The year 2020 will go down as The Year of the Walk. So. Many Walks. Stretching your legs while social distancing in the woods is nice, but as the days get a little less sunny we’re craving bold colors. Murals, graffiti art, street art or public art; no matter what you call these oversized art installations, public paintings brighten Washington, DC. Scroll down for some of our favorite color-filled walking tours of murals in the DMV.
The Perfect Backdrop
This hidden gem of a playground has vibrant, playful colors usually reserved for the best indoor playgrounds & indoor play spaces. Westminster Playground is not only one of the best kept secrets in DC, it is also home to one of the most colorful murals in the city, Community.
911 Westminster St NW
Shaw
Online: wnadc.org/playground/mural
Go Bold on This Walk
One of DC's newest hotels, Viceroy DC, features one of DC's most massive murals, created by No Kings Collective's Brandon Hill. Meant to evoke the storied history of Logan Circle, bold patterns create a visually stunning work of abstract art. Viceroy DC is a great starting point for the Black Lives Matter murals on 14th street and just steps away from the Ruth Bader Ginsburg mural on 15th & U St.
1430 Rhode Island Ave NW
Logan Circle
Online: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/washington-dc/art
Street artist Dieglo created this visually stunning masterpiece on the front of Miss Pixie's on 14th street. You'll find a number of murals dedicated to the BLM movement just steps from this work of art. Want to take a quick shopping break? You'll need to make an appointment if you want to peruse Miss Pixie's latest inventory.
1626 14TH St. NW
Logan Circle
Online: misspixies.com
This is How We Live
Take a walk & a history tour! Garin Baker mural that was painted on Elm St. in 2008 by Garin Baker is a local landmark in LeDroit Park, one of DC's oldest neighborhoods. This is How We Live marks the starting point for the LeDroit Park-Bloomington Heritage Trail, an educational tour of the places and people of historical significance. Across the street, you'll find The Park at LeDroit, which features an expansive, can't-miss playground and a community garden.
Elm St.
LeDroit Park
Online: loc.gov
We All Roar for This Dinosaur
Head to Yang's Market for grilled cheese & Jamaican patties and enjoy a quick visit with one of DC's most vibrant murals, the hungry dinosaur, painted on the side of this historic grocery store. It's a great place to snap an Insta-worthy pic with your very own T-rex as you 'nosh on a gooey sandwich. Looking for more fun, bright & colorful murals? Check out this guide here.
Yang's Market
138 U St. NE
Eckington
Online:yangmarketdc.com
I Spy From a Train
Hop on the Red Line for an afternoon on DC's metro and you'll spy this massive collaboration, Edgewood to the Edge of the World near the Rhode Island Ave.-Brentwood Metro stop. It's DC's largest mural, towering over 2 stories tall and stretching 275 ft. long. Want to get a closer look? Head to the Rhode Island Ave. Shopping Center; you'll find this street art behind the former Big Lots building. Want more? DC Mural, a public works program that managed this project and others like it, has an easy-to-use mural locator.
680 Rhode Island Ave. NE
Rhode Island Ave.-Brentwood
Online: dcmurals.org
Love is All You Need
We could all use more love & good vibes these days, which is probably why Lisa Marie Thalhamme's Love mural is a popular spot for those snapping selfies in the city. Tucked away in Blagden Alley, each steel rolling door provides the perfect backdrop for a cheery photo. Don't forget to grab dim sum to-go from Tiger's Fork next door.
Blagden Alley NW
Shaw
Online: lisamariestudio.com
—Meghan Yudes Meyers
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