(credit: Thinkstock)

Perhaps you’re new to Twitter and you don’t know who to follow, or perhaps you’ve had an account for a long time but your stream seems to be filled with nothing but spam and self-promotion. Well, it’s time to change all of that, and lucky for you, Philadelphia has some of the most interesting and unique people to follow on this popular social medium.

Before diving into the list, there is some important twitter lingo to become familiar with. When you send out a message on Twitter (which is restricted to 140 characters or less), you have sent out a “tweet.” If someone has “tweeted you,” that means they have directed their comment to you specifically by adding your Twitter handle to their tweet. All Twitter handles begin with an “@” sign. Twitterers will also tag posts by subject area so they can be more readily found in search engines. They do this by putting a “hashtag” or “#” before the tag. Thus, if someone wrote the tweet “I love your blog, @kernstwriter! #greatblogs,” they have indicated that the tweet is directed to the Twitter user with the handle @kernstwriter with a tag of “great blogs.”

Now that you understand the lingo, let’s get down to the list. This list is broken up into two main categories: people to follow for updates on great events in the city and people that are just plain interesting.

@questlove

Lol at NFL Draft Geeks outside my window. They must be from Philly cause they booing every last personality walking inside Radio City

—
Questo of The Roots (@questlove) April 26, 2012

Questlove, the beloved drummer from the Roots, is Philly’s most-followed celebrity and has over 1.8 million followers. It’s easy to see where the popularity comes from with the interesting articles he posts and his sense of humor. Even if you aren’t overly familiar with his music, Questlove is someone to keep an eye on.

@FrugalPhillyMom

You know you're old when the first thing you decide to do on a nice day like today is gardening.

—
FrugalPhillyMom.com (@FrugalPhillyMom) April 17, 2012

Linda Vertlieb is the mastermind behind www.FrugalPhillyMom.com and its Twitter page. Her blog is an excellent resource to find deals on family events, and it contains helpful tips that are not just useful for mommies, but for anyone looking for a good deal. Her Twitter feed includes events, tips, reviews and giveaways, so check it frequently.

Related: Best Things To Do On A Budget

@iPhillyChitChat

Gavin Rosedale had dinner at Talula's Garden last night. Gwen wasn't with him. Tonight he's at the Wells Fargo Center with Nickelback #fb

—
PhillyChitChat.com (@iPhillyChitChat) April 24, 2012

If you need to know all of the hot gossip from around the city, www.PhillyChitChat.com and its Twitter page are a must. This Twitter account will keep you up-to-date regarding all of Philly’s society, people, parties and tidbits from ballrooms to bar rooms. You might want to check it out just to make sure no one is gossiping about you!

@Cecilyk

Reason #62 I love parenting: my daughter slapped and killed a slow-moving fly, then promptly ran to me and wiped her hand off on my shirt.

—
Cecily (@Cecilyk) April 19, 2012

Cecily Kellogg is known for her popular blog www.uppercasewoman.com and her writing on social media and moms, but she has also received attention for the raw tone and humor of her Twitter page. In fact, in 2010 she was named one of the Top 50 Twitter Moms in 2010 by Babble.com. She’s definitely someone that can’t be missed.

@phoodiedotinfo

PYT’s Four-Twenty Burger Is As Ten Times As Nuts As You Thought It Would Be bit.ly/IN3wGS

—
phoodie.info (@phoodiedotinfo) April 17, 2012

When you think of Philly, the first thing that comes to mind might be food. If you want to get insider tips ranging from fine dining to the ultimate in food trucks and carts, this is the Twitter page to follow. Plus, www.phoodie.info is from the staff of www.philebrity.com, so you know all tweets are going to be hip and hilarious.

Related: Top Restaurants With A View

@PhillyBeerScene

Had some great beers at @RoundGuysBrewer and now about to have more great beer at @ForestandMain

—
Philly Beer Scene (@PhillyBeerScene) April 20, 2012

After eating all of the great food you read about on @phoodiedotinfo’s feed, you’ll want to wash it down with a cold beer. Luckily, if you’re following www.PhillyBeerScene.com, you’ll know just where to find the perfect one. This Twitter page keeps you up-to-date on all of the happenings in local craft beer in the city.

@visitphilly

Philadelphia is already gearing up to celebrate July 4th. Wawa Welcome America is June 25-July 4 -- 10 days of fun! vstphl.ly/Jdl6Pf

—
Visit Philly (@visitphilly) April 26, 2012

If you want to be notified about the most interesting events going on around the city, you should follow the Twitter page of www.visitphilly.com. Don’t let the name fool you into thinking this is only information catered to tourists; this Twitter page keeps you in-the-know about events going on around the city, both big and small.

@CBSPhilly

#BREAKING: Double shooting in Camden, NJ near Broadway & MLK Blvd @CBSPhilly

—
CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) April 27, 2012

And since you’re here, why not follow CBS Philly on Twitter? You’ll get the latest in Philly news, sports, weather and Top Spots guides.

What are your favorite Philly Twitter feeds? Share them in the comments section below.