Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, Isaiah Zagar's mosaic-covered gallery at 1020 South Street, is where the South Street shops meet Bella Vista and the southern edge of Washington Square West. It's a neighborhood of rowhouses, small restaurants and galleries more than big hotels, so the five stays here range from a B&B two blocks away to a Holiday Inn Express on Walnut Street, all within half a mile.
What to expect in this part of Philadelphia
The blocks around Philadelphia's Magic Gardens mix rowhouses, independent restaurants and small galleries. South Street runs east-west and carries SEPTA buses, but no subway runs beneath it. The nearest rail is the B (Broad Street Line) a few blocks west, at Lombard-South and Walnut-Locust, and most people staying here just walk to the Magic Gardens.
The five stays below are quite different. Trade Winds Bed and Breakfast on Lombard Street is two blocks away and the closest. The Philadelphia Hotel Bella Vista has the best guest score at 9.3. Midtown Suites has kitchenettes, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express are the familiar branded options.
Hotels near Philadelphia's Magic Gardens at a glance
| Hotel | Stars | Walk to Magic Gardens | Nearest transit | Guest score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Winds Bed and Breakfast | 2 | 2 min (0.10 mi) | Lombard-South (B) | 8.4 |
| The Philadelphia Hotel Bella Vista | 3 | 3 min (0.16 mi) | Lombard-South (B) | 9.3 |
| Midtown Suites | 2 | 6 min (0.28 mi) | Walnut-Locust (B) | 8.8 |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Philadelphia Downtown/Center City | 3 | 7 min (0.34 mi) | Walnut-Locust (B) | 8.3 |
| Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia-Midtown | 3 | 10 min (0.49 mi) | Walnut-Locust (B) | 8.4 |
Getting to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens without a car
- SEPTA buses run along South Street. A single trip costs $2.90 with a SEPTA Key card, contactless card or cash, but only Key and contactless get free transfers.
- The One Day Convenience Pass costs $7.50 and covers up to 8 bus and Metro rides, useful if you plan to visit other neighborhoods the same day.
- The B (Broad Street Line) stops at Lombard-South, a few blocks west of the Magic Gardens on Broad Street.
- The Liberty Bell Center is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Independence Hall has free timed tickets ($1 online reservation fee), so it's easy to pair either with a Magic Gardens visit.
The hotels
Trade Winds Bed and Breakfast
943 Lombard Street
8.475 reviews
9 min walk to Lombard-South (B, Broad Street Line)At 943 Lombard Street, 0.10 miles from the Magic Gardens, this B&B is the closest of the five, about a 2-minute walk to the mosaics.
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The Philadelphia Hotel Bella Vista
752 South 10th Street
9.3158 reviews
10 min walk to Lombard-South (B, Broad Street Line)The best guest score of the five at 9.3, on South 10th Street in Bella Vista, 0.16 miles from the Magic Gardens.
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Midtown Suites
302 S 12th St
8.820 reviews
6 min walk to Walnut-Locust (B, Broad Street Line)A 2-star suite-style hotel with kitchenettes on South 12th Street, 0.28 miles from the Magic Gardens, for more space on a budget.
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Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Philadelphia Downtown/Center City
261 S 13th St
8.3675 reviews
4 min walk to Walnut-Locust (B, Broad Street Line)A 3-star Marriott on South 13th Street with a gym and parking, 0.34 miles from the Magic Gardens and a 4-minute walk from Walnut-Locust.
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Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia-Midtown
1305 Walnut Street
8.42,559 reviews
2 min walk to Walnut-Locust (B, Broad Street Line)A 3-star Holiday Inn Express on Walnut Street with an 8.4 guest score, 0.49 miles from the Magic Gardens.
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All 45 Philadelphia hotel guides →
Frequently asked questions
How far is the closest hotel from Philadelphia's Magic Gardens?＋
Trade Winds Bed and Breakfast at 943 Lombard Street is 0.10 miles away, about a 2-minute walk.
Is there a subway stop near Philadelphia's Magic Gardens?＋
No subway runs under South Street. The nearest rail is Lombard-South on the B (Broad Street Line), a few blocks west on Broad Street. SEPTA buses along South Street are the most direct transit option from the neighborhood.
What does a SEPTA bus trip cost near the Magic Gardens?＋
Each bus trip costs $2.90. If you plan multiple trips in a day, the One Day Convenience Pass costs $7.50 and covers up to 8 bus and Metro rides.
Are any of these hotels LEED-certified?＋
None of these five hotels holds LEED certification. If that matters to you, the Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City and the Kimpton Hotel Monaco are both LEED-certified, though both are farther from the Magic Gardens.
What is Philadelphia's Magic Gardens and when is it open?＋
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a mosaic art environment and gallery at 1020 South Street created by artist Isaiah Zagar. It covers indoor and outdoor spaces filled with tile, glass, and found-object mosaics. Check the official Magic Gardens website for current hours and ticket information.
Can I combine a Magic Gardens visit with other Philadelphia attractions?＋
Yes. The Liberty Bell Center is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Independence Hall has free timed tickets with a $1 online reservation fee, or walk in during the 9 to 10:30 a.m. open house. Reading Terminal Market at 1136 Arch Street is open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is a short bus ride north.
