Philadelphia Magic Gardens is an enchanting mosaic art museum and gallery located in South Street, Philadelphia. It showcases the incredible work of artist Isaiah Zagar, who has dedicated his life to creating intricate and captivating mosaic installations. The Philadelphia Magic Gardens is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a unique and immersive art experience. The museum is open six days a week, from Wednesday to Monday. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the opening hours are from 11 am to 6 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, the gallery extends its working hours, remaining open from 11 am to 8 pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, please! Tickets frequently sell out due to a high volume of visitors. We strongly advise that you reserve tickets online in advance to guarantee entry, especially on weekends and holidays. If tickets are still available for the day, walk-ups may be directed to purchase tickets through our website. If you are unable to purchase tickets online, please call 215-733-0390.

General admission tickets are available on our website one month in advance. For weekends and holidays, we recommend booking at least 1-2 days in advance. For weekdays, tickets are typically still available the day before or the morning of. If you are set on visiting at a certain time, we recommend booking earlier to ensure availability in that time slot.

We ask that you aim to arrive as close to your ticket time as possible. You will not have access to any part of the museum, including the gift shop and restrooms, before your ticket time. Late arrivals may be refused entry. If you can no longer make your ticket time please call 215-733-0390 up until your ticket time to reschedule pending availability. If there are no tickets left for the day you will be asked to reschedule to a future date. Tickets are no longer valid once your ticket time has passed.

We recommend at least 30 minutes to enjoy both the outdoor sculpture labyrinth and the indoor galleries. However, once you’ve entered the museum you don’t have to leave until PMG closes so you’re welcome to spend as much time as you can!

The last admission is 15 minutes before closing, and all visitors must exit promptly upon closing. Please keep in mind that tickets frequently sell out earlier in the day, especially on weekends and holidays. PMG’s hours may vary due to special events. We recommend checking our calendar for updated hours.

Many children visit PMG on a daily basis! We can provide scavenger hunts to guide your child’s looking while in the space, and are happy to answer questions. Special guided tours can be booked for groups of children, and every second Sunday of the month we offer PECO Family Jams , family-friendly crafts that are FREE with admission. Please be aware that our space contains artworks that display the nude human figure. PMG was created by Isaiah Zagar as a journal of his life. He, like many artists over the centuries, believes the human figure is its own beautiful work of art. The works are present throughout the site, along with countless other themes and objects, and are not the primary focus of our space. Our staff are happy to answer any questions you may have about nudity in the space prior to your visit. PMG has a limited amount of space outdoors to park strollers. We recommend leaving strollers off-site or folding them up when at all possible. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Children under 16 years old will not be admitted without an adult. For the preservation of the space and the safety of all staff and visitors, we ask that visitors refrain from touching or climbing the artwork (including mosaicked walls, sculptures, and special exhibition works). Visitors who violate this policy will be required to leave PMG immediately.

What To Bring

Luggage and other oversized bags are not permitted in the museum and visitors carrying prohibited items may be refused entry. PMG does not have a coat check facility.
Smaller bags and backpacks must be worn on the front of the body or handheld throughout the museum.

PMG has a limited amount of space to park strollers outdoors. We recommend leaving strollers off-site or folding them up when at all possible. Much of the indoor galleries and parts of the outdoor sculpture garden are accessible for strollers. Both the basement (open for guided tours only) and the sculpture garden have narrow passageways and stairways that are not equipped with ramps or elevators.

Snacks are permitted as long as waste is properly disposed of, but there is no dedicated space for picnicking. Visitors are welcome to bring in non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited during normal business hours.

Child/dog friendly dogs and service animals are welcome at PMG! We ask that you keep your pet on a leash at all times and clean up after them.

Tripods and selfie-sticks are not permitted in the museum to help us protect the artwork and ensure access for all visitors.

Getting Here

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is located at 1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, between 10th and 11th Streets on South Street. Check out Directions & Parking for information on getting to PMG by public transportation or car.

Metered and two-hour parking in the immediate vicinity is available along South and Bainbridge Streets, and along numbered streets. Free untimed parking is available on streets farther south. Several parking garages are located nearby. The closest garage is at 11th and South Streets.

South Street is home to many restaurants and attractions! Are you looking for hotels nearby? Check with HotelsCombined.

While You're Here

Yes! There are three single-stall, gender-neutral restrooms located inside the museum. Please keep in mind, you will not have access to the restrooms before your ticket time. A changing table is located in the restroom in our front gallery, and a wheelchair-accessible restroom is located in our back gallery.

Unfortunately no! We encourage visitors to come prepared with their own water bottles, especially in the summer as a significant portion of the museum is outdoors. Water can also be purchased at CVS, Acme, or Whole Foods which are all within a block of the museum.

We ask that you refrain from touching or leaning on any of the artwork (including all of the mosaicked walls, passageways, and all the objects sticking out of them) to protect both the artwork and yourself! Many of the objects in the mosaics are fragile and one-of-a-kind, and a lot of the tiles and mirror have sharp edges. By not touching, you help us ensure that PMG will be here for other visitors to enjoy for years to come!

PMG encourages casual photography for personal use or social media. Posed/professional photo shoots must be scheduled in advance. Please read our photography policy and/or fill out a photo shoot request form for more information. Tripods and selfie-sticks are not permitted to help us protect the artwork and ensure access for all visitors.

Due to the nature of the artwork, accessibility inside the museum is somewhat limited for wheelchair users and others who need stair-free access. Much of the indoor galleries and parts of the outdoor sculpture garden are accessible. Both the basement (open for guided tours only) and the sculpture garden have narrow passageways and stairways that are not equipped with ramps or elevators. A wheelchair-accessible, single-stall restroom is located in the back gallery. Please click here for more information about accessibility at PMG.

Tickets are rain or shine. We do not allow open umbrellas in the space, so we recommend bringing a rain jacket/poncho if the forecast is calling for rain. Visitors may reschedule their tickets pending availability up until their ticket time by calling 215-733-0390. In the event of severe weather/thunderstorms, we may have to close the outdoor sculpture garden immediately in which case admission will be half-priced to view the indoor galleries.

Other Questions

Maybe, but please don’t leave them at our doorstep! Our preservation team often accepts tile, mirror, and other donations depending on space restrictions and current inventory. Please email [email protected] to discuss approved materials and coordinate drop-off.

Of course! Guests who would like to propose need to follow all the same rules as for informal photo shoots. Group size is limited to 4 people (photographers included) and we do not allow any props or external camera equipment. All guests/ photographers must purchase a general admission ticket. Proposals may not block off any area of PMG to other visitors during their stay, we do not allow music, and guests must refrain from touching the art. If you have any questions please contact [email protected].

If you are unable to find the answer to your question above, please give us a call at 215-733-0390.

Hours & Prices

PMG is open year-round and most holidays, excluding Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

PMG’s hours may vary due to special events. Please visit our Calendar for updated general admission hours. Last admission 15 minutes before closing, and all visitors must exit promptly upon closing.

Please note PMG will be closed January 16-19, 2024 for construction on our indoor galleries.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the gallery extends its working hours, remaining open from 11 am to 8 pm. On Sundays and Mondays, the Philadelphia Magic Gardens operates from 10 am to 6 pm. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, so it's important to plan your visit accordingly.

General Admission Prices

General admission tickets are timed and self-guided. Find out more about guided tour options here.

General admission tickets frequently sell out due to a high volume of visitors. We strongly advise that you reserve tickets online in advance to guarantee entry.

Standard Admission Prices

Includes actively enrolled students from any state or country. Each student ticket holder must present a valid student ID upon arrival. Middle school and high school students do not need to present ID. Students under 16 years old will not be admitted without an adult.

Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Groups of 10 or more pre-K and kindergarten children are $2 per child. Please contact [email protected] to make a group reservation.

PMG members should reserve free general admission using the “Member Adult” and “Member Child” ticket types (quantity based on membership level: please refer here for benefits). A valid PMG membership pass must be presented upon arrival. Members may also reserve $5 admission for additional guests (up to 3 per visit for individual levels and up to 6 per visit for dual and above levels). Please add standard tickets to cart and enter the discount code “MEMBERGUEST” on the following page. Learn more and become a member here.

Discounted Admission Prices

ACCESS card holders and their guests may purchase tickets for $2 per individual for up to 4 tickets per ACCESS card. ACCESS admission tickets must be presented with a valid state-issued ACCESS/EBT card upon arrival. Please add standard adult tickets to cart and enter the discount code “ACCESS” on the following page. For more information on this program, visit art-reach.org/access

Groups of 15 people or more should contact [email protected] for policies and reservations. If you do not schedule your large group visit with our education team you will be asked to leave promptly at the end of your purchased ticket time slot. By not scheduling in advance with our staff you forfeit our standard ticket rules and allowances.

Several local libraries have PMG membership passes that can be borrowed and used toward free general admission. Check with your local library for availability.
Library membership pass holders should reserve using the free “Member Adult” and “Member Child” ticket types. Each library membership pass covers up to 2 adults and 3 children (under 18) for free admission. Library membership pass holders may also reserve $5 admission for up to 6 additional guests per visit. To do so, add up to 6 standard adult tickets to cart and enter the discount code “MEMBERGUEST” on the following page.

Veterans and active military may purchase admission for $12. Please add a standard adult ticket to cart and enter the code “MILITARY” on the following page. Each military ticket holder must present a veteran or military ID upon arrival.

Museum employees (including zoos & gardens) may reserve free general admission for themselves and one additional guest. Please add standard adult tickets to cart and enter the discount code “MUSEUM” on the following page. A valid employee ID must be presented upon arrival.

Members from NARM/ROAM participating institutions should reserve free general admission using the “Member Adult” and “Member Child” (quantity based on the membership level at their home institution). A valid membership pass with the NARM/ROAM logo must be presented upon arrival.

All discounted admission tickets require appropriate identification. If you are unable to provide valid identification, you will be asked to pay the balance for a standard adult ticket.

Click here to explore answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

General Admission

General admission tickets frequently sell out due to a high volume of visitors. We strongly advise that you reserve tickets in advance to guarantee entry, especially on weekends and holidays. If tickets are still available for the day, walk-ups may also be directed to purchase tickets online.

General admission tickets are timed and allow entrance on the selected date at the selected time. Late arrivals may be refused entry. If you can no longer make your scheduled visit, please call 215-733-0390 ext. 119 before your ticket time to reschedule pending availability. Tickets are no longer valid once the ticket time has passed.

General admission tickets are nonrefundable. PMG is open rain or shine. Tickets do not guarantee entrance to all areas of PMG.

PMG’s hours may vary due to public events. Please refer to our calendar for updated general admission hours. All visitors must exit promptly upon closing.

By purchasing a ticket you agree to comply with PMG’s rules and policies, including but not limited to refraining from touching or climbing the artwork. Visitors will be required to leave PMG if they or any member of their party do not comply with these policies.

Click here for more information on standard and discounted admission prices. For additional information please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions .

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

Covering an indoor and outdoor space equivalent to half a city block, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens glistens with creativity, urban renaissance and a hint of madness.

Isaiah Zagar, a local artist who began tiling South Street in the 1960s and never stopped, constructed the space out of cement, bicycle spokes, bottles, ceramic shards and other artistic knick-knacks.

The tiled passages of the Magic Gardens weave over- and underground — and, perhaps more than anything, through the mind of a dedicated and inspired artist.

Zagar has created more than 100 mosaics in Philadelphia, the majority of them along the South Street corridor.

A walk around the neighborhood unveils not only the work of the artist, but also of a geographic renaissance.

However, rest assured that the hours of operation offer ample time for visitors to explore and appreciate the beauty of Zagar's artwork. The Philadelphia Magic Gardens is not only a space for admiring art but also a site for community engagement and education. The museum hosts various events, workshops, and performances throughout the year. Additionally, guided tours are available for a more in-depth understanding of the artist's process and inspiration. Visitors to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens can expect to be transported to a world of whimsy and wonder. The mosaic installations cover every surface, from the floors to the ceilings, creating a truly immersive experience. The outdoor garden is also a highlight, featuring beautifully decorated walls and walkways. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a fan of mosaic, or simply looking for a unique and captivating experience, the Philadelphia Magic Gardens is a must-visit destination. The hours of operation provide ample time to explore the museum and discover the magic within..

Reviews for "Philadelphia Magic Gardens: A Colorful Escape with Limited Hours"

1) John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with my visit to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens. Firstly, the hours of operation were extremely limited, making it difficult for me to find a time to go. Secondly, the ticket prices were way too expensive for what you actually get to see. The gardens themselves were cramped and overcrowded, and I didn't find the artwork to be particularly impressive. Overall, I would not recommend visiting the Philadelphia Magic Gardens.

2) Emily - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the Philadelphia Magic Gardens, but unfortunately, it fell short. The hours of operation were not convenient for me as a working professional, and when I did manage to visit, the gardens were overly crowded and hard to navigate. Additionally, I found the ticket prices to be quite steep for what the attraction offers. While the concept of the magical garden is interesting, it didn't live up to the hype for me.

3) Mark - 2 stars - My experience at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens was underwhelming. Firstly, the limited hours made it difficult for me to plan my visit, and I felt rushed while exploring the gardens due to the large crowds. The artwork itself was not as impressive as I had hoped, and the overall layout of the gardens felt chaotic and disorganized. Considering the high ticket prices, I expected a more enjoyable and immersive experience. I left feeling disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to others.

Philadelphia Magic Gardens: Hours for Upside-Down Wonderland