10/29/2026
Tucked away on a quiet street in Summerville, Georgia, paradise looks a little different than you might expect. Here, broken dishes sparkle in the sunlight, bicycle parts become sculptures, and colorful creations seem to appear around every corner.
Welcome to Paradise Garden, the wonderfully imaginative world of Howard Finster, a Baptist preacher and self-taught artist who began transforming this property in 1961. What started as a personal project grew into an extraordinary folk art wonderland, filled with mosaic pathways, quirky towers, hand-painted messages, and the remarkable five-story World's Folk Art Church.
Finster believed art could carry a message, and he created more than 46,000 works during his lifetime. His unusual artistic style even caught the attention of musicians, including R.E.M. and Talking Heads, bringing a little piece of Summerville into the national spotlight.
Today, visitors can wander the garden at their own pace, discovering something unexpected with every turn. You can even spend the night in one of the property's unique accommodations.
For travelers who love quirky roadside attractions and unforgettable hidden gems, Paradise Garden is proof that extraordinary discoveries often await in America's smallest towns.
