I was on the plane Friday morning heading to New York City when I opened my email to see that the weekly photo challenge was walls. Instantly I knew how I was going to spend my free afternoon in the city. A photo walk.
I did a google search and discovered that New York City has a tremendous wealth of street art along its walls, buildings and store fronts. I love street art and knew that it would be a great way to spend the afternoon exploring some of the back alleys and streets in the heart of Little Italy and NoLlta in search of street art.
I took the subway to Spring Street and got off with a map in hand and a few written notes of where to explore. It was a chilly early spring day yet the sun was shining strong and the city was alive as usual with activity. I could tell it was going to be a great afternoon.
Spring Street subway stop offers my first look at urban wall art.
It continually amazes me how incredibly accessible information is today. All you basically need is a cell phone in hand, and you can find anything you need. With a quick google search I found a super cool article on the Huffington Post called “Here’s Your Definite Map to Exploring Street Art in New York City” and used it as my guide. I was amazed how easy it was to find the art and even more hidden treasures that were not mentioned in the brilliant post.
My first stop was to 190 Bowery street, a place that was mentioned in the article. Along the way, I saw tons of street art along the walls of the city and even street art in the making. I was getting excited about my photo walk!
Street art near Little Italy
The random painted doors
Or entirely painted walls of color
I kept walking along the streets of Little Italy around The Bowery and then down Houston Street and continually passed more fantastic street art.
Famous landmark building loaded with art
I was amazed that so much color, creativity and random art exists within such a large city. And I only scratched the surface. There are many more parts of New York City that have amazing art especially in Brooklyn.
Finally I found one of the places mentioned in the article. “Freeman Alley”, a tiny little alley located at 8 Rivington Street which is quaint and full of character.
Spellbound by the color, it was hard to leave this cool, tiny alley in the middle of great big New York. Freeman Alley even dead ends with a place to get a drink! Â I just love these little hidden treasures that are behind the scenes.
I continued my walk and never stopped seeking out street art. It was my kind of day!
Even closed off places to the public eye such as this awesome find below. I couldn’t get inside to get pictures without the fence but I felt it gave the art an entirely different dimension and feeling.
Behind the wired fence
Then I arrived at Jones and Layfayette and found this amazing gem behind construction walls. Inside, the walls were covered in art.
I wondered who painted this all?
I am so grateful I began blogging as it truly has changed the way I travel and experiences the world. Four years ago, I never would have done a photo walk in search of a subject. But look at all the beauty I discovered!
This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Walls. To view more entries, click here.
I love all of these pics. Art EVERYWHERE is something that makes NYC so unique! Another great spot for seeing street art is coming off of the Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn into Chinatown. The rooftops of the buildings there are full of tags and murals. So many people opt to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (understandably, it’s beautiful!) but the Manhattan Bridge has views that are just as beautiful and there is a lot less foot traffic. Plus, there is street art to see. Anyway, loved your post!
Thanks so much! On the article I read I did read about the art along Brooklyn but didn’t have the time to check it out. Next time for sure!!!! Thanks for the idea!
I LOVE street art, Nicole & search it out wherever I go! I thought you were in NYC for a romantic getaway with your husband?
Yes I am! I got in while he was still meeting with a client as he has been here since Wednesday. 😊
Sounds like you’re making the most of your time there! Keep having fun!
Thanks Lucy! Back to soon but a wonderful time. NYC is an amazing place!
I too love street art & have done a couple of walking tours to find it.
https://mistynites.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/hosier-lane/
https://mistynites.wordpress.com/2015/03/08/artistic-license/
Wonderful! Will check it out now! 🙂
I love the mosaic work in the station. A few of the older stations in Sydney, such as Museum and St James, have a similar vintage feel with their old-style tiled signs and pillars.
Thanks! I do too. The station was so dirty yet the mosaics were amazing. 🙂
Street art is interesting to find and shoot. Good ones.
Thanks so much!
You did a super excellent job and your photos were awesome. I can relate about the blogging comment, but add that it’s been the photo challenges which have made me look at everything with a different eye. I am therefore happy you started blogging as well 😀 Here’s my take on the challenge with photos from a trip to Haiti – enjoy! https://galeweithers.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/wordpress-photo-challenge-wall/
Thank you so much! I just got back from Haiti myself a month ago! I will check out your post!
Fabulous images for the challenge, Nicole. You really keep your eyes wide open. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia! I had a lot of fun walking the city in search of these pieces of art! I sure love NYC. Amazing place.
Terrific photos and post, Nicole. How wonderful to have technology to help us find these places — as you did here. Some of the street art have so much energy to it and evoked feelings, maybe similar to like seeing Jackson Pollack paintings.
Thanks so much Lola Jane! I loved all the amazing art and NYC is amazing place. We went to the Metro Museum of Modern Art and I saw a few Pollack paintings which were very impressive. What a great city! And the food!!! Loved all the diversity too. People from everywhere, every shape, color and size. So fun!
Beautiful photos!
Thank you! I had so much fun taking them and did it all with my iPhone!
A fantastic collection street art Nicole! Enjoy your getaway? 🙂
Thanks Madhu!
What a great day you had Nicole. Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂
Of course!!!
Amazing street art photos in New York. Only an afternoon walking in the city and so many art works you got to see. I love the wall with the hearts all over it. And fenced-up street art was interesting to see. Here in Melbourne, we have a lot of street art in the city, but nothing fenced up like that. I hope to go to New York someday and see it for myself. Great photos, great work 🙂
Thank you so much! I went to Melbourne about 14 years ago and feel in love with the city. I felt like I really belonged there. Such a great place!
Fabulous diversity in all of the photos. They tried to eliminate Graffitii – Street Art – but as they would paint over a mural a few blocks away some others were creating new ones. I guess now it’s just part of the character of the ghettos of NYC. : )
Thank you so much! I loved the street art. It always fascinates me.