Best Murals in Buffalo NY: A Complete Listing By Neighborhood

Buffalo is a vibrant place that’s continually reinventing itself, so it comes as no surprise that there are some artsy and clever creatives in the city. There are stunning works of public art and colorful murals in Buffalo, NY that showcase the city’s history and beautify its neighborhoods. Discovering the murals of Buffalo is one of my favorite things to do as there are always new ones popping up.

I love finding the best street art when I travel all over the world. Street art often takes boring, plain, or ugly spaces and transforms them into beautiful art that’s available for everyone to enjoy. I have highlighted the best street art in Toronto, Quebec City, Miami, Stavanger (Norway) and others; and there are so many wonderful works in Buffalo, too.

This city has some of the most vibrant and brilliant public art that I’ve ever witnessed. If you find yourself in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York, be sure to check out the various forms of public art, including wall murals and sculptures outside the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo. Here’s where to find street art in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York (yes, I’ve added nearby Niagara Falls as a bonus!).

Best Murals in Buffalo NY: Downtown

Go for a wander in city’s downtown core to see some of the best murals in Buffalo, NY. There are several bright and colorful murals that take up entire walls or even entire city blocks. Don’t miss this captivating street art that I know you’ll love.

Greetings from Buffalo

This is one of the brightest and most welcoming murals in Buffalo, painted by artist/graphic designer Casey Milbrand. It’s designed to look like a giant postcard and emphasizes the friendly vibes of Buffalo local residents. This particular work of street art in Buffalo is spreading cheer about a city that’s revitalized and coming into its own.

Noodle in the Northern Lights

Noodle in the Northern Lights is a massive mural in Buffalo that spans an entire city block. Painted by Baltimore artists, Jessie and Katey, various playful geometric shapes and patterns cover the entire side of Shea’s 710 Theatre. This one is perfect for Instagram!

There are so many opportunities to snap fun pics outside of this mural, so get out there and explore. Noodle in the Northern Lights is on Tupper Avenue between Main and Pearl Streets.

Wildflowers for Buffalo

Wildflowers for Buffalo is one of the largest murals in Western New York. It’s certainly one of the most stunning murals I’ve ever seen! American artist, Louise Jones, evokes imagery that relates directly to the original use of the building as an early 20th century hat manufacturer.

You’ll see wildflowers and hat pins sprawling across the entire building. It’s at 465 Washington Street, and this is some street art in Buffalo that you absolutely must see in person.

Typewriter

This was a rare one for me – I actually got to see this street art as a work in progress! The artist was painting it during my trip to Buffalo. You’ll be able to spot this one on the side of the Western New York Book Arts Center, naturally with more colors than you’ll see in the photo above as it’s now complete.

Diver and Sea Creatures Mural

At the rear of Main Street Studios, you’ll find a mural from 2012 called “Diver and Sea Creatures”. It’s an earlier work in the city painted by artist Chuck Tingley. You’ll find Tingley’s works scattered all over Buffalo and Western New York. He tends to paint in a more realistic style by comparison to other artists.

Freestyle Faces of Main Street

The Freestyle Faces of Main Street mural was created in 2012 as a collaboration between three artists: OGRE (Matthew Groat), Chuck Tingley and Max Collins. It’s on the same building as the mural above, “Diver and Sea Creatures”, on a side wall of Main Street Studios.

This sprawling work of art has stood the test of time, although some of the original work of public art has faded or peeled away. That’s the charm of street art: it’s never permanent and always changing. This work was a collaboration between three artists with vastly different styles. OGRE’s art is cartoonish, Tingley’s art is more realistic, and Collins added wheat-pasted photography of neighborhood characters.

Buffalo Roam

Buffalo’s Theatre District is home to several murals. Simply go for a walk down Main Street and you’ll surely stumble upon these ones. While some are peeling and a bit worse for wear, they’re still quite charming.

Buffalo Roam is exactly what it sounds like: a collection of colorful buffalo running wild and free. You’ll catch this one on the side of a building adjacent to a parking lot. “Shooting Stars” is another mural on 678 Main Street that you can also see (not pictured).

Top Hat

I’ve seen this one called “Top Hat” and “Entertainment” mural on various online platforms, so I’m not quite sure if it actually has a title or not. Painted by “A. Falk”, it portrays a baton twirling, top hat wearing dancer as an emblem of the Theatre District. You’ll find it just above Shea’s 710 Theatre.

McClelland Small Animal Hospital Public Art

Animal lovers, you’ll need to stop by the McClelland Small Animal Hospital to see a really cute work of public art. There are colorful and cheerful faces of dogs and cats across this section of the building.

Big Ditch Brewing Company

Beer lovers, you’ll adore this one. There’s a mural splashed across the side of the Big Ditch Brewing Company building. Take a break from viewing the best murals in Buffalo with a refreshing pint of locally brewed beer.

When you go inside, you’ll notice that there’s another bonus mural on an inner wall. Check two Buffalo murals off your list at Big Ditch Brewing Company.

Colored Musicians Club

The Colored Musicians Club and Jazz Museum is the only remaining and longest continually operating Black-owned music venue in the United States. There’s a massive renovation underway right now at this music club and museum. Don’t miss the mural outside the front of the museum featuring prominent Black musicians that have performed at this venue over the years.

Best Murals in Buffalo: More Downtown Street Art

Naturally, even more beautiful works of public art and street art have popped up since my last visit. Here are even more murals in Buffalo’s downtown core to find, and make sure you snap a photo or two.

• Walking Back Time (5 Huron Street)
• Hard Work Works Hard (268 Main Street)
• Misuta Chow’s (521 Main Street)
• Optichromie (Back wall of 681 Main Street)
• Keep Buffalo A Secret (812 Main Street)
• Go! (95 Perry Street)
• Buffalo Proper Mural (333 Franklin Street)
• Two Waterfronts (100 Washington Street)
• Starlight Studio (340 Delaware Avenue)
• Central Registration Center (33 Ash Street)
• From Niagara Falls to Buffalo (73 Cherry Street)
• Lucky Day Whiskey Bar (320 Pearl Street)

Best Murals in Buffalo: Elmwood Village

Elmwood Village is a hip neighborhood in Buffalo, so it’s not surprising that you can find some of the best murals in Buffalo here. Admittedly, I need to uncover many of the murals in Elmwood Village, but here’s a brief guide should you decide to explore here.

Tesla at Forty Thieves

This colorful mural atop the Forty Thieves restaurant building features Nikola Tesla, the inventor and electrical engineer who brought electricity to Buffalo. It was created by Rory Allen, in partnership with Feroleto and the Elmwood Village Association.

Here are some more murals to discover as you walk down Elmwood Avenue and around the neighborhood:

• Don’t Worry Bee Happy (1086 Elmwood Avenue)
• Welcome to Elmwood Village (1055 Elmwood Avenue)
• Feast (938 Elmwood Avenue)
• Garden Walk (831 Elmwood Avenue)
• ABC’s (793 Elmwood Avenue)
• Yellow Dog (735 Elmwood Avenue)
• Lip Service (712 Elmwood Avenue)
• Elmwood Pet Supplies (706 Elmwood Avenue)
• Heart 716 (545 Elmwood Avenue)
• Butterfly (463 Elmwood Avenue)
• Untitled (300 Elmwood Avenue)

Best Murals in Buffalo: East Side

Here are even more murals to admire on Buffalo’s east side. While there are quite a few works of street art here, most notably is the Freedom Wall. I’ll also list some other ones to see while you’re around the east side.

Freedom Wall

The Freedom Wall wraps around a city block and was designed by John Baker, Julia Bottoms-Douglas, Chuck Tingley, and Edreys Wajed. The wall depicts 28 notable and important civil rights figures in the USA.

Before it was painted, it was a barren, concrete wall surrounding the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s bus maintenance depot. Now, it’s a colorful wall showcasing important African American leaders throughout history, along with plaques beside their portraits with more details.

You’ll find the wall at East Ferry Street & Michigan Avenue, Buffalo. Here are some more murals in Buffalo’s east side:

• Welcome Wall (751 Fillmore Avenue)
• Work and Play (617 Fillmore Avenue)
• Kaisertown (Clinton and Weiss Streets)
• Out of the old comes something new… (490 Broadway)
• Our Colors Make Us Beautiful (1131 Broadway)
• Dance Everyday (537 E Delavan Ave)
• Hervé Tullet: Shape and Color (714 Northland Ave)
• Dream Keepers (1221 Main Street)
• Metamorphosis #5 (1665 Main Street)
• Green Kaleidoscope (2303 Main Street)

Hertel Avenue

Known as “Hertel Walls”, Hertel Avenue is a hot spot for murals in Buffalo. Walk up and down Hertel Avenue to witness so many vibrant works of street art, splashed against the walls or covering full sides of buildings. In addition, Hertel Alley has numerous murals to discover.

Buffalo Map

The Buffalo Map mural was designed by Mario Zucca who has created a series of intricately designed city maps. It was printed on vinyl and stuck to the side of 1297 Hertel Avenue so those walking past can gaze up at all of Buffalo’s landmarks and characteristics.

Magic Buffalo

The Magic Buffalo mural is painted by artist Bunnie Reiss, and it wraps around the Joe’s Deli building on Hertel Avenue. This beautiful work of street art in Buffalo evokes imagery from the artist’s Polish and Russian heritage, such as folk art and fairy tales.

She feels that public art “encourages people to interact and gather and help people slow down their busy lives.” I fully agree! Be sure to walk around the opposite side of the building to view the spectacular artwork of the buffalo. You’ll find this one on 1322 Hertel Ave.

Lookin’ Good

The Lookin Good mural is a brand new installation by the same artist who painted the Greetings From Buffalo mural, Casey Milbrand. It’s another work of street art in Buffalo that sends good vibes and feelings with its message and rainbow colours. You can check it out at 1472 Hertel Avenue.

Third Street Art Alley (Niagara Falls, NY)

So, this one isn’t in Buffalo. It’s down the road in Niagara Falls, New York. This alley of street art isn’t too far away, so you should drive down and catch a glimpse. Third Street Art Alley in Niagara Falls, NY features 19 murals down a formerly vacant area blocked by a wall.

The city removed the wall, built a pedestrian walkway, and artists brightened up the neighborhood with spectacular public art. The functional purpose of the alley is to connect pedestrians to parking along Fourth Street.

However, the main goal was to create pleasing murals for everyone to enjoy. Take a stroll down Art Alley to admire these pieces, including a mural welcoming you to Niagara Falls!

Apart from the murals, Third Street is a very colorful place. There’s a rainbow piano in front of Third Street Art Alley, a rainbow cross walk, and even a rainbow fire hydrant.

More Things to Do in Western New York

There are so many fun things to do in Western New York. We visit all the time as we live only a short distance away in the Toronto area. These spots make a really excellent day trip from Toronto, day trip from Buffalo or road trip from elsewhere in the USA and Canada.

• Best Things to Do in East Aurora, NY
• Things to Do in Williamsville, NY
• Fun Things to Do in Buffalo, NY
• Vegan Guide to Buffalo, NY
• Where to Find Street Art in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY
• InnBuffalo Off Elmwood: Our Full Review
• Best Breweries in Buffalo
• Eternal Flame Falls in Orchard Park
• Griffis Sculpture Park: One of the Largest Sculpture Parks in the USA

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