Philadelphia's Magic Gardens — Attraction in Philadelphia

I'm really heartbroken to write this review. I've traveled the world for art, street art, and murals. And came to PHL specifically for the art here. But I can't understand why the Magic Garden and this specific Isaiah is so popular! And this is coming from someone who has never thought negatively about any museum or studio. But legit, in an effort to mass produce the studio in a rush, this artist has absolutely no actual talent. It's crudely done paintings with no actual skill behind any of it. A 3 year old could paint the same quality that's displayed in the art in this building. See the pics if you don't believe me. I do give kudos for the creation of the mosaics and the use of mirrors and color.. But ultimately when it comes to his 'art' he just pours a puddle of cement and pushes in a ton of thrift store items & broken dishes. There's no creativity behind it. I guess it's just really really annoying that this place was done in such haste and built so quick and thats displayed in every inch. It lacks different styles or quality. It's literally the same eyes, nose, and same hat brushed on every single tile, a billion different times. I attached photos of the things you're going to see a billion times. SO OVERRATED AND WAY OVERPRICED.

EDIT: I improved the star rating because of the professional response from the staff. High respect to them for taking negative criticism so well, it really shows genuine sincerity, which seems...

I've seen a lot of beautiful places, but was truly moved by Philadelphia's Magic Garden and the story of how it came to be. Born from an artist who used his artistic passion to spark life back into his derelict community; he transformed his once dilapidated neighborhood into a buzzing artistic hub by turning the buildings themselves into expansive mosaics. Starting with his studio, he spent decades adding onto his work until it eventually spilled through to the adjoining once vacant lot. Now, it's a beautiful garden filled with endless seas of color that take shape into passageways that invites its visitors to explore and imagine. The mosaics continue through the neighborhood; wrapping themselves around the exterior walls of the businesses and homes that line the quiet street. Carefully crafted with tiles, mirrors, bottles, and other broken and discarded objects, every inch of the work brings renewed purpose to items once labeled as trash. Each little shard, unique in its own; displayed intricately to promote the freedom of self expression, the gift of community, and the right to peace. Though once threatened to be demolished, the site is now protected and open to be enjoyed for decades to come.

It's a truly moving and profound example of the transformative power of art and how one man's love for his community can restore a neighborhood. I highly recommend a visit if you're...

Philly’s Magic Gardens is an immersive art installation located on South Street in Philadelphia. Created by artist Isaiah Zagar, this space is a sprawling mosaic wonderland that is both indoor and outdoor. Every inch is covered in colorful tiles, mirrors, recycled objects, and other materials, creating a kaleidoscope of colors and textures. Every direction you look is a new discovery.

The Magic Gardens trace their origins back to the 1960s when Zagar and his wife, Julia, moved to the South Street neighborhood. At the time, the area was struggling economically, and many buildings faced demolition. The Zagars played an integral role in revitalizing the neighborhood.

In the 1990s, Zagar began transforming a vacant lot near their home into what would become the Magic Gardens. In the early 2000s, bump in the road, the property’s owner decided to sell, and the community went nuts to preserve Zagar’s creation. Thanks to the public support, the site was saved, and in 2008, it officially became a non-profit organization and public art space. Yay!!

Pro tip: Be sure to check out South Street while you’re there—it’s a stretch full of quirky shops, and local...