South Philly Art Tour - Small Group Walking Tour

There’s so much more to Philadelphia than American history - some of the most incredible public art is on display when you venture into South Philly! On this tour, you’ll head into the heart of the Queen Village and Bella Vista neighborhoods to explore beautiful and surprising pieces of public art, including breathtaking murals and mind-bending mosaics. As you hear the history of the pieces you see, you’ll come to appreciate how public art and creators are intertwined and appreciated by the neighborhoods that they call home, and how amazingly accessible art is throughout a major city like Philadelphia. After exploring the street art and a gallery or two, your tour concludes at the incredible Magic Gardens - one of the most impressive and fantastical works of art and sculpture you’ll ever see! Part of your ticket price also includes a donation to a local organization supporting artists in the city, so you’ll be directly impacting the incredible community highlighted on this tour!

Meeting Point

Theatre of The Living Arts

334 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA

Meet outside the entrance of the Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA); 334 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147

What's included:

• View breathtaking hidden gems, and hear the story behind the art and the artists.
• A local expert guide who will lead you to iconic pieces of public art
• Admission to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens after tour
• A visit to the Davinci Art Alliance, a community-based art organization
• A pleasant walk through one of Philly’s most diverse and eclectic communities
• A donation to a local community art organization

Not included:

• Additional food and drink
• Not all locations listed are guaranteed stops

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Theater of Living Arts

334 South St, Philadelphia, 19147-1536, Pennsylvania

Meet your guide outside this iconic local concert venue and hear how it has played such a huge role in the counterculture spirit of South Street

10 minutes

South Street

301 South Street, between Front and 10th Streets, Philadelphia, 19147, Pennsylvania

A vital commercial and artistic artery of South Philly, South Street has been at the forefront of this city’s counterculture scene for generations. Your guide will lead you past an array of locally-owned art galleries and shops, pointing out decorative facades and giving you fascinating morsels of history along the way

15 minutes

Da Vinci Art Alliance (DVAA)

704 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA

This community-based art organization has been a staple in this neighborhood since the 1930’s. Today it supports local artists in the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities by offering exhibit space and grant funding. Guests can view its current exhibits while learning about its past efforts and future goals. Proceeds of your ticket will be donated to DVAA

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Bella Vista

Bella Vista, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA

Throughout your tour, you'll weave in and out of the streets and alleys of Bella Vista, the neighborhood surrounding the Italian Market and Magic Gardens. Here, you'll see how Philadelphia's first suburb has changed in the last 200+ years, including beautiful homes, gardens, and public art.

55 minutes

Queen Village

Queen Village, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA

Queen Village is a charming neighborhood in Philadelphia known for its historic charm, cobblestone streets, and quaint atmosphere. Located just south of Center City, it offers a mix of historic row houses, trendy shops, cozy cafes, and vibrant community parks, making it a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

Pass by without stopping

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

1020 South St, , Philadelphia, 19147-1936, Pennsylvania

Zagar’s masterpiece, a once-barren abandoned lot on South Street transformed it into a mind-bending labyrinth of glass, tile, paint and almost everything else under the sun. This is something that must be seen to be believed, and you will be granted free admission into the Gardens at the end of this tour.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included