She was already exploring the city. Then she started bringing everybody else along.
I’ve known Melissa for a long time. She’s always the friend finding something interesting to do in the city, and she’s usually excited to bring you along. Earlier this summer, she turned that part of herself into @MelissaFindsPhilly.
Her page hit 10,000 followers in a little over a month, then 12,000 a few days later. The quick growth caught my attention, but the real reason I wanted to feature her is that the page feels true to who she already is. She found a way to turn her curiosity about Philly into something other people can use and enjoy.
I wanted to recognize that now, while it’s still new and people are just starting to discover her.
BACKYARD ADVENTURING
Andre Saunders: What inspired you to start Melissa Finds Philly?
Melissa Finds Philly: Because I genuinely love my city. I’m outgoing, I enjoy trying new places, and I’ve always considered myself a tourist in my own city. I wanted to share my experiences and help people discover Philly the way I discover Philly.
How do you find hidden gems before they become popular?
Honestly, I find them just by walking around the city. I’m always looking around, reading signs and paying attention to what’s about to open. I also find activities in community centers—things you probably won’t see online. Then I ask my family and friends to send me recommendations, because I don’t know everything. It’s word of mouth too.
When did you realize the page was really starting to take off?
My family and friends started reaching out and saying, “Look, someone just sent me this recommendation, and they didn’t even know we were related.” Then businesses and brands started asking if we could collaborate on Reels.
I started the page simply sharing my experiences, so I wasn’t expecting it to blow up like it did. Knowing people trust my recommendations and enjoy exploring the city with me is a great feeling. It shows that being myself and staying consistent is paying off.
Has the growth changed the way you think about creating?
In the beginning, it was easier because I wasn’t thinking about it. I was just posting my experiences. Now people ask me for itineraries and things to do. It makes me feel like I need to go out more, get more content and stay consistent because I don’t want to let anyone down.
I think more about what I’m putting out now. I only recommend places I would send my own family and friends, so I think that personal standard helps people trust me.
What would you like to do next with Melissa Finds Philly?
I want to keep growing, reach more people and help people find things to do. I want to build more partnerships with local brands and businesses. I’m also working on a digital product with my top 100 places, including places where people can get discounts and other insider tips.
A dream partnership would be Visit Philly. I would love to create a full series highlighting hidden gems, local businesses and different experiences around the city. That would make Melissa Finds Philly feel full circle.
This really is who you are, too. You’re people-friendly. You’re always exploring and putting events together. This feels like a natural fit for you.
I’m happy to see you find something that makes you happy, and get the recognition your work deserves. I’ve seen random people sharing your stuff and talking about you, and that’s fulfilling for me because I like seeing my friends do well on their own paths. I’m proud of you. And I think your page is going to keep growing, too.
I really appreciate that, Andre. You’ve always supported me, and it means a lot that you see how naturally this page fits me. I started by sharing what I was already doing, and I’m excited to keep growing it, finding new places and helping people explore more of Philly. There’s a lot more coming.
Watching people respond to Melissa’s page has been cool because they’re responding to her as much as the places she finds. Her curiosity, her energy and the way she brings people along are what make the page work. What I like about Melissa’s page is that it makes you curious about what’s right around the corner. Even if you’ve lived here your whole life, Philly can still surprise you. Melissa is giving people another reason to go see for themselves.
LEARN MORE on Melissa’s Linktree.
📍Cool Jobs: Local Travel Influencer
What makes someone an influencer? At the simplest level, it’s someone who builds an audience around a subject or point of view, then earns enough trust that their recommendations can shape what people try, visit or buy.
Ten thousand followers is one of those nice round numbers that makes brands perk up. But the clue is right there in the job title: an influencer has to influence somebody. Melissa’s followers were visiting places she shared, asking for itineraries and looking to her for the next good idea. Once that started happening, local businesses noticed too.
Travel content doesn’t always have to mean getting on a plane. Local creators like Melissa Finds Philly show that there are plenty of stories, experiences and hidden gems to share right in your own city. One of the most encouraging things about her story is how quickly and organically the page has grown. Her early success is a good indication that there’s plenty of room for new voices to share Philly as they know it.
Here are five lessons from Melissa’s first weeks building the page:
1. Start With What You Love
Melissa did not choose Philadelphia because it seemed like a promising content category; she was already exploring it. Instead of asking, “What kind of content should I make?” start with what you already notice, do or talk about. Philly has bars, restaurants, murals, outdoor recreation, free events, small businesses, live music, historic architecture and plenty in between. Pick what you can’t stop talking about, and start there.
2. Be Yourself
Uniqueness is a strength in social media. There’s no single personality, style or image that works best for everyone – and no crystal ball to know what people are looking for. Instead of trying to become an influencer, focus on sharing useful, honest content that’s distinctively yours.
3. Make It Work
Melissa says creating a short reel can take more work than people realize. A finished video may only be 30 seconds long, but it can take two or three hours to put together. She takes her time getting different shots and putting everything together in a way that gives viewers a real feel for the experience.
4. Keep It Coming
Melissa posts once a day, but consistency does not mean finding a new place every time. She saves footage and looks for more than one story in each outing: a full Reel, part of a themed roundup or an entry in a later list. That keeps the page active without starting every post from scratch.
5. Stay Social
Social media works best as a conversation. Melissa answers DMs, responds to comments and asks family and friends to send recommendations. Followers now ask her for itineraries and ideas for things to do, which helps her understand what they want more of. You don’t need to follow every suggestion, but listening and responding can help turn occasional viewers into a real community.
🍂 Melissa Finds Autumn in Philly 🎃
Get into the spirit of the season! Melissa shares a mix of family-friendly, spooky, free and adult fall experiences around Philly:
- Cityside Pumpkin Patch – A rooftop pumpkin patch with great Philly views, fall photo ops, pumpkins, food and drinks. Liberty Point on the Delaware Riverfront.
- Lincoln Mill Haunted House – A haunted house experience located on Main Street in Manayunk. Great for anyone looking for something spooky to do during Halloween season.
- Fall Fest on the Delaware River Waterfront – A nice fall experience along the waterfront with seasonal décor, places to sit and hang out, food, drinks and different activities throughout the season. 2026 programming TBA.
- Nightmare Before Tinsel – A Halloween-themed pop-up bar with over-the-top spooky décor, themed cocktails and plenty of photo opportunities. Waiting on the official 2026 opening announcement.
- Free Fall Festival at Eastern State Penitentiary – A free family-friendly event happening October 25, 2026, with trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, art activities, music and more in Fairmount.
Consider yourself cordially invited to celebrate the season locally, with an extra dash of discovery. Please feel free to share your own favorite tips in the comments below.
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❓ What do you think? Hit the links for more info, and chime in here with your thoughts and questions.
🌟Spotlight Sessions is a series conceived of and developed by artist-educator Andre Saunders to highlight inspirational local people with personal, community-focused interviews. Read Andre’s previous Spotlight Session on Sheryl Ann Padre, a singer whose live collab with Wale went viral, coast to coast.
Congratulations to Andre on the continued success of his latest book, Honest Becoming Me, where he shares his artistic journey in an interactive format that encourages young readers to find their voice. And be sure to check out Andre’s latest music project “Better Late Than Never”, a deft, layered introspective with unforgettable rhymes and hooks.
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