I ended up walking into Wonderland a few days ago because I was early for a change (miracles really do happen!) and had a few minutes to kill before a lunch date. This place really took me back to my freshman year in college when I smoked a lot of clove ciggies, wore long skirts and was totally into the Grateful Dead. In short, it was a little jaunt down memory lane. If you are into the partaking of natural substances, then this is a great place to visit for glassware. Oh wait, those are for tobacco smokers only. So, shall I say that if you are a tobacco smoker who prefers to smoke yours out of a glass pipe instead of a regular old cigarette, then this is the place for you. The guy behind the counter was super nice. The next time I need to buy someone a present or cloves, I'll go here for sure. read more

I know an awful lot of glass blowers. so my opinion might be fairly biased. But I find the pieces here to be no where near worth the price that you pay for them. The pieces at Artifax are much better, but you'd be better off just going to Philly Glass Works or Hot Soup, and making a new friend. This place definitely caters to the people who just don't know any better. and you instantly tell just by walking in and taking a look at the glow in the dark posters their selling. They have a great selection of clove cigarettes though. read more

"be easy on them" Why the hell should I? Treat me like a human being and returning customer and sure, I will. I'll come back and spend stupid amounts of money here. But they don't. I've given them several chances and each time it gets worse. Tourists and CC yuppies with no familiarity of how chill and welcoming smoke shops should be, will love this place. This place takes the milking of the Grateful Dead merchandise cash cow to a whole new level. Literally EVERYTHING in this store can be found for better prices (and with completely better experiences shopping) in Philadelphia. Do a little research and save yourself the BS. read more

SERVICE: 5 out of 5 ...helpful and pleasant staff, very knowledgeable and not pushy. SELECTION: 4.5 out of 5 ...can't think of many items I would suggest they add to their inventory. PRICES: 1 out of 5 ... the unfort kicker that keeps this place from receiving a higher rating. Please note this only refers to smoking accessories. I couldn't even venture a guess as to how many similar shops I've been to in my lifetime and this may take the prize as the most expensive. While their rolling paper/filter/cigarette selection is large and reasonably priced, the reasonable pricing ends there. With regards to their glass, vaporizers & related accessories... most are priced around 2-3 times what you can find elsewhere or (dare I say) online. I went in to price a portable vaporizer before christmas time and ended up buying the same item directly from the companies website for around $70 less than it cost at Wonderland! Yes. $50 vs $120. That same product can now be purchased on ebay for around $25, while it remains around $100 at Wonderland. While I am a big fan of supporting local business, I'm a bigger fan of not paying a boatload more than I need to. Yea I know it's in Rittenhouse but they could find a balance between fair pricing and robbing unknowledgable customers. read more

I don't get it, these guys were SO awesome. Went in there looking for a cheesy cheap piece (I traditionally do this whenever I travel) and they were so freakin' awesome, I left with 2 awesome items that I have looked for FOREVER. I'm a traveling stoner from Cali where I legally smoke, and you really wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find a rainbow piece. By rainbow I mean Roy G Biv, ALL the colors. They had several pieces, all were wonderful and if I had the $ I'd have gone ape shit buying stuff here. Just an all around great experience. Also- to the comments about the incense smell- have you ever been to any other head shop? They ALL smell like that. I've never been a fan of incense, but that just comes with the territory. And three $$$ dollar signs? Laughable, I'd say two max. read more

I love Wonderland, simply put. They can be slightly intimidating when you walk in, I admit -- but they're basically trying to keep their business from going under due to kids acting like idiots, so I understand. Make sure you have your ID on hand when you come through the door, because they will ask for it right away to be sure you're 18. They also have signs everywhere telling you to watch what you say, and that any mention of any "illegal" activities will get your butt kicked out the door. But on to more pleasant things. Their staff, once you get talking to them, is super friendly and really knowledgeable about their stuff. They have a huge variety of stuff in a tiny little store that changes constantly. Upstairs you'll find metal, wood, and ceramic pipes, as well as some of their more expensive glass bowls and bubblers. There are also hookahs and bongs of every type [glass, plastic, ceramic, whatever] available. And as previously mentioned, the staff will be right there to talk you through your purchase so you get exactly what's right for you. They've definitely changed my mind several times, and I've been thankful for it. Downstairs are most of their glass pipes along with random little accessories -- bags, incense, t-shirts, posters, etc. Again, somebody will likely be down there to help you and take things out of the case for you if needed. My only real complaint about the place is that they're a bit expensive, but quite honestly, in my experience, this is one place where you absolutely get what you pay for. If you throw some money down for a more expensive piece, you're going to get something that is durable, easy to clean, and lasts you a really long time. Same goes vice versa. :) read more

Oh, how I miss the Blinky patch! Wonderland don't disappoint me, please get more in! Wonderland is one of those retro-hippie hot spots that is generally filled with giggling college students who are tying to hide the fact that they smoke week and burn incense in their college dorm. They have two floors separated by the discrete and the not-so-discrete. On one end you have a wide variety of incense sticks and cones, some tie-dye t-shirts bearing the faces of legends like Bob Marley and Jerry Garcia, books of stickers and patches you used to get on South Street back in the 90s, boxes, hemp, and some cool glass and recycled jewelry. Then you have the other end filled with a wide selection of pipes, bongs, and the usual paraphernalia. In not so many words Wonderland is the new Imagine after Imagine caved to the curse of South Street. When you pass by you'll notice the new pac-man board design on the front upstairs window designed, I can only imagine, to keep naysayers and the local authorities from peering in. The board is cool, so I'm not complaining. Price-wise, Wonderland can sometimes go beyond the price-range of true hippies on some things, but for all those wannabes with credit cards willing to spend $30 on a shirt go right ahead. Me, though, most of the jewelry items I take interest in I make and sell myself for a fraction of what they charge. They are great, though, when I can't seem to find the right lb hemp or when I'm decorating something with stickers! Make sure you check the bargain bins on the floor too, and the selection of Grateful Dead merchandise is larger than anywhere in the center city Philadelphia neighborhood that I have seen. read more

Walking into Wonderland brings back some great memories. It's so cool to see some of the same staff still there from 15 years ago! The owner must be good to employees if they've stuck around that long. Ask for Bill if you want to talk to someone knowledgeable in... everything. Karen is beyond awesome, too. Anyway, I live on the west coast now, where shops like these are everywhere. Wonderland will live on as my favourite head shop, though. Selection is great, vibe is chill and the staff loves being there. Sure, you can get a better deal for some things on the internet, but everyone knows there's nothing like picking out a piece of glass in person. It's worth paying a bit more for the experience. Social interaction is kind of nice when shopping for something as personal as smoking accessories. Downstairs is fun, too! Wonderland never fails to put me in a good mood after stopping by. You should try it. read more

Why so little love for Wonderland? This perfectly adequate headshop located just outside of Rittenhouse square fills a need in center city Philadelphia that would otherwise be unmet. My interactions with the staff have all been pleasant, as have all of the interactions I have witnessed them having with others. Yes, they ask for i.d. (unless you are super old like me). Yes, they limit the number of pieces they take out of the cases at once. Yes, you will be asked to leave if the idiot you are with asks to buy a bong. These are all pretty reasonable policies. The downstairs section is a great area to browse for an an excellent t-shirt, hemp knapsack, candles, blacklight, band posters, etc. The smoke shop upstairs has never let down either. When I need pipe screens, they always have the size I want. When I want to make whipped cream at home, they always have chargers. When I want to buy a balloon for completely unrelated reasons, well, you get the idea... The prices on basic items are reasonable. I have never seriously shopped their higher end merchandise, so I can't comment on the pricing there, but they always have some beautiful and unique glass pipes on display. All in all, it's hard to go wrong with a stop at Wonderland. read more

Where DO college kids get those tacky glow in the dark posters that are relics of a decade long past? Where can I go to get a bumper sticker that proclaims to the 5.0 that I have tuned in, turned on and dropped out? Where can I pay way too much for a piece of hand-blown glass or baby laxatives? That would be Wonderland. Located, strangely enough, in a very business-heavy district of Philly, Wonderland caters to over-priveleged, middle-class neo-hippies, which does not interest me in the least. But some of their pieces are really pretty. read more

Ok, this is going to sound very similar to my review of "Atomic City Comics." I'm not a pot-head, but if I were, I would shop at Wonderland. My pot-head friend dragged me in here one day, and from what I could tell, they have a large selection pipes, bongs, and other TOBACCO smoking paraphernalia. It's got everything you would expect from a head shop: 1) Phish stickers, check 2) Incense, check 3) Hemp necklaces, check 4) Hippies, check 5) Framed Justin Timberlake picture, check..what? yeah they have that too. read more

After you get past the touristy, teenager attractiveness of this place, they get the job done. Wonderland has a good selection of clove cigarettes, natural cigarettes, and whatever else you're into. What's more, the staff is helpful to people of all levels in whatever it is they're into. Like all head shops, Wonderland peddles cliche stuff, and reaks of Nag Champa. But that's life. They're open till 6 on Sundays which is pretty snazzy, and they treat their customers with respect. Whatever you burn, get your burnables here... they know the time. read more

At first glance from the street Wonderland doesn't look like a tobacco shop. My friends and I decided to go inside and were suprised to see that it was a head shop. They card you the second you walk in the door, dont even bother going in if you're not of age. You might as well not put it away either because they card you when you get down to the second floor also. They had a pretty decent selection of pipes and bongs, but as everyone is saying, they are a tad overpriced and a little rude. If I needed to, I would visit Wonderland again, but I'd rather find somewhere else read more

This place has a special little place in my heart, ever since it entered into my innocent little world about ten years ago. Now, a decade later, I still manage to find an excuse to drop in here every now and then to do a little gift shopping. With regard to glassware, you'll have no problem finding anything from a dinky little spoon to a massive, multi-chambered water apparatus, at prices that give you a shake and remind you, this is Rittenhouse. Buck up. Cost is really the only pitfall in my mind. The folks inside have been very friendly to me, one time letting me leave a bunch of concert flyers in a designated spot for like-minded Heads. Aaaaaand, there was one time I popped in and found a mint condition copy of Deadbase X (an annual, out-of-print Grateful Dead digest), on display for $10. I jumped on it, and they told me they had three more in the back, so I nabbed them, too. Not a bad bargain, considering someone else has the same book listed on Ebay right now for $379. For one copy. I hope nobody got in trouble over that one. read more

This is by far my favorite head shop, in the city or out. The employees (particularly Bill) and the owner are all very friendly people, I have lengthy conversations with them all whenever I visit and not necessarily smoke related topics, they are all just very nice and friendly people. The only times I've ever seen them not be beyond polite is at the off chance of an irate customer stepping out of line. Honestly, I've seen shops that are cheaper, but those cheaper shops either sell cheaper product, or are owner run where they don't have to pay employees. No questions asked, when I need something new or if I'm just looking for something, whether it's a new piece, or just some pipe cleaners, I have no problems making the hour commute to Wonderland for all of my smoke needs. read more

I was pleased by this place. The staff was very helpful, answered all of my questions. I got a great glass piece for $70 and it's very sturdy, tall and just awesome! I asked the salesperson if I needed anything with it and he said no, but I wish he'd sold me a cleaner. I didn't have my license with me, but he asked me to sign my name and it matched the card. I did have a picture of my license (don't ask) so that worked well. I got a lot of goodies for under $100 which I genuinely wasn't expecting. Their least expensive glass is upstairs on a shelf near the ceiling, don't just think the glass in the front of the counter is it. Those are the expensive pieces that have fancy tubes. read more

This store suffers from the combination of over-priced products and un-friendly staff. Find the Funny Monk in Manayunk. You won't regret it.

Very Happy with my last visit to Wonderland on Feb 7, 2009. Got myself a sick sick medical grade glass water pipe by Medicali(double chambered water filtration with 2 diffusers) very thick high grade glass for $250. I don't know about some of the reviews on here saying Wonderland is expensive because it isn't I am 32 and have been around the block and Wonderland is a professional place with GOOD people working there with standard pricing, with a good variety of glass works. The people are informative and know about their craft and products. A+++++ read more

Come on guys you all know the deal so be easy on people on they will start going to Jerry's corner in southwest Philly just over the Passyunk bridge which is closer than you from South Philly.... read more

I've been there a few times since the first review, and now I decided that they give really bad vibes. They watch over you like hawks while your trying to browse. It's very uncomfortable and awkward. read more

Nice glass but overpriced. Staff is eh. Go to artifax for glass, it's worth the trip.

The only good thing about Wonderland are their legal shrooms...and even those are overpriced. Even with two floors, everything always feels so compressed in that shop. The workers are extremely lazy; but they are probably all stoned so it is somewhat understandable but always annoying. Everything is so overpriced though! Go to South Street if you are looking; any of the Jamaican shops there that have the same bowls are significantly cheaper. read more

WAYYYY OVERPRICED! They have a few very unique and original pieces, which are very beautiful. But compared to other shops piece prices, Wonderland steals you of your money... read more

Way to trick me, Wonderland. I saw you from the outside with your Beatles decal in the window and thought you might be a place worthy of checking out, but I walked in to realize you were a smoke shop! Though you do have a pretty vast selection of hookahs and bongs, as well as some other cool but random stuff downstairs, the former is sure is not what I expected to see when I came in. Honestly, you belong on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley than on Walnut Street in Philly. I'm sure you'd get much more traffic there. read more

I don't particularly care for the smoking paraphernalia sold in this place, I'm just glad to buy Crumb comics here ^_^

Not so why these guys got such bad reviews. I just bought a decent bowl for $30. The people at the registers were nice & friendly. What exactly are the other reviewers so upset about? read more

Since my last trip in things have gone down hill! The staff is really uptight and kinda jerk. They also didn't have what I made the trip there for:( very disappointed. And the guy I liked a lot isn't there anymore. read more

Shopped here once or twice in the past. They were around when there was barely any shops like them around. They are particular about things you say. Some staff are cool though. Years ago one time a friend of mine found a cell phone outside the place. He told me he planned on selling it until I saw that it belonged to one of the staff and called them to return it. So yes, good customers and staff still exists in this part of town. read more

Great selection. Typical head shop with incense, tapestries and jewelry. But a decent amount of artist glass compared to what most heads shop carry. Worth stopping by for sure. HUGE selection of rolling papers read more

Poor selection, overpriced, the same person checked my I.D. at least 3 times. These are just a few complaints. That and the sales staff were pretentious. How does someone act bourgeois about bongs? read more

Mediocre glass selection at outrageous prices. A lot of their lower price stuff is middling quality, but will do if needed. They do have local glass blowers which is nice, but Philly has an amazing high end glass scene which they seem to neglect (Slinger, Ouch Kick, Certo Glass, to name a few). A lot of their 'heady' pieces are essentially knock offs of more prominent artists. In short, there are much better options. Better glass selection, quality, and prices. Not to name names, but there's an excellent pair of head shops on 2nd and south. read more

Only head shop in center city, unfortunately. Their glass ware can be pricey and the atmosphere is thick with paranoia. Regardless, when you are looking for a piece (glass, stone, wood, or plastic) there is a good chance they will have what you desire, even if the staff doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy. read more

What's with all the terrible reviews? I agree with the guy commenting below me; Sean REALLY knows his stuff and consistently a very hard worker. He is very helpful (much more so than any other staff member). It's NOT a bad store, damnit! People need to just find the right employees (or in this case, one, being Sean). It also helps if before you walk inside you have some idea of something....things are pricey, but it's worth it in a lot of different ways, not just supporting local business. --niko read more

I was ready to buy a bong or hookah piece for nealry $100 or more, yet when I entered wonderland and how they looked at me and the disrespectful attitude from the blonde hair sales woman was horrible.. she was young and filled with attitude she never helped me she just looked at me weird.. I couldve bought a $500 piece if they had it, yet they lost me as a costumer permanently because each time I go its the same thing, attitude, no friendly service.. only bad, service waiting a long time.. I think I heard laughing in the back ground while I waited and waited for service. this place isnt like california places.. there are few head shops in philly you'd think they'd have more respect yet seems weird they can afford to treat customers bad and risk losing lots of money.. I'm never going to wonderland again it was a nightmare.. with bad horrible customer service.. read more

I stopped into the store today, and honestly I had an amazing experience. The store was in an easy to get to place, within walking distance of the Patco station. When I entered I was welcomed, and then I asked what I was looking for and I was quickly shown all the options they had and had each one thoroughly explained and handed to me to check out. The sales person answered all questions, and then rang me out. When I got home I visited the manufactures website for the product I purchased and Wonderland had the better price, which I thought was awesome. Upon leaving I was told to call the store if I had any questions, and told to come back soon! I had a great experience and will be returning! read more

I enjoyed this place! The lady that helped me seemed very knowledgeable of the items in the store. If I was rating on that part, it would be a 5. However, where the 2 stars came in was after I selected an item (pretty small) I was encouraged to go downstairs to see what else the store had (which was nice). I get downstairs and there are 3-4 other people already down there and I hear the phone ring. The sales associate answers and quickly hangs up and then she very awkwardly asks me if I need help. I reply and say no and then she again awkwardly asks me if I want her to hold my very small item behind the counter while I look around. I reply and say no and as I continue browsing I notice she is staring at me. I then begin to wonder if the woman from upstairs called down to inform the sales associate downstairs that I had an item with me. I decide to go back upstairs and pay for my item and when I get up there the phone rings, sales associate answers and quickly hangs up. I begin to realize that what I suspected was the case. I was having an eye kept on me because I was walking around the store with this item. Now, I can imagine in stores like this there could be a lot of things stolen. However, maybe the store should have a policy in place that does not make a customer expecting to pay for their items feel like a thief. Unfortunately, i will not be returning to this store. read more

I stopped into here today with a friend. I knew exactly what I wanted. The guy working behind the register didn't greet us at all. When I went to buy a one hitter, I asked him which would be better. He did give an answer but sounded like each word coming out of his mouth was the biggest struggle of his life. Then my friend (as I was purchasing the item) says from the other side of the store "hey do you want a crack pipe too?" She was clearly joking. I do know the law prohibits any jokes being said about drug use. However, the law CLEARLY states, that it must be me who said this. We walked in together but didn't speak one word together. He then said that he couldn't sell this to me. How did he even know I was with her? Then I said ok well I didn't say it. So he tells me something about the law, like I'm an idiot. Then I said Ok well if I walk out, can I come back and purchase it. He again rudely says no. This place is junky, overrated, and get a grip on your laws. Let me guess, everyone is smoking tobacco out of your bongs. Please. read more

Walking into Wonderland is like stepping into the mind of a stoned 16 year old in the midst of a wet dream, it smells funny, nothing makes sense, and you just want to leave. The first thing you'll notice after walking in (besides the guy asking for your ID) is the pungent aroma of bargain bin incense and the incessant amount of black light posters. If you survive this initial shock and make it towards the display cases and shelves you'll then be floored by the outrageous prices which they charge for pretty much everything. I get that they are the only "head shop" in this part of the city, but with the existence of a little thing called the internet there is no reason anyone should EVER pay those prices. Seriously, everything is marked up at least 75%, and in some instances well over 100%. The quality of their products are average at best and for the prices they charge that is absolutely insulting. The employees are friendly enough, but they definitely try and push you towards buying the pricier/outdated items and when you ask a question they might not have an answer to they make one up, even when it is obviously not true. If you are really desperate for glass or other smoking accessories hop an NJ Transit train to NYC, or buy off the internet, this place is not worth anyones time or money. read more

Any time I have to come here for something - which luckily is rare these days - I bang my head against the steering wheel. The staff is unbelievably rude. Yes, I totally understand that they have to follow strict rules to keep their business from going under; however, I don't feel this is an excuse to be a jerk and act like you have the hardest job in the world. Every time I go in here the staff seems to get ruder. I was asked to leave once because some jerk behind the counter thought I was with a group of teenagers in the place. Never saw one of them before in my life, wasn't standing anywhere near them, and seriously people I look young but not that young. After telling them three times I was not with them and showing them my ID, he finally seemed to get it but looked at my suspiciously the entire rest of the time I was there. And yes, they are very over priced. To me, this place would be awesome if it wasn't such an uncomfortable experience each time. It became more of a "have to" go there than "want to" go there. read more

Extremely disappointing experience. Came here with my 2 friends to get a couple of grinders. There were about 10 employees working at the time who chose to hover around us and keep us from moving easily around the narrow store. Although the customer service was good upon purchasing the items, we were yelled at when I informed my friend of the prices of the bong cleaning liquid because she did not have her ID on her and wasn't even allowed upstairs. She was also told not to spray the Oder remover because it "might set off the fire alarm." (?) Both grinders were also overpriced. Terrible overall experience. read more