Is there a Variable Explorer for PyCharm

The variable list is available in the python console Tools --> Run Python Console... as shown in the screen shot below. Similar functionality for showing variables and watched variables is available in the debugger console.

I like Spyder for interacting with my variables and PyCharm for editing my scripts. Alternative Solution: use both simultaneously. As I edit in PyCharm (on Mac OS), the script updates live in spyder. Best of both worlds!

For your second question: you can also select your code and press shift + alt + E to run a part of your script on to the python console