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All 370 Philadelphia Attractions »

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

1020 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-733-0390
As featured in 3 days in Philadelphia
Ranked #2 of 37 shopping in Philadelphia
5.0 of 5 stars 27 Reviews
Type: Art Galleries
Fee: No
Owner description: Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic art is on full display at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Visitors will be captivated by the massive sculpture garden outside,...... more » Owner description: Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic art is on full display at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Visitors will be captivated by the massive sculpture garden outside, while inside the magic continues through glittering mirrors, folk art statues and Zagar’s signature tiles. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
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27 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    4
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Date Rating
Fairfax, Virginia
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

Really amazing art sculpted garden from trash, however it is $5 to enter which seems a bit pricey for walking around a small area. Great art though. More

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See 6 more reviews by ejdb1 for Philadelphia
New Haven, Connecticut
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

This was truly a gem of a find. I read others' reviews and was not dissapointed. Not something we would have seen on our one day trip to Philly had we not searched it out, but it was the highlight. There is much to see in Philly but this unique place is worth the time. Everyone enjoyed and we had... More

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Prince George, Virginia
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 April 2012

We really enjoyed the gardens for the whimsical atmosphere, but I loved the story of how the artist helped save South Street from becoming an 8 lane freeway. A testament to the power of creativity and love! More

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See 3 more reviews by Kimkokomo for Philadelphia
Ocean, NJ
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2012

Tucked away at the western most end of the South Street cultural region in Philly, this bizarre gem is part junkyard, part art museum, and part mad obsession (by 73-year old artist Isaiah Zagar, who still runs classes). For just $5 each, my wife and I spent over an hour poring over little details of the many twists and turns... More

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See 2 more reviews by natty64 for Philadelphia
Scranton
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2012

if you're in Philly, especially if doing a walkabout on South St., check out the Magic Gardens at 1020-1040 South St. entrance fee is $5 per adult. the work is by Isiah Zagar, and composed of bits of tile and mirror and other found objects creating a "garden" of walls and pathways up to three stories. also many his murals... More

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See 6 more reviews by viageira for Philadelphia
Enfield, Connecticut
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 March 2012

Such a great place! This was the most unique thing we did in Philly, and it was just $5. I would (and will!) recommend this to anyone traveling to the area. Easy to find and probably one of the coolest places for kids and photographers. Words and pictures don't do it justice- you have to experience it for yourself. More

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See 2 more reviews by instantxkarmaa for Philadelphia
Phila PA
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Perfect for anyone who loves the arts, families traveling with children/teenagers or couples looking for a secret spot. An urban 'garden' made out of cement, glass, bottles, bicycle wheels, ceramic shards & lord knows what else. I never get tired of taking out of town visitors to this special place which was once an ordinary & very ugly vacant lot.... More

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See 24 more reviews by pookala for Philadelphia
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 February 2012

Amazing hidden gem, something that you need to visit more than once to take it all in. Very easy to find and a parking garage across the street. More

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rochester, ny
Senior Contributor
40 reviews 40 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 February 2012

While wondering around Philly my friend and I stumbled upon this place. It looked really cool from the outside so we decided to go in. What we saw was unlike anything we ever saw before. It was so amazing! A mosaic castle with insights and riddles all throughout. The man who built it was sitting inside at a little table... More

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See 2 more reviews by hoodswigler for Philadelphia
Union Bridge, Maryland
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 January 2012

Who needs the Philly Museum of Art when you have the Magic Gardens!? Isaiah Zagar's work is in the primitive style but not primitive given all the clever allusions you find in his work. I could spend hours here. You can take home one of Zagar's pieces for a reasonable price as well. More

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