Mosaic Masterpieces from a Madcap Mind There are no gardens at Philly Magic Gardens, but there is definitely magic. Artist Isaiah Zagar spent decades creating his “gardens,” transforming two vacant lots on Philadelphia’s South Street into something beautiful—sculpting multilayer walls out of found objects and covering every inch of available space, including the floors, with… Continue reading Philly Magic Gardens
Author: Soyia
Laurel Hill Cemetery
You’ll Find History & Serenity in this Philadelphia Cemetery Until the 1830s, Americans mostly buried their loved ones in church graveyards. But as cities grew, space shrunk. People rethought death rituals. Planners began developing cemeteries outside cities—beautiful, sprawling public parks where the living could enjoy a little peace and maybe a Sunday picnic. Philadelphia’s Laurel… Continue reading Laurel Hill Cemetery
Macon, Georgia
25 Hours in Macon: Burgers, Baseball, Art & Allmans A couple of months ago, we invited our Facebook followers to vote on whether we should head to Columbus or Macon for our next road trip. Columbus eked out the win, but the race was so close we decided Macon also deserved some love. [1]Georgia has decided… Continue reading Macon, Georgia
Metropolis, Illinois
It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane.. It’s the Hometown of Superman Scene from last summer’s road trip: Fred: “That sign back there said there’s a giant Superman statue at the next exit.”Soyia: “Do you want to go see it?”Fred: “Yeah… is that bad?”Soyia: “No! That’s why we’re spreading a 12-hour drive over three days.” Ten minutes… Continue reading Metropolis, Illinois
Drive-Thru Museum of Wonder
See Art & Animal Skeletons without Leaving Your Car Oddities and outsider art collide at the Drive-Thru Museum of Wonder, a place so weird you can hardly believe it exists. The museum is the brainchild of self-taught artist Butch Anthony, who cut windows into an old aluminum travel trailer and a couple of shipping containers… Continue reading Drive-Thru Museum of Wonder
Pasaquan (Buena Vista, GA)
A Self-Taught Artist’s Colorful Compound in Rural Georgia Eddie Owens Martin was many things: a sharecropper’s son, a teenage runaway, a street hustler, bartender, fortuneteller, and drag queen. He also was a self-taught artist who founded his own religion and built a mind-blowing compound featuring six gorgeous structures and 900 feet of elaborately painted walls. … Continue reading Pasaquan (Buena Vista, GA)
Columbus, GA
Home of the Father of Coca-Cola & Mother of the Blues When Atlantans think about a weekend getaway, they think about Savannah or Tybee Island, Blue Ridge or Dahlonega. They don’t think about Columbus. Heck, when we texted a friend who grew up in Columbus to tell her we were there, she wrote back, “I… Continue reading Columbus, GA
Ma Rainey House
Columbus’ House of Blues Legendary blues singer Ma Rainey started life in Columbus, Georgia, as Gertrude Pridgett. She picked up her stage name in 1904, when at just 18 she married musician William “Pa” Rainey. While the marriage didn’t stick, the name did. She continued to perform as Ma Rainey until she retired from touring… Continue reading Ma Rainey House
Sardis Primitive Baptist Church
A Simple, Serene Spot In Southeast Georgia Some churches are works of art—miracles of marble and stained glass meant to remind visitors of God’s glory. Sardis Primitive Baptist Church is not that kind of church. Built sometime around 1840, it’s made entirely of unfinished wood. You’ll find no frescoes, no steeple, no stained glass—no glass… Continue reading Sardis Primitive Baptist Church
Wisconsin Concrete Park
A Stroll Through a Self-Taught Sculptor’s Concrete Wonderland During a drinking session one night in the 1960s, someone bet lumberjack-turned-artist Fred Smith that he could not build a sculpture of Paul Bunyan standing on a marble. “Hold my beer,” he said. OK, maybe not literally. But Smith wasted no time creating a 16-foot-tall mustachioed man… Continue reading Wisconsin Concrete Park