new york street art walking tour

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New York Graffiti and Street Art Tours

This post reviews and compares the various New York and Brooklyn street art and graffiti tours and workshops, including our own pay-what-you-wish tours.

• Brooklyn Tours
• Manhattan Tours
• Workshops + Lessons
• 11 Places to See Street Art in NYC
• Other Brooklyn Tours
• Other NYC Tours

BROOKLYN GRAFFITI AND STREET ART TOURS

We are proud to present our well-reviewed tour of Bushwick Graffiti (see the video above).

Additionally, there are a few other companies offering similar tours, so if our schedule doesn't work for you, there are a few options that have upfront costs.

Our tours are listed in the calendar as well. The tour name is followed by (FREE TOURS BY FOOT).

Bushwick is a working-class district on the north side of Brooklyn adjacent to Williamsburg has been attracting artists for some time now.

The neighborhood has a fair collection of art studios and galleries, but it is Bushwick's industrial landscape that attracts street artists.

Free Tours by Foot

Join Free Tours by Foot in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and discover some of the best New York graffiti and street art on some of the world's best and most interesting urban canvasses.

We'll explain to you the background and history of the art of many famous and not-so-famous artists.

Obtain a better appreciation and critical eye for what is an ever-changing form of expression, all the while exploring a part of New York only now emerging on visitors' itineraries.

We are among the very best in NYC.

Read our reviews on TripAdvisor and search for street art or graffiti to see for yourself.

Artists whose works we may encounter on the Brooklyn Graffiti and Street Art Tour:

• Buff Monster , known for his use of the color pink
• Skewville, famous, among other things, for re-inventing the sneakers over the telephone wire
• Beau Stanton
• Billy Mode & Chris Stain - famous members of the Bushwick Collective
• ColWallnuts
• and many many other artists.

Some of the sites in Bushwick we will see on the tour:

• Roberta’s Pizza
• Maria Hernandez Park
• The Bushwick Collective
• Vintage shopping hot-spots
• Great places for refreshments
• Check out our self-guided Bushwick Brooklyn tour .

Tour information

Reservations:  REQUIRED.  Click here to reserve . For groups of 6 or more, please visit our  groups' page  before booking.

Duration:  Approximately 2 hours. Tour distance is approximately 1.5 miles (2 km)

When:  @2pm Tuesdays and @9:45am Thursdays through Mondays.  View Our Full Calendar .

Where:  Tour meets on the corner of Bogart & Seigel Streets, in front of Brooklyn's Natural & Swallow Cafe, 49 Bogart St, Brooklyn, NY 11206 by the Morgan Street Subway Station. ( map )

Cost:  The New York Graffiti and Street Art Tour is free to take, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done. A  name-your-own-price tour  is a tour for anyone's budget.

TIP:  If you do have a budget or just like to save money on attractions, see if buying one of the many  tourist concession passes  is right for you.

We also offer  street art and graffiti tours in London .

Disclosure:  While we think you should take our free tour above, we understand this might work for everyone, so here are a few other companies. While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

Graff Tours - Brooklyn

Graff Tours offer a variety of graffiti tours of the NYC area that are great for singles and groups.

Like our Bushwick Brooklyn Street Art Tour, this outfit's tour is a 2-hour excursion through one of New York City’s largest outdoor street art galleries.

You’ll learn the history of founder and curator of the collective, Joe Ficalora and explore the Bushwick Collective featuring art from some of the best graffiti artists on the planet like Chor Boogie, Li-Hill, Don Rimx, and more.

This tour is offered both as a public tour or you can book a private tour.

Public Tour

• $25 Adult | $20 Children, Students, or Seniors
• Daily at 1 pm.
• Graffiti Workshops   Sundays-Fridays at 3 pm. Saturdays at 4 pm. (additional cost)
• More information or to book online .

Private Tour

• From 1 to 5 people $150
• From 6 to 9 people $250
• Check their schedule for times .
• Click here for information and to book a private tour

Note that Graff Tours also offers a street art tour in Manhattan as well as graffiti workshops .

Brooklyn Unplugged

A self-proclaimed boutique sightseeing tour company, Brooklyn Unplugged plays host to a variety of tours throughout the New York area.

In addition to all their other outings, they also offer a Brooklyn street art tour!

• $32 Adult | $20 Child (ages 15 and under)
• Daily at 10:30 am. (Note that prior to May 10, 2018, start time vary depending on the day, with options of 10:30 am, 11 am, 3 pm)
• More information and to book .

TIP: This tour is included for free if you have one of these tourist concession passes: the New York Pass, the Sightseeing Pass, and Go City New York Card.

Tourist passes can save you significant money on tours and attractions. Read our post comparing the various different tourist passes available to you in NYC.

MANHATTAN GRAFFITI AND STREET ART TOURS

Most of the companies listed above also offer street art and graffiti tours in Manhattan, mostly in Lower Manhattan.

We offer a morning tour of Lower Manhattan, mostly in the Lower East Side.

Join us for a Manhattan Street Art and Pop Culture Tour and experience the Lower East Side (LES) - SoHo, NoHo, Nolita, and Little Italy.

The Lower East Side of Manhattan is a playground for street artists, SoHo is known to be one of NYC first permit Joint Live-Work Quarters for artists and the area received landmark designation in 1973.

NoHo and Nolita’s street art is either hidden in courtyards or on the more prominent street art facades. Learn about the history of the art of many famous and unknown artist.

Some of the sites we may encounter:

• Spring Street
• Lombardi's Pizza - the first pizzeria to open in the United States over 100 years ago!
• Taim - rated Best Falafel in NYC
• MoMA Design Store
• Germania Bank Building
• Liz Christie Garden
• Freeman Alley
• Mulberry Street

Some of the Artists’ work we may encounter:

• Shepard Fairey
• Ron English
• Triston Eaton
• PyramidOracle
• Team Supreme Team Lowbrow
• and other local and international artists.

Reservations:  REQUIRED.  Click here to reserve .

Duration:  Approximately 2 hours. Tour distance is approximately 1.5 miles (2k)

When:  @2pm Fridays. View Our Full Calendar

Where:  In front of the REI store on the corner of E. Houston and Lafayette. ( map ). The tour ends at 109 Mulberry Street near Canal Street ( map ).

Cost:  The Manhattan Street Art Tour is free to book, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done. A  name-your-own-price tour  is a tour for anyone's budget.

Inside Out Tours

Inside Out Tours offer a variety of award-winning tours throughout New York City that are available in both English and Spanish.

The Alternative New York Street Art Tour pays a 3-hour homage to the Lower East Side’s expressive graffiti art scene.

You’ll learn the history of this area and how its immigrant beginnings have impacted the graffiti scene that is rapidly shifting.

This tour is designed to be an immersive, educative experience that will leave participants with a new perspective of non-curated public expression.

• $35 Adult | $28 Child (ages 5-11)
• Thursdays at 10 am
• More information or to book .

GRAFFITI AND STREET ART WORKSHOPS

This hour-long, immersive experience offers participants a unique opportunity to receive lessons from a working graffiti artist.

Your street art teacher will provide general art guidance and techniques of aerosol art which you will then implement on your own canvas creation.

NOTE: Free Tours by Foot does not offer or run these workshops as either a public or private option. Please click on the links below.

There is no prior experience required and users will be provided with the tools they need at the workshop.

This workshop is offered 7 days a week in either private or group lessons.

There is an optional add-on for this workshop which combines the graffiti lesson with Graff Tours Bushwick Brooklyn Street Art Tour.

Reviews of Graffiti Workshops

There are limited reviews made available for this graffiti workshop.

A few users of the TripAdvisor community give it an excellent rating, citing the lesson as a fun activity that allowed participants to leave with a worthwhile souvenir.

*The following prices are for the graffiti workshop only and do not include a tour*

Brooklyn Group Workshop

• $40 per person 
• Daily at 3 pm and 6 pm

Private Workshops in either Brooklyn or Manhattan

• More information and to book Brooklyn .
• More information and to book Manhattan .

RELATED POSTS:

We also offer street art and graffiti tours in London .

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About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

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Saddleshoe Tours, one of Time Out 's recommended street art tours

Street art tours: See graffiti on these New York walking tours

Join a tour guide to explore the best street art and graffiti in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and learn about the craft itself.

Take one of these five walking tours to explore graffiti and street art in neighborhoods like the Lower East Side , Chelsea and Williamsburg . Options range from affordable two-hour walks to private, customized tours that include stops in galleries and bars.

RECOMMENDED: Street art and graffiti guide 5 Pointz NYC Graffiti Tour Explore this warehouse turned renowned graffiti attraction with founder and curator Meres One as he pulls back the curtains on colorful murals by international artists from Brazil to Japan. Meres points out a stunning Pointillistic spray-painted portrait of a young kid wearing a hoodie by Australian artist James Cochran and the familiar face of murdered rapper the Notorious B.I.G. by New Zealand artist OD. This behind-the-scenes tour includes a spray-painting demonstration, in which Meres creates a detailed mural in less than ten minutes, and a visit to the roof to view the juxtaposition of colorful graffiti against the concrete Manhattan skyline. 45-46 Davis St at Jackson Ave, Long Island City, Queens ( sidetour.com ). Next tour May 5 2–2:30pm; $35. Advance purchase required. Graff Tours Discover the graffiti work of well-known artists on the Lower East Side and in the Village with this two-and-a-half-year-old company that also offers tours in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Highlights include a four-story-tall stencil mural of a tattooed woman in a whimsical forest by Mike Owen, stencil work by Shepard Fairey (best known for his Obama “Hope” poster) and a mural featuring Popeye by John Matos (Crash One) on the Bowery Graffiti Wall, one of New York’s most famous downtown spots. The company provides similar tours in Williamsburg and Bushwick, and 90-minute graffiti workshops in Brooklyn, where you spray-paint on a wall with the guidance of local artists ($45). Meet at Bleecker St and Bowery ( grafftours.com ). Sun 1—2:30pm; $25. Reservations required. Levys’ Unique New York For a customized tour, opt for Levy’s graffiti and gallery tours in Brooklyn and Manhattan. On the Brooklyn tour, expect to see tags, throw-ups, stencils, murals and wheatpastes in neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Bushwick, Dumbo and Bed-Stuy, accompanied by a visit to English Kills Gallery (114 Forrest St at Flushing Ave, Bushwick, Brooklyn; 718-366-7323, englishkillsartgallery.com ) and artisanal chocolate factory Fine + Raw (288 Seigel St at Bogart St, Bushwick, Brooklyn; 718-366-3633, fineandraw.com ) . The guide also discusses the history of gentrification in the area, explaining how cheap rent attracted artists to industrial Williamsburg and Bushwick, which transformed the neighborhoods into creative hotbeds. These private group tours are personalized, so meeting points, times and prices will change accordingly. Two-hour walking tour rates range from $150 for one person to $400 for eight. Visit levysuniqueny.com for details. Saddleshoe Tours View painted murals, mosaic installations, sculptures and art embedded in the pavement on two different walking tours, in Chelsea and on the Lower East Side. Founder and guide Lia Buffa rocks her signature saddle shoes as she points out illegal street art in Chelsea from Michael De Feo, best known for his iconic, large-scale flower images (you’ll see one that’s six-foot-tall on this tour), and on the Lower East Side from Stikman, an unidentified artist who creates little men in different shapes and sizes. The Lower East Side tour also includes a zany cartoon galaxy spray-painted on a roll-down security gate, part of a (legal) 2011 project by Kenny Scharf. Lower East Side to Soho: Meet at Second Ave and 2nd St • Chelsea to Meatpacking District: Meet at Ninth Ave and 14th St • saddleshoetours.com . Weekends, by appointment; group of four $100, each additional person $20. Street Art Walk Join this two-hour jaunt around Bushwick and Williamsburg to see some of the area’s best pieces, such as Belgium artist ROA’s two-story-high wall mural of a giant squirrel, raccoon and fox with their tails wrapped around windows, or the work of French stencilist Christian Guémy, known as C215, who creates portraits of orphans, the homeless and refugees. Guide David Meade, an ex-graffer born and raised in the Bronx, also teaches participants the difference between paste-ups, stencils, murals, stickers and graffiti. Williamsburg tour: Meet at North 7th St between Bedford and Driggs Aves; Sat 2:30–4:30pm • Bushwick tour: Meet at Harrison Pl between Bogart St and Morgan Ave; Sun 2:30—4:30pm • streetartwalk.com . $20. Reservations required, e-mail [email protected] . Private tours available.

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Street Art & Graffiti Tour

User reviews.

• Jamie B. Oct 2022 We absolutely loved this tour! Our guide, Nick, made everything come to life and answered all our questions, we learned a lot and had fun, what a joy this tour was! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Caitlin P. Apr 2022 Really interesting and fun tour on a beautiful day!
• Guarionex R. Nov 2016 Dope, the works were beautiful and Jeff's knowledge of the artists puts each work in the context of the artist's body of work.
• Nicole G. Apr 2017 fun, interesting and awesome to see!
• Annika H. Dec 2021 Great experience, friendly dude, would recommend
• Katherine D. Oct 2022 Wonderful! Very informative and excited to go back!
• Crystal V. Nov 2017 was very informative
• Anthony S. Jun 2017 great tour!!
• Anita O. Jul 2016 good tour
• María M. May 2017 Great
• Pedro J. Apr 2017 Excellent
• Omari V. Oct 2022 I appreciated the tour and the stories about art and the neighborhood
• Brady M. Mar 2022 tour was great
• Ashley N. Nov 2016 wish I knew more of the meanings behind each mural we saw.
• Dayna K. Mar 2023 The tour guide was amazing, super knowledgeable and it was clear he loves the work and the stories. Easy to walk, lots of great photos opportunities. I plan to go again in a few months when much of the art changes.

Getting there

The Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour

30 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn, 11237-2646

Select date and session

No booking fees

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Graffiti and Street Art Walking Tour

A two-hour private tour to appreciate New York City's urban art

This two-hour private tour will allow you to appreciate New York City's urban art.

Led by your guide, you’ll stroll through NYC's top art districts to see impressive graffiti and street art. During the walk, you’ll have an opportunity to take photos and be inspired by the beautiful masterpieces.

As you admire the murals, your guide will offer insights into the Big Apple’s street art scene, allowing you to gain a deeper perspective of the city’s contemporary culture.

What's included

• Private tour
• Guide services

What's Not Included

Accessibility.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Accessible to strollers
• Public transit links nearby

Health & Safety

• Requires a moderate level of physical fitness

Languages spoken by guide

Additional information.

Please wear weather-appropriate clothing.

Bring your ticket with you to the attraction.

Be aware that operators may cancel for unforeseen reasons.

You must be 18 years or older to book.

Operated by Brooklyn Unplugged Tours

Itinerary information

Frequently asked questions, how do i book a ticket.

Select a date and time.

Choose the number of tickets.

Click through to the next page and enter your personal details.

After entering your personal details, select your payment method and enter your payment details.

Once you’ve entered your payment details successfully, you'll be redirected to your ticket page where you can check the status and details of your reservations.

You'll receive a confirmation email once the reservation is confirmed with the attraction operator. This could take some time based on the supplier.

You can view your tickets in your confirmation email or the Booking and Trips section of your account.

When do I pay?

Booking.com collects payment on behalf of the attraction operator when you book your ticket.

How do digital tickets work?

Each digital ticket contains a unique code. This is usually a QR or numerical code, but could be something else and can be found on your ticket or the PDF sent to you.

If your digital ticket contains a barcode or QR code, show it to the staff at the attraction's entrance or ticket collection point for them to scan.

For those with numerical codes, show your ticket to staff for verification.

Can I cancel or modify my tickets?

You’ll need to check the policy on the specific ticket you book. Last-minute bookings might not have free cancellation available.

When will I get my free cancellation refund?

After you cancel, we'll issue a full refund immediately. Depending on your bank or payment provider, it can take 3–10 days to be refunded to your original payment method.

Tickets and prices

TheBetterVacation.com

Everything about tourist attractions

The Bushwick Street Art Walking Tour – tickets, prices, timings, what to expect, exhibits, FAQs

Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood offers a vibrant and compelling insight into New York City’s rich artistic culture. 

Synonymous with music and busy eateries, trendy art, and fashion, Bushwick is the perfect canvas for the creative mind. 

The streets feature admirable artwork by international and local artists, and you can find them all over Bushwick – on the sidewalks, doorways, and even on trash cans!

In addition to street art, Bushwick is home to art galleries showcasing signature work by renowned artists worldwide.

This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Bushwick Street Art tour.

Top Bushwick Street Art Walking Tour Tickets

# Tickets for Bushwick Street Art Walking Tour

Table of contents

What to expect at bushwick street art tour, where to book tickets, how do online tickets work, bushwick street art tour ticket prices, bushwick street art tour tickets, meeting point for bushwick street art tour, bushwick street art tour timings, best time to go on bushwick street art tour, featured exhibitions at bushwick, faqs about the bushwick street art walking tour.

The Bushwick Street Art Tour isn’t merely an excursion; it’s an extraordinary journey through art’s expressive power. 

Each mural and graffiti piece holds a tale, an idea, or a statement waiting to be heard, acting as a window into the minds of the artists.

The tour showcases a plethora of stunning street art, galleries, and art studios. 

Experience the incredible works of legendary street artists like Blek le Rat, whose art has inspired the renowned artist Banksy. 

Marvel at the graffiti portraits by modern-day master Danielle Mastrion and the striking pieces by artists such as Lexi Bella, Fumero, Giz, and Dasic.

Learn about the history and transformation of the neighborhood through the vision of Joe Ficalora, the curator and founder of the Bushwick Collective. 

From colorful murals to thought-provoking installations, there’s something that will catch the eye and stir everyone’s curiosity, regardless of their level of art knowledge.

Back to Top

Tickets for the Bushwick Street Art Tour are available online.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.

Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.

Go to the Bushwick Street Art Tour booking page, select your preferred date and the number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.

After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email.

You don’t need to carry printouts.

Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the gate on the day of your visit and walk into the attraction.

General Admission tickets for the Bushwick Street Art Walking Tour are priced at US$20 for all visitors. 

This 90-minute guided walking tour allows participants to delve into the vibrant world of Bushwick street art. 

You can walk alongside a real graffiti artist who will guide you through the vibrant streets, sharing insights and anecdotes along the way. 

Your artist guide will share the stories behind the art and help you gain a deeper understanding of the techniques, inspirations, and cultural expressions that shape these incredible works.

You can cancel the ticket before 1 pm the previous day of the visit. 

Ticket Prices

General Admission: US$20

The meeting point for the Bushwick Street Art tour will vary depending on the tour option you choose.

It’s important to keep in mind that the meeting location may change.

Visitors should check the booking page before arriving to confirm the exact location.

The Bushwick Street Art tour begins at 1 pm on all days.

Arrive 15 minutes early to soak in the atmosphere and prepare for the tour. 

How long goes the tour take

The Bushwick Street Art guided tour lasts 1.5 hours.

However, you can spend more time if you wish to explore the art pieces after your tour is over.

The best time to go on the Bushwick Street Art tour is on a weekday when it begins at 1 pm.

Weekends and public holidays are the most crowded.

Spring and fall are considered the most popular times to visit Bushwick. 

The Bushwick Street Art tour takes you through the masterpieces of international artists like Blek le Rat, who inspired Banksy, and the modern-day graffiti portrait master Danielle Mastrion. 

You’ll also get to see the captivating works of Lexi Bella, Fumero, Giz, Dasic, and many others. 

This artistic journey truly presents the best street art from around the world.

Here are some questions visitors usually ask before taking the Bushwick Street Art walking tour.

The Bushwick Street Art Tour is a guided walking tour that showcases the vibrant and ever-evolving street art scene in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The tour takes visitors through the streets and alleys of Bushwick to view the incredible murals and graffiti created by some of the world’s most renowned street artists.

Yes, photography is allowed and encouraged during the tour. Visitors are welcome to take photos of the street art and murals they see along the way.

Yes, advance booking is required to secure your spot on the tour. Tickets for the tour are available to be booked online .

Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. The tour takes place rain or shine, so be sure to bring an umbrella or rain jacket if rain is in the forecast.

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

The tour is limited to 10 participants to ensure a personalized experience.

The tour is currently only available in English.

Yes, the tour is suitable for all ages. 

Sources # Newyorkertips.com # Freetoursbyfoot.com # Tripadvisor.com The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

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Datta Sai is a free-spirited wanderer who finds solace in the serene hush of the mountains and is invigorated by the boundless expanse of the oceans. An adventurer at heart, he thrives on the thrill of exploring untouched paths and the profound wisdom each journey imparts. His favorite cities are Cape Town, Vancouver, and Nice.

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A Local’s Free, Self-Guided NYC Street Art Tour

By: Author Girl with the Passport

Posted on Last updated: December 6, 2023

Categories New York City

A Local’s Free, Self Guided NYC Street Art Tour

We all know that New York City street art is some of the most vibrant, dynamic, and exciting urban art in the entire world.

Where is the best street art in New York City so that you can take some of the amazing street art walks?

A valid question since New York City is enormous and wandering around aimlessly will get you absolutely nowhere, unless of course, you’re into doing an impromptu New York City marathon (I’m not if that wasn’t blatantly obvious).

That’s Where this Street Art, New York City guide comes in.

See, I’m one of those locals who is enchanted by street art; an artistic genre that has transformed graffiti, a classic sign of urban decay, into a worldwide movement that has made the beauty of art available to the masses.

I’ll sometimes spend my weekends hunting down some of the coolest street art in the city since graffiti art can be beautifully thought-provoking (and one of the best free things to do in New York City ).

I created this free, street art walking tour of New York City to help you easily see some of the best New York street art in only twenty-four hours.

I practically had kittens when I heard Banksy was back in New York City, so trust me, I do know where some of the best NYC street art spots are.

So Read On:

And find out how to create a free and super easy, self-guided street art tour of New York City .

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my  disclosure  for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

If you’re booking a trip right now then I IMPLORE you to get travel insurance – even if it’s not from me.

After all, this past year has been a wild ride and I don’t want you to lose money because government regulations have changed. 

Truth be told though, I’ve never traveled without travel insurance and don’t think you should either – especially since I think we’ve all had plans drastically change because of the pandemic. 

Therefore, find an insurance agency that covers travel changes related to COVID-19, like my two all-time faves World Nomads and  Safety Wing . You can also read more about which policy is right for you in  my full review here .

1.The Highline

So I’m Guessing:

You’ve probably heard of the Highline in New York City.

If Not Then:

The short version is that it’s an old railway track that was expertly converted into an above ground park that gives you one hell of a view of NYC as you walk through Chelsea.

Pretty Cool Huh?

Minus the times when there are ten thousand people there and you feel like you’re strolling along in a herd of cattle (go during the week or super early to avoid the crowds).

But Besides the Gorgeous Views and the Charming Scenery:

There are amazing pieces of street art that are scattered all along the Highline Walk.

Well, the Friends of the High Line association invited some of the best New York City street artists (and street artists from around the world) to create innovative pieces of street art all along the buildings that line the Highline.

The Best Part?

The art pieces here are forever changing so you’ll always have some new art to discover.

***Take the 7 line to the 34th Street and Hudson Yards station. From here, you can walk downtown along the Highline. Once you hit 24th street, you can stop for breakfast at either Sullivan Street Bakery (try the Bombolini aka an Italian doughnut) or at Johny’s Luncheonette (get the peanut butter and banana pancakes). 

2. The Bowery Mural (76 E Houston Street)

***To get here from the Highline just take the L from the 14th Street/8th Avenue Station and transfer to the 6 at Union Square. From here, get off at the Bleecker Street station and it’s an easy walk to the mural. 

It all started with Keith Haring.

He was the first artist to use this wall as a canvas for his iconic form of art (if you have time, you can also check out his Crack is Whack mural at E. 128th St. along Harlem River Drive. There’s even a park named after this mural. #lifegoals and weeds are for whacking. Get it? Lol).

Now at the time:

His work wasn’t really jazz hand worthy, at least to the public, so other artists quickly destroyed his piece with tags of their own.

He did start a movement towards using this wall to display iconic works of street art, in a rather economically depressed part of the city (Not so much anymore but there are still a ton of homeless people asking for money along the Bowery. They even asked me for a banana! True story).

Art Enthusiasts Liked this Idea So Much:

That, Jeffrey Deitch (a super fancy art curator who is a super big deal and that I had to look up because I had no idea who he was) partnered with Goldman Global Arts (aka the company that owns this wall) to hire world-renowned street artists to paint murals on this now immortal wall.

Bansky actually did some iconic Bansky street art NYC here (see below), so obviously, this spot is a pretty big deal.

if you are looking for some pretty rad street art, then the Bowery Mural is where it’s at since this wall is forever changing and always has some stellar street art on display.

WORD…

Right, I’ll stop pretending to be cool.

***If you have some time, stop by the New Museum on our way to our next street art hotspot (literally right on the way to Freeman’s Alley). Trust me, the New Museum is an amazing place to discover the latest contemporary art and to catch a glimpse of the city from the museum’s top floor. 

***If you want to take a food break, head over to Super Moon Bake House for some great desserts. Everything is amazing but their CROISSANT BUTTER SOFT SERVE is divine. They also make a red, Bi-Color Croissant filled with Raspberry and tarragon jam.

Yum! If you want something a little more savory, head over to Lombardi’s (the earlier the better since it’s usually packed) and get an iconic slice of New York style pizza. 

3. Freeman’s Alley

What I love about Freeman’s Alley is that it is one of the great hidden gems in New York City!

Unless you know it’s here, obvi. 

Tourists will typically walk right by this alley and take no notice of this quirky, Lower East Side New York City street art sanctuary that local street artists have created.

But You’re Reading this Post.

So now you know all about Freeman’s Allery and how to use this self-guided street art tour NYC to fully appreciate the innovative jewels of art that are plastered along this little New York City alley.

Just Walking Through this Tiny Corner of NYC:

You’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty and creativity of one of my favorite street art NYC locations.

Freeman’s Restaurant  is a foodie mecca of sorts and has a quaint, restaurant storefront at the end of this alley.

The front of this restaurant will be major Instagram goals for any traveler in New York City.

But this Restaurant Isn’t Just a Pretty Face.

The food here is some of the best food in New York City.

Between the quinoa bowl (if you’re trying to be moderately healthy) and the pea and goat cheese tortellini (if you don’t give a fig about calories), you’ll probably end up licking your plate clean.

And no, I won’t judge you for it.

Just Make Reservations.

This place gets packed, especially on the weekends.

And while the street art here is nice, it loses it’s appeal when you’re starving after waiting two hours for a table.

Yup, even street art can’t stop a serious case of HANGRY

***If you’re looking for a dining experience that is a bit more casual, check out the Egg Shop . Seriously some of the best egg sandwiches of my life.

Morgenstern’s finest ice cream is also right down the street and serves divine raspberry cheesecake ice cream (add this little gem to your very own NYC foodie tour) , with a great street art mural right across the street. 

4. L.I.S.A. Project (Mulberry Street in Little Italy)

***To get to Mulberry Street, just walk down Chrystie Street and turn right at Broome Street (if you hit Grand Street subway station then you’ve gone too far).

Walk along Broome Street until you hit Mulberry Street. You’ll see a Cha Cha Matcha (a great place to sit, relax, get some Instagram photos, and enjoy a nice cup of Matcha or coffee) on your left as you reach Mulberry Street. 

I love how NYC is now paying artists from around the world to create street art within certain neighborhoods in the city; a spray paint, street art practice NYC that used to be considered vandalism as opposed to any actual form of art.

I support it since these works of art are downright j aw-dropping.

But it cracks me up that the L.I.S.A. project in NYC teams up with the Merchants Association of Little Italy to create street art that adds to the charm and appeal of this lovely neighborhood.

My Personal Favorite?

The Audrey Hepburn portrait that is displayed with a colorfully quirky New York City twist.

But There are a Ton of Other Amazing Street Art Pieces Here Too. 

So relax, stroll through this iconic New York City neighborhood, and see what you can find. Part of the fun is walking down the street and being surprised by what you find next on a mini NYC street art tour of Little Italy.

  So I have been talking a lot about my mom but there are so many women in this world that inspire me to be strong and fierce and follow my dreams. One is Audrey Hepburn. She was so classy and beautiful and overcame so much in her life. So who inspires you and why? Can’t wait to find out and get inspired for Monday. #girlwiththepassport A post shared by Kelly • Solo Travel Blogger (@girlwitthepassport) on Feb 4, 2018 at 7:58pm PST

***DO NOT eat in Little Italy. Except if it’s Da Nico’s which has pretty amazing pizza. Oh, and they send out a free plate of zeppole for dessert so no need to order any sweets. The rest of Little Italy is rather overpriced and devoid of any great food.

***It’s also acceptable to grab a cannoli from Cafe Palermo. Actually, you can also stop by Aunt Jake’s for some amazing pasta. 

5. Centre-Fuge Public Art Project (East 1st Street)

***To get to this next art space, walk back towards Broome street and make a right. Walk until you hit Sara D. Roosevelt Park and make a left onto Chrystie Street. Continue straight ahead until you hit East Houston Street and the park will be across the road and to your right. 

The idea behind this street art collective is simple yet brilliant.

Lower East Side residents Jonathan Neville and Pebbles Russell (any relation to Bam Bam? Sorry, I had to go there) got tired of constantly looking out at gross construction sites.

The noise, the cranes, the rubble…

They all fused together to create one giant eyesore that no one wanted to look at

The Solution?

Transform hideous construction sites into stunning street art exhibits by painting vibrant, artistic masterpieces on the exterior of construction trailers, work trucks, etc.

Talk about going from Drab to Fab.

Started in 2011, this art project has grown in size and scope to become one of the best places to find street art murals in Manhattan.

***Hungry? Can you tell that I think with my stomach? Well, if you actually are hungry, walk down Ludlow Street (which has amazing street art and Instagram spots anyway) and stop by Black Tap . I have heard their burgers are amazing but I always come here for the Birthday cake specialty shake. Yum!

6. First Street Green Art Park (33 East First Street)

I’m not gonna go to in depth with this next spot on our street art walking tour NYC.

Well, it’s literally right on top of the Centre-Fuge Public Art Project so they both kind of meld together to form this giant buffet of ridiculously awesome street art.

What I will Say Is:

When I was here, there was a tremendous amount of politically charged art that didn’t fall into the category of, “pretty street art that you can just rush through after you get your selfie swerve on”.

Take your time strolling through this street art collective.

There are some amazing, gut-wrenching, powerful, and truly thought-provoking street art pieces that deserve your consideration.

So stop, relax, and take in the true meaning of the beauty all around you (think of it as an unofficial street art exhibit NYC)

Not that I’m Some Pro Art Critic Who Understands the True Meaning Behind these Pieces.

Maybe the important thing is that all these pieces can mean different things to different people.

***To get to our final stop in Brooklyn (woot, woot), I would walk four minutes to the second avenue station of the F train. Take this train towards Coney Island and take it three stops to York Street Subway Station. 

7. DUMBO (20 Jay Street, Brooklyn)

DUMBO (aka not the flying elephant):

Is probably one of the best neighborhoods in all of New York City (and a place you can to your Brooklyn street art map)!

Between the cobblestone streets, the delicious Juliana’s Pizza (some of the best pizza in NYC), the delectable NYC coffee from Brooklyn Roasting Company, the ultra-cool shops for hipster wannabes like me, and the iconic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, it’s a miracle that I ever leave at all.

Actually, Wait

I could NEVER afford to live in DUMBO.

So unless I wanna be homeless, I kind of have to leave.

It’s no surprise that this cultural hotspot is also home to some amazing Brooklyn street art spots, all of which lie within a four-block block radius of the BQE.

Now Bare in Mind:

These eight murals were created back in 2013 when various neighborhood improvement groups invited world-famous street artists to beautify the streets of DUMBO.

Many of these pieces, while impressive and meaningful, are somewhat faded and less pronounced than they once were.

So just keep that in mind when you visit because I don’t want you to get all disappointed because these street art murals aren’t as glam as you thought they’d be.

These murals are great street art NYC pieces,  but they are just not as amazing as they once were.

8. World Trade Mural Project

Have you seen the brand-new street art murals at the WTC? Simply awesome They are in the Financial District all around The Oculus Plaza, so be sure to stroll on all those streets (and crossing streets) where the Oculus and 9/11 Memorial Plaza are.

They are bright and highly uplifting, embodying the atmosphere of New York with kind words to the city and the globe.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey collaborated with Silverstein Properties to plan these WTC Murals. They understood that in order to avoid giving off the impression that the area was under construction, vibrant, upbeat energy was required.

Including artwork by artists including Todd Gray, Hektad, BoogieRez, Stickymonger, BoogieRez, and the husband-and-wife collaboration of Chinon Maria and Sebastian Mitre.

Ground Zero served as a perpetual construction site that served as a memorial to the September 11th attacks for locals and tourists alike.

However, if you go to the World Trade Centers’ Oculus, you may view some of our favorite street artists’ creations that were ordered by 2WTC.

Don’t miss these striking walls, which have revived optimism in downtown Manhattan.

As co-curators of the 69th floor of 4WTC, Mar and Izzy, street art tour guides with Free Tours by Foot, are pleased to have advised on the World Trade Mural Street Art Project.

They are the tour guides for Free Trips by Foot’s street art and graffiti tours.

Additionally, you may visit this artwork during Lower Manhattan Tours.

This Concludes This Episode of Girl With the Passport, Street Art NYC Locations Edition

I’m Gonna Try and Be SUPER Honest for a Moment.

Are these all of the absolute best street art locations in New York City?

Nope, not a chance.

Between Coney Island Art Walls, the Big Pun Memorial in the Bronx, the Bushwick Collective.

(There is a whole Bushwick street art map that you can check out), the Freedom Tunnel, Graffiti Hall of Fame in East Harlem, Tuff City in the Bronx, the Welling Court Project in Queens, etc. there are simply too many amazing graffiti street art, NYC locations to see them all in twenty four hours in New York City .

You’d Probably Need a Solid Week to see all those street art locations during some great street art tours in NYC. 

That’s Why:

I intentionally shortened this list of stellar NYC graffiti art locations.

The majority of these iconic street art pieces, like the Audrey Hepburn street art NYC, are located in lower Manhattan and DUMBO since these are the areas in New York City that most visitors frequent.

So embrace your inner NYC abstract art critic and take a street art walk to visit some of the best spots for street art NYC. 

And if you want to pay for a tour, Graff Tours has some great artist led street art tours and workshops.

Graff Tours is based in Brooklyn and will show you some of the best Brooklyn street art locations.

Samara Vaiuso

Tuesday 6th of August 2019

This is an amazing article. I felt like you were having a private conversation with me. You covered all my questions and more! I wish I had read it before I visited yesterday! I’m in love with the Highline and lower Manhattan I will definitely be visiting again soon. I plan to take you up on many of your offerings. You are absolutely one of my people; possibly my soul sister :)

girlwiththepassport

Friday 9th of August 2019

Aww! This makes my heart so happy! I love finding new soul sisters!

Enara Castro

Wednesday 8th of May 2019

Thanks a lot for your guide.I´M from Rio de Janeiro/Brazil,and going to NYC soon. I really enjoy Street Art,and your guide will enhance the fun ! Also, the food tips are great !

Oh so glad to hear that! I hope that you have an amazing time!

michael norton

Wednesday 2nd of January 2019

Thank you for this post! Much love and happy 2019!

Happy new year to you too and thanks for reading!

Zaneta P Baran

Saturday 4th of August 2018

I love street arts! Thank you for sharing, I will use this post when I come to NYC again.

Sunday 5th of August 2018

Oh good! I am so glad to hear it. New York City has some amazing street art.

Natasha Lequepeys

Ohh, love street art, I'll have to hit up all these places and get some interesting street photography. If you haven't visited Toronto yet we've got tons of cool street art there too you'd probably enjoy. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much and yes! I still need to visit Toronto. It's on my ever growing list of amazing cities to visit.

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Brooklyn Street Art Tour

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 1.5 hours
• Clock Times: 1 p.m.

Explore Brooklyn’s Best Street Art in Bushwick

Join us for an unforgettable street art tour of the Graff Tours Mural Project in Bushwick, an up-and-coming neighborhood in northern Brooklyn! Discover over 25 multicolored murals in this ephemeral outdoor museum, where artwork comes and goes on a daily basis. This is a tour of murals that Graff Tours has helped curate and produce over the past 4 years. 

The massive warehouses that line the streets of this neighborhood provide a perfect canvas for this diverse array of vibrant masterpieces, including works by Nick Walker, BK Foxx, Calicho, Jeff Henriquez, Yok and Sheryo, and more. Your tour ticket helps fund the murals which you see on the tour. 

Who better to guide our tours than street artists and curators themselves? Our tour guides have an intimate knowledge of the street art and graffiti world and may even show you some of their own art during the journey! On this educational tour, you gain a fuller understanding of the difference between tagging, graffiti, and street art.

Not only do our knowledgeable tour guides lead you through a diverse array of artwork, but they also describe the backstory behind and techniques used in the creation of these awe-inspiring pieces.

Get an insider look at some of the most talked-about artwork in New York City! Don’t forget to bring your camera along so you can capture these incredible pieces before they’re gone.

Meeting Location: 282 Meserole St. Bushwick Brooklyn 11237

Related Activities

• Can include a Graffiti Workshop
• Clock 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
• Hour Glass 1.5 hours

Brooklyn Private Street Art Tour

Learn from an insider the stories behind the walls and see the best street art in NYC in this artist neighborhood before its too late.

• Clock 3 p.m. , 4:30 p.m
• Hour Glass 1 hour

Brooklyn Graffiti Art Lesson Group Activity

This unique hands-on workshop allows you to create your own graffiti art project with the help of an authentic NYC graffiti artist.

Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in Brooklyn, New York City

This walking tour takes place every day at 10:30am. The length is 2 hours and the cost is $32.

A private tour is $180 for up to 4 people and $10 for each additional person up to 10. Starting time is customizable. Please contact us to arrange it.

We can also provide a Virtual Experience. Please contact us for details.

Graffiti: crime or cultural creation?

Discover an exciting world of graffiti taggers and street artists on this walking tour while viewing some of the most visually incredible murals in New York City and Brooklyn.

Today there is more awareness than ever about the imaginative artists who bring walls, buildings and even entire neighborhoods alive with their vibrant creations. Join this walking tour in Bushwick, Brooklyn to experience fascinating works by these globetrotting innovators. Prepare to view artistic murals large and small while exploring streets pulsating with creative energy. Eyewitness for yourself why the Bushwick district is rapidly becoming a world-renown center of street art, as well as New York City's premiere place of graffiti culture. The murals are concentrated around an exhibition called the Bushwick Collective (NYC's premier place of aerosol culture).

As we walk, expect to be immersed in the culture and lifestyle of today's urban artists, who hail from as far away as Europe, South America and even Asia. Learn about the top contemporary artists, their quirky personalities, and find out just how much people have been willing to pay for their work!

Discover the different styles and forms of the trade - which include murals, wheatpaste posters, tags and stencils. Learn about the techniques and varying nuances between them, and how they have developed and evolved over time.

Join this walking tour in Bushwick, Brooklyn if you desire to learn more about this exploding phenomenon, or if you simply seek to see for yourself the very best murals New York City has to offer!

Here are some of the things we learn about on the tour:

Styles and common types of street art.

Tags are words written in spray paint on a surface of any sort: including walls, storefronts, signs or doors. The words are usually the name of the person who wrote it; or their crew. They are generally just one color, a few inches in size or a couple of feet.

The traditional motivation of a tag is to create exposure for oneself and broadcast the audacity of taking the risk to spray paint in a dangerous, inaccessible or openly public place. For a tag the main audience are other taggers. Larger productions known as "throw-ups" and "pieces" are more stylized and feature multiple colors - although they follow the same premise as tags and are also typically a name.

Murals are generally large and portray an image or scene. They often tell a story or express feelings of the artist. Many of them carry a social or political critique, satire or message. Murals are generally larger than tags but come in all sizes. Today artists are granted permission or even paid to produce murals for public display on businesses and public buildings.

Posters/Paste-ups

Poster art is usually created in private, then brought to a public place and affixed to a surface. It is attached using an adhesive called wheat paste . In addition to paint, poster art can also incorporate multiple layers, cutouts, collages or stickers. The down side to a poster is that it's more susceptible to weather conditions or destruction than spray paint. Therefore it tend to last less long than other graffiti mediums.

Modern street graffiti began in New York City in the early 1970's (although the person who is credited as the world's first graffiti writer was a student in Philadelphia named Cornbread). Young teenagers growing up in impoverished, marginalized communities started "tagging" their names on walls in public places. These 'writers' created alter egos, aliases that often combined a nickname with a number. Often the digits were based on the street the tagger lived on. Early leaders in the tagging world included people with street aliases like Fab5Freddy and Tracy168 . These graffiti pioneers experimented with new styles and began the fad of tagging New York City's subway trains. This historic era of graffiti was when the main widely-accepted customs and slang language developed.

Recognition

While locally in New York graffiti was seen and treated as vandalism, enthusiasts in Europe recognized artistic value in the "tagging" and brought these young writers to their continent to produce and exhibit work. Graffiti was an instant hit in Europe and by the mid 1980's the writers, who in America were looked upon as criminals, were treated as celebrities in countries like Italy and Germany. Over the 1980's there slowly began to be more recognition of graffiti artists in the US too. Some of the legendary pioneers were recruited to paint in music videos and on cable television.

Rise of "Street Art"

By the late 1980's the original historic graffiti era in New York had ended and local writers proceeded to carry on and repeat the traditions and culture of their predecessors . Meanwhile in Europe the urban art movement was just gaining traction. In the 1990's European artists experimented with new styles, which have become referred to as 'post-graffiti' or 'street art.' A French artist known as Blek Le Rat is attributed with introducing the stencil , a form of spray art which grew popular over the next decade. In recent years the stencil has been made famous by notorious British artist Banksy . Another noteworthy artist is Frenchman Space Invader who illegally installs ceramic tiles that portray pixelated old video game characters.

Mainstream Acceptance

By the 2000's, street art was followed around the world and top artists became household names. UK artist Banksy gained reverence and notoriety for his thought provoking images which appear in the unlikeliest of places. His work has subsequently commanded unheralded prices at top art auction houses. The rise of the internet and social media has allowed for fans to follow their favorite artists, and for writers to collaborate across continents, cultures and language barriers.

Controversy

The acceptance of street art into mainstream art circles has created social controversies. In late 2012 a Banksy piece disappeared from a London wall and resurfaced at a luxury art auction in Miami, Florida. Residents of its original London neighborhood expressed protest. They felt strongly that as a work of art it belonged to the community where it was created, and that it should be returned. The auction went ahead nonetheless and the piece was sold to a private collector for 1.1 million dollars!

Bushwick Collective

The murals we view on the tour are concentrated around an urban art exhibition called the Bushwick Collective . The Bushwick Collective was founded in 2012 by Joseph Ficalora - a neighborhood personality and businessperson - to beautify gritty industrial streets with vibrant art. Joe is inspired by his deceased father and mother - and the street art is dedicated to them. The Bushwick Collective brings together artists from around the world, legendary NYC graffiti artists, and local longtime Bushwick talent. In just a few years the Bushwick Collective has become the most famous street art exhibition in New York City, and one of the premier mural districts in the United States.

About Bushwick (neighborhood)

Bushwick is a dense post-industrial neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City. It is currently becoming recognized for a blooming artist and creative scene. Also for new trendy restaurants and nightlife. The scene has blossomed over the last few years as nearby artsy Williamsburg has gotten more expensive. Aside from incoming artists and young professionals, Bushwick's primary population is Puerto Rican, Dominican-American and immigrants from Latin America. Bushwick is nearly 400 years old and was first founded by Dutch (on land taken over from Native Americans who lived there for centuries). In the 1800's the area filled with German immigrants and became a major place of manufacturing and beer brewing. There was also a large Italian and Sicilian immigrant community, before Bushwick's current Spanish-language residents began arriving in the 1970's. Unfortunately the area's gentrification has an ugly side - skyrocketing prices and people being dispossessed from their homes.

How the Tour Works

This is a public tour given every single day (7 days per week) at 10:30am in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It lasts approximately 2 hours and covers approximately 1.5 mile of walking distance.

The tour consists of a guided walk through the neighborhood (mainly by the Bushwick Collective ), and sometimes there is an indoor stop. The tour meets in a central location which is easily accessible by public transit or automobile.

Here is where the tour meets:

30 Wyckoff Avenue

Brooklyn NY 11237

New York City

(Between Starr Street & Troutman Street)

Meeting place is in front of Wyckoff-Starr coffee shop

Private and Group Tours

This tour is also available as a private or group tour. It is available any time.

We can accommodate 1 to 100+ people.

Rates: For individual private groups pricing begins at $180 for 1-4 people. Add $10 for each person up to 10. For 11 or more people is $24 per person.

We offer net rates and tiered pricing for professionals.

More about private and custom tours

PRIVATE: contact us or book your tour

Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour of Brooklyn

• Tours & cruises Outdoors

Booking required

What you'll do.

Venture around the artistically expressive streets found within the vibrant neighborhood of Brooklyn - the open air gallery invites you into the exciting world of talented New York artists.

Take the Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour with The New York Pass®

• Discover the creative and vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick
• View classic elements of New York street art such as 'tagging' and 'bubble letters'.
• Get to know the techniques that real New York artists use when creating murals.

Brooklyn Street Art: A Dynamic Creative Canvas

Step into Brooklyn, New York's bustling center of artistic expression, where the urban landscape transforms into a vibrant open-air gallery. This borough is not just a backdrop, but an active participant in the culture, creativity, and community that is street art. The graffiti in Brooklyn is more than paint on walls - it's a powerful narrative of the city's history, a reflection of its diverse neighborhoods, and a representation of the voices that inhabit them.

Graffiti New York- Telling Urban Stories

Journey down the art-filled streets of New York, where every corner is a testament to the city's artistic heartbeat. Graffiti and street art in Brooklyn are the pulse of the city, an intricate record with striking colors and bold strokes. Each mural, each tag, is a unique piece of this urban narrative. From the large-scale installations that catch the eye from blocks away to the small, intricate stencils tucked away in unseen corners, this is street art at its finest - vivid, provocative, and simply captivating

Graffiti has long been a huge part of New York City's urban culture and that isn't going to change any time soon. On the Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in NYC, you'll be exposed to some of New York's most creative and expressive blocks. New York artists have taken their talents to the streets of Brooklyn and provided an open gallery for you to view - the Bushwick Collective - in the neighborhood of Bushwick. On the tour, you'll be led by a guide who will be able to inform you of your surroundings as well as the history and techniques of the artists on display. Want to see more of Brooklyn? Check out our Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Neighborhood tour. Get access to over 100+ NYC attractions for one price with The New York Pass ®!

Know before you go

This attraction requires advanced booking.

Getting in:  be sure to bring your pass with you to the tour for check-in. Your pass must be valid on the day of the tour. You will receive an email confirmation with the tour’s departure location.

For more information, visit the Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour website.

Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in Brooklyn tickets help

Simply ask our help team if you have any questions.

Where you'll be

30 Wyckoff Avenue, (between Starr Street & Troutman Street), Brooklyn, US

Operating hours

March – December: daily: 10:30am. January & February: Saturday & Sunday: 10:30am.

Tour operates year-round and generally run daily at 10:30am, but times will occasionally vary. Please check the tour website to confirm.

(866) 431-5393

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Free cancellation.

Plans can change, we get it. All non-activated passes are eligible for a refund within 365 days of your purchase date.

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The 27 Best Walking Tours of NYC (Ranked & Sorted)!

Among the most popular ways to experience the Big Apple are guided walking tours, which offer something for everyone. Here I show you the best walking food tours , street art walking tours , the best  Hamilton Musical Walking Tour , Haunted Walking Tours and (of course) the best walking tours through neighborhoods like Soho, Chinatown, the Lower East Side or the Theatre District.

You'll love this:

• Things to Do in NYC
• 30+ New York City Neighborhood Guides

The choice is huge and unfortunately not every tour is really worth the money. All walking tours that made it to our best list are really really good! Many of them we have done ourselves (several times) – which ones we show you here in our personal recommendations .

New are Self Guided Walking Tours , where you can explore the city at your own pace and at any time of day, private walking tours  and last but not least, here is an overview of free walking tours .

Table of Contents

The Best Walking Tours of NYC

01 A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour

The A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour is a combination of sightseeing tour, bus and walking tour. It starts not far from Union Square Park in Manhattan: with your New York guide you drive to Brooklyn to get to know one of the most important neighborhoods like  Sunset Park, DUMBO, Bay Ridge and also Coney Island. 

On this sightseeing tour you will learn where movies like Goodfellas, Once Upon in America or Annie Hall were filmed and you will stop at two of the best pizzerias in Brooklyn. Because pizza and New York simply belong together!

02 Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour

Brooklyn is known for its good pizzas and great coffee. You can go on a journey of discovery through different countries like you can in hardly any other borough. There are many different cultures that have brought their recipes from home to the Big Apple. This Food on Foot tour offers the best of everything: from savory to sweet, from European variations to Mexico and Asia.

03 Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Walking Tour

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and learn about the exciting and dramatic history of this world-famous New York City neighborhood, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. On the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge you will discover DUMBO, a newly popular and up and coming part of Brooklyn. 

Meeting point is 52 Chambers Street in front of the Tweed Courthouse.

04 Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest

Explore the flavors and traditions of  New York’s Chinatown and Little Italy during this exciting food tour. You’ll leave with a full stomach and lots of interesting information about the history and culture of these two neighborhoods.

05 Food on Foot Tours

This is one of the best ways to discover the culinary highlights of NYC! Taking you around the city to explore the best of the best in terms of food, this award winning tour is an excellent way to explore the taste of different areas of NYC.

06 Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in NYC

Immerse yourself in the rich history of New York City with an intriguing Gangsters and Ghosts walking tour. Join your guide for a unique journey into the city’s past, exploring its infamous crimes, notorious gangsters, clandestine deals, and haunted structures. Meander through a variety of downtown neighborhoods, including Little Italy, Chinatown, and the West Village, as you soak up chilling tales of spirits and mobsters. Experience downtown Manhattan’s history on this one-of-a-kind tour, gain insightful knowledge about local history from your guide, and explore several neighborhoods all in one fascinating journey.

07 Hamilton Musical Walking Tour

Did you know that Alexander Hamilton spent most of his life in New York? He is the main character in the musical “Hamilton”, which is one of the most successful shows on Broadway (it won 16 Tony Awards!). This Walking Tour will take you to the most important stages of his life and show you which spots have made an impact on the story. 

Highlights of the Walking Tour include many important historical sites such as Thomas Jefferson’s home, Kings College and Trinity Church. It’s the perfect tour for anyone looking to get in the mood for an evening on Broadway – and for all fans of the musical “Hamilton.”

08 High Line and Chelsea Small Group Tour

This is the most popular walking tour along the High Line, starting in the Meatpacking District at the Whitney Museum, running through Chelsea and ending at Hudson Yards. The High Line is my personal favorite park in NYC and always worth a visit. I find the High Line and Chelsea Small Group Tour really exciting because you get told the history and significance to New York. Your guide will tell you many secrets that the High Line, the Chelsea Market and the Meatpacking District has to offer.

For me personally, this tour is one of the best walking tours in NYC ever, because you see a lot of the old and the new New York City. That’s what makes this district so interesting for me!

09 High Line Park and Greenwich Village Food Tour

This walking tour through Greenwich Village and Chelsea is one of the best food tours New York City has to offer! Because in this part of the city there are many wonderful little food spots that you must discover. 

In addition, you will learn many exciting anecdotes about the High Line, which connects the Hudson Yards with the Meatpacking District. This former elevated railway line was saved from demolition due to an initiative and is now one of the most popular sights in New York. All the more reason to book this awesome walking tour!

10 High Line, Chelsea & Meatpacking Tour

Go on a fun adventure in New York’s only park above street level- the Highline. Experience the Chelsea neighborhood from a whole new vantage point and find out more about the history of the famous Meatpacking District including how it developed into one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the world.

11 New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour

Learn more about the dramatic history of slavery and its connection to the New York subway. Listen to the stories of those New Yorkers who risked their lives and property to help others escape. During this Walking Tour you will gollow the NYC Freedom Trail, and learn how a group of brave men and women forged the network that became the Underground Railroad. View the former city stations that were included on the Underground Railroad, and discover how New Yorkers risked their lives to help people escape slavery.

12 New York: Central Park Movie Sites Walking Tour

On the tour she passes countless locations of TV series and movies: feeds the pigeons like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2, takes pictures in front of the Wollman Rink, as seen in Serendipity, and visits the Boathouse Café, where Harry and Sally have already sat. Also on the tour are locations from comedies such as Date Night – Gangster for a Night, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Gossip Girl, Ghostbusters and more.

13 NYC Lower East Side Food and Culture Small-Group Tour

This is a really unique walking tour in NYC that will introduce you to the wonderful Lower East Side. The Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour shows you the many lovely little delis, Jewish specialties, bakeries and everything that makes up the soul of the city. 

You’ll visit places that are an important part of the community, having operated in the same spot for generations. You’ll get a glimpse of authentic life and become part of the real New York. 

With nearly 500 positive reviews, it’s the most popular walking tour in New York of them all!

14 NYC Lower East Side Walking and Food Tour

The Lower East Side is still an absolute insider tip among the neighborhoods of New York City and a part of Lower Manhattan that I love to visit. There are countless authentic bars and delis, some of which have been family-owned for more than 100 years and are thus an important part of the community.  

The NYC Lower East Side Walking and Food Tour deals exactly with these small spots and stores and is therefore a TOP Thing to do for foodies!

15 NYC Private Walking Tour

If you are traveling as a family or small group and already know exactly what you want to see in New York City, then this private walking tour with Oli is a great option. Here you can let a New York guide show you the best parts of the city and sights from a local’s point of view. You can decide individually which attractions you want to see, because together with Oli you can build your perfect itinerary!

As a bonus, you can even be picked up directly from your hotel, so that the sightseeing program starts directly from your accommodation. And the best part? I personally know Oliver and can only recommend him to you: he loves New York and you will notice that 200% during your tour with him!

16 Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour

The Stage Door tour is great for everyone who is interested in theatre and the entertaining arts. Find out everything about the Rockettes and their history as well as a lot of behind the scenes information about the Radio City Music Hall.

17 Soho, Little Italy & Chinatown Walking Tour

Now known for their many excellent restaurants, shops and tourism, Manhattan’s SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown neighborhoods offer the most varied stories of New York City. Take a 2-hour tour with a local guide and discover hidden gems and 19th century buildings.

18 Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: 4-Hour Guided Tour

Enjoy a guided tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You will have reserved access to the ferry to get to the statue and then you can explore these 2 major attractions with a 4 hour guided tour.

19 Statue of Liberty Pedestal, Ellis Island & Pre-Ferry Tour

A 30-minute English-language guided tour of Battery Park followed by a transfer to the Statue of Liberty with a German audio guide and guaranteed admission to the base of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

20 The Secrets of Grand Central Terminal

The Secrets of Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour not only shows you the most important parts of New York’s famous train station, but focuses on the secrets and special features that only a New York guide would know. Did you know that there is a hidden tennis court in Grand Central Terminal? Or that the painting of the ceiling is mirror-inverted? You will learn much more on this exciting walking tour in NYC!

My Recommendations

I’m a big fan of the

• the 4-Hour Guided Tour of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Walking Tour as well as the
• High Line and Chelsea Small Group Tour , because you can do sightseeing and learn a lot of interesting things from a local guide at the same time.

And then I would like to recommend the

• NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Walking Tour and the
• Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour .

If you want to customize a walking tour to your own preference and schedule, I recommend this private walking tour with Oli, who I also know personally!

The 13 Best Walking Food Tours

Walking Food Tours bring together several things I like: you learn about the food culture and the neighborhoods of NYC through a local guide, and you get to eat delicious food!

Here you can find the best food walking tours of NYC :

NYC Lower East Side Food and Culture Small-Group Tour

Best of brooklyn walking tour, high line park and greenwich village food tour, chinatown and little italy food fest, flatiron food, architecture, and history tour.

The Flatiron Building is one of the most photographed buildings in the city. But there is much more to discover in the direct neighbourhood. Thanks to the organization “Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership” you will be guided through the district every Sunday by a free guide. Meeting point is the southwest corner of Madison Square Park.

NYC Lower East Side Walking and Food Tour

2-hour cupcake tour of greenwich village.

If you’re into sweets and desserts you should try the famous Cupcake Tour. Sample colorful cupcakes at boutique bake shops, and build your own custom cupcake during this 2-hour tour in Greenwich Village. New York clearly has the best cupcakes and this will be the chance to try the best of them.

Greenwich Village Pizza Walk

Pizza and New York simply belong together! Next to the famous Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour, this tour through Greenwich Village and Little Italy is one of the most popular food tours in NYC. Included in the price are 3 slices of pizza from different stores and during the tour you will also learn a lot about these neighborhoods from a New York guide.

A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour

New york west village food tour.

Go on one of the famous Food on Foot Tours. During the 3-hour tour, you will discover many great little restaurants and bakeries. A total of 6 of them are on your program on this walking tour, which is one of the most popular in the West Village. For foodies this tour is a must!

New York: Midtown Manhattan Street Food Walking Tour

Food trucks are very popular with New Yorkers: as a quick snack between meals or as a lunch. The Gourmet Snack Truck Tour takes you either through the Financial District or Midtown. From Korean short ribs to souvlaki, curry, falafel, hot dogs or brownies – you will be surprised!

Williamsburg Brooklyn Food Tasting and Walking Tour

The Williamsburg neighborhood has a lot of bars, restaurants, pubs and delis and for me is one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Brooklyn (one of our favorite BBQ spots called “Die Fette Sau” is located here). A visit to Williamsburg should definitely be on your itinerary because it’s a nice contrast to hectic Manhattan.

On the Williamsburg Brooklyn Food Tasting and Walking Tour, a New York guide will show you the most important corners of the neighborhood and where to get the most authentic and best food. 

The 3 Best Street Art Walking Tours

Street art is an expression of art that is very common and popular in New York. If you keep your eyes open while walking around the city, you will see a lot of them.

Especially Brooklyn with the Bushwick and Williamsburg neighborhoods are known for their variety of graffiti and street art. These street art walking tours will take you to the most important spots – and you will learn a lot about the artists and the context of the motifs.

Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour

Brooklyn is famous for its bold and bright street art, but it’s not easy to know where to find these creative works. With this walking tour of the Bushwick neighborhood, take in the diversity and culture of the neighborhood’s urban street artists. Check out massive murals and intricate designs as you take to the streets to learn how Brooklyn’s best can turn anything with a surface into a stunning work of public art.

Sidewalks and Skyscrapers: Street Art Is This Way

This walking tour shows that there is also street art and graffiti worth seeing in Manhattan. You start your exploration in Soho , and then in two hours learn the stories behind the large and small works of art. Some of the graffiti is an impressive 20 meters high, so always have your cameras ready!

Private Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour

The Bushwick district is probably the most famous part of New York when it comes to street art and graffiti. Here there are many colorful, very elaborately designed and creative murals. You will see the different techniques that the artists have to master and learn a lot about this own culture and art. 

For many artists, this is their main profession and their graffiti just look awesome! For this reason, take a look at this Start Art Walking Tour!

The Best Hamilton Walking Tour NYC

The musical Hamilton on Broadway has broken many records: it has won the most Tony Awards, the visitors are enthusiastic, the story is unique and until today it is not so easy to get tickets for this musical. The reason? It is always fully booked!

Alexander Hamilton was one of the founding fathers of the United States and spent most of his life in New York City. Reason enough to take a closer look at the Hamilton Walking Tours, where you will learn a lot about his life, his works but also a lot about the history of NYC, which is strongly associated with him.

Hamilton Musical Walking Tour

Alexander hamilton's haunts and hangouts tour.

This walking tour is the second tour that deals with the life of Alexander Hamilton. While the first one has a focus on historical sites, here you will learn more about the person himself. From his favorite pub to his grave, everything is included. Nevertheless, the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street are not missing from the program!

The 4 Best Haunted Walking Tours

If you’re looking for Ghost Tours or Haunted Walking Tours, you definitely need to check out these tours (not only during Halloween in NYC !):

01 Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in NYC

02 Ghost Stories: A Mysterious, Macabre Interactive Tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dive into a world of the spectral and spine-chilling with our Ghost Stories adventure, encompassing everything from the eerie to the unnerving, the morbid to the enigmatic, and the phantasmal to the monstrous. This immersive journey at the Metropolitan Museum presents a spine-tingling exploration of all things terrifying. Attendees will traverse through different eras and cultures to explore the myth of the Flying Dutchman, enigmatic funerary masks, captivating still life art, and striking sculptures. 

Knowledge about the works of art from Egypt, America, and Europe, among others, will be imparted, along with tales of supernatural occurrences within the museum itself. Throughout this experience, we’ll delve into how various cultures portray the daunting and the macabre, seeking to understand the essence of our fears and their origins.

When? Fridays: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Important note: Upon your arrival, the guide will provide your tickets (avoiding the need to queue for purchase!), which remain valid for all the exhibitions in the museum after the conclusion of the tour.

03 Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village NYC

Greenwich Village is for me one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of New York and has a lot to offer. But it also has a haunted side in stories, which will be shown to you on this walking tour. This ghost tour through Greenwich Village is full of spooky tales of lost children, phantoms and celebrity ghosts – and not only at Halloween a popular tour. 

Along the way, you’ll learn many interesting anecdotes as you stroll through Washington Square Park, West 10th Street and the campus of New York University. The Greenwich Village Ghost Tour is a real highlight!

04 East Village Haunted Manhattan Walking Tour

On this haunted walking tour you’ll explore one of the oldest neighborhoods in Manhattan: the East Village (and Alphabet City). And at night! There are 13 haunted locations on the list – from historic pubs to the Public Theater to a subway stop known for its “ghost train”.

05 Ghosts of Greenwich Village: 2-Hour Private Walking Tour

Do you like stories about ghosts? Then this private haunted tour of Greenwich Village in the evening is a great option! In two hours, you’ll hear lots of haunted stories about people who have suddenly disappeared or are haunted around Washington Square Park and New York University. And of course: also a lot about this beautiful neighborhood of NYC!

06 Alexander Hamilton's Haunts and Hangouts Tour

07 West Village Ghost Pub Crawl

The West Village Ghost Pub Crawl presents an exciting journey through the haunted corners of the bohemian West Village. Meander through charming, tree-lined streets with 19th-century brownstones, engaging in a thrilling ghost hunt throughout the neighborhood. Your guide will lead you through a series of haunted landmarks including a piano bar, a famous speakeasy, a popular inn, and a historic carriage house, each harboring its own spectral inhabitants. Embark on this spirited expedition to uncover the ghostly mysteries hidden in one of New York’s spookiest neighborhoods.

My Tip: Here you find my comparison of the best ghost tours in NYC !

The Best Private Walking Tour

Nyc private walking tour, manhattan neighborhood private customized walking tour.

You already have an idea of which neighborhoods and sights of New York you want to see? Then this walking tour is perfect for you, because you can create your individual route with your New York guide. 

Each of the many neighborhoods has its own charm and character, which is what makes New York so charming and interesting. Therefore, the right mix can show you the best picture of the city. Combine Times Square and Broadway with Greenwich Village and Soho, or schedule Greenwich Village or Chelsea with the High Line. The beauty of this private tour is that you set the schedule. If you particularly like a place, you can just stay longer!

With over 350 positive reviews, this private walking tour of NYC is one of the best!

The Best Self Guided Walking Tour

Nyc grand central terminal self-guided walking tour.

With its majestic cieling, a series of roman-inspired walk ways, and 18-metre high arched windows, the Beaux Arts style terminal is one of the busiest and most beautiful stations in the world. A comprehensive restoration in 1998 restored this jewel to its former splendour for thousands of passangers to enjoy daily.

Free Walking Tours

Central park conservancy.

Free Central Park tours are offered by the Central Park Conservancy. Here you will learn all kinds of interesting facts about the history of Central Park, its highlights and most important corners. The meeting point depends on the tour.

Grand Central Partnership

If you want to know what makes the Grand Central Terminal so special, the 90-minute free walking tour from the Grand Central Partnership is something you should definitely consider. With a historian as your guide, you’ll learn lots of exciting things about the beautiful building every Friday from 12.30 p.m.

Friends of the High Line Walking Tours

The High Line Park takes you along the old tracks of the elevated railway to the Meatpacking District. Thanks to the initiative “Friends of the High Line” the park exists at all, because originally the construction was supposed to be torn down. And the best thing? They offer free tours!

Things To Do

New York Neighborhood Guides

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

Get exclusive content, real insider tips, and the best deals in NYC for FREE!

Start of your trip: We will remind you with current events when you are in NYC!

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Trump’s trial is the latest chapter in the rich history of Lower Manhattan’s courts.

A cluster of downtown buildings has served as the borough’s “epicenter of criminal justice in New York since the 1830s,” said a lawyer who has led walking tours of Manhattan courthouses.

By Matthew Mpoke Bigg

• April 26, 2024

For a decade, Robert Pigott, a lawyer, has led walking tours of the courthouses of Manhattan, guiding visitors around landmarks where the city’s rich legal history has played out. Now the trial of Donald J. Trump has added a chapter to the story he gets to tell.

Mr. Pigott’s tours, which he runs in his spare time, revolve around a cluster of downtown buildings that are the borough’s judicial hub. For now, 100 Centre Street — the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, where the former president’s case is being heard — is the focus.

But just down the street on Foley Square sits Manhattan’s most elegant courthouse building, New York’s Supreme Court, with its sweeping flight of 32 stone steps leading up to a series of imposing Corinthian columns. Other court buildings are dotted around nearby.

“The eyes of the nation and the world are trained on criminal court cases in New York County, whether it’s organized crime, Wall Street cases or federal cases,” Mr. Pigott said.

Mr. Trump’s trial is remarkable because it is the first time that a former American president has been criminally prosecuted. The defendant’s status as this year’s presumptive Republican presidential nominee adds a contemporary political dimension.

For Mr. Pigott, 64, who has written a book about the history of the city’s courthouses, the real significance is what it says about the status of a few blocks of Manhattan as a nexus. He pointed out that Mr. Trump’s civil fraud case and defamation case also both played out this year in courthouses within spitting distance of the criminal trial.

“Now, when I arrive at the expanse of Foley Square midway through the walk, I can point to something truly remarkable — three different courthouses where the same former U.S. president has been on trial,” he said.

Mr. Trump’s trial shows how politics, celebrity and the location of the court itself can reinforce one another to make a big story bigger. New York’s status as a media hub increases the spotlight during high-profile cases and the high-profile cases held over the decades have, in turn, made the city’s courts an attractive setting for fictional courtroom dramas.

In these buildings, a jury convicted Anna Sorokin for grand larceny in 2019 for posing as a German heiress to swindle wealthy New Yorkers — a case that almost by definition blurred fact and fiction. Naturally, the tale has since been turned into a series on Netflix.

The cluster is also where a group of Black and Latino teenagers, then known as the Central Park Five, were wrongly convicted in 1990 of raping a jogger — a case also rendered as a Netflix series — and where Mark David Chapman pleaded guilty in 1981 to murdering the musician John Lennon.

The New York Supreme Court building, a trial-level court, often serves as a symbol of the court complex. It featured prominently in the television show “Law and Order" and the 1957 courtroom film classic “12 Angry Men,” to cite just two examples.

Mr. Pigott, however, is drawn to the history of the legal system before the 20th century and how it evolved through its buildings. The first stop on the tours he runs is a sidewalk nearby with glass blocks embedded in it, through which it is possible to see the excavations of a courthouse built by the Dutch in the colonial era.

The authorities in New York built a judicial infrastructure in this part of Lower Manhattan starting mainly in the 19th century, when the area experienced significant gang violence, he said.

“This one-block radius has been the epicenter of criminal justice in New York since the 1830s,” said Mr. Pigott.

For all the drama associated with the Trump trial, the streets outside the criminal courthouse have generally been calm this week. Reporters and members of the public have lined up for entry to the courthouse. And on Thursday morning, Collect Pond Park across the street, which has been designated for protests, was empty. Its only occupants were some police officers and a few pigeons.

Matthew Mpoke Bigg is a London-based reporter on the Live team at The Times, which covers breaking and developing news. More about Matthew Mpoke Bigg

The Flourishing World of Central Park

This verdant tourist destination is a pleasure ground for locals, too..

36 Hours in Central Park:  With its endless trails, hidden nooks, museums and nearby night spots, the park is a hub for both thriving activities and where one can find  a more tranquil, timeless Manhattan .

Flaco’s Kingdom : Before his demise earlier in February , the Eurasian eagle-owl’s escape from the Central Park Zoo  and subsequent life on the loose  captured the public’s attention and hearts .

Shakespeare Hits the Road: To many people, Central Park in the summer equals Shakespeare in the Park. But this year, because of renovations at the theater traditionally hosting the productions, the show will step outside  the confines of the park.

Regreening in the Park: A construction project next to the North Woods, involves remaking a part of the park  that serves as a backyard for nearby blocks in East Harlem, where green spaces are sorely missing.

A Reporter’s Design: Ever wondered who designed one of Central Park? Read about the life of Frederick Law Olmsted , who helped create one of New York’s shining jewels.

A new chapter in the history of New York street-style photography

‘watching new york,’ a book inspired by johnny cirillo’s instagram account of the same name, underlines how the tradition has changed in the social media era.

When Johnny Cirillo was growing up in Queens, his mom thought he would one day be a talk-show host. That’s how much he loves chatting up strangers. “She was like, ‘You have so many questions.’ I couldn’t let somebody walk by if I had a question,” he says with a laugh.

Instead, though, Cirillo, 44, wound up directing his interpersonal curiosities toward a quieter medium: Since 2016, he has been known on Instagram and throughout the internet as the photographer behind Watching New York, a street-style feed that shares photos of stylish city dwellers getting around on foot. In a way, he says, “it’s a natural progression of things.”

Watching New York, which has 1.3 million followers on Instagram, has come to be known for its distinctive, friendly visual style, consisting of vertical shots with the subject or subjects perfectly centered, walking toward the camera with the background out of focus. (Cirillo politely declines to share his equipment and settings, and fair enough. He knows not to give away the ingredients to the special sauce.)

Now, after eight years as one of the city’s premier street-fashion spotters, Cirillo is releasing his first book of collected photographs, which arrives on bookstore shelves this week. “Watching New York: Street Style A to Z” catalogues some of Cirillo’s favorite trends and individualistic wardrobe flexes: E, for example, is for embroidery and eyewear; P is for patches, patterns and prints, plaid, pops of color and puffers. Though pictures far outnumber words, “Watching New York” the book not only commemorates the long-standing tradition of street-style photography in New York but also illustrates what has changed about it in the age of Instagram — and how street-style shooters become known entities in an increasingly crowded field.

Cirillo’s book acknowledges in its introduction that it exists only because Bill Cunningham so memorably popularized street-fashion photography in the late 20th century. When he died in 2016, “I felt a void,” Cirillo writes. “I thought going out and doing what he did so well and dedicated so much of his life to would be my way of honoring him.” That’s how Watching New York started: as a sort of tribute to Cunningham’s work. Cirillo never anticipated that it would last as long, or become as well-known, as it has. (The foreword is written by Gigi Hadid.)

Looking through Cunningham’s work, “you can spot decades. You can spot certain eras, certain political movements,” Cirillo says. “He had his finger on the pulse all the time.” Cirillo aims to uphold that tradition; indeed, he has provided expert fashion-trend analysis to The Washington Post before, including insights into the styles that came and went with the pandemic.

Of course, there are a few key differences between Cirillo’s work and Cunningham’s: Cunningham famously loved to photograph people from the side, while the vast majority of Cirillo’s subjects are pictured straight-on. Some of Cirillo’s subjects look right into his lens, posing to whatever extent one can while walking — lending the images a feel of interaction more than observation. (Yes, he does sometimes end up running ahead of people when he doesn’t think he’s gotten the shot: “I’ll get ahead of them a block and try to do it again,” as many times as it takes, he says. And, yes, he confirms with a laugh, he’s pretty fast.)

Cunningham sometimes shot and published pictures of people who had no idea they were photo subjects. When Cirillo began publishing his own photos regularly, he did the same — until, as he writes in the book: “I posted a photo of a guy and a girl holding hands, smiling. I got a message shortly after I posted. ‘That’s me in the photo. My girlfriend and I are huge fans of your work; unfortunately, that’s not my girlfriend in the photo.’” Ever since, Cirillo has asked permission to publish from every person he photographs.

The Style section

After he’s captured an image, “we always talk afterward,” he says — about permission and about Instagram handles, but also about the provenance of particular pieces and about personal style philosophies. Many make their own clothes; one young woman describes living with her grandma during the pandemic as her inspiration for repurposing old clothes into trendier, sexier looks — “making dad clothes hot, basically.” The after-chats are also how Cirillo met some of the characters who pop up repeatedly throughout “Watching New York.” A woman named Amber, whose outfits are featured in a two-page spread, says in the book that she loves “the wildfire effect [personal style] has on other people — how one outfit can inspire an onlooker to freshly embody themselves.”

In the Instagram age, Cirillo adds, getting the subject’s sign-off just feels like the responsible thing to do. A photo that appears only in a print newspaper and never touches the internet “basically goes away after a couple of days,” while Instagram is “such an archive.”

“People go back years on Instagram, and they find people they know,” Cirillo says. “What if it’s two guys or two girls holding hands, and the family doesn’t know? Or it could even be that somebody’s not supposed to be in New York, you know?”

Not every street-fashion photographer follows the same rules that Cirillo sets for himself; as anyone who’s ever accidentally walked by a fashion show or a red-carpet event in the city knows, plenty still shoot photos of every person walking in or out, paparazzi-style, without a word. Does Cirillo worry he might miss out on getting to share a unique or compelling shot by letting his subjects opt out? Not really: “Ninety-eight percent of people tell me yes right away. Two percent tell me no,” he says, “and usually half of that two percent, I convince.”

As street-style photography has proliferated, both Instagram and the sidewalks have gotten crowded. Scott Schuman has more than a million followers as the Sartorialist . Phil Oh shoots street fashion for Vogue and posts on Instagram as @mrstreetpeeper . Karya Schanilec provides real-time trend analysis as @karyastreetstyle . Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York broadens the assignment, depicting all walks of life in the city and occasionally an eye-catching outfit; Joshua Kamei’s @ladiesofmadisonave narrows his mission to (mostly) glamorous women uptown.

But Cirillo says street-style photographers rarely clash with one another over material or turf. Some of his favorite streets and city blocks — like a few in SoHo — have been regularly patrolled by other street-style photographers for “years and years,” some even before he started shooting there. And that’s okay.

“We can shoot the same subject, but it comes out completely different,” he says. For example, Cirillo loves running into Chaz Langley , whose work he describes as “intimate portraits of fashionable people,” out on the sidewalks, and Jean Andre Antoine , who shoots each subject on expired Polaroid film. The latter “has his spot that he stands in every day,” Cirillo says.

“After time, everybody finds the place that they’re comfortable in,” he says, “and it kind of just feels like home when you get there.”

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