15 Exciting Places to Find the Best Street Art in NYC
When you’re looking for the best street art in NYC, there’s more to it than just finding massive murals and famous street artists. It reflects New York City’s values and shines a spotlight on its diverse neighborhoods. Street art in NYC is often temporary by nature, with only a few iconic pieces preserved for posterity. But we love hunting down the latest murals, and we’ve come to know the locations where the art constantly refreshes, including areas where the murals span multiple blocks and feature a number of styles and artists. Whether you’re looking to discover the newest talent or to simply locate a dramatic backdrop for your photo shoot, here’s a definitive list of the best graffiti locations in NYC.
Manhattan
The Bowery Wall Mural
Bowery Wall mural by Tats Cru completed in 2019
Tracing its roots back to Keith Haring, the Bowery Wall is iconic and continues to showcase the works of established artists and up-and-comers. The Bowery Wall mural’s storied history includes a showcase of how some of the greatest street artists in the world have used the space. The wall has also courted its share of controversy over the years as well. From an ill-fated decision to commission an artist with allegations of a history of sexual assault to tackling such volatile and dramatic themes as gun violence, you'll find no shortage of compelling twists and turns.
Bowery Wall mural by David Flores completed in 2021
2023 Update: When the last commissioned piece was completed by California artist David Flores in late 2021, it was tagged over within months. Instead of repairing the wall as was often done in the past, the curator and co-chair of Goldman Properties, Jessica Goldman Srebnick, decided to place the wall on pause. It sat as an unsightly mess of graffiti for almost two years, until Japanese artist Tomokazu “Matzu” Matsuyama decided to do something about it. He put up an installation featuring 30 colorful portraits in September 2023.
First Street Green Art Park
More than ten years after First Park had been renovated and reopened, an undeveloped section that included a derelict building remained an eyesore. So in 2008, community members formed First Street Green to tackle it. They started with a garden, then connected a paved plaza to it. Jonathan Neville, an artist and community activist, approached First Street Green about participating in a mural project, which was so successful that they wanted to keep it going.
At that point, there were only two sections on the eastern wall, and the western wall was looking worse for wear. So Neville reached out to the Parks Department, who made a large delivery of plywood. The plywood was transformed into fence-canvases, and the rest, as they say, is history. Neville now serves on the board of FSG and continues to curate the work. He prizes inclusiveness, for both the artists and the community. He invites new artists as well as established ones, and selects diverse pieces to increase engagement. “I want to curate for everybody; for the old guy passing by, for the little kid who likes cartoons, for the people who are into metal. I want everyone to walk by and look at something and be like, ‘oh, I like that one.’” Visit the garden at the corner of Houston Street and Chrystie Street.
The LISA Project
Blondie mural by Shepard Fairey completed in 2017
The Little Italy Street Art (LISA Project) has been curating street art in NYC for over 10 years. Their name is a little bit of a misnomer, though, since their walls extend from the Lower East Side, to SoHo, to the East Village. They have been behind some of the city’s most iconic murals, including Shepard Fairey’s Blondie mural on Bleecker Street off Bowery (which was replaced by Fairey’s tribute to punk band Bad Brains in 2022), and Tristan Eaton’s Audrey Hepburn mural in Little Italy.
To check out their latest walls, head to Lafayette Street between Broome Street and Grand Street, where recent artwork has included a majestic tiger mural by South African artist Sonny Sundancer celebrating International Tiger Day. The mural was produced in partnership with Four Paws International to raise awareness about protecting tigers both in the wild and in captivity. The stretch along Avenue A also features a regularly-changing roster of their curated works.
East Village Walls
East Village Walls is a local organization that started out simply with neighborhood beautification in mind. Photographer and Lower East Side resident Ben frequently chatted with business owners, who were plagued with graffiti blight. He built East Village Walls from his connections with the tight-knit street art community, but he also put a call out on Instagram for artists. He continues to receive pitches from artists far and wide, and curates walls based on what he thinks would be the best fit for the neighborhood. Walls update every 3-4 months.
In the East Village, you can find rotating artwork at numerous spots along 1st Avenue, on the northwest corner off 2nd Street or on 4th Street next to Jennifer Café. The wall next to The Bean on 3rd Street is also frequently overhauled. Much like the LISA Project, East Village Walls aren’t found only in the East Village. At the boundaries of Chinatown and the Lower East Side, you can check for fresh murals at the intersection of Hester St and Eldridge St. Around the Lunar New Year, pop by to check out the new Chinese Zodiac mural on MS 131 (currently the Year of the Rabbit). They have been completed by local favorite BK Foxx over the past few years.
The New Allen
Love Yourself mural by Jason Naylor completed in 2018
The New Allen is proof that there are street art enthusiasts of every stripe. The art collective was founded by the restaurateurs behind Peruvian eatery Baby Brasa, Franco Noriega and Milan Kelez. Kelez was a painter himself, and has followed the progression of the street art movement with a keen eye. Like his hero Banksy, he believes art can inspire conversation. Kelez and Noriega started The New Allen as a passion project to improve neighborhoods while giving artists a platform to share different points of view.
Most of the murals and artwork are centered around Allen Street, between Houston Street and Delancey Street. But The New Allen’s reach goes far and wide, connecting artists with available walls and sponsors all around NYC's cool Lower East Side neighborhood.
Once you arrive at Houston Street, take a few steps west of Allen St to the Ridge Hotel on the corner of Houston and Eldridge. The hotel’s exterior walls regularly feature fresh murals, often with seasonal themes. In the summer of 2023, girls flocked to take a picture with Queen Andrea One’s Hot Girl Summer mural, and we were particularly fond of street artist Commodore’s Day of the Dead piece from autumn of 2022.
Freeman Alley
Entrance to Untitled from Freemans Alley
Some say Lower East Side eatery Freemans officially ushered in gentrification to the dark and derelict Bowery, but the alley leading up to the restaurant seemed to resist it in the early days. Once a free-for-all for sprayers and pasters, you never knew what you’d find here. But once boutique hotel Untitled At 3 Freemans Alley set up shop, the transformation was complete. The hotel leaned heavily into the hidden pathway’s street cred, leveraging street art talent to establish its contemporary, creative brand.
DJ Kool Herc mural by Dasic Fernandez completed in 2023
In 2021, street artist Gerry Valentin AKA Vewer, painted the corner of Chrystie and Rivington during his We Are One mural campaign. The owner of the building, Mike Home’s Center, reached out for another mural. Instead, they reached an agreement to curate Freeman’s Alley, and the Alleyry (Alley Gallery) was born. The alley has become a destination for collaborative mural projects, art pop-ups, and even some commercial ventures. Rivington Street around Freeman Alley is also a hotbed of street art activity, and you might stumble on such treasures as Dasic Fernandez’s tribute to DJ Kool Herc in honor of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary.
The High Line
NYC LOVE mural by Nina Chanel Abney completed in 2022
Thanks to a combination of public and private funds, High Line Art is able to commission works from a variety of local, national and international talent. The breadth of work is impressive, and changes frequently enough to justify many repeat visits. It’s still one of our favorite things to do in NYC (yes, even for locals!). But among the multimedia pieces, sculptures and more, you’ll always find a mural at the space at 22nd Street, like the whimsical NYC LOVE by Nina Chanel Abney.
Mother Teresa and Gandhi mural by Eduardo Kobra completed in 2018
But walking along the elevated train line, you’ll also have a perfect view of one of Eduardo Kobra’s famous NYC murals. The renowned Brazilian artist completed 18 iconic pieces in NYC in 2018, and his mural of Mother Teresa and Gandhi at 18th Street is one of the few that have remained. And if you look closely at Artichoke Basille's on the corner of 17th Street and 10th Ave from the High Line Observation Deck, you’ll also find a Donatello mosaic (of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fame), courtesy of famed French street artist Invader.
The Museum of Street Art (MoSA)
Rosario Dawson mural by Vince Ballentine at the Museum of Street Art
The Museum of Street Art at CitizenM Bowery Hotel is a tribute to the legacy of 5Pointz, the once vibrant Long Island City, Queens mural space housed in a former factory. Although you’ll see many references to the legendary outdoor graffiti space in several of the street art galleries named here, this is the only one that has verifiable, tangible ties to it. Besides a show-stopping entrance, the museum spans the stairwells of 20 floors and features numerous high-profile artists who were contributors at 5Pointz.
Pro Tip: We’re happy to report that MoSA has reopened to the public as November 2022. They were temporarily only accessible to CitizenM Bowery hotel guests. Simply approach the hotel staff at the reception desk and they will provide you access to the elevator and provide instructions.
Chinatown Mural Project
Zodiac Dim Sum mural by Peach Tao completed in 2020
We’ve long advocated for the myriad hidden gems in NYC’s Chinatown, from a rooftop bar with killer views to a low-key documentary film theater. But street art aficionados can also count on finding awesome murals in the area. Under the guidance of the Chinatown Mural Project, many walls feature murals which specifically highlight the neighborhood’s rich culture and history. Where else can you follow up Peach Tao’s Zodiac Dim Sum mural with one of NYC’s best dim sum spots? Find works along Division Street, Mosco Street, and Chinatown’s famous Doyers Street.
World Trade Center Street Art
World Trade Center and surrounding street art
Street art galleries are often about repurposing a space and giving it new life. At the World Trade Center, that carries more meaning than anywhere else in the city. In the years since the 9/11 tragedy, New York City has turned the space where the Twin Towers once stood into a daily celebration of life. One WTC stands proudly as the tallest building in New York City and the United States. The Oculus Transportation Hub is a stunning structure resembling a dove--the symbol of peace--designed by world-renowned architect, Santiago Calatrava. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum honors the the lives lost in the 2001 attack as well as the 1993 bombing.
Indigenous People mural by Dragon76 completed in 2023
When 3 World Trade Center was scheduled to open in 2018, Silverstein Properties realized they had a unique opportunity. The heating and cooling system of the 80-floor skyscraper was housed in a structure covered with rather unsightly corrugated walls, so they partnered with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to organize a mural project. Well-known NYC street artists like Hektad and Stickymonger were invited to liven up the space. Now bright splashes of color and messages of hope cover not just the corrugated metal, but boring construction areas and otherwise bland fixtures.
Audubon Mural Project
Townsend's Warbler mural by ATM completed in 2016
John James Audubon is the famous author and artist behind Birds of America, considered by many to be the standard to which all wildlife illustration is measured. (A rare copy originally printed some time between 1827 and 1838 sold at auction in 2018 for $9.65 million.) His path to success was not a straight one, but after he finally received recognition for his immaculate work, he settled in New York City. To be specific, he purchased an estate on the Hudson River in what we now know as upper Manhattan. He remained dedicated to encouraging young scientists until his death in 1851. He is buried in the Trinity Church Cemetery on 155th St and Broadway.
In tribute to its namesake, the Audubon Mural Project features murals of birds threatened by climate change in and around Audubon’s old neighborhood. The Audubon Mural Project map includes information on the species of the bird as well as the artist who completed the artwork, making a self-guided tour akin to a fun, educational bird hunting session in our urban metropolis.
Pro Tip: The New York Audubon offers a paid guided tour of the murals monthly. Groups are limited to 25 people and often sell out in advance. Bring binoculars!
Street Art for Mankind
“Aequalitas” mural by Faith XLVII completed in 2019
Street Art for Mankind is a non-profit organization bringing together street artists, local government, international organizations and corporate sponsors to raise awareness about child labor, slavery and trafficking. In 2019 they partnered with the NYC Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-based Violence, the NYC Administration for Children's Services and the International Labour Organization to create two sets of murals: the Freedom Murals in Lower Manhattan and the ILO100 Murals in Midtown Manhattan. The Freedom Murals tell the stories of survivors of child trafficking, while the ILO100 murals depict global challenges to stable employment. Download Street Art for Mankind’s Behind the Wall app, and take a self-guided tour of the murals at your own pace. The app provides the story behind each work, information about the artist, and statistics related to the topic. There’s also information on how you can help.
Brooklyn
Bushwick Collective
Multiple covered walls at the Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn
When it comes to exploring Brooklyn graffiti you will undoubtedly discover the name synonymous with the scene: Bushwick Collective. The annual Bushwick Collective Block Party has grown from a neighborhood affair showcasing local talent to one of the biggest annual international street art events in the world.
Even though the Block Party is its flagship event, Bushwick Collective is a living project, changing constantly throughout the year. There are always new murals to discover, with the borders seeming to extend farther and farther every time we visit. We’ve come across some murals dated as far back as 2002, which is a fun reminder of how deep the NYC graffiti roots go in this neighborhood. If you’re planning a visit, use this Bushwick Collective Mural Map as a starting point for your self-guided tour. Or if you prefer, sign up for a guided walking tour that will take you around the neighborhood.
JMZ Walls
Mac Miller tribute mural by BK Foxx completed in 2019
Also located in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, JMZ Walls is a grass-roots community group seeking to turn the section of the neighborhood running along the JMZ subway line into a street art gallery. Following on the heels of the success of its northern neighbor The Bushwick Collective, JMZ Walls wanted to see more areas of Bushwick benefit from street art beautification. Alberto Mejia launched the project in 2014 by simply reaching out to building owners, many of whom he considered neighbors having been a local for 20 years.
Now the organization pairs artists with businesses, building owners, and private residents offering up gates, walls and spaces. Some artists like BK Foxx have made the most of the opportunity. She’s turned one of the walls into a personal rotating canvas, producing a new mural in the same space every few months. Within those four corners, the artist has addressed such social issues as screen time and the tone of public discourse. At the time of publication, the Mac Miller tribute featured at the top of this section was her latest. The space BK Foxx occupies is located on Lawton Street, which founder Mejia has dedicated entirely to female artists.
Pro Tip: Take the JMZ subway line to the Marcy Av stop and make your way along Broadway, which runs parallel to the elevated subway track.
Coney Island
Summertime mural by John “Crash” Matos completed in 2017
For many New Yorkers, Coney Island IS summer. But Coney Island isn’t just an iconic boardwalk, amusement rides, hot dogs, and cotton candy. Did you know it’s also a street art destination? If you follow New York City Instagrammers, the Coney Island murals are regular features in your feed once May rolls around.
Start with Danielle Mastrion’s Welcome to Coney Island mural on Stillwell Avenue, just a stone’s throw away from the Coney Island Stillwell Ave subway station, next to Pizza on the Run. The celebrated artist is a Coney Island local, and hunting down all her Coney Island references could be a fun game in and of itself. Continue south on Stilwell, and you’ll also find pieces from Coney Art Walls. The project started in 2015 with Jeffrey Deitch as one of its founders.
Queens
Welling Court Mural Project
Welling Court Mural Project is an annual multi-block, art beautification event in one of our favorite neighborhoods of Astoria, Queens. It started as a community project in earnest. But almost a decade and hundreds of murals later, it has grown into one of the best spots for fresh street art in New York City.
Welling Court Mural Project has also been a regular participant in one of our favorite annual NYC festivals, Open House New York Weekend. During the festival, artists and organizers are often on hand to lead tours and discuss their creations. OHNY even commissioned a mural in 2014 and featured it on the cover of their OHNY Weekend Event Guide.
Pro Tip: Our favorite way to get there is by ferry, with the Astoria ferry station just steps away from where the artwork begins. Alternatively, you can take the N or W train to 30th Av in Astoria and walk or take the bus west towards the water. Most of the action begins when 30th Av meets Welling Ct, but this map will help you locate all the murals.
Conclusion
Street art in NYC can be found almost everywhere you look. Wandering down an alley might present you with a masterpiece. The nook of a basement level door may offer a glimpse of the most intricately designed wheatpaste you've ever seen. And stickers--found on every utility pole, electrical box, along pipes and plastered on garbage receptacles--are as ubiquitous as pigeons. Undoubtedly, the exhilaration of constant discovery is one of the city's greatest virtues. But the locations we've provided in this post make it easy to find an abundance of the latest pieces by the best artists New York City has to offer.
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