Funny Pop Street Art Like Banksy
37 Best Places to See Stunning Street Art In NYC
Marco Feng | 11 Min Read | Updated: April 19, 2022
If you love art, then New York is the city for you. Here, you will discover an exciting world of classic exhibits, beautiful subway graffitis and stations, artistic shops and restaurants, and so much more.
Street art was born in NYC during the 1970s when the city was bankrupt and overrun by crime. Almost as a response to the chaos, young kids from the Bronx and Brooklyn began bombing subway cars and buildings with colorful graffiti tags.
Rather than vandalism, street graffiti has been considered a unique symbol of New York. The best boroughs to see this amazing art are Williamsburg and The Bronx. However, if you don't want to travel far, there are also places in the city where you can enjoy them.
In this post, we will introduce you to some of the best street art in NYC that deserve a stop.
1: Banksy, Hammer Boy [Map]
If you have ever shopped at the Trader Joe's near 72nd street station, you probably have noticed this little graffiti, created by Banksy, an anonymous England-based street artist who famously loves New York City.
Unfortunately, most of his works have been covered or torn down to be sold or defaced by taggers. This modest stencil piece, Hammer Boy is probably one of a few that is still intact thanks to the building owner, who installed a Plexiglas shield to protect it.
The "Hammer Boy" art on a building in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
2: 2 World Trade Center [Map]
Your visit to NYC won't be complete without going to the famous World Trade Center Transportation Hub, which connects you to 11 different subway lines, the PATH rail system, the Battery Park City Ferry Terminal, Brookfield Place, and World Trade Center Towers.
Walking out of the Oculus through its southern exit, you will have 2 World Trade Center on your left. Its foundation is covered by a metal shed of bright images inspired by Pop Art and anime, creating a welcome oasis of color in the Financial District where the palette is very much muted.
This mural is created by artists Todd Gray, Hektad, BoogieRez, Stickymonger, and husband-and-wife duo Chinon Maria and Sebastian Mitre. It is always changing, so you will see something different each time you visit.
The colorful mural at 2 World Trade Center.
On a handball court in Harlem, you will see the famousCrack Is Wack mural created by artist Keith Haring. While he painted the piece without permission, the work's message quickly earned the mural the blessing of the city.
Keith Haring passed away on February 16, 1990, and this piece is a lasting reminder of his art, which sent out a powerful message that "Crack is bad and should be avoided" and continues to instruct and inspire through its wit and vibrancy.
Crack Is Wack mural in NYC.
If you run a business in the Lower East Side and want a free way to beautify your storefront gate, participate in the 100 Gates Project, which connects with local artists looking for a legally permitted space to showcase their talent.
So far, more than 75 murals have been up in this neighborhood, ranging from Buff Monster's elastic flying brain cum cyclops for Bondy's Cameras and Appliance to Billy the artist's Picassoid faces for Michele Olivieri's sneaker mecca.
These artworks have turned this neighborhood into an open-air gallery that emerges at night. The project has now expanded outside of the Lower East Side to include East Harlem, North Shore on Staten Island, and the Flatbush area of Brooklyn.
100 Gates Project murals in the Lower East Side, NYC.
If you need additional proof that most street artists love New York City deeply, look no further than this eye-catchingNew Yorkmural. It was created in March 2018 by artist Glossblack at the original Lower East Side location of noodle kings Twin Marquis Foods.
The vibrant New York mural by Glossblack.
Snaking above the industrial West Side neighborhood is a 1.45 mile-long park, the famed High Line, from where you will be overlooking the beautiful Hudson River, massive murals, and downtown New York's skyline.
This spot is most popular during the warm months when the flowers and plants are in full bloom, and lots of art installations begin to change. Every time you visit the High Line, there will be something new for you to enjoy.
One of our favorites over the years is I Lift My Lamp Beside the Golden Door by artist Dorothy Iannone, which is dedicated to the Statue of Liberty and the Emma Lazarus poem.
I Lift My Lamp Beside the Golden Door mural in the High Line. Photo by The High Line
Global warming is real, and artists from Audubon Mural Project have come up with creative ways to encourage people to act to stop it.
Walking along Broadway from 133rd to 165th streets, you will see an untold number of beautiful birds adorning the walls and gates buildings. These murals, commissioned by artists Gitler & Gallery, represent over 300 North American bird species that are threatened by global warming.
So far, 67 birds have been painted, and there are more to come in the future. If you would like to support the project, you can donate here. The National Audubon Society also offers occasional tours of the murals.
Audubon Mural Project mural that features endangered birds in North America. Photo by Robby Virus/Flickr
8: Bowery Graffiti Wall [Map]
On the corner of Houston and the Bowery is a concrete wall slab, which used to be a source of illegal graffiti and various commercial advertisements, until 2008, when artist Jeffery Deitch and the wall's owner Tony Goldman began commissioning murals.
Over the years, this wall has been painted by an untold number of artists, including legends like Banksy, JR, and Shepard Fairey, who all followed the lead of Keith Haring (an American artist famous for his pop art and graffiti-like work) in 1982.
The latest installment is a colorful world introduced by a Brooklyn-based Japanese artist Tomokazu Matsuyama, who spent about two weeks to complete this piece. However, it was vandalized only a few days after completion by two large tags.
The latest mural at Bowery Graffiti Wall.
9: The Graffiti Hall of Fame [Map]
Back in the 1970s, the entire Jackie Robinson Educational Complex in Harlem was a place for up and coming graffiti artists to hone their craft in a safe environment, and there are four walls for them to play with.
Now, the only wall they use is the street-facing boundary of the schoolyard, and the new theme is Strictly Kings or Better, which attracts professional graffiti artists around the globe to come here and compete for a precious spot on the wall.
While exploring the area, you will find art on every corner, from yarn-bombed flowers on chain-link fences to murals celebrating the lives of Latin music legends. If you are interested in knowing more about the El Barrio neighborhood, be sure to stop by El Museo del Barrio.
The 2014 edition of Graffiti Hall of Fame. Photo by j-No/Flickr (under Creative Commons license)
10: Gandhi and Mother Teresa Mural [Map]
On 18th Street and Tenth Avenue in Chelsea, you will spot this lovely piece on the side of a building, created by the Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. It is to pay tribute to two great men of humanity, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Mahatma Gandhi. The best spot to enjoy this artwork is from the High Line.
If you don't know who these two people are, I don't blame you. Neither did I before I wrote this article.
Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who led India in its quest for independence from British rule by pursuing a campaign of non-violence. Mother Teresa was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary. She was granted sainthood by the Catholic Church for her work ministering to the poor of Calcutta.
Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi Mural on a rainy day in NYC.
11: East Village Walls [Map]
You may no longer see indie concert venues or dive bars that used to dominate the streets of East Village due to the rising rents, but the artistic spirit remains strong thanks to the work of groups like East Village Walls. You will find their colorful murals all over the neighborhood, with new ones small or big popping up all the time.
Cute blue cat mural in East Village.
12: Anthony Bourdain Mural [Map]
In the Lower East Side neighborhood, you will spot this simple yet beloved mural, which was created by artist Bradley Theodore in July 2018, a month after Anthony Bourdain, a talented American, passed away. If you are a big fan of him, this is the spot you shouldn't miss.
The street artist later announced his work in an Instagram post simply captioned: "In a city full of villains, we all need heroes."
Anthony Bourdain mural.
In the West Village, you will discover a world of cute murals by the Peanuts Global Artist Collective that feature your beloved characters from the Peanuts comic strip, ranging from an anime-style Charlie Brown to psychedelic rocker Snoopy with his trusty bird sidekick Woodstock.
This is a great place to bring your little ones to and have an afternoon of fun.
The Snoopy Collection mural.
Paris has its wall of love, and so does New York. It is just that the one in the Big Apple was created by accident when the self-taught artist James Goldcrown was testing the pressure of spray cans with heart shapes in his studio. Soon, he realized that these "bleeding hearts" are more popular than any other piece.
Now this love mural has been one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city, welcoming an untold number of visitors each day who come and snap some epic pictures.
Though it might be of a cliche at this point, the overlapping rainbow hearts do speak to a sort of desperation for love, and that's something we can all relate to.
The famous Love Wall mural in SoHo.
15: The Centre-fuge Public Art Project [Map]
In 2011, Lower East Side residents Jonathan Neville and Pebbles Russell tried to combat the negative impacts of construction sites by transforming a trailer that functioned as a temporary office into a rotating street gallery, which is repainted by artists every two months.
This is how the Centre-fuge Public Art Project started. So far, it has beautified trailers around New York City and Miami.
The project's goal is to open eyes and minds around the five boroughs through arts and provide opportunities for artists in a more competitive space (literally, every each of NYC is gold) to express themselves.
The Centre-fuge Public Art Project.
16: Lower East Side's Freeman Alley [Map]
If you don't know this spot in the Lower East Side, it can be easily missed. However, thanks to its inconspicuous location, illegal graffitis in the form of tags, stenciling, wheat pasting, and murals can survive gentrification and proliferate.
A narrow little passage off Rivington Street between Chrystie Street and the Bowery will lead you past restaurants, art galleries, and an untold number of street murals with slight humor and wisdom.
It is good to visit them on a summer day, with an iced drink in hand.
Art murals at Lower East Side's Freeman Alley.
This dapper gentleman you see in the picture below is known as The Vandal, a popular character featured in most of Nick Walker's work. This talented British artist has sold out shows in London and LA, where collectors waited in line for over 24 hours to be among the first to get his latest print editions.
You will find this art piece in a nondescript parking lot on the corner of 17th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, which showcases Nick Walker's love for New York.
Love Vandal on 17th Street & 6th Ave, Flatiron District.
18: First Street Green Art Park [Map]
Located in the East Village, First Street Garden Art Park is the go-to spot for art enthusiasts. You can find the entrance to the park on the corner of Houston Street and 2nd Avenue.
This public space supports emerging artists who work with different mediums. Here, you can see large murals, photography, and art installations. There are also community and cultural events held now and then.
Murals at First Street Green Art Park.
19: Rag & Bone Houston Street [Map]
On one side of Rag & Bone's store in Downtown, Manhattan, you will find this beautiful mural that changes regularly.
Marcus Wainwright, Rag & Bone's CEO, Founder and Creative Director, is a big supporter of the arts, so when the store opened near a large blank wall adjacent to the entrance, he knew it would be a perfect spot for murals. And just like that, "The Houston Project" started.
So far, "The Houston Project" has invited 42 artists to make a splash on the mural wall, including Typoe, Rainer Judd, Jerkface, James Goldcrown, and more.
Cute red apple mural at Rag & Bone Houston Street.
Located beneath the Riverside Park on the Upper West Side, the Freedom Tunnel is a secret spot for local street artists to throw up their signature pieces. For those who are willing to take the strenuous hike underground, you will be rewarded with a striking series of murals created by artists led by Chris Pape.
His satiricalCoca-Cola Mural still stands today, which was inspired by the sensational ads in the 1980 - 90s and intended to raise awareness of the displaced homeless in the region.
Murals at Freedom Tunnel on the Upper West Side.
21: L.I.S.A. Project NYC [Map]
L.I.S.A. Project NYC is a non-profit organization that brings street artists to the Little Italy neighborhood in Lower Manhattan to paint murals on the walls of participating businesses and residential buildings, mostly along the historic Mulberry street.
There are several beautiful pieces here, which change periodically. So, you will see something different each time you visit.
22: Os Gemeos Mural [Map]
Painted in 2015 by Brazilian artist duo Os Gemeos, this massive mural at Second Avenue and First Street in East Village is dedicated to people who have made and continue to keep the real hip-hop alive.
If you look closely, you will notice that the little girl's shirt is embellished with a hipster Statue of Liberty with a spray paint in her hand, and the boombox plays "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa.
Os Gemeos Mural in East Village. Photo by Luna Park
23: The Tiger Near Fulton Street [Map]
We came across this ferocious yet handsome tiger mural on our way to the Brooklyn Bridge on a sunny afternoon. It is painted on a garage door of a firehouse that belongs to Engine 6 in Lower Manhattan.
Though it doesn't share the fame as other murals in this list do, we love it for the vibrant red and orange colors, saluting the bravery and selflessness of firefighters across the globe.
The vibrant tiger mural near Fulton Street.
24: Desigual Flagship Store [Map]
Desigual has reopened its flagship store in New York, with a new face by Santander artist Okuda San Miguel, who is best known for his distinct multicolored style. This large mural can be found on the corner of Sixth Ave and 35th Street, in the heart of Herald Square.
Decorated with all sorts of textures, Indian and Arabic fonts, colors, prints, and hybrid creatures, this mural on the facade of the brand's store is a gift from Desigual to the city, and a tribute to multiculturalism, art, and color of the Big Apple.
The multi-colored mural on the facade of the Desigual store in Herald Square.
25: Chinatown Buff Monster [Map]
Bright colors, bold lines, and happy characters living in bubbly landscapes - this colorful mural byBuff Monsteris here to make Chinatown a better place.
The artist, born and raised in Hawaii, says his inspiration is drawn from heavy metal music, ice cream, pop art, Japanese culture, and graffiti. For over 15 years, he has worked with leading curators to paint murals all over the world and is included in Banksy's Oscar-nominated documentaryExit Through the Gift Shop.
You can find his work in galleries too, and the Bristol City Museum has one of his paintings in their permanent collection. The artist also has a variety of limited-edition collectibles, including vinyl and resin toys, prints, shirts, stickers, and trading cards.
The colorful Buff Monster mural in Chinatown, Manhattan.
Starting in April 2021, you'll see a wall of blooming spring flowers in one of SoHo's parking lots from painter and textile artist Ken Scott. He was born in Indiana and later moved to Milan where he created his colorful patterned fabrics and collections.
The painting is sourced from his archives and sponsored by Gucci's ArtWalls project, which also sees artworks painted on facades in Milan, London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
The Gucci Ken Scott collaboration first came into bloom for the brand's Resort 2021 Epilogue collection, which features Scott's signature floral designs, from peonies to roses, poppies to sunflowers, on accessories, footwear, and ready-to-wear, and so much more.
Gucci Ken Scott Spring Flower mural.
27: The Bushwick Collective [Map]
As its name suggests, this beautiful neighborhood in Brooklyn is the result of a collaboration of street artists from around the globe, led by the Bushwick native Joe Ficalora. He first started commissioning the murals as a way to reclaim the neighborhood from the painful memories of his past and later in 2011 to raise money for children with brain tumors.
It is now one of the city's most popular cultural destinations, featuring over 50 murals, and the number is still growing. You are also very welcome to come and watch the masters at work during the Bushwick Collective Block Party each June.
The Bushwick Collective creative street murals.
28: Coney Art Walls [Map]
Every summer, the seaside amusement park of Coney Island will be transformed by Coney Art Walls into an outdoor art museum, featuring over thirty 50,000-square-foot murals.
Here, you will find everything from whimsical sideshow performers to psychedelic backdrops, fearsome creatures straight out of H.P. Lovecraft stories, and racing hot dogs. It is like Luna Park - there is something for everyone.
Creepy animated characters featured in Coney Art Walls.
Within Brooklyn, the best neighborhood to see amazing street art is probably Williamsburg. Its low cost of living has long beckoned to "starving" artists, which ultimately leads to this area becoming a breeding ground for graffiti.
Here, you will see artwork by famous artists like Os Gemêos at North Third Street and Wythe Avenue, R.Robots at North Third Street and Bedford Avenue, and Nick Walker at Roebling Street and Metropolitan Avenue.
R.Robots's mural in Willamsburg, Brooklyn.
Started in 2012 by NYCDOT and a few management companies, the murals at Dumbo Walls highlight the various entry points to the neighborhood and celebrate the various types of artists drawn to DUMBO.
Some of our favorites here are works by CAM, DALeast, Eltono, Shepard Fairey, Faith47, MOMO, Stefan Sagmeister, and Yuko Shimizu.
Colorful MOMO mural at DUMBO Walls in Brooklyn.
This industrial block in Bushwick, Brooklyn offers prime wall space for street artists from around the world to showcase their talent. A stroll past the warehouses along the avenue will lead you past many beautiful murals by famous artists like Rime, Swiss artist Tones One, and Host 18.
RIME MSK NYC street art.
32: Along the J/A/M Line [Map]
If you have ever aboard the train on MTA's J/M/Z line, don't forget to have a quick stop near Bushwick, Brooklyn, and appreciate the many tags, throw-ups, and murals that adorn the neighborhood.
The locals also start a community called JMZ Walls, where artists and supportive property owners can work together to provide imaginative works of art the residents of Bushwick would not otherwise have access to.
Murals along Johnson Avenue.
33: The Big Pun Mural [Map]
Since the Bronx Graffiti Wall of Fame was torn down to accommodate the new residential high-rise buildings, the Big Pun Memorial Mural has grown in visitation and become the go-to place for street artists in the area.
This mural, created by famous artist Tats Cru, is dedicated to Big Pun, the Bronx-born and first Puerto Rican hip-hop artist to go platinum. Every year on Big Pun's birthday in November, the wall will get an update.
Big Pun mural in The Bronx.
Here at the Hunts Point Peninsula, you will discover a vast array of street arts, from graffiti to green murals created by THE POINT's Village of Murals project.
Its goal is to make public art that defines safe and lovely pedestrian paths and support the cultivation and preservation of South Bronx culture and bring the arts to Hunts Point residents.
Hunts Point mural that features some of your beloved childhood friends.
35: King Of NY Biggie Mural [Map]
On one side of a Bed-Stuy residential building at Bedford Avenue and Quincy Street, you will find Brooklyn's legendary rapper Notorious B.I.G. who stands three stories tall.
Officially named the King of NY mural, the tribute was created in 2015 by Naoufal "Rocko" Alaoui and Scott "Zimer" Zimmerman. It was threatened by a proposed renovation in 2017, but an outcry from fans eventually saved it.
King Of NY Biggie Mural in The Bronx.
At the back of this famous tattoo shop in the Bronx is a 45-foot subway train car replica that provides a canvas for local artists to showcase their talent. Famous artists like Os Gêmeos, Cope2, as well as the late Iz the Wiz have created murals at Tuff City.
Tuff City dragon mural.
37: Welling Court Mural Project [Map]
Since the destruction of 5Pointz, a renowned graffiti spot in Long Island City, the Welling Court Mural Project has become the go-to spot for street artists in Queens.
Here, you will wander in a colorful world of around 130 murals painted by a mix of legendary artists and emerging talents, including Abe Lincoln Jr, Kid Lew, Praxis, SpazeCraft, Royal KingBee, TooFly and more.
Welling Court Mural Project in Astoria, Queens.
Alright, these are some of the most beautiful New York City street murals I have come across and would recommend to anyone visiting the Big Apple. I hope you enjoy them and have decided which one to visit.
Which one do you want to visit coming out of the quarantine? If you have any questions or know any other beautiful murals that deserve to be included in this list, leave a comment below!
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Source: https://www.marcofeng.com/usa/best-places-to-see-street-art-in-nyc
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