Entry No. 27 — the Tampa file — filed under: folk-art
Whimzeyland (The Bowling Ball House)
Created over three decades by artists Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda, this folk-art residential sanctuary features over 500 brightly painted bowling balls, bottle trees, and mosaic pathways.
The story
Over three decades ago, artists Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda began transforming an unassuming residential lot on 3rd Street North into a high-saturation outsider-art compound. The primary spectacle is the sheer volume of heavy sport equipment converted into garden architecture: more than 500 hand-painted bowling balls line the flower beds, stack into low walls, and nestle under native fronds like oversized decorative eggs.
Look past the colorful spheres and you'll see glass bottle trees catching the Gulf light, intricate hand-laid mosaic pathways underfoot, and custom painted details stretching across the home's exterior. There's no museum board or corporate sponsor behind it—just two artists continuously expanding a personal sanctuary, piece by piece, out in the open.
What it's like
Whimzeyland sits in a residential Safety Harbor neighborhood. Because this is a private home and working artist residence, you don't buy a ticket or step into a lobby—you pull up to 1206 3rd St N and take it in from the sidewalk. It can feel a little audacious peering into someone's front yard at first, but the perimeter is deliberately arranged for public viewing from the street edge. Scan the mosaic borders, admire the bottle trees, pair the stop with an iced coffee downtown, and finish with a walk down to the Safety Harbor Pier to look for manatees.
The move: Grab an iced coffee in downtown Safety Harbor, explore the colorful outdoor yard from the sidewalk, and walk down to the Safety Harbor Pier to spot manatees in Old Tampa Bay.
- 📍 Safety Harbor
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 1206 3rd St N, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Safety Harbor Art and Music Center (SHAMc) — Located less than half a mile away, this community-crafted art center shares the same vibrant mosaic handiwork and local creator roots.
- Celestial Circle Metaphysical Shop — Head five miles north into Palm Harbor to transition from outdoor folk art to crystals, pagan supplies, and energy clearing.
- Spongeorama Sponge Factory & Museum — Drive 20 minutes north to Tarpon Springs to pair folk architecture with a dive into niche Florida maritime history.
Good to know
Can I walk through the yard or tour inside the house?
No. Whimzeyland is a private residence. You are welcome to view and photograph the installation from the sidewalk and public right-of-way, but you should respect the owners' privacy and stay out of private yard spaces.
How much does it cost to visit?
It is completely free to view from the street and public sidewalk.
How long should I plan for a visit?
Plan for 10 to 20 minutes to examine the outdoor details from the sidewalk before heading into downtown Safety Harbor.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: visitstpeteclearwater.com · Atlas Obscura · safetyharborartandmusiccenter.com
last checked: 2026-07-21