Isaiah Zagar has spent his entire life traveling to new places. He loves meeting folk artists and installing his unique tile mosaic art all over the world. However, it's in Philadelphia that you'll see his life's masterpiece on display. Head down to South Street between 10th and 11th Streets and you'll find Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. This is the most enchanting places in Philly, and one of the best hidden gems in Philadelphia. Zagar began working on this magnificent space back in 1994, and it opened to the public in 2008. This is unlike any other garden in Philadelphia: you won't find flowers, bushes, or other botanical things here. What you will find is a busy collection of incredibly colorful, vibrant folk art that's truly one of a kind.
Trust me... you definitely won't accidentally walk right by it! Even the outdoor face of the building is covered in a beautiful tile mosaic. It's rapidly expanding to cover about half the block.
Walk into the art space and you'll pay a $15 admission fee. It's definitely worth the cost: this is an unbelievable art space like nothing you've ever seen before.
Look all around you. The tile art covers as far as the eye can see, in every direction.
It almost feels like you're inside the mind of an artistic genius.
A stroll through the two-story outdoor space will show you how the artwork here has progressed over the years.
The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia are made even more impressive because all of the work here was created using recycled or found materials.
It's quite literally turning trash into treasure, making a beautiful piece of art out of things that would have been thrown away.
It's easy to get overwhelmed in this busy space, but make sure to read the tiles.
You'll find stories and information about the artist's life and travels hidden within the artwork.
Honestly, it's impossible to take the entire artwork in during just one visit.
I recommend visiting Philadelphia's Magic Gardens multiple times. No matter how often you go, you'll always be able to find something new.
Zagar has created a true masterpiece right in the middle of the city. He's spent more than 40 years adding to the incredible art scene in Philadelphia.
He is a true community influence and his masterpiece is definitely worth a visit.
If you're not able to make it out to this beautiful spot right now, check out this fantastic video tour from YouTube user Americanya Mel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E18e6q29tVk
For more information about Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, check out the Magic Gardens in Philadelphia website or the Philadelphia's Magic Gardens Facebook page. If you love folk art, seeing this place is a dream come true and it's something that belongs on every art lover's bucket list.
Some of the best hidden gems in Philadelphia are located near the South Street area. If you're looking to visit Philly and want to check out this neighborhood, consider a stay at YOWIE Philadelphia.
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