Wander Through These 10 Magical Mural Alleys Across the U.S.

This pedestrian-only alley on the city’s East Side received its makeover in 2016 and now hosts 21 murals by 24 artists. Not all are in the Badger State: the muralists’ talent extends to Berlin, Germany; Philadelphia; and Los Angeles. Black Cat Alley has become so popular—especially for couples on their wedding day—that it’s spawned fun businesses a few steps away, like Sip & Purr Cat Café and a food hall (Crossroads Collective) with traditional food menus as colorful as these mural walls.

Nestled in Idaho’s largest city’s North End downtown, this is one of the country’s earliest alley murals—it dates back to 2002. It’s often dubbed the Pacific Northwest’s largest outdoor art gallery, too. Like many street-art projects, the process begins with one work and expands from there. In this case, it was a commission outside the Moon’s Kitchen Café.

In 2017 a member of Buffalo’s city council worked with Albright-Knox Art Gallery to kickstart this project, launching with Bunnie Reiss’ “Magic Buffalo” on the side of Joe’s Deli. While definitely on a wider stretch than other alleys on this list (this is technically a street), experiencing Hertel Walls means keeping your eyes open while you stroll as some are more tucked away than others. Works are by a healthy mix of Buffalo artists as well as ones from São Paulo, Brazil; and Cincinnati, Ohio.

This initiative in downtown Knoxville matches up participating businesses (who have alley space) with muralists. You’ll find Strong Alley between Union and Wall Avenues, off Market Square. Want to go deeper? There’s even a walking map of all of Knoxville’s murals—in alleys, stairwells, and on walls—here.

Going by the acronym CAMP and around since 1992, this alley spans one block in the Mission District and is so extensive there are two tours offered (currently only for school groups, and either 45 minutes or two hours), led by the artists themselves. Works are mostly in support of social, economic, racial, and environmental justice initiatives.

As a reaction to human-rights abuse in Central America, this collection of murals—also in the Mission District, off of 24^th Street and parallel to Treat Avenue and Harrison Street—rolled out during the mid-1980s. That social-justice theme continues today with newer works. It’s easy to experience the art on a self-guided tour. Every November 2, to celebrate the Day of the Dead, a parade of people in costume and carrying altars in ode to their loved ones ends at Balmy Alley.

A passion project of Gabba Gallery co-owner Jason Ostro, with a mission to beautify trash-strewn alleys, four alleys are tied together under the Gabba Alley Project, three of which are in Historic Filipinotown. The other is in Echo Park. A handy map with directions to the alleys, as well as a suggested walking tour, is here. After you’ve seen the murals, and want to know more, bios and images of the 28 muralists’ work are published on the website.

What’s different about this art-alley project is that it paired Madison teens (including ones at the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center and the Dane County Juvenile Court Shelter Home) with more established artists (from Detroit; Brooklyn, N.Y.; and throughout Wisconsin). Funded by the Madison Arts Commission, the five murals were organized by Madison Public Library.