The Most Instagrammable Place In Philadelphia

While looking for something to do on the weekend, I stumbled upon the most Instagrammable place in Philadelphia: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is an immersive mixed-media art environment completely covered with mosaics. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, and international folk art to showcase his life and influences through art.

It's located on South Street in Philadelphia. There are two indoor galleries and a bi-level outdoor sculpture garden.

In 1991, Zagar started working on the vacant lots located near his studio at 1020 South Street. He mosaicked the buildings on either side of the property, then spent years sculpting multi-layer walls out of found objects.

In 2004, the owner of the lots discovered Zagar’s installation and decided to sell the land, calling for the work to be dismantled. The community rushed to support the artist.

His creation, newly titled Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, quickly became incorporated as a nonprofit organization to preserve the artwork at the site and throughout the South Street region. Zagar then developed the site further, building tunnels and grottos.

In 2008, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens opened to the public and visitors now have the opportunity to participate in tours, art activities, hands-on interpretive experiences, workshops, concerts, exhibitions, and much more.

Buy your tickets ahead of time online and head over to a really cool spot.

When you walk in, it feels as if you've been transported to a different dimension. You are immediately surrounded by gorgeous mosaics, reminiscent of coral reefs. The pale colors of the tiles and bottles make for a super aesthetic photo background.

As you get lost in the tunnels and staircases, be sure to keep a sharp eye out for little details that really give this place its charm. Here's an example.

The archways and tunnels look absolutely captivating on camera. They make for a fantastic photo of you surrounded by the gorgeous display. It's seriously like stepping into an alternate dimension.

Don't miss the inside portion! There's a ton more art and a shop where you can buy trinkets made by local artists.

Check out this totally beautiful place in Philadelphia!

The Cape May Zoo is the ultimate family destination down the shore. It is free fun for all.

The Cape May County Zoo was created in 1978 within the Cape May County Park.

At the opening of the zoo, the animals consisted of an African lion, primates (spider monkeys), various barnyard animals, and New Jersey wildlife animals.

In the early 1980s, the zoo gradually incorporated into its displays more exotic animals, such as black bears, bison, antelope, primates, and birds.

Beginning in 1986, a Cape May Zoo renaissance began. Donations were solicited and there was a major reconstruction. Some of the projects that were completed consisted of a complete perimeter fence, a new lion exhibit, a Bengal tiger exhibit, a cougar exhibit, a giraffe and camel exhibit, a reptile house, and the construction of a medical building and diet preparation building.

Throughout the 1990s, renovations and new exhibits continued, with the construction of an African Savannah, which consisted of 57 acres that display giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and ostriches. Reconstruction of a reptile house replaced the original reptile house that was destroyed by fire in 1998, and a "World of Birds" walk-through Aviary was constructed.

From the zoo's beginning in 1978, the animal population was around 70 animals and today the zoo consists of 550 animals representing 250 species.

Planning on visiting the Zoo? This information will help you plan your trip.

Admission
The Zoo is FREE.
Donations help to keep them FREE!

Parking
Parking for cars is FREE.
Full-size buses are $80.
Short school buses are $40.

Zoo Hours
The current Zoo hours are:
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
7 days a week - They are open every day!
(Except for Christmas)

A wallaby is more than just a small kangaroo! Both kangaroos and wallabies are marsupials, meaning they carry their young around in a pouch and are similar enough that scientists have placed them in the same order, family, and subfamily. Wallabies are much smaller, though. The wallabies are back in their yard at the zoo! After enlarging their yard, installing a new fence, adding dirt and grass seed, and putting in a new hut (complete with a front porch), the wallaby mob has returned from their temporary yard next door.

This loveable species is the world's largest rodent! Endemic to South America, they inhabit forested and savanna areas near fresh water. They are semi-aquatic and have webbed feet to help them get around!  At the Zoo you'll find Budette, Marigold, Buttercup, Capychino, and Goomba. They are all on exhibit daily, so stop by to say hello.

At the Cape May Zoo you can find Fred and his crew, the Galapagos Tortoises! Fred is 500+ lbs. Galapagos tortoises are the largest living species of tortoise and can weigh up to 919 lb. They have lifespans in the wild of over 100 years. Captive Galapagos tortoises can live up to 177 years!

Reticulated Giraffes call the Cape May County Zoo home. The boys rule at the Zoo. Kifeda was born there on November 11, 2017. They also have Jambazi and Beau who buzz around the yard like lively brothers when the weather's nice.

Their African Lions came to the zoo in November of 2014 from Jacksonville NJ. Our Male Lex and female Bella are siblings born in 2011. Their main keeper enjoys working with them and compares them to big dogs. try sticking around to hear them roar!