Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is one of those places that’s hard to explain to someone who’s never been.
Imagine narrow, winding passageways completely covered in colorful mosaic art made from broken china, mirrors, bottles, bicycle wheels, and international folk art.
It’s part indoor gallery space, part outdoor sculpture garden, and entirely the vision of mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar and his wife Julia, who have spent over 50 years transforming South Philadelphia one wall at a time.
If you’re visiting Philadelphia with kids and looking for something beyond the usual attractions, the Philadelphia Magic Gardens offers a unique, photo-worthy experience.
But it’s not for every family or every age.
Here’s what you need to know before you go…
Visiting Philadelphia's Magic Gardens: Hours, Tickets & Parking
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens Location: 1020 South St. Philadelphia, PA
Hours: Open daily 11am-6pm, closed Tuesdays
Tickets (Self-Guided Tour):
- Adults: $15
- Students: $12
- Children 6-12: $8
- Children 5 and under: Free
Tickets are timed entry, but once you’re in, take as long as you want. Most families spend 45-60 minutes exploring.
Website: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Guided Tours Available
- Morning Magic Tour (Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun at 10am, 60 min) – Explore before the crowds arrive
- Guided Site Tour (Mon/Thur/Sat/Sun at 12pm, 75 min) – Includes outdoor garden, indoor galleries, public murals, AND the normally closed mosaicked basement
- Studio Tour (2nd Tuesdays & 4th Saturdays at 10am) – Visit Isaiah’s former studio space 1 mile away
Guided tours cost slightly more ($20-$25 adults, $12 kids 6-12) but give you access to the basement and other restricted areas, which aren’t available during self-guided visits.
Parking: Street parking is metered during the week and free on Sundays. There’s also a covered parking garage directly across the street if you prefer guaranteed parking.
What to Expect at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens spans three city lots and is split between the gorgeous indoor galleries (about 1/3 of the experience) and a sprawling outdoor sculpture garden with narrow passageways, staircases, and hidden alcoves (the other 2/3).
Everything… and I mean EVERYTHING is covered in mosaic art.
Walls, floors, ceilings, staircases, banisters, lighting. It’s mesmerizing and completely immersive.
Best Ages for Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens are ideal for ages 6 and up.
The catch for families: This is a strict no-touch environment. The mosaics are delicate, and kids (and adults) need to keep their hands to themselves.
For younger children who are still in the “touch everything” phase, this can be challenging and probably not your ideal activity.
Between the no-touch policy, narrow passageways, multiple staircases, and lack of open space to move around, toddlers and preschoolers will likely struggle here. It’s also not stroller friendly.
If you’re traveling with younger kids and looking for places to take kids for free in Philadelphia, consider Smith Memorial Playground (completely free!) or the Please Touch Museum (not free) for more hands-on, toddler-friendly experiences.
The Secret to Keeping Kids Engaged at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens... Scavenger Hunts
Here’s the game-changer for families… Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens offers free scavenger hunts for kids… one for the indoor galleries and one for the outdoor sculpture gardens.
The scavenger hunt gives kids a reason to slow down and really look at the pieces of art instead of rushing through. They’ll search for hidden objects, animals, bicycle parts and details they’d otherwise miss.
There’s a small prize at the end, which is a nice bonus.
Pro tip: The indoor scavenger hunt is easier than the outdoor one. Do the scavenger hunt WITH your kids, it’s way more fun to search together, and you’ll notice incredible details you’d walk right past.
Things I Wish I'd Known Before Visiting Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
There is an indoor gallery AND an outdoor gallery.
The outdoor space is essential to your visit. About 2/3 of the Magic Gardens is outdoors, so don’t visit in bad weather.
Rain, extreme heat, or cold will cut your experience short. The indoor galleries are beautiful, but the outdoor labyrinth is where the magic really happens (IMO).
It gets crowded on weekends. We visited on a Sunday around noon and some of the narrow passageways felt congested. If you have flexibility, weekday mornings or the 10am Morning Magic tour will give you more breathing room.
There are a lot of stairs and tight spaces. The outdoor garden has multiple levels connected by handmade staircases and narrow passages. It’s all part of the charm, but good to know if you have mobility concerns or very young kids.
No food or drink inside. This is essentially an art museum, so plan accordingly. Grab lunch before or after.
About Isaiah Zagar & Philly’s Magic Gardens
Julia and Isaiah Zagar moved to South Street in the 1960s and devoted their lives to beautifying the vacant lots in South Philadelphia through art.
Julia opened the Eye’s Gallery folk art store (still running today), and Isaiah has mosaicked over 200 walls and buildings across Philadelphia over the past 50+ years.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is now a nonprofit organization that preserves Isaiah’s work and celebrates folk art through community programs, exhibitions, and tours.
Planning Your Visit to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
The Philadelphia Magic Gardens is somewhat of a destination in South Philly and isn’t super close to other main Philadelphia attractions like the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall.
If you’re planning a full day in Philadelphia, you’ll likely need to drive, take a rideshare, or use SEPTA to get here.
How long to spend at the Magic Gardens: 45-60 minutes is the sweet spot for most families.
Best combined with: Since it’s in South Philly, consider pairing it with lunch on South Street or exploring other Isaiah Zagar murals in the neighborhood using their Mosaic Mural Map.
If you’re planning a longer Pennsylvania trip, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens pairs well with some really cool Things to do in Lancaster, PA... the two cities are about 90 minutes apart and make a great weekend itinerary.
Bottom Line: Is Philadelphia's Magic Gardens Worth It for Families?
If your family appreciates unique experiences, international folk art, exploring new places and enjoys noticing tiny details, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is absolutely worth a visit. It’s quirky, beautiful, and unlike anything else you’ll see.
Skip it if: You have little kids who love to touch everything, you’re visiting in bad weather, or your family prefers hands-on interactive museums.
Don’t miss it if: You’re looking for something off the beaten path in Philadelphia, your kids are old enough to appreciate “look but don’t touch,” or you want a photo-worthy experience that’s genuinely special.
When bringing kids to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens head straight to those scavenger hunts at the entrance, take your time wandering the labyrinths, and prepare to be amazed by the art that has been created over decades.
Happy Travels…
