fanatics, there’s a new player in town and it’s name is &pizza (and-peet-suh). From its clean design to its new innovative take on take out, &pizza is a real stand out in its class. They haven’t reinvented the pizza wheel so to speak, but they have found ways to make it their own. &Pizza also proudly partners with local causes to help strengthen the community around them. In fact if you have a cause close to your heart they encourage you to make a request on their website. Truly a great way to keep in touch with the needs and wants of the…

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    Lauren Welinsky

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    Masked Ball to Benefit UNCF Unveiled at Philadelphia’s Marriott Downtown

    July 16, 2020

    Piazza Pod Park Opens in Philly’s Northern Liberties, BEBOT Towers Over Fun-for-All Hot Spot

    June 19, 2019

    Relax in the Small Town of Wilsonville, Just South of Portland, Oregon

    April 10, 2024
  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Exercise Like an Acrobat at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts

    February 20, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet From humble beginnings and moving to a brand new location in Mt. Airy, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts held an open house to invite their new neighbors and curious onlookers to see the magic happen. Inside the church and school, 28,000 square feet will be available for classes, training space, performances, private sessions, rentals and weddings, special events, birthday parties, office space, staff lounge and kitchen, student lounge, storage and more. The 5,000-square-foot sanctuary features a 40 foot high ceiling, stained glass windows, a viewing gallery and additional space for new trampoline classes. Under the sanctuary rests a 5,000-square-foot gymnasium with a 17 foot…

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    Dana Prophet

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    Vincent van Gogh Pop-up Museum Road Trips the USA, Stops at King of Prussia Mall, PA

    November 7, 2018

    Four Seasons Scottsdale Hosts The Lost Explorer Mezcal & Tequila Launch in Arizona

    April 7, 2025

    How 5 Gyres is Fighting Microplastics: A California Love Story of Activism and Science

    March 30, 2026
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Get Shredded with Bouldering and Top Rope Climbing at Philadelphia Rock Gym

    January 31, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Imagine a world with no rock climbing gyms. Well, that used to exist. But in Philly, we are luckily spoiled. Founded in 1994, the first Philadelphia Rock Gym was built by two college friends, Greg and Matt, who had a vision to bring their passion and enthusiasm for climbing back to their hometown and to make a living doing what they loved. By taking the smart step of bringing climbing inside and available rain, snow or sunshine, they became one of the first indoor climbing centers in the U.S. Now these guys dominate Philadelphia and the suburbs with rock climbing gyms in East Falls, Oaks, Coatesville…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Explore Affordable Luxury on the Italian Riviera at Europa Hotel in Sanremo, Italy

    May 11, 2026

    Live Out Your Mermaid Fantasies in a Shipping Container Pool Studio

    July 15, 2024

    Marriott Phoenix Chandler Hotel Adds Luxury and Class to Chandler, Arizona

    July 29, 2020
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Philly’s Real Life ‘Rocky’ Bantamweight Christian Carto, a SugarHouse Sweet Boxing Treat

    October 5, 2017 /

    Story by Kelly Kusumoto, photos by Colleen Cahill On a hot, sweaty August night, Bantamweight Christian Carto TKO’d Phillip Adyaka to remain perfect at 11-0 with 11 KOs and proved he was SugarHouse Casino’s sweetest treat of the night. On the banks of the Delaware River, SugarHouse Casino in Fishtown was bustling with action. Cars filled each parking lot, people were walking to and fro, dining outside and playing inside. The weather was perfect and the mood was right. But no one’s stars were more aligned for a win than the incredibly talented, Philly native, Christian Carto, who at 20 years young is carving out a boxing career he hopes…

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    Kelly Kusumoto

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    Get all the Good Vibes at Sky Rock Sedona in Arizona

    October 21, 2024

    Christmas Pop-up Bar Tinsel Brings Season’s Gleam to Philadelphia

    December 2, 2023

    Dramatic Fine Dining at Elvira’s DC Ranch in North Scottsdale

    May 5, 2025
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Singer Allie X Talks Katy Perry, COLLXTION II and Philly Performance at The Fillmore

    August 31, 2017 /

    WHAT: Singer/Songwriter Allie X’s  – COLLXTION II TOUR WHERE: The Foundry at The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA WHEN: Saturday, August 29th Allie X’s newest album COLLXTION II was recently released and now she is touring North America with her songs that have caught the eye of major singing sensation Katy Perry. She also co-wrote a single for Troye Sivan and wants fans to know that her music’s meaning is unique to each individual. Her new album is about the loss and reclamation of one’s identity, and taking back what you’ve lost along the way. See what she has to say about her songs, inspirations and even a hidden talent!

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    Whitney Ullman

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    Your Packing List for Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale, Arizona

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    Horses ‘Rein’ at Annual Carriage Procession in Chester County, PA

    May 21, 2021
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Era Ethiopian Bar and Restaurant Expands to Breezy Sidewalk Cafe

    August 23, 2017 /

    Photos, story by Cassie Hepler If you know where the Philadelphia Zoo is located, Era Bar & Restaurant is about a mile from there. Where North Philly meets West Philly, you can find this hidden gem for over 15 years in Brewerytown. A fantastic new addition to the row home bar and restaurant is the outside patio space where guests can people watch, feel the summer breeze and enjoy sunsets with a medley of music rolling by in various cars. What makes this place unique is there is something for everyone. You can be adventurous and eat your way through traditional Ethiopian cuisine, you can play pool in the throwback…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Step Into Art Deco Opulence at Loews Philadelphia Hotel

    September 2, 2024

    Enjoy Upscale, Eclectic Asian Food at Yangming in Bryn Mawr

    March 28, 2018

    Loews Hotel Philadelphia Sparks Red, White and Views at Fireworks Watch Party

    September 22, 2025
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Mark and Donnie Wahlberg Bring Wahlburgers Franchise to Fishtown’s Piazza at Schmidt’s

    August 10, 2017 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler You got the right stuff, baby. (Sorry, not sorry. This video had to be added so you, too, can have the ear worm while you read this story.) Meat, cheese, tater tots and booze is a great way to put a smile on anyone’s face and that’s the goal for the Wahlberg’s Wahlburgers growing empire (say that 10 times fast). Not only is Marky Mark still killing it and shredded for his movies, they also have Donnie still touring with New Kids on the Block… possibly coming soon to a venue near you in Philly too. Will Donnie make an appearance at Wahlburgers while in Philly with…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Holiday Gift Guide for Last Minute Shoppers

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    Explore One of the Seven Wonders of the World with Grand Canyon Adventures

    August 8, 2018

    Experience Luxury at Hotel Valencia Santana Row in San Jose CA, the Only Boutique Hotel on Santana Row

    October 19, 2017
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Carrabba’s Italian Grill Begins Wine Pairing Dinners for a Steal

    May 16, 2017 /

    Story by Meg Arbo Let’s face it, Tuesday is generally nothing to get excited about. In fact, it can be pretty ho-hum at best. So when Explore Philly was invited to a wine pairing meal at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Willow Grove, we were pretty happy because, hey, that beats the usual Tuesday night of nothingness. This was a chainwide, national event for Carrabba’s and was touted as the World’s Largest Wine Dinner with over 4000 bottles of wine uncorked for the 7000 diners’ viticultural pleasure. Four curated wines with four courses for $40 – a steal! The dinner began with a salad course with a Northern Italian pinot grigio…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Getting a Lil’ (Apple) Sauced During CiderFest at Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park’s Woodford Mansion

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