From storied walls to exciting new spaces, here are the must-see outdoor spots displaying the city's best street art and graffiti
Street art and graffiti in NYC were a product of the 1970s, when the city was bankrupt and crime was rampant. Growing up in that environment, kids from the Bronx and Brooklyn tagged subway cars and buildings even though it was illegal and dangerous. Eventually, their new art form spread around the world and found its way into NYC galleries and museums in NYC. Street art thrives, ironically as a sanctioned activity sponsored by business owners, community groups and even developers. Now there are even famous street artists! But don’t worry: It’s still imbued with the same panache and attitude that made it so compelling back in the day—as you’ll see by checking out our list of the top spots to see graffiti in NYC.
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Bushwick native Joe Ficalora has made his neighborhood a go-to by transforming it into a sprawling, 12-square-block outdoor museum that features artists from around the world. While strolling the streets just off the Jefferson Street L train stop, keep an eye out for all the new art that ranges from the hyper-realistic to impressionistic.
Where it is: Starts at Troutman St and St. Nicholas Avenue
5Pointz might not be around anymore (what a damn shame!) but there's plenty of street art left in Long Island City at the Welling Court Mural Project. It began in December 2009 and is directed and curated by founder Alison Wallis as a way to beautify and revitalize the area with street art. Artists who have created work on these walls have included Lady Pink, Swoon, Crash, Daze, Queen Andrea, Tristan Eaton, Joe Lurato, Rubin 415, John Fekner & Don Leicht: The Original Space Invaders, Cey Adams, Roa, Gaia and more.
Where it is: 11-98 Welling Ct., Astoria
The Audubon Society has been partnering with the Gitler &_____ Gallery in Hamilton Heights to commission street art murals around Upper Manhattan dedicated to birds threatened by climate change. Their fine feathery plumage makes for eye-popping images.
Where it is: Across Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights. You can find out where to see them by downloading this map from the project’s website.
The creativity of the East Village spills out onto the walls at the First Street Green Art Park. The open art space gives artists and designers space to show off their murals, sculptures and other installations as well as hold performances for the neighborhood. Each time you go to this lesser-known spot should be a different experience as murals change often. Plus, during the warmer months, its volunteers hold programming from art workshops to live music. Find out what's going on currently here.
Where it is: at Houston Street and 2nd Avenue, East Village
A four-story building in the East Village has been host to several magnificent and colorful portrait murals including Michael Jackson, Ghandi, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the Beastie Boys. You can check out the public art charity LISA Project NYC website to see what the most recent mural is.
Where it is: 11th Street and First Avenue, East Village
This tribute to the beloved Puerto Rican rapper Big Pun (a.k.a. Big Punisher, a.k.a. Christopher Lee Rios) who passed away in 2000 was created by Bronx-based graffiti artists Tats Cru, and gets repainted annually on Pun’s birthday, November 10. It’s a fitting reminder of the deep ties between the community and Pun, who was the first Latino rapper certified platinum as a solo act.
Where it is: 910 Rogers Place, Bronx
On a Harlem handball court in 1986, Keith Haring threw up this exuberant public service announcement inspired by a studio assistant who had become addicted to the titular drug. While he painted the piece without permission, just as crack was becoming notorious, the work’s message—and Haring’s stature—quickly earned the mural the blessing of the city, which is now restoring it.
Where it is: 128th Street at Second Avenue, Harlem
Keith Haring was the first big name to paint this wall, in 1982, but its generous surface area and enviable location have inspired an untold number of artists to follow his lead, including legends like Banksy, JR and Shepard Fairey. Groundswell and Goldman Global Arts have been commissionning artwork for the wall for years, but thanks to a turf war, it has been in a state of flux. A few years ago, it was tagged by uncommissioned artists, but then Japanese artist Tomokazu “Matzu” Matsuyama put up a colorful installation featuring 30 portraits in September 2023. That's the latest.
Where it is: Houston Street at Bowery
Retailers looking for some sweet street creed are matched with artists looking for a legally permitted space to do their thing under the 100 Gates Project. More than 100 have been painted since the project began in the early aughts, 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. It had so much success on the LES that it expanded to Staten Island.
Where it is: Lower East Side and Staten Island. Find them on this map.
Banksy famously loves New York City—in 2013, he staged a monthlong, citywide “show” called “Better Out Than In”—but most of his work here has been covered over, torn down to be sold or defaced by taggers. At least this modest stencil piece on the Upper West Side is still intact, thanks to the building owner, who installed a Plexiglas shield in an act of guerilla art preservation.
Where it is: 79th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, Upper West Side
Founded in 1980 by activist Ray “Sting Ray” Rodriguez as a way to promote graffiti’s positive attributes, this East Harlem wall has evolved into a place where classic graf styles—and the hip-hop culture they’re associated with—can thrive. The massive mural spelling HARLEM doubles as a storybook tour through the city’s street-art history.
Where it is: 106th Street at Park Avenue, Harlem
This industrial block in Bushwick offers prime wall space for street artists from around the world including right here in NYC. A stroll past the warehouses along the avenue might lead you past colorful murals by the likes of Rime (aka Jersey Joe), Swiss artist Tones One and Host 18.
Where it is: Johnson Avenue off Bogart Street, Bushwick
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Longtime Bronx trendsetters Tats Cru (Bio, BG183, Nicer, How and Nosm) found their latest ripe facade in 2008 and invited, among others, old friend Goldie, U.K. stencil pioneer Nick Walker, L.A.’s reputed Seventh Letter crew, Crash and Evoke to paint. Out of respect for the building’s owner, they avoid carving, wheatpaste and overt politicizing, but anything else goes. Check Instagram for their next big artist gathering and perhaps an eventual contribution from original Tats collaborator Fat Joe.
Where it is: Drake Sreett at Spofford Avenue, Bronx
It’s no secret that Williamsburg’s industrial Northside has been almost entirely reconfigured as a young urban professional’s paradise. But not every abandoned warehouse has been claimed. In recent years, Banksy and Nick Walker have left their unique brand of artful vandalism on this strip, and there are still plenty of throwups, murals and even the odd wild style popping up along the drag—development be damned.
Where it is: North 6th Street between Bedford and Kent Avenues, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The captive audience aboard the MTA’s longest elevated train line has inspired artists from across the city and around the globe to pack the stretch of Brooklyn near the J/M/Z with as many tags, throw-ups and murals as it can handle. It’s even inspired a group called JMZ Walls (@jmzwalls) to not only archive it all but also to bring artists together with property owners who want to support their work.
Based on the iconic portrait by NYC photographer Barron Claiborne, this three-story mural of the Notorious B.I.G. is both the biggest of the city’s many painted memorials to gone-too-soon rappers (including Big Pun and Sean Price) and the most popular, bringing a stream of visitors to Biggie’s old stomping grounds.
Where it is: Bedford Aveuen at Quincy Street
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