The Best of New York · See and do · Landmarks and history
My favorite murals in New York.
In my order, from my own visits, updated September 2026. 15 places.
In recent decades, street art in New York City has transitioned from an act of rebellion to a revered art form. Artists from around the world flock to the Big Apple, inspired by its energy, and leave their mark with some of the most creative murals in New York City. As a local continuously awestruck by these murals, I decided to show my appreciation by rounding up this list of the best murals in NYC. Let’s get to it!
Antonina’s favorite murals in New York, 2026
- Hammer BoyOther · Upper West SideSwinging by 79th and Broadway to see Hammer Boy, one of the the most famous murals in NYC, and a really cool thing to see in the Upper West Side.
- Audrey HepburnOther · Little ItalyFound on the main thoroughfare of Little Italy, Mulberry Street, the striking NYC mural is known for stopping passersby by with a vibrant display of color.
- We Love NY2Other · ChelseaEinstein has never looked happier than in Eduardo Kobra’s beloved mural, We Love NY2.
- Rice TerracesOther · ChinatownRice Terraces, created in 2021 by Chilean artist Dasic Fernández in collaboration with NYC’s Department of Transportation Art, helps draw folks into the historic street.
- I Love NYOther · ChelseaNick Walker created one of the best murals in New York City by alluding to the iconic “I <3 NY” shirts.
- 2 World Trade CenterOther · Financial DistrictThere isn’t a unifying theme or direction given to the artists, but the murals are engaging and some of the best in New York City.
- The Braves of 9/11Other · MidtownIn one of the largest murals in NYC, he presents a firefighter kneeling over the stars of the American flag with the stripes of the flag behind him, and the stripes also double as the Twin Towers.
- Ruth Bader GinsburgOther · East VillageA four-story mural by Elle Street Art (in collaboration with Little Italy Street Project) in the East Village tells her life story.
- Mt. Rushmore of ArtOther · ChelseaIn his tribute to some of modern art’s biggest players, Eduardo Kobra painted a mural in Chelsea similar to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota.
- Black and WhiteOther · East VillageOne of the most popular murals in New York City is Black and White, by Eduardo Kobra, which depicts Michael Jackson.
- Crack is WackOther · HarlemThe famous New York City mural is a testament to the stranglehold crack cocaine held on major cities across the U.S. and the frustrations Haring felt after a personal friend became addicted.
- ToleranceOther · ChelseaKobra’s portrayal of Gandhi and Mother Teresa represent the melting pot that is NYC.
- Comandante BiggieOther · Fort Greene, BrooklynOne of the best New York City murals pays homage to the Bed-Stuy-born rapper Christopher Wallace, better known as the Notorious B.I.G. in his home borough of Brooklyn.
- Rotating Murals at the High LineOther · ChelseaSome of the best new murals in New York City can be found where the High Line and 22nd Street intersect; each mural is generally up for about a year before being swapped.
- Bowery Graffiti WallOther · Lower East SideSince then it has brought some of the best murals in NYC, with a new piece going up every year or so.
On the map
Where they are.
10 neighborhoods, Chelsea and East Village most of all.
East Village
Chinatown
Financial District
Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Harlem
Little Italy
Lower East Side
Midtown
Upper West Side
- 1
Hammer Boy
Other · Upper West Side · 233 W 79th St, New York, NY 10024
Swinging by 79th and Broadway to see Hammer Boy, one of the the most famous murals in NYC, and a really cool thing to see in the Upper West Side.
- 2
Audrey Hepburn
Other · Little Italy · 176 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013
Found on the main thoroughfare of Little Italy, Mulberry Street, the striking NYC mural is known for stopping passersby by with a vibrant display of color.
- 3
We Love NY2
Other · Chelsea · 212 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Einstein has never looked happier than in Eduardo Kobra’s beloved mural, We Love NY2.
- 4
Rice Terraces
Other · Chinatown · Doyer St. New York, NY 10013
Rice Terraces, created in 2021 by Chilean artist Dasic Fernández in collaboration with NYC’s Department of Transportation Art, helps draw folks into the historic street.
- 5
I Love NY
Other · Chelsea · 102 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011
Nick Walker created one of the best murals in New York City by alluding to the iconic “I <3 NY” shirts.
- 6
2 World Trade Center
Other · Financial District · 200 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007
There isn’t a unifying theme or direction given to the artists, but the murals are engaging and some of the best in New York City.
- 7
The Braves of 9/11
Other · Midtown · 231 E 48th St, New York, NY 10017
In one of the largest murals in NYC, he presents a firefighter kneeling over the stars of the American flag with the stripes of the flag behind him, and the stripes also double as the Twin Towers.
- 8
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Other · East Village · 177 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
A four-story mural by Elle Street Art (in collaboration with Little Italy Street Project) in the East Village tells her life story.
- 9
Mt. Rushmore of Art
Other · Chelsea · 210 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011
In his tribute to some of modern art’s biggest players, Eduardo Kobra painted a mural in Chelsea similar to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota.
- 10
Black and White
Other · East Village · 400 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009
One of the most popular murals in New York City is Black and White, by Eduardo Kobra, which depicts Michael Jackson.
- 11
Crack is Wack
Other · Harlem · E. 127 St., 2 Ave., and, Harlem River Dr, New York, NY 10035
The famous New York City mural is a testament to the stranglehold crack cocaine held on major cities across the U.S. and the frustrations Haring felt after a personal friend became addicted.
- 12
Tolerance
Other · Chelsea · 516-500 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
Kobra’s portrayal of Gandhi and Mother Teresa represent the melting pot that is NYC.
- 13
Comandante Biggie
Other · Fort Greene, Brooklyn · 690 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
One of the best New York City murals pays homage to the Bed-Stuy-born rapper Christopher Wallace, better known as the Notorious B.I.G. in his home borough of Brooklyn.
- 14
Rotating Murals at the High Line
Other · Chelsea · The High Line & 22nd Street
Some of the best new murals in New York City can be found where the High Line and 22nd Street intersect; each mural is generally up for about a year before being swapped.
- 15
Bowery Graffiti Wall
Other · Lower East Side · 76 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012
Since then it has brought some of the best murals in NYC, with a new piece going up every year or so.
Antonina’s favorite murals in New York, 2026
The seal
If you're on this list, this is yours.
I went, and I said in my own words that it's worth your time. Nobody paid for that and nobody can. The seal says so, and it links back here, so anyone who sees it reads the whole list and how I decide.
Put it on your site, in the window, on the menu. Keep it linked when it's on the web and keep the words on it. That's the whole ask.
How it looks
On a light site
On a dark site
The files
SVG, lightSVG, darkPNG, lightPNG, dark
SVG for the web, the 1200 px PNG for print and social. Both carry the year.
Is one of these yours? Tell me and I confirm it's you and send the files.
The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 15 EPIC Murals in New York City (That Are Unforgettable).