brooklyn mural tour

Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in Brooklyn, New York City

This walking tour takes place every day at 10:30am. The length is 2 hours and the cost is $32.

A private tour is $180 for up to 4 people and $10 for each additional person up to 10. Starting time is customizable. Please contact us to arrange it.

We can also provide a Virtual Experience. Please contact us for details.

Graffiti: crime or cultural creation?

Discover an exciting world of graffiti taggers and street artists on this walking tour while viewing some of the most visually incredible murals in New York City and Brooklyn.

Today there is more awareness than ever about the imaginative artists who bring walls, buildings and even entire neighborhoods alive with their vibrant creations. Join this walking tour in Bushwick, Brooklyn to experience fascinating works by these globetrotting innovators. Prepare to view artistic murals large and small while exploring streets pulsating with creative energy. Eyewitness for yourself why the Bushwick district is rapidly becoming a world-renown center of street art, as well as New York City's premiere place of graffiti culture. The murals are concentrated around an exhibition called the Bushwick Collective (NYC's premier place of aerosol culture).

As we walk, expect to be immersed in the culture and lifestyle of today's urban artists, who hail from as far away as Europe, South America and even Asia. Learn about the top contemporary artists, their quirky personalities, and find out just how much people have been willing to pay for their work!

Discover the different styles and forms of the trade - which include murals, wheatpaste posters, tags and stencils. Learn about the techniques and varying nuances between them, and how they have developed and evolved over time.

Join this walking tour in Bushwick, Brooklyn if you desire to learn more about this exploding phenomenon, or if you simply seek to see for yourself the very best murals New York City has to offer!

Here are some of the things we learn about on the tour:

Styles and common types of street art.

Tags are words written in spray paint on a surface of any sort: including walls, storefronts, signs or doors. The words are usually the name of the person who wrote it; or their crew. They are generally just one color, a few inches in size or a couple of feet.

The traditional motivation of a tag is to create exposure for oneself and broadcast the audacity of taking the risk to spray paint in a dangerous, inaccessible or openly public place. For a tag the main audience are other taggers. Larger productions known as "throw-ups" and "pieces" are more stylized and feature multiple colors - although they follow the same premise as tags and are also typically a name.

Murals are generally large and portray an image or scene. They often tell a story or express feelings of the artist. Many of them carry a social or political critique, satire or message. Murals are generally larger than tags but come in all sizes. Today artists are granted permission or even paid to produce murals for public display on businesses and public buildings.

Posters/Paste-ups

Poster art is usually created in private, then brought to a public place and affixed to a surface. It is attached using an adhesive called wheat paste . In addition to paint, poster art can also incorporate multiple layers, cutouts, collages or stickers. The down side to a poster is that it's more susceptible to weather conditions or destruction than spray paint. Therefore it tend to last less long than other graffiti mediums.

Modern street graffiti began in New York City in the early 1970's (although the person who is credited as the world's first graffiti writer was a student in Philadelphia named Cornbread). Young teenagers growing up in impoverished, marginalized communities started "tagging" their names on walls in public places. These 'writers' created alter egos, aliases that often combined a nickname with a number. Often the digits were based on the street the tagger lived on. Early leaders in the tagging world included people with street aliases like Fab5Freddy and Tracy168 . These graffiti pioneers experimented with new styles and began the fad of tagging New York City's subway trains. This historic era of graffiti was when the main widely-accepted customs and slang language developed.

Recognition

While locally in New York graffiti was seen and treated as vandalism, enthusiasts in Europe recognized artistic value in the "tagging" and brought these young writers to their continent to produce and exhibit work. Graffiti was an instant hit in Europe and by the mid 1980's the writers, who in America were looked upon as criminals, were treated as celebrities in countries like Italy and Germany. Over the 1980's there slowly began to be more recognition of graffiti artists in the US too. Some of the legendary pioneers were recruited to paint in music videos and on cable television.

Rise of "Street Art"

By the late 1980's the original historic graffiti era in New York had ended and local writers proceeded to carry on and repeat the traditions and culture of their predecessors . Meanwhile in Europe the urban art movement was just gaining traction. In the 1990's European artists experimented with new styles, which have become referred to as 'post-graffiti' or 'street art.' A French artist known as Blek Le Rat is attributed with introducing the stencil , a form of spray art which grew popular over the next decade. In recent years the stencil has been made famous by notorious British artist Banksy . Another noteworthy artist is Frenchman Space Invader who illegally installs ceramic tiles that portray pixelated old video game characters.

Mainstream Acceptance

By the 2000's, street art was followed around the world and top artists became household names. UK artist Banksy gained reverence and notoriety for his thought provoking images which appear in the unlikeliest of places. His work has subsequently commanded unheralded prices at top art auction houses. The rise of the internet and social media has allowed for fans to follow their favorite artists, and for writers to collaborate across continents, cultures and language barriers.

Controversy

The acceptance of street art into mainstream art circles has created social controversies. In late 2012 a Banksy piece disappeared from a London wall and resurfaced at a luxury art auction in Miami, Florida. Residents of its original London neighborhood expressed protest. They felt strongly that as a work of art it belonged to the community where it was created, and that it should be returned. The auction went ahead nonetheless and the piece was sold to a private collector for 1.1 million dollars!

Bushwick Collective

The murals we view on the tour are concentrated around an urban art exhibition called the Bushwick Collective . The Bushwick Collective was founded in 2012 by Joseph Ficalora - a neighborhood personality and businessperson - to beautify gritty industrial streets with vibrant art. Joe is inspired by his deceased father and mother - and the street art is dedicated to them. The Bushwick Collective brings together artists from around the world, legendary NYC graffiti artists, and local longtime Bushwick talent. In just a few years the Bushwick Collective has become the most famous street art exhibition in New York City, and one of the premier mural districts in the United States.

About Bushwick (neighborhood)

Bushwick is a dense post-industrial neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City. It is currently becoming recognized for a blooming artist and creative scene. Also for new trendy restaurants and nightlife. The scene has blossomed over the last few years as nearby artsy Williamsburg has gotten more expensive. Aside from incoming artists and young professionals, Bushwick's primary population is Puerto Rican, Dominican-American and immigrants from Latin America. Bushwick is nearly 400 years old and was first founded by Dutch (on land taken over from Native Americans who lived there for centuries). In the 1800's the area filled with German immigrants and became a major place of manufacturing and beer brewing. There was also a large Italian and Sicilian immigrant community, before Bushwick's current Spanish-language residents began arriving in the 1970's. Unfortunately the area's gentrification has an ugly side - skyrocketing prices and people being dispossessed from their homes.

How the Tour Works

This is a public tour given every single day (7 days per week) at 10:30am in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It lasts approximately 2 hours and covers approximately 1.5 mile of walking distance.

The tour consists of a guided walk through the neighborhood (mainly by the Bushwick Collective ), and sometimes there is an indoor stop. The tour meets in a central location which is easily accessible by public transit or automobile.

Here is where the tour meets:

30 Wyckoff Avenue

Brooklyn NY 11237

New York City

(Between Starr Street & Troutman Street)

Meeting place is in front of Wyckoff-Starr coffee shop

Private and Group Tours

This tour is also available as a private or group tour. It is available any time.

We can accommodate 1 to 100+ people.

Rates: For individual private groups pricing begins at $180 for 1-4 people. Add $10 for each person up to 10. For 11 or more people is $24 per person.

We offer net rates and tiered pricing for professionals.

More about private and custom tours

PRIVATE: contact us or book your tour

• Best Seller!

Brooklyn Street Art Tour

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 1.5 hours
• Clock Times: 1 p.m.

Explore Brooklyn’s Best Street Art in Bushwick

Join us for an unforgettable street art tour of the Graff Tours Mural Project in Bushwick, an up-and-coming neighborhood in northern Brooklyn! Discover over 25 multicolored murals in this ephemeral outdoor museum, where artwork comes and goes on a daily basis. This is a tour of murals that Graff Tours has helped curate and produce over the past 4 years. 

The massive warehouses that line the streets of this neighborhood provide a perfect canvas for this diverse array of vibrant masterpieces, including works by Nick Walker, BK Foxx, Calicho, Jeff Henriquez, Yok and Sheryo, and more. Your tour ticket helps fund the murals which you see on the tour. 

Who better to guide our tours than street artists and curators themselves? Our tour guides have an intimate knowledge of the street art and graffiti world and may even show you some of their own art during the journey! On this educational tour, you gain a fuller understanding of the difference between tagging, graffiti, and street art.

Not only do our knowledgeable tour guides lead you through a diverse array of artwork, but they also describe the backstory behind and techniques used in the creation of these awe-inspiring pieces.

Get an insider look at some of the most talked-about artwork in New York City! Don’t forget to bring your camera along so you can capture these incredible pieces before they’re gone.

Meeting Location: 282 Meserole St. Bushwick Brooklyn 11237

Related Activities

• Can include a Graffiti Workshop
• Clock 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
• Hour Glass 1.5 hours

Brooklyn Private Street Art Tour

Learn from an insider the stories behind the walls and see the best street art in NYC in this artist neighborhood before its too late.

• Clock 3 p.m. , 4:30 p.m
• Hour Glass 1 hour

Brooklyn Graffiti Art Lesson Group Activity

This unique hands-on workshop allows you to create your own graffiti art project with the help of an authentic NYC graffiti artist.

A Dazzling Bushwick Street Art Map: Where to find the best Bushwick Murals in Brooklyn, NYC

March 9, 2024 November 24, 2017 | Paroma

Last Updated on March 9, 2024 by Paroma

Looking for some mind-boggling street art in New York City? Then head straight to the Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn where rows of larger than life murals will greet you from every corner! This self guided tour of Bushwick murals and street art in Brooklyn gives you all the details on where to find these murals (i.e. a handy Bushwick street art map), transportation and tour options, other things to do in Brooklyn and where to get some delicious food after your Brooklyn mural tour.

Table of Contents

The best murals in New York City: Bushwick Murals in Brooklyn

New York City’s street art scene is mind blowing to say the least and pays homage to it’s cultural diversity. Of the different NYC street art collections , one that truly stands out is the Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn , an amalgamation of street art and graffiti that stretches across several blocks of a semi-deserted industrial neighborhood. Being ardent worshippers of street art, we could not give the Bushwick murals a miss during our fall trip to NYC.

So here is a virtual Bushwick Brooklyn street art tour of some dazzling Bushwick graffiti  to knock your eyeballs off! This Bushwick street art post also contains a handy Bushwick Street art Map to give you an idea of where to find graffiti and street art in Bushwick, Brooklyn . So, without further ado, here is your guide to exploring the famous Bushwick wall art !

Disclaimer: All Bushwick street art featured here belong to the Bushwick collective artists . I merely photographed them (murals are open to the public 24/7) and noted the locations to create the map. Murals are subject to change.

I have tried to credit Bushwick artists based on information gathered from the Bushwick Collective Facebook page wherever possible and I will keep on adding to the list. Also, this post may contain some affiliate links, clicking on which may help earn me a very small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bushwick Murals: The story behind Bushwick Art Collective

Bushwick murals are in the NYC borough of Brooklyn (walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the many incredible things to do in New York City ). When I was researching for street art in Bushwick ,  I got totally hooked onto the story behind how the Bushwick collective came into being. This 2012 initiative to adorn an industrial district with some of the best street art in the world was the brainchild of Joseph Ficalora , a neighborhood business owner.

The art is dedicated to his deceased parents and brings artists of all levels from all over the globe to make Bushwick, Brooklyn the ultimate street art destination ! None of the street art is permanent and stays around for 12 month or so at most. The Bushwick Brooklyn street art collection keeps on growing with new murals being added periodically.

Psst…looking for other street art posts? Then check these out!

• The ultimate guide to the most Instagram worthy street art in Austin, Texas
• Where to find some of the best street art in Chicago’s Pilsen and Wicker Park neighborhoods
• 80+ Most dazzling street art of Sacramento, California’s capital city
• Los Angeles street art scene: Discovering DTLA and Venice murals 
• A complete guide to the street art of Marseille, France’s thriving port city
• Art from the streets: The most provocative murals from all over the world
• Best things to do in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: How to spend two perfect days

Besides mural hunting, if you really are pressed for time but still want to explore NYC like a local , read this New Yorker’s 24 hour NYC itinerary to get fabulous ideas and definitely read this guide on what not to do in New York ! Here is a post by another local on 20 cheap places to eat in NYC .

Bushwick street art artists   featured in the photos above: a) Topmost photo: @jeffhenriquezart_ , b) face of the lady (leftmost panel in collage): @michelvelt , c) Welcome to Bushwick (central photo in collage): @thomasallen_nyc , d) Salvador Dali (rightmost photo in panel): @sipros_sipros , e) skeleton faces: @dface_official

How to get to the Bushwick art collective: Public Transportation and tour options

Bushwick murals can be easily accessed by public transportation or shared rides like Lyft. Since we stayed at the East Village Hotel in Manhattan   ( best value for awesome location aka right in the heart of the bustling East Village which is a culinary hotspot in NYC ), we got to the Bushwick collective   in Brooklyn via Lyft.

On our way back we simply took the NYC subway to return to Manhattan. Navigating the subway can be really tricky so here is a helpful guide on how to use the NYC subway . The Bushwick neighborhood is accessible by the L line to Jefferson street station and takes about 15-30 min to reach from Manhattan depending on where you are on the island.

Once you get there, you will be welcomed by rows and rows of gigantic   murals   created primarily by aerosol spraying technique which are all within walking distance. Since this amalgamation of Bushwick wall art is totally public, it is open 24/7. You can arrange for a Brooklyn street art tour  but I would encourage you to take your sweet time and savor the murals as you walk around.

A good 2-3 hours on foot should be enough to check off all the murals on your street art Bushwick list. The  Free tours by foot   is a good resource for  Bushwick street art tours , directions and transportation to Bushwick  art collective , street art artists info and handy Bushwick street art maps .

What kind of Bushwick street art and graffiti will you see?

The Bushwick murals and wall art will absolutely blow your mind away with their color, creativity and execution. The themes are varied and range from cartoon figures, to stark black and white imagery to subtle and not so subtle takes on the current social and political situation in USA.

Some of my favorite Bushwick street art included the “Diversity is Hope” and “Everything is not OK” murals as well as the naughty gummy bear arrested by the NYC police department (see collages below). NYC being home to the current President of the United States (you can see here this cheeky piece of work by Damien Mitchell, the celebrated Australian street artist who has contributed to the Bushwick murals) , I did expect the Bushwick street art collective to have more politically charged murals.

Nevertheless, I was pretty happy with what I saw and went shutterbug happy clicking the murals around me. I hope these photos that I have clicked help you on a virtual Bushwick street art tour ! We went to the Bushwick neighborhood in the morning (before lunch) and did not see major crowds around the murals at all.

As a result, I got a lot of great unobstructed shots of Bushwick  graffiti . My Bushwick street art map  is based on my location jotting during my self guided tour (scroll below to see) and provides guidance on the major streets where we spotted the murals.

These Bushwick murals were clicked using my Sony a7RII mirrorless camera  with a 35mm lens while the Los Angeles street art tour and Austin murals were photographed using my Canon Rebel T2i with a 50mm prime lens .

Bushwick muralists featured so far:  a) peanuts  (leftmost photo on the dual collage): @giz_nyc , b) girl with braids (below): @sipros_sipros, c) culture vultures: @klopsito , d) Gummy bear: @whisbe

What else is there to do in Brooklyn besides the Bushwick Murals: Other

Bushwick street art tour is definitely one of the must do activities for any art lover visiting NYC. Besides this, there are a ton of things to do in the borough of Brooklyn itself as you can read on Time Out New York’s post .

Since we did not have much time, we explored the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood (another treasure trove of Brooklyn street art ) and had a delicious lunch at Reynard . Brooklyn is also famous for DUMBO (Down under the Manhattan Bridge overpass) spot, which is a mecca for all Instagrammers. If you do visit, go as early as possible and do not forget to stop by Almondine Bakery , a cute little French patisserie nearby.

Here are some fun tours  and activities in Brooklyn that you can enjoy apart from your self guided tour of Bushwick murals:

a) Get the New York Pass for 40% discount on 100+ attractions in NYC

b) Discover the trendiest neighborhood of Brooklyn, i.e. Williamsburg on a walking tour

c) Participate in a super fun Brooklyn graffiti lesson

d) Go on a delicious Williamsburg food tour or a Brownstone Brooklyn food tour to discover the flavors of this borough

Bushwick street art muralists featured so far : a) Bat on a red wall: @ivanisforeverlost , b) “joining the dots”: @joeiurato * @loganhicksny , c) handshake: @pixelpancho * @case_maclaim , d) blue figures: @giz_nyc , e) “police lines do not cross” (lower panel): @ac2bsk

Bushwick Street Art Map

Finally, as promised, here are some of the streets in the Bushwick neighborhood  in my version of the Bushwick street art map to find all that amazing Bushwick collective graffiti . Please note, each orange pin is a street marker and not the location of a particular mural.

I have also included locations for some of the other things that I mentioned about Brooklyn in this map too. You can simply walk around the Bushwick collective blocks and they will lead you from one stunning Bushwick mural to another.

Bushwick collective artists featured here: a) Girl with the spray can: @lolatheillustrator , b) photo above: @adnate * @li_hill * @lastnight_collective

Like this post? Hover over  the images to pin!

17 thoughts on “A Dazzling Bushwick Street Art Map: Where to find the best Bushwick Murals in Brooklyn, NYC”

I love street arts. Very powerful madhu. Of expression. And pics are just stunning and amazing

I love hunting street art wherever I travel and NY is one of the places I need to get to at some point! Love the murals, there is some serious talent there 🙂

Wow some amazing street art designed you have captured!

I am a huge street art fan, thank you for sharing this awesome post. These pieces are just so stunning!

Ooh I LOVE street art! Will definitely be making use of this map next time I’m in New York – thanks!

wow, there’s some serious talent on display here! Love how street art has the power to make a statement, but also entertain the viewer.

Some of these are so lifelike it’s unbelievable! I have never heard of this before and I would love to spend an afternoon in NYC checking out all the murals. That’s a way to get your steps in for sure!

This looks like an awesome place! I love street art and definitely need to put this on my list of things to do in NYC, the list is ever growing! Thanks for sharing!

Loved this post! Your pictures are so vibrant. I’m a huge fan of street art and murals. I’m definitely checking these on my next trip to NYC ?

Omg I love street art and murals! Why did I not know about this when I went to NYC ;)?! Love your pictures, they are beautiful

Gorgeous murals! Loved this post – I had no idea NYC had such a cool street art scene…

Wowwww check out this pictures! This place looks incredible!

Street art is something I always admire <3 I recommend London's Shoreditch :*

This is gold! I love visiting street art places and this looks spectacular. Each one of them tells a beautiful story. Beautifully captured 🙂

Wow!! This seriously blew me away. I would go back to NYC just to see this. Seriously quality art here! Thanks for letting us know!

WOW!! These are incredible! I was just in Brooklyn last month – I wish I had known to look for these. Next time for sure!

I went to a wedding in Bushwick in August and recognize several of these murals! The crazy thing about Bushwick, though, is that the art is always changing–my friends live right across the street from Roberta’s, and every six months or so when we go out to visit them, the murals across the way are completely different! So crazy to think of destroying something so beautiful to make way for yet another temporary art installation.

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Brooklyn Street Art and Graffiti

This post lists 6 best places in Brooklyn street art, accessible to visitors, including murals and graffiti created by both international and local artists.

• Top 6 Spots
• Guided Tours
• Things to Do in Brooklyn
• Street Art in Manhattan
• Things to Do in NYC

INTRODUCTION

Brooklyn is known worldwide for its street art.

The murals, wheat pastes, graffiti, and stencils you can see here are every bit as good as the street art you will find anywhere in NYC.

In fact, today's street art originated in Brooklyn and the Bronx. The 1970s saw the rise of graffiti on the side of subway cars. 

Since the train yards were located in Brooklyn, many graffiti artists became known for their work. 

Of course, society viewed subway graffiti as vandalism.

But as subway graffiti developed from random spray paint scrawlings into thought-out large-scale murals with unique styles, it came to be recognized as a new art medium. 

From 1972 to 1989, the New York City Transit Authority spent hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up subway cars.

The city cracked down on the artists and littery stopped subway art in its tracks. Artists moved to the streets, using walls as canvasses.

Thus, street art was born. Today, street art is displayed in museums and art galleries around the world.

But the best way to see street art is on the streets of the city. A trip to Brooklyn is well worth the time.

TOP 6 PLACES FOR STREET ART AND GRAFFITI IN BROOKLYN

Click here to enlarge the map .

1) Bushwick Street Art Collective 

Known worldwide, the  Bushwick Collective  is the first place to head to if you want to see a lot of top quality work in a relatively small area. 

The collective is in the neighborhood of Bushwick, just southeast of Williamsburg, and is easy to reach by subway. (See  directions  here). 

The collective is one of the largest street art projects in the world, and it was all started in 2011 by one man-- Joe Ficalora. Watch the video below to learn more about him.

Most of the murals associated with the collective are along Starr Street, Troutman Street and Jefferson Street between Irving Avenue and Cypress Avenue.

Bushwick is a pretty cool area to visit in general so you may set aside time to both see the murals and explore the neighborhood.

Be sure to stop by Roberta's Pizza for some of the best pizzas in NYC !

Take a look at our self-guided tour  for some suggestions of what to see and where to shop and eat.

TIP:  If you prefer a guided tour, which offers a brief history of the neighborhood, and a detailed description of the murals then, be sure to go on our pay-what-you-like Bushwick Graffit i and Street Art Tour .

2)  DUMBO Walls

The DUMBO Walls started in 2012.

Eight walls near the York Street subway station were chosen as sites for several large murals by renowned international artists like Shepard Fairey, MOMO, Yuko Shimizu, and others.

Some of these sites still have the original murals, others have new ones.

For example, as of 2019, one can still see the original, though somewhat faded, Shepard Fairey mural at the corner of York and Jay Street.

Also, some of CAM's huge colorful owls are still visible along York Street between Adams and Pearl Street.

Other walls have had several new murals since the DUMBO Walls were installed, like the corrugated metal wall on Front Street between Adams Street and Pearl Street. 

Street art is temporary in nature. There may be a specific artist's mural on a wall one year and then the following year a new mural may be painted.

On the positive side, all sorts of art pop up in DUMBO constantly, so be on the lookout for random art in unexpected places! 

Use this map  to find the DUMBO Walls. Be sure to look at our post on things to do in DUMBO to find out what else to do there.

And if you are wondering how the neighborhood got its name (no, it's not named after Disney's loveable elephant), read our post on What does the acronym DUMBO stand for? "

TIP: The walls are the first stop on our GPS-led DUMBO audio tour and are a stop on most of our daily guided tours of the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and DUMBO . 

3) Williamsburg

Decades ago Williamsburg , in particular, the area along the East River was primarily industrial and warehouses lined the streets.

Now, the former industrial part of the neighborhood is a residential magnet for young urban professionals and the old warehouses have been converted into condominiums. 

However, there are still some of the old warehouses that have not been converted. They remain as large ‘canvasses’ inviting street artists.

At the corner of Bedford Avenue and North 9th Street, you can see the well-known mural of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat painted by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra.

North 6th Street between Bedford and Kent Avenues is a location to check out. 

Some artists whose work has appeared on walls in this area include Banksy and ROA. Also, you may find some excellent works on Moore Street and Wythe Avenue. 

Stroll the area and discover for yourself. You never know whose work will show up next! 

For more ideas on how to spend your time in the neighborhood, see our post on things to do in Williamsburg .

4)  J MZ Walls

Named for the subway lines that run through this part of Bushwick, the project was started in 2014 by a local artist, Alberto Mejia.

With the goal of beautifying the neighborhood, Mejia asked building owners if they would allow artists to use the building walls as canvasses. 

He was successful and what started as a grass-roots group of locals has grown into an organized collective.

The JMZ Walls continues to connect artists with businesses and property owners who ‘donate’ their walls, storefront gates, or other spaces for the creation of large murals.

To see these walls, we suggest that you take the above-ground subway lines, the J/M/Z. Get off at Marcy Avenue Station.

From there, walk along Broadway which is parallel to the elevated tracks.  

5)  Coney Island Art Walls

Located near the famous Coney Island Boardwalk, there are over 30 walls dedicated to murals, curated by Joseph J. Sitt & Jeffrey Deitch.

This ‘outdoor museum’ of street art has included murals by famous artists like Lee Quinones, Aiko, Alexis Diaz, Buff Monster, Ron English, and many more.

The below video about the Coney Walls was made by artist Ron English.

The little green fella is "Temper Tot" a creation of English you can see in Little Italy as part of the L.I.S.A. Project .

The Coney Art Walls  are located at 3050 Stillwell Avenue ( map ).

Be sure to check the website for dates/hours when you can see them as they are only accessible seasonally.

See our post on things to do in Coney Island and find out what other activities you can enjoy when you go see the walls.

6)  Underhill Walls

Located on the corner of Underhill Avenue and St. John's Place in Prospect Heights is the Underhill Walls , a series of panels along 314 St. Johns Place .

The curator, Jeff Beler, lived locally and had been eyeing for years these walls on what was an abandoned building. 

In 2015, he finally contacted the building owner who liked the idea of the property being beautified. The rest is history.

While the Underhill Walls project is smaller and lesser-known than the other locations in this post, it is worth a visit if you are heading to the excellent Brooklyn Museum , just a six-minute walk from the murals.

RELATED POSTS:

• Street Art Tours
• Best Street Art in Manhattan

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Brooklyn Graffiti and Street Art Tour

I have been getting more and more into art, especially modern art.  Whether it is in a museum, like the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth , or just on the street, I am inspired by the creativity and bright colors.  

I know there is a lot of amazing street art in New York City, but it’s hard to know where to find the best murals.   I was excited to take the Brooklyn Graffiti and Street Art Tour with Brooklyn Unplugged .   It would be a good opportunity to learn more about the Bushwick Collective and the stories behind the art.

In this post, I will share more about my experience on the tour so that you can decide if it is something that you would like to do.

Street Art vs. Graffiti

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We started with a discussion about the difference between street art and graffiti.  Many people think the words are interchangeable, but that is not correct. 

On the Bushwick Street Art tour, I hated seeing graffiti on top of the street art.  I think it is disrespectful and damages the hard work of the street artist.  It hit me hardest when we saw a beautiful portrait where someone had written over the mouth.  Unfortunately, there were other examples of graffiti on murals as well.

The tour centered around the Bushwick Collective Street Art (although we did see works that were not part of the Collective as well).  

Joseph Ficalora is the curator, he got permission from building owners and has chosen the artists.  He wanted the artwork to be therapeutic and beautify the community, so the art was not supposed to be political.  

I saw a lot of street artwork that I liked during our Brooklyn Graffiti and Street Art Tour.  The creativity of street artists always impresses me.  I also love paintings with bold colors that are visually appealing.  Probably my favorite mural was one by Dasic Fernandez from Chile.  

If there is meaning in the art, that is a bonus to me.  While political pieces technically weren’t allowed as part of the Bushwick Collective, it seems like some exceptions were made to that rule.  

Another artist known as Pay to Pray was not allowed to participate in the Collective because his works were too political.  He did have some works in the area that we saw as part of the tour.

Street art is not just murals though.  We saw some other interesting 3-D pieces on our tour.  We saw sculptures and 3-D artwork made of wire and yarn.  I had never thought of this as street art, but as Jeff explained the classification of street art has a lot to do with the artist’s intention.  

The Bushwick graffiti that we saw made me question the artist’s intention, especially if it was on top of a mural.

This Brooklyn street art tour meets in front of ‘Wyckoff-Starr’ coffee shop located at 20 Wyckoff Avenue in Bushwick Brooklyn.  It is a short walk from the Jefferson L train station.  The tour runs daily at 3 pm and lasts about 2 hours.  You will be walking about a mile and the tour ends right by the Morgan Avenue L Train station.  

The Bushwick walking tour costs $32 per person or it is included as part of the several New York Tourist Passes .   Brooklyn Unplugged also has several other tours in Brooklyn and Queens.  Check out the expert tips below for a special discount code!

Jeff would be our tour guide for our Bushwick Graffiti and Street Art Tour.  He told us that he is not an artist but he is a Brooklyn native.  He knew his stuff but was very patient with others on the tour that didn’t know much about street art.  I loved hearing the inside scoop.  I learned a lot from him.

Yes.  While you can go walk around the neighborhood and see the murals on your own, you will get much more out of it if you take a tour.  The stories about the artists and the artwork enhanced my appreciation of the pieces.

In summary, I was impressed by the Brooklyn Graffiti and Street Art tour.  The quality and quantity of Bushwick murals that we saw was amazing, and I learned so much about the artists. 

Jeff was a wonderful guide.  He was very knowledgeable and made the tour interesting.  Check our video to see more of the street art in Brooklyn.  You will see some of the best murals in NYC.

Have you seen any of the murals that are part of the Bushwick Collective? What is your favorite piece of street art?  Have you ever gone on a graffiti or street art tour? I would love to hear about it in the comments.

Pin for Later

• Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.  
• Book online and use the code TravelingTexan to get 20% off your Brooklyn Street Art walking tour price.

Disclosure: We were guests of Brooklyn Unplugged for the Graffiti and Street Art Tour.  We will not receive any commission for future tour bookings.  As always, opinions are my own.

Last Updated on March 14, 2023

About the Author

Anisa  

Anisa is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 41 different countries across 5 continents (and counting). She was born and raised in Texas. After a 13 year stint in NYC, she moved to England to live with her husband.

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A Local’s Free, Self-Guided NYC Street Art Tour

By: Author Girl with the Passport

Posted on Last updated: December 6, 2023

Categories New York City

A Local’s Free, Self Guided NYC Street Art Tour

We all know that New York City street art is some of the most vibrant, dynamic, and exciting urban art in the entire world.

Where is the best street art in New York City so that you can take some of the amazing street art walks?

A valid question since New York City is enormous and wandering around aimlessly will get you absolutely nowhere, unless of course, you’re into doing an impromptu New York City marathon (I’m not if that wasn’t blatantly obvious).

That’s Where this Street Art, New York City guide comes in.

See, I’m one of those locals who is enchanted by street art; an artistic genre that has transformed graffiti, a classic sign of urban decay, into a worldwide movement that has made the beauty of art available to the masses.

I’ll sometimes spend my weekends hunting down some of the coolest street art in the city since graffiti art can be beautifully thought-provoking (and one of the best free things to do in New York City ).

I created this free, street art walking tour of New York City to help you easily see some of the best New York street art in only twenty-four hours.

I practically had kittens when I heard Banksy was back in New York City, so trust me, I do know where some of the best NYC street art spots are.

So Read On:

And find out how to create a free and super easy, self-guided street art tour of New York City .

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my  disclosure  for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

If you’re booking a trip right now then I IMPLORE you to get travel insurance – even if it’s not from me.

After all, this past year has been a wild ride and I don’t want you to lose money because government regulations have changed. 

Truth be told though, I’ve never traveled without travel insurance and don’t think you should either – especially since I think we’ve all had plans drastically change because of the pandemic. 

Therefore, find an insurance agency that covers travel changes related to COVID-19, like my two all-time faves World Nomads and  Safety Wing . You can also read more about which policy is right for you in  my full review here .

1.The Highline

So I’m Guessing:

You’ve probably heard of the Highline in New York City.

If Not Then:

The short version is that it’s an old railway track that was expertly converted into an above ground park that gives you one hell of a view of NYC as you walk through Chelsea.

Pretty Cool Huh?

Minus the times when there are ten thousand people there and you feel like you’re strolling along in a herd of cattle (go during the week or super early to avoid the crowds).

But Besides the Gorgeous Views and the Charming Scenery:

There are amazing pieces of street art that are scattered all along the Highline Walk.

Well, the Friends of the High Line association invited some of the best New York City street artists (and street artists from around the world) to create innovative pieces of street art all along the buildings that line the Highline.

The Best Part?

The art pieces here are forever changing so you’ll always have some new art to discover.

***Take the 7 line to the 34th Street and Hudson Yards station. From here, you can walk downtown along the Highline. Once you hit 24th street, you can stop for breakfast at either Sullivan Street Bakery (try the Bombolini aka an Italian doughnut) or at Johny’s Luncheonette (get the peanut butter and banana pancakes). 

2. The Bowery Mural (76 E Houston Street)

***To get here from the Highline just take the L from the 14th Street/8th Avenue Station and transfer to the 6 at Union Square. From here, get off at the Bleecker Street station and it’s an easy walk to the mural. 

It all started with Keith Haring.

He was the first artist to use this wall as a canvas for his iconic form of art (if you have time, you can also check out his Crack is Whack mural at E. 128th St. along Harlem River Drive. There’s even a park named after this mural. #lifegoals and weeds are for whacking. Get it? Lol).

Now at the time:

His work wasn’t really jazz hand worthy, at least to the public, so other artists quickly destroyed his piece with tags of their own.

He did start a movement towards using this wall to display iconic works of street art, in a rather economically depressed part of the city (Not so much anymore but there are still a ton of homeless people asking for money along the Bowery. They even asked me for a banana! True story).

Art Enthusiasts Liked this Idea So Much:

That, Jeffrey Deitch (a super fancy art curator who is a super big deal and that I had to look up because I had no idea who he was) partnered with Goldman Global Arts (aka the company that owns this wall) to hire world-renowned street artists to paint murals on this now immortal wall.

Bansky actually did some iconic Bansky street art NYC here (see below), so obviously, this spot is a pretty big deal.

if you are looking for some pretty rad street art, then the Bowery Mural is where it’s at since this wall is forever changing and always has some stellar street art on display.

WORD…

Right, I’ll stop pretending to be cool.

***If you have some time, stop by the New Museum on our way to our next street art hotspot (literally right on the way to Freeman’s Alley). Trust me, the New Museum is an amazing place to discover the latest contemporary art and to catch a glimpse of the city from the museum’s top floor. 

***If you want to take a food break, head over to Super Moon Bake House for some great desserts. Everything is amazing but their CROISSANT BUTTER SOFT SERVE is divine. They also make a red, Bi-Color Croissant filled with Raspberry and tarragon jam.

Yum! If you want something a little more savory, head over to Lombardi’s (the earlier the better since it’s usually packed) and get an iconic slice of New York style pizza. 

3. Freeman’s Alley

What I love about Freeman’s Alley is that it is one of the great hidden gems in New York City!

Unless you know it’s here, obvi. 

Tourists will typically walk right by this alley and take no notice of this quirky, Lower East Side New York City street art sanctuary that local street artists have created.

But You’re Reading this Post.

So now you know all about Freeman’s Allery and how to use this self-guided street art tour NYC to fully appreciate the innovative jewels of art that are plastered along this little New York City alley.

Just Walking Through this Tiny Corner of NYC:

You’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty and creativity of one of my favorite street art NYC locations.

Freeman’s Restaurant  is a foodie mecca of sorts and has a quaint, restaurant storefront at the end of this alley.

The front of this restaurant will be major Instagram goals for any traveler in New York City.

But this Restaurant Isn’t Just a Pretty Face.

The food here is some of the best food in New York City.

Between the quinoa bowl (if you’re trying to be moderately healthy) and the pea and goat cheese tortellini (if you don’t give a fig about calories), you’ll probably end up licking your plate clean.

And no, I won’t judge you for it.

Just Make Reservations.

This place gets packed, especially on the weekends.

And while the street art here is nice, it loses it’s appeal when you’re starving after waiting two hours for a table.

Yup, even street art can’t stop a serious case of HANGRY

***If you’re looking for a dining experience that is a bit more casual, check out the Egg Shop . Seriously some of the best egg sandwiches of my life.

Morgenstern’s finest ice cream is also right down the street and serves divine raspberry cheesecake ice cream (add this little gem to your very own NYC foodie tour) , with a great street art mural right across the street. 

4. L.I.S.A. Project (Mulberry Street in Little Italy)

***To get to Mulberry Street, just walk down Chrystie Street and turn right at Broome Street (if you hit Grand Street subway station then you’ve gone too far).

Walk along Broome Street until you hit Mulberry Street. You’ll see a Cha Cha Matcha (a great place to sit, relax, get some Instagram photos, and enjoy a nice cup of Matcha or coffee) on your left as you reach Mulberry Street. 

I love how NYC is now paying artists from around the world to create street art within certain neighborhoods in the city; a spray paint, street art practice NYC that used to be considered vandalism as opposed to any actual form of art.

I support it since these works of art are downright j aw-dropping.

But it cracks me up that the L.I.S.A. project in NYC teams up with the Merchants Association of Little Italy to create street art that adds to the charm and appeal of this lovely neighborhood.

My Personal Favorite?

The Audrey Hepburn portrait that is displayed with a colorfully quirky New York City twist.

But There are a Ton of Other Amazing Street Art Pieces Here Too. 

So relax, stroll through this iconic New York City neighborhood, and see what you can find. Part of the fun is walking down the street and being surprised by what you find next on a mini NYC street art tour of Little Italy.

  So I have been talking a lot about my mom but there are so many women in this world that inspire me to be strong and fierce and follow my dreams. One is Audrey Hepburn. She was so classy and beautiful and overcame so much in her life. So who inspires you and why? Can’t wait to find out and get inspired for Monday. #girlwiththepassport A post shared by Kelly • Solo Travel Blogger (@girlwitthepassport) on Feb 4, 2018 at 7:58pm PST

***DO NOT eat in Little Italy. Except if it’s Da Nico’s which has pretty amazing pizza. Oh, and they send out a free plate of zeppole for dessert so no need to order any sweets. The rest of Little Italy is rather overpriced and devoid of any great food.

***It’s also acceptable to grab a cannoli from Cafe Palermo. Actually, you can also stop by Aunt Jake’s for some amazing pasta. 

5. Centre-Fuge Public Art Project (East 1st Street)

***To get to this next art space, walk back towards Broome street and make a right. Walk until you hit Sara D. Roosevelt Park and make a left onto Chrystie Street. Continue straight ahead until you hit East Houston Street and the park will be across the road and to your right. 

The idea behind this street art collective is simple yet brilliant.

Lower East Side residents Jonathan Neville and Pebbles Russell (any relation to Bam Bam? Sorry, I had to go there) got tired of constantly looking out at gross construction sites.

The noise, the cranes, the rubble…

They all fused together to create one giant eyesore that no one wanted to look at

The Solution?

Transform hideous construction sites into stunning street art exhibits by painting vibrant, artistic masterpieces on the exterior of construction trailers, work trucks, etc.

Talk about going from Drab to Fab.

Started in 2011, this art project has grown in size and scope to become one of the best places to find street art murals in Manhattan.

***Hungry? Can you tell that I think with my stomach? Well, if you actually are hungry, walk down Ludlow Street (which has amazing street art and Instagram spots anyway) and stop by Black Tap . I have heard their burgers are amazing but I always come here for the Birthday cake specialty shake. Yum!

6. First Street Green Art Park (33 East First Street)

I’m not gonna go to in depth with this next spot on our street art walking tour NYC.

Well, it’s literally right on top of the Centre-Fuge Public Art Project so they both kind of meld together to form this giant buffet of ridiculously awesome street art.

What I will Say Is:

When I was here, there was a tremendous amount of politically charged art that didn’t fall into the category of, “pretty street art that you can just rush through after you get your selfie swerve on”.

Take your time strolling through this street art collective.

There are some amazing, gut-wrenching, powerful, and truly thought-provoking street art pieces that deserve your consideration.

So stop, relax, and take in the true meaning of the beauty all around you (think of it as an unofficial street art exhibit NYC)

Not that I’m Some Pro Art Critic Who Understands the True Meaning Behind these Pieces.

Maybe the important thing is that all these pieces can mean different things to different people.

***To get to our final stop in Brooklyn (woot, woot), I would walk four minutes to the second avenue station of the F train. Take this train towards Coney Island and take it three stops to York Street Subway Station. 

7. DUMBO (20 Jay Street, Brooklyn)

DUMBO (aka not the flying elephant):

Is probably one of the best neighborhoods in all of New York City (and a place you can to your Brooklyn street art map)!

Between the cobblestone streets, the delicious Juliana’s Pizza (some of the best pizza in NYC), the delectable NYC coffee from Brooklyn Roasting Company, the ultra-cool shops for hipster wannabes like me, and the iconic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, it’s a miracle that I ever leave at all.

Actually, Wait

I could NEVER afford to live in DUMBO.

So unless I wanna be homeless, I kind of have to leave.

It’s no surprise that this cultural hotspot is also home to some amazing Brooklyn street art spots, all of which lie within a four-block block radius of the BQE.

Now Bare in Mind:

These eight murals were created back in 2013 when various neighborhood improvement groups invited world-famous street artists to beautify the streets of DUMBO.

Many of these pieces, while impressive and meaningful, are somewhat faded and less pronounced than they once were.

So just keep that in mind when you visit because I don’t want you to get all disappointed because these street art murals aren’t as glam as you thought they’d be.

These murals are great street art NYC pieces,  but they are just not as amazing as they once were.

8. World Trade Mural Project

Have you seen the brand-new street art murals at the WTC? Simply awesome They are in the Financial District all around The Oculus Plaza, so be sure to stroll on all those streets (and crossing streets) where the Oculus and 9/11 Memorial Plaza are.

They are bright and highly uplifting, embodying the atmosphere of New York with kind words to the city and the globe.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey collaborated with Silverstein Properties to plan these WTC Murals. They understood that in order to avoid giving off the impression that the area was under construction, vibrant, upbeat energy was required.

Including artwork by artists including Todd Gray, Hektad, BoogieRez, Stickymonger, BoogieRez, and the husband-and-wife collaboration of Chinon Maria and Sebastian Mitre.

Ground Zero served as a perpetual construction site that served as a memorial to the September 11th attacks for locals and tourists alike.

However, if you go to the World Trade Centers’ Oculus, you may view some of our favorite street artists’ creations that were ordered by 2WTC.

Don’t miss these striking walls, which have revived optimism in downtown Manhattan.

As co-curators of the 69th floor of 4WTC, Mar and Izzy, street art tour guides with Free Tours by Foot, are pleased to have advised on the World Trade Mural Street Art Project.

They are the tour guides for Free Trips by Foot’s street art and graffiti tours.

Additionally, you may visit this artwork during Lower Manhattan Tours.

This Concludes This Episode of Girl With the Passport, Street Art NYC Locations Edition

I’m Gonna Try and Be SUPER Honest for a Moment.

Are these all of the absolute best street art locations in New York City?

Nope, not a chance.

Between Coney Island Art Walls, the Big Pun Memorial in the Bronx, the Bushwick Collective.

(There is a whole Bushwick street art map that you can check out), the Freedom Tunnel, Graffiti Hall of Fame in East Harlem, Tuff City in the Bronx, the Welling Court Project in Queens, etc. there are simply too many amazing graffiti street art, NYC locations to see them all in twenty four hours in New York City .

You’d Probably Need a Solid Week to see all those street art locations during some great street art tours in NYC. 

That’s Why:

I intentionally shortened this list of stellar NYC graffiti art locations.

The majority of these iconic street art pieces, like the Audrey Hepburn street art NYC, are located in lower Manhattan and DUMBO since these are the areas in New York City that most visitors frequent.

So embrace your inner NYC abstract art critic and take a street art walk to visit some of the best spots for street art NYC. 

And if you want to pay for a tour, Graff Tours has some great artist led street art tours and workshops.

Graff Tours is based in Brooklyn and will show you some of the best Brooklyn street art locations.

Samara Vaiuso

Tuesday 6th of August 2019

This is an amazing article. I felt like you were having a private conversation with me. You covered all my questions and more! I wish I had read it before I visited yesterday! I’m in love with the Highline and lower Manhattan I will definitely be visiting again soon. I plan to take you up on many of your offerings. You are absolutely one of my people; possibly my soul sister :)

girlwiththepassport

Friday 9th of August 2019

Aww! This makes my heart so happy! I love finding new soul sisters!

Enara Castro

Wednesday 8th of May 2019

Thanks a lot for your guide.I´M from Rio de Janeiro/Brazil,and going to NYC soon. I really enjoy Street Art,and your guide will enhance the fun ! Also, the food tips are great !

Oh so glad to hear that! I hope that you have an amazing time!

michael norton

Wednesday 2nd of January 2019

Thank you for this post! Much love and happy 2019!

Happy new year to you too and thanks for reading!

Zaneta P Baran

Saturday 4th of August 2018

I love street arts! Thank you for sharing, I will use this post when I come to NYC again.

Sunday 5th of August 2018

Oh good! I am so glad to hear it. New York City has some amazing street art.

Natasha Lequepeys

Ohh, love street art, I'll have to hit up all these places and get some interesting street photography. If you haven't visited Toronto yet we've got tons of cool street art there too you'd probably enjoy. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much and yes! I still need to visit Toronto. It's on my ever growing list of amazing cities to visit.

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Notorious B.I.G. Brooklyn Guide (Biggie Murals & Landmarks)

Calling all Biggie fans, we’ve got a complete guide to Notorious B.I.G. Brooklyn spots to check out! Musical icon and legend Christopher Wallace, or Notorious B.I.G. as many might know him, is just one of the many cultural contributions of Brooklyn throughout history.

It’s no surprise that his music has had an international audience from when he was alive, and lives on today after his death, with hits like “Big Poppa”, “Hypnotize”, and of course, “Juicy”.

You may also know him as Biggie Smalls, Biggie, or by the moniker that New York locals lovingly call him, The King of New York, offering some of the best songs about NYC  and anthems that still are listened to and loved today.

He got his start by rapping on street corners around Brooklyn, when he caught the attention of rap icon Big Daddy Kane and local New York DJ Mister Cee, and skyrocketed to fame from there.

As one of the most well-known rappers in history, his life ended tragically on March 9, 1997, on a trip to LA in a drive-by shooting following the 11th Soul Train Awards afterparty. Over the years, several documentaries and biopics have been made about Notorious B.I.G., including the new Netflix special, I’ve Got a Story to Tell .

Whether you’ve just heard his music at parties or on the radio, or you’re a die-hard fan, the following Notorious B.I.G. Brooklyn spots are interesting must-visits for any Biggie Smalls fans to understand his upbringing and how this influenced his music.

And if you’re interested, check out our guide to more rappers from Brooklyn !

Brooklyn Notorious B.I.G. Landmarks

Corner of st james place & fulton.

The Biggie Smalls Brooklyn corner was formally recognized in 2019 to honor his musical and cultural accomplishments. Council members, family members, and the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation gathered to rename this street corner in Clinton Hill, and it was finally approved on what would have been Notorious B.I.G’s 47th birthday.

The renaming of this city street not only recognizes his music as historically significant but also shows the pride of Brooklyn’s rich and expansive culture.

Biggie Smalls House in Brooklyn

He grew up at 226 St James Place in a 1906 limestone building on the third floor with his mother, Voletta Wallace, until 1994 when he married singer Faith Evans.

The Notorious BIG house is referenced as the “one-room shack” in his most famous song “Juicy”, but he often spent time hanging on the roof and keeping his life on the streets hidden from his mother ( as best as he could ).

Even though Biggie grew up in Clinton Hill, he’s known for his presence in the neighboring Bed-Stuy area, where he would often freestyle on the streets as a teenager.

Here, he met members of the well-known Junior M.A.F.I.A. rap crew, who introduced him to dealing crack and the life of a street hustler in the 80’s.

Biggie Smalls house in Brooklyn looks the same as it did when he lived there on the outside, but the inside is no longer the same “one-room shack” has since been completely renovated, and available to rent .

The neighborhood has also changed significantly from the time Biggie Smalls has been around, where he was known to have dealt drugs when he was a young teen, right on the very corner named after him. This iconic street is an essential Brooklyn Notorious BIG spot to visit to learn about his roots before fame.

Orient Temple on St James Place

Located right across the street from Biggie Smalls’ house in Brooklyn at 197 St. James Place is the Orient Temple, a seemingly plain building that can be easily overlooked, but still incredibly rich in history.

This next Notorious BIG Brooklyn spot was home to Biggie’s first performances in his music career, where he earned the nickname “Mayor of St. James Place”. The Orient Temple used to serve as a spot for underground parties, and where Biggie and members of Junior M.A.F.I.A. would first rap together.

The building’s red brick exterior with a faded sign marking the Orient Temple still stands today, but its doors have been closed to the public in recent years.

Respect for Life Barber Shop

Head back over to the corner of Fulton and St. James Place to visit two more Brooklyn Notorious B.I.G. landmarks that he frequented growing up. The Respect for Life Barber Shop is just down the street from the Notorious B.I.G. house and is where Biggie came to have his hair clipped from when he was 10 up until his death in 1997.

Meet Chadler “Guess” Smith also mentioned in one of Biggie’s songs as “Pop from the barbershop”. Visitors who come for a haircut have sometimes been lucky enough to hear anecdotes about his experience knowing Biggie.

He even continues to cut hair for the remaining members of Junior M.A.F.I.A today.

Directly across the street from the Respect for Life Barber Shop is the next Biggie Smalls Brooklyn landmark, which can be easily overlooked! The Key Food Supermarket on Fulton, formerly a Met Food is where a young Biggie worked as a grocery bagger to earn some extra cash.

The outside of the supermarket has a mosaic mural of Biggie on it to signify the memory of him working here. The supermarket’s former owners knew him as a typical neighborhood kid, earning some extra cash. The current co-owner, Wakeem Widdi is the son of the owner at the time Biggie Smalls graced the grocery aisles.

The Key Food market has even honored the 20th anniversary of his death by coming out with limited edition bags with his face stenciled on them.

Crispus Attucks Playground

However, the Notorious B.I.G. Brooklyn loyalty and influence prevailed, and the playground was officially renamed in August 2017 20 years after his passing.

Biggie came to the basketball courts often in his youth, growing up just blocks away. As a child, Biggie played basketball here with Robert Cornegy, currently serving as a member of the local city council and who helped advocate for the name change.

One Hanson Place Clock Tower 

While this next Notorious B.I.G. Brooklyn point of interest isn’t necessarily important to visit in person, it provides a well-rounded story of his life and adolescence.

As a teenage crack dealer on Fulton, Biggie and his friends would often stand around and wait to make money from people on the street unbeknownst to his mother who he lived with.

Single mother Voletta Wallace worked hard and tried to keep her son from dropping out of school and being involved in crime, but young Biggie Smalls saw no other option at the time.

Referenced in the Netflix documentary, “I’ve Got a Story to Tell”, to hide his life from his mother, he would sell crack during the day in the neighborhood, and look towards the clock to know when his mother was almost home from work.

Country House Diner

This humble restaurant has been around for decades and is rumored to have been Biggie’s favorite place to eat. This American restaurant that Biggie Smalls frequented serves up classic diner breakfasts, burgers, and sandwiches.

But it’s best known for the famous “T-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch’s grape” meal, Biggie’s meal of choice at Country House.

It’s a bit unclear what he refers to as “Welch’s grape” since it could be the jelly for his eggs, or the soda or juice. Either way, ordering his favorite meal at his local eatery is a unique way to pay tribute and visit on your Brooklyn Notorious B.I.G. tour.

If you need any other reason to visit the famous Junior’s Bakery and Restaurant aside from their world-renown cheesecake and being one of the best and legendary diners in Brooklyn , make it a point to stop here on your tour of Brooklyn Notorious B.I.G. landmarks.

While his favorite place to grab a bite was at Country House Diner, he would hit up Junior’s for their famous dessert, more specifically, his go-to order would be the strawberry cheesecake and a coke.

A signed photo of him and P. Diddy is even proudly displayed on the wall. The Downtown Brooklyn restaurant is in between Biggie’s home (20 minutes on foot away) and his high school, making it a fun and rewarding pitstop to visit on your way to the next Biggie Smalls Brooklyn location.

George Westinghouse High School

Walk for 30 minutes, or hop on the C train to the Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood to find the next Biggie Smalls Brooklyn stop, the George Westinghouse High School.

For an added bonus, and a fun Instagram story, enter the C train at the Clinton Hill stop, where he exits in his music video, “ Juicy ”. The Biggie Smalls Brooklyn pilgrimage to Westinghouse brings you to the high school where he once attended alongside Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z simultaneously.

While he was supposedly a good student when he attended, Notorious BIG dropped out of high school in his junior year (also mentioned in his song “Juicy”).

While Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z would have rap battles and perform during school, Busta Rhymes says he didn’t know about Biggie’s skills as an artist since he was often cutting class and more into his street life than school.

Read Next: Songs about Brooklyn

Notoriouss Clothing

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Notoriouss Clothing Boutique (@notoriouss_clothing)

Perhaps one of the most special Brooklyn Notorious B.I.G. locations on our list is Notoriouss Clothing, a local company by Biggie’s own daughter with singer Faith Evans, T’yanna Wallace.

Inspired by her dad’s style, she took to a Brooklyn storefront and set up shop in Downtown Brooklyn–only blocks away from a mural of her father mentioned later on this list! While she was very young at the time of her father’s death (4 years old), she wanted to dedicate something for her late father and keep his name alive.

Wallace has mentioned that the clothes are inspired by the culture of Brooklyn hip hop and New York streetwear. You’ll often find stylish pieces with a tribute to Biggie, and on her father’s birthday on March 9th, Wallace collaborates with artists to make special edition clothing each year.

Notoriouss launched in 2013 originally at 514 Atlantic Avenue but has since upgraded to a bigger storefront just across the street, at 503 Atlantic Avenue. Along with their brick and mortar shop, you can also check out their online store , and their Instagram for updates.

Biggie Murals in Brooklyn

Along with other Notorious B.I.G. Brooklyn landmarks mentioned on this list, several Biggie murals in Brooklyn are scattered around with artists paying tribute to the East Coast rap icon.

He is depicted in these giant intricate murals, a symbol of how he is truly larger than life. On his birthday each year, on May 21, it’s common to see people gathering and leaving flowers, and will even pour hennessy and cognac to honor the late Brooklyn legend.

It’s a beautiful sight to witness, knowing his music has touched the lives of so many generations after his time. The following are some of the most well known and iconic Brooklyn Biggie murals to check out:

Biggie Mural at Respect for Life Barber Shop

The first Biggie mural, and easiest to visit if you’re hitting up these Notorious B.I.G. Brooklyn landmarks is located at the Respect For Life Barbershop on the corner of Fulton St and St James Pl. 

This mural also makes it nice and easy to find the barbershop that Biggie once graced back in his time. The mural is signed ‘Big’ Vballentine99…, which is a local Brooklyn-based artist by the name of Vincent Ballentine .

Biggie Murals at Met Foods

You can spot two more Biggie-inspired artwork at the grocery store he used to work at as a kid bagging groceries. The first can be seen by looking up. Artist David Hollier painted a mural above the entrance of the grocery store that is supposed to be Christopher Wallace as a child, this one is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it!

The other, seen from the sidewalk is a multi-color glass mosaic of Notorious B.I.G.’s face by artist Carlos Pinto.

King of New York

(Bedford and Quincy, Bed Stuy)

One of the most iconic Biggie murals in Brooklyn known as the “King of New York mural” is displayed proudly at Bedford and Quincy in Bed Stuy , only minutes away from the Notorious B.I.G. house.

This 38-foot high, 2 story artwork was created by artists Scoot “Zimer” Zimmerman and Naoufal “Rocko” Alaoui in 2015. Naoufal is the founder of the “Spread Art NYC” collective, which aims to empower local New York communities through engaging street art.

The mural was threatened to be destroyed in 2017 when the owner of the building wanted to renovate the property to keep up with the ongoing gentrification of the neighborhood and increasing property value. A petition to save the mural resulted in thousands of signatures, and the artwork was ultimately saved.

“Comandante Biggie”

(Fulton and South Portland, Fort Greene)

One of the most recognizable Biggie murals in Brooklyn can be found at the intersection of Fulton and South Portland Street in Fort Greene.

Popping colors and the iconic face of Biggie looks down at the street from the three story mural with the words “Comandante Biggie” below it on one side, and “SPREAD LOVE IT’S THE BROOKLYN WAY” from his most recognized song, “Juicy” painted boldly on the other.

The artists who created the Comandante Biggie piece are Cern , Jorge Garcia, and Lee Quiñones.

The mural adornes the building known as the Brooklyn Love Building, at 690-694 Fulton Street. This building is an integral part of the neighborhood and community, and perfectly captures the charm and beauty of Brooklyn in one street corner. The building is also home to Habana To-Go, a colorful and local Mexican eatery on the corner, a perfect way to wrap up your tour of Biggie Smalls Brooklyn spots to see, see more of the best things to do in Fort Greene while you’re here too.

Sipros Biggie At Bushwick Collective

(Wyckoff Ave and Troutman Street, Bushwick)

Head to Bushwick just off the Jefferson L train for its plethora of bars, restaurants, and long stretches of beautiful graffiti lining the buildings and colorful murals of the Bushwick Collective .

Right at the corner of Wyckoff Ave and Troutman Street, Biggie’s face is painted with gorgeous detail on the brick wall lining the sidewalk. The mural can be found right on the street where the Derek Food Truck is parked, a local Mexican takeout spot that’s popular all throughout the week.

This piece was done by the artist who goes by Sipros , and can be seen alongside other various talented work just from the street.

His work is part of the Bushwick Collective , a group of talented local artists who is responsible for giving Bushwick the unique aesthetic and charm it has today. More of their growing number of artists can be found on their Instagram page . 

Ruben Ubiera’s “Deconstructed Biggie”

(Troutman St. and St. Nicholas Ave)

The next Brooklyn Biggie Mural to view can be found at the intersection of Troutman and St. Nicholas Avenue, also a part of the Bushwick Collective’s local outdoor gallery crawl.

The artist Ruben Ubiera created this work in 2019, which he aptly named “Deconstructed Biggie”. Ubiera is a Miami based contemporary artist who specializes in graffiti and large scale murals.

This modern take on the hip hop legend shows all the iconic features of Notorious B.I.G. in black, white, and gold spray paint scattered along this long stretch of wall.

This piece is definitely worth a visit to take in how Ubiera remarkably depicts the King of New York in a stylistic and contemporary perspective!

Danielle Mastrion Biggie at Bushwick Collective

(St. Nicholas Ave and Troutman St.)

Another Biggie mural can be found just down the block from “Deconstructed Biggie”, and is also part of the Bushwick Collective outdoor gallery. The vibrant piece of street art depicts Biggie’s portrait with his signature Coogi sweater, and can be found on St. Nicholas Ave and Troutman St.

The iconic face paired with the flashy colors are bound to make for great pictures if you choose to stop by! Local artist Danielle Mastrion painted the mural close to 10 years ago, and her Biggie mural is one of the longest-running pieces of the Bushwick Collective today.

As a Brooklyn Native, Mastrion is a huge fan of Notorious B.I.G.’s work. She had an oil painting of the Biggie mural printed on her business card, and after giving it to the curator of Bushwick Collective, was asked to reproduce and enlarge the piece for public display.

Mastrion is a muralist and a painter, coming from a fine arts background. Her work focuses on social justice, doing so by bringing beautiful pieces to different communities around the world. More of her more recent work can be found through her Instagram . 

Also, while you’re exploring these Notorious B.I.G. Brooklyn murals around the Bushwick Collective, check out our other ideas and options for the best things to do in Bushwick .

25th Anniversary Tribute

(Fine Care Pharmacy, 981 Fulton Street, St. James & Fulton, Christopher Wallace Way)

In recognition for the 25th anniversary of Biggie Smalls passing, new murals found at Fine Care Pharmacy on Fulton are dedicated to the King of New York.

These murals not only honor Biggie, but are meant to highlight the importance of the eradication of gun violence by mural artists Eli Salome-Diaz, Carlo Niece, Benny Guerra, and Tylan Deputy.

Enjoyed this Notorious B.I.G. Brooklyn guide including landmarks like Biggie Smalls house in Brooklyn and Biggie murals in Brooklyn? Bookmark for later or share the love below on Pinterest, and as Biggie always said, “spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way.”

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Hello. It’s Rocko the artist who painted the KONY mural. Please correct my name It’s Naoufal not Maoufal. Thanks

Apologies for that mistake!

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