Strike a Pose at Seattle’s Most Instagrammable Murals
by Betty Rose Cortes
There are tons of great wall murals and Instagrammable spots in Seattle—Pike Place Market’s Gum Wall and Post Alley probably top the list. But if you’re on the hunt for lesser-known wall murals in Seattle, check out our picks. You won’t find crowds here, but you will find other fun things to do with the kids near these street art hot spots. Here’s where to find your next frame-worthy photo op.
Stay Fresh on Pike
Betty Rose
Off of Pike Street Press Letterpress Print + Design is a hip wall mural full of words describing Seattle. You can spot it from the Seattle Aquarium as you look towards the city. Find the stairs to the right heading up to Pike Place Market. If you've got a larger group to shoot, this is a great spot to hit—there's plenty of room to spread out.
Originally called the Sun Mural, this bright wall art installation was updated to include the Ballard Bridge, mid-span over the ship canal. Find it on the corner of Shilshole and 17th Avenue, on the south end of Ballard Avenue N.E. Our suggestion? Map to the Canvas Supply Co. or Hemispheres in Ballard, then can drive to the back of the building where you'll find this smile-inducing mural in the parking lot.
On the Eastside in Bellevue families can find an oversized wall of the largest flowers in the area. It's on the side of the Doxa building. Down the block you'll find the Bellevue Arts Museum and plenty of great places to grab a bite or a cup of coffee to make it a day. This mural is located in a church parking lot, so expect weekends to be full and busy.
620 106th Ave. N.E. Bellevue, WA 98004
Neon '80s Vibe
Betty Rose
In south Seattle, kids will love this wall off the plaza that brings out the colors and graphics of (arguably the best decade) the '80s! Find this wall on the right side of the community church, just off the backstreet. A few doors down is Lucky Donuts, and on the next block over, you'll find the Town Square and local library. Aim to visit on Thursdays when the Farmer's Market pops up there.
152 S.W. 152nd St. Burien, WA 98166
Every Day I'm Trufflin'
Betty Rose
While this might not be a traditional wall mural, it's definitely worth a mention because it's literally a wall of chocolate. These Truffles light up the Seattle Chocolate Factory, and there a few other Instagrammable moments in the shop, too (hint: the Forever Ferns Wall is a dream). Have your pick of chocolates and book a tour of the factory before you go. It's definitely a great way to spend an afternoon with the kids for a treat.
1180 Andover Park W. Seattle, WA 98188
Wall of Honor
Betty Rose
In Seattle's Central District just down the way from Historic Washington Hall are two large walls of murals representing work by local artists that showcase the cultural and social diversity of the city. Kids will enjoy the vivid and colorful animals and the community garden down the street.
If you're looking for a full alley of street art, head to Burien, between 152nd Street and 153rd Street. It showcases graffiti art that tells a story. A serious plus about visiting this alley? 152nd Street is lined with restaurants, and 153rd Street is lined with international grocery stores. Your kids can enjoy some European treats, Hispanic foods and Islander snacks after the photo shoot. To get there, map to Bakery Nouveau, grab a treat, then find the alley.
425 S.W. 153rd St. Burien, WA
Insider tip: Looking for more Insta-worthy walls around town or other interesting Seattle spots for photo ops? Check out the Seattle Blog Salon, where local bloggers and influencers have mapped out more places to go. The map was created by Hayley Howells and can be updated with your photo and instagrammable location anytime of the year—just fill out the form.