Best NYC Street Art Spots to See
Photos by Marques Jackson Photography at Runstreet Art Runs.
By Marnie Kunz
Learn where to find the best street art in NYC. Whether you’re visiting New York City or live in one of the boroughs and want to see something new on your run, you’re in luck because NYC street art is incredible! From sweeping murals painted by the world’s top street artists to colorful training grounds for the most creative up-and-coming graffiti artists, NYC walls have incredible artwork. You just have to know where to go to find NYC’s best street art. Here is a rundown based on my years of creating Runstreet Art Runs in NYC and running all over Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens since 2012.
Running by murals at the Bushwick Collective.
Brooklyn
Bushwick
Bushwick has the largest collection of murals in NYC and is a major tourist attraction for its street art scene. You'll find the most murals at the Bushwick Collective. The Bushwick Collective, created by Bushwick native Joe Ficalora, includes almost 100 blocks of incredible murals, including massive, whole-building-sized street art. The urban art project attracts tourists from all over the world who come to see the colorful walls in the industrial neighborhood turned hipster mecca.
Every summer, the Bushwick Collective holds a block party, where artists from around the world come to paint new murals amidst the backdrop of beer, festivities, and spray paint galore. Bushwick Collective is so extensive that you can find it on Google maps for directions. To get there, take the L train to Jefferson stop in Brooklyn.
Bushwick also offers a canvas for more local street artists at JMZ Walls. This project, which runs along the JMZ train line along Broadway in Bushwick, Brooklyn, will also blow your mind with the level of talent displayed by artists such as Bk Foxx.
Where To Go:
The Bushwick Collective - Along Jefferson Street between Cypress Avenue and Irving Avenue and along Troutman Street from Irving Avenue to Cypress Avenue.
JMZ Walls - Broadway Avenue in Brooklyn between Park Street and Dekalb Avenue
Dumbo
Dumbo has sweeping murals.
Dumbo, Brooklyn, is the most-visited place for tourists coming to the borough. With stunning panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, Dumbo offers plenty to see. For epic murals, check out Dumbo Walls, a series of street art pieces within a four-block stretch of Dumbo along the BQE (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway). Some of the iconic murals have been painted by world-famous artists like Shepard Fairey and MOMO. Local artists such as Craig Anthony Miller and Yuko Shimizu have beautiful murals as well.
Where To Go:
To access the vibrant murals of Dumbo, take the F train to the York Street subway station. Check out the underpasses by York Street and Pearl Street and York Street and Adams Street to see Dumbo Walls. You can also see some stunning walls at Prospect Street and Adams Street.
Related Post: Dumbo Running Tips
Williamsburg
Williamsburg is home to many expansive murals, including street art along Bedford Avenue by international artists such as Eduardo Kobra, Brolga, and more. You can find everything from a mural of Jean-Michel Basquiat to Muhammad Ali along Bedford Avenue. Domino Park also includes a beautiful neighborhood Groundswell mural project depicting the history of the adjacent Domino Sugar Factory and the local community working in the factory.
Where To Go:
Along Bedford Avenue between N Fourth Street and N Tenth Street.
Domino Park at 15 River Street has hosted different artworks at the park. Check Domino Park's website for updates on art installations.
Coney Island has colorful walls near the boardwalk.
Coney Island
Brooklyn's quirky beachfront neighborhood of Coney Island has some sweeping murals at Coney Art Walls. The large-scale outdoor museum of street art is free and open during the warm weather months and sometimes also serves as the backdrop for special events. It's conveniently located next to the boardwalk in Coney Island, making it the perfect place to check out on a summer day at the beach.
Where To Go:
3050 Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn
Manhattan
The Lower East Side has so much street art.
Lower East Side & East Village
The Lower East Side and neighboring areas have a high concentration of street art, with some of the best NYC street art, including the Bowery Graffiti Wall and First Street Green Art Park, the only legal graffiti park in the city of NYC. The Lower East Side has many murals lining Allen Street and side streets that intersect Delancey Street.
The Lower East Side also includes Freeman Alley, a graffiti-filled magic alley that is a top destination for street art fans. Many local artists paint the alley walls in an open-air forum of self-expression. The constantly changing artwork offers constant inspiration for art lovers.
The Houston Bowery Wall is a New York City public art institution, ever since famed artist Keith Haring painted a mural there and gifted it to the community of NYC. Since then, featured artists who have painted the massive wall include Banksy, Tristan Eaton, Queen Andrea, Tats Cru, and many others from around the globe.
Learn more in our East Village street art guide.
Where To Go:
Harlem has incredible murals.
Bowery Wall at the intersection of Houston Street and Bowery Street, at 76 E Houston Street
First Street Green Cultural Park, 33 E 1st Street, between 2nd Avenue and 1st Avenue.
Freeman Alley - 12 Rivington Street between Chrystie and the Bowery on the Lower East Side.
Harlem
Uptown Manhattan has some incredible street art, including the Graffiti Hall of Fame. The East Harlem wall at 106th Street includes artwork from some of New York City’s best graffiti artists. At the wall, artists pay tribute to graffiti and hip hop as a central art form that has shaped the culture of New York City and the world.
Harlem has a rich history of street art, and legendary artist and activist Keith Haring painted a Crack is Wack mural on a handball court along Harlem River Drive in 1986. Haring's mural has recently been restored and continues to commemorate the deep impact that crack cocaine had on the city in the 1980s.
Where To Go:
Graffiti Hall of Fame - Park Avenue and E 106 Street.
Keith Haring Crack is Wack mural - E 128th St and Second Ave by Harlem River Drive.
Bronx
The Bronx, the birthplace of hip hop, also played a central role in what has become modern day street art. The NYC borough has some of the best NYC street art, with works by iconic graffiti artists like the colelctive Tats Cru.
The Bronx is home to the Big Pun Memorial mural, created by artist collective Tats Cru to honor their friend, South Bronx native Christopher Rios, aka rapper Big Pun, with a memorial mural.
Tuff City is another Bronx street art institution. The tattoo shop's outdoor walls have been a painting ground for NYC street artists since 2007. The artwork includes a 45-foot subway car covered in graffiti.
Where To Go:
Big Pun Memorial Mural - 910 Rogers Place
Tuff City - 650 East Fordham Road
Welling Court mural by Free Humanity.
Queens
Astoria
Queens, the most diverse place in the world, is home to the legendary 5 Points graffiti mecca, now gone but never forgotten. Welling Court Mural Project is a stunning street art destination that just celebrated its tenth year. Every June, artists from around the world, as well as local NYC street artists, come to paint hundreds of murals at Welling Court Mural Project. The art often has an activism theme, and there is a strong community, non-commercial vibe to Welling Court.
Where To Go:
Welling Court Mural Project, 11-25 30th Avenue
There are so many stunning street art pieces in NYC that there will definitely be a sequel to this post! Where are your favorite murals in NYC? And your favorite NYC street artists?
Related Posts: 25 Best Places to Run in NYC, NYC Pride Murals, Street Art Profiles: Bianca Romero, Artist JR Inserts Bowery Wall in Gun Control Debate, Stunning Brooklyn Street Art: The Gray-Green Divide
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified Brooklyn trainer, USATF, and RRCA-certified running coach, and the creator of Runstreet Art Runs, which bring together communities through running and street art. She is a Brooklyn resident, trainer, Akita mom, and writer.
