Discover more of PA’s beauty within the fine details of these must-see murals situated across the state. Explore the history and culture of each and every town when you take one of these 17 tours filled with eye-catching public pieces of street art.
1. Strokes of Genius: Touring Chester County’s Murals
Malvern, Oxford, Phoenixville, West Chester
Follow history as told through murals immortalizing images of the early days of the Industrial Revolution and Underground Railroad along the Chester County countryside on the Strokes of Genius: Touring Chester County’s Murals tour. Set your sights on murals such as “Marly’s BYO” on Bridge Street in Phoenixville, the “125th Anniversary Mural” located in the lobby of Borough Hall in Malvern, and “The Charles A. Melton Mural” on East Market Street in West Chester. Buckle up and discover the story behind the people of Chester County through these eye-catching pieces of street art.
2. Mural Arts Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Over nearly four decades, Mural Arts Philadelphia has been brightening the city’s neighborhoods by bringing together young Philadelphians and professional artists to paint a whopping 3,600 unique murals – that’s more than any other city in the world! Many of these murals focus on the organization’s core program areas – wellness, art education, environmental justice, and restorative justice – and all of them were designed with community input. Mural Arts has mapped its “outdoor art gallery” to make its murals easier to find, and events are held regularly to highlight the 50-100 new art projects that are created each year. If you’re not sure where to start, try out one of guided tours that take you through one of the city’s neighborhoods on foot or by trolley to see a curated collection of murals.
3. Murals of Erie County Self-Guided Tour
Erie
Discover more than 85 public murals throughout Erie County on this Self-Guided Mural Tour. This Instagram-worthy tour takes you around the county at your leisure and will have you admiring works such as “Flotsam” at the Bicentennial Tower, “Rudy” on the Mid City Tower building, and “Carla Hughes” at the Erie Center for Arts and Technology. Mural enthusiasts can explore solo or in groups to soak in the creativity of Erie’s local muralists and residents.
4. Murals of Lancaster
Lancaster
Lancaster is home to many murals, both in the bustling downtown and around the county. Often painted by local artists, the masterpieces that make up Murals of Lancaster showcase the area’s rich heritage and are a great way to brush up on history outdoors! View the works of art on foot and, if you’re feeling adventurous, add in a beautiful detour to the surrounding countryside. Find the “Conestoga Wagon” in Lancaster, venture to Gordonville to view “Quilted Harvest,” or make the trek to Ephrata and admire “10,000 Villages.”
5. Shamokin Mural Tour
Shamokin
The City of Shamokin invites you to discover the works of art that have been created by local artists and pay homage to the proud history and heritage of the city. The Shamokin PA Mural Tour contains nine unique murals with themes ranging from “When Coal Was King” to local legends to the town’s beloved shops and movie theatres of the past.
6. Upstream Art Project
Ridgway, St. Marys, Kersey, Johnsonburg
The Upstream Art project brings bold colors and an equally bold message to the streets of Elk Country. Painted by Mickayla Poland and Liz Dippold, this mural series contains six murals throughout the area that aim to raise awareness of the damage caused by dumping waste in local streams and rivers. Look down to discover the beautifully decorated sidewalks and storm drains and take part in the movement.
7. Cameron County Canvas
Emporium
Located throughout Emporium, the Cameron County Canvas murals depict county residents and military personnel who have made important contributions to the community and world at large. The 16 murals were created by Michael Pilato and assistant Yuri Karabash. Grab your map to explore the public paintings throughout the town.
8. Milton Mural Tour
Milton
An ode to the history of Milton, the Milton Mural Tour will transport you to key moments in time that have shaped the present-day town. The rich history is portrayed on facade murals and offer bright, colorful representations of what Milton was, and what it is in the modern era. These murals include depictions of the Milton-West Milton Bridge, the Capitol Theatre, the Stetler Building, and the “Milton Mail Pouch” on 30 Elm Street.
9. Murals and More - A Walk of Art
Harrisburg
Harrisburg’s canvas of creativity comes alive with the colorful murals and inspiring artwork along Murals & More - A Walk of Art. Choose from two suggested routes that lead you through the heart of the city while listening to an audio tour featuring information about more than 20 murals, monuments, galleries, and art-inspired locations. The tour is supported by Sprocket Mural Works, an all-volunteer organization that has created more than 75 murals in Harrisburg over the past five years. Download the digital pass and be sure to check in along your tour to earn a set of custom postcards featuring locations along the Walk of Art!
10. Downtown Indiana Mural Walking Tour
Indiana
In 2020, Spruce Arts collaborated with Dripped on the Road to paint murals in downtown Indiana. Take the Downtown Indiana Mural Walking Tour to admire the 17 murals spread throughout the city, including the “It’s A Wonderful Life Wall” mural and the “Coal Miner” mural. Stop for a bite to eat at one of the many eateries or shop at one of the specialty boutiques lining the streets as you peruse the larger-than-life art.
11. Blairsville Mural Walking Tour
Blairsville
Find the beauty of Blairsville in one of the many murals within the town. Take a stroll on the Blairsville Mural Walking Tour with 11 unique murals, including “Greetings from Blairsville,” which displays Blairsville pride in the popular postcard style, “Untitled,” which features bare walls to provide a platform for messages of hope, and other iconic imagery that reflects the town’s history and incredible community.
12. Greene River Trail Murals
Rices Landing
Artists Jim and Linda Winegar showcase the history of the Monongahela River with two murals displayed along the Greene River Trail. One mural celebrates the past, illustrating two Native Americans standing on the banks of the Monongahela and looking on as people paddle by in a canoe. The second celebrates the present with a family riding bicycles along the trail as kayakers enjoy a day on the river. Lace up your sneakers and explore nature and art all in one.
13. The Great Walls of Butler County
Butler
Butler's 18 murals hearken back to simpler days. Each mural on The Great Walls of Butler County mural trail represents the city's people, places, and products that played an important role in the town's history. These old-fashion wall advertisements, created by the nationwide mural artist group, the Walldogs, are part of an easy walking trail taking you past great shops and eateries.
14. Downtown York Mural Walking Tours
York
You’ll find a mural around almost every corner when you visit downtown York. Seek out all 36 along the Murals of York guided walking tour highlighting history and art enthusiasts of all kinds. Or show off your Royal Square Mural experience with a photo op featuring the 13 murals gracing the walls of York’s old buildings. Interested in learning more about street art in general? Cross the Penn Street Art Bridge to discover a safe space for street artists to share their work with the community while raising awareness about the beauty of graffiti. Last but not least, dive into the work of a local legend and view the Murals by Ophelia Chambliss. The mural experience options are endless when you visit York!
15. Cherry Street Mural Corridor
West Reading
Discover the vibrant and growing collection of public art in West Reading. What began as a collection of six murals along one block in the Berks County borough served to forge a partnership between residents, business owners, and local artists. Today, over 45 murals decorate buildings across three blocks to make up the Cherry Street Mural Corridor. The mural corridor, now called Dean's Way, honors the memory of the man with the vision and tenacity to create it. Whether you love art or are simply curious, you won't regret browsing these outstanding West Reading works of art.
16. Murals of Downtown Stroudsburg
Stroudsburg
Explore the boutique shops, wineries, art galleries, and eateries that line downtown Stroudsburg as you enjoy the Murals of Downtown Stroudsburg, which are large, colorful, and prominently displayed on the facades of the surrounding buildings. Painted by local artists, the 15 pieces on the tour act as the community’s love letter to the Poconos Mountains, idolizing all things nature, art, and outdoors. Adding to Stroudsburg's artsy-feel, the seasonal Snowmen of Stroudsburg adorn the downtown from November to February.
17. Homewood ArtWalk
Pittsburgh
The Homewood Artwalk invites residents and visitors alike to explore this quaint neighborhood by way of its vibrant, outdoor murals. The Artwalk currently features 11 murals created by four different artists including The Artwalk Coordinator and Homewood native, Camerin “Camo” Nesbit. His feature pieces include the “Homewood is Home” and “BubbleGum” murals. This is just the start of this project that will continue to grow as murals and artists are added. While discovering The Artwalk, journey through the town’s the history, culture, and hopeful spirit of Homewood.
18. Huntingdon County Arts Council’s Public Art Tour
Huntingdon
Explore downtown Huntingdon through the Huntingdon County Arts Council's public art tour! Beautiful and bright murals can be found on the sides of historic buildings, telling a story of local history and the region's treasures. Some of the must-see murals on this tour are located on the abandoned railroad trestles and pay homage to the former H&BT Railroad.
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