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Street Wise Murals in Boulder

A Guide to Boulder’s Murals

Mural, mural on the wall, who’s the brightest of them all? Boulder has several public arts programs that have invested in hundreds of colorful murals over the last handful of years, and they're found all over town. From the annual Street Wise mural festival to the Creative Neighborhoods project, the city is turning blank walls around town into canvases for an inspired selection of local artists. With Boulder being named one of the top ten most vibrant arts communities among medium-sized U.S. cities, there are plenty to choose from.

How to Enjoy Boulder's Murals

For a great fall or winter activity, grab a Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse signature hot chai, a Piece, Love and Chocolate hot sipping chocolate or one of OZO Coffee's 21 flavored mochas and take a self-guided tour of Boulder's murals. Street art, by its nature, often takes place in alleyways and off the beaten path, so be ready for a behind-the-scenes urban adventure and keep your wits about you. 

Here are several mural and street art projects to check out in Boulder.

Guided Mural Tour by Bike

Boulder's seen such an explosion of murals that a new tour company has launched to take you on a bike tour of some of the best. JD's Joyrides' Wall To Wall Boulder eBike Mural Tour pedals to dozens of Boulder murals on an electric Rad Power Bike. The leisurely two-hour tour covers more than 20 miles (e-bikes make it easy!). Along the way, you'll pass many of Boulder's essential sights, such as Pearl Street and Chautauqua.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Street Wise Arts Murals & Guided Tours

Street Wise Arts is a Boulder nonprofit organization that commissions Colorado artists to paint murals with an "ARTivism" theme. This has resulted in dozens of murals that make a superb place to start your own self-guided mural tour of Boulder. 

Street Wise Boulder MuralAbove: Street Wise mural in the back alley of Boulder Theater

Street Wise Walking Mural Tour

Dive deeper into these impactful murals in downtown Boulder with some of the folks who know them best. Street Wise now offers guided walking tours led by one of their own art docents. Learn about the organization, street art culture and the social justice issues woven into each mural. Plus, many murals are activated in augmented reality, and your guide will show you how to bring them to life. Tours are donation based, from $0-$25, and usually take place on the first Saturday of each month. Registration is required.

Street Wise Mural Tour by Bike

Street Wise also offers bike tours by donation each month. They ride to more than 25 murals created by local and national artists where you can learn more about the artists, their organization, street art culture and social justice causes. BYOB (bring your own bike!) and make sure to register beforehand.

Street Wise Mural Map

View Street Wise Arts Murals in Boulder in a full-screen map.

Here's a taste of what you'll find among the colorful Street Wise murals all over Boulder. Many have a scannable QR code beside the work, which will open a webpage with more information about the piece. Some even have an audio discussion to listen to on your smartphone.

Adrienne Norris (Afro Triangle)'s Mural

Location: 800 Pearl St.
Family-Friendly Location ✔️

George F. Baker III's Mural

Location: 1535 Spruce St. (in the alley behind eTown Hall)
Family-Friendly Location ✔️

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by George F. Baker III (@gfb3)

'Shadow' by Johnny Draco

Location: 2055 26th St.
Family-Friendly Location ✔️

There are three other fantastic murals at this same location, too!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Armando Silva's Mural 

Location: Boulder Chamber of Commerce
Family-Friendly Location ✔️

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Moe Gram's Mural

Location: Creature Comforts at 17th & Pearl Street
Family-Friendly Location ✔️

While you're at it, stop in for a tasty pastry and cup of coffee at this quirky new cafe.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Moe Gram (@mi_moegram)

'Love Always Wins' by Pat Milbery

Location: 1245 Pearl St.
Family-Friendly Location ✔️

More Notable Murals

Check out these other famous and buzzed-about murals.

Boulder's "Stranger Things" Mural

Location: 28th and Arapahoe
Family-Friendly Location ✔️

This mural by Timoghini made quite a buzz for its nod to the "Stranger Things" TV show. (Side note of interest to "Stranger Things" fans: Fiske Planetarium in Boulder has a Stranger Things laser show.) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Portrait by Detour

Location: Pearl Street and Foothills Parkway
Family-Friendly Location ✔️

Detour 303 Portrait

Runners' Mural

Location: Spruce and Broadway
Family-Friendly Location ✔️

This large-scale mural has been at Spruce and Broadway for decades and depicts a diverse group of runners with the Flatirons in the background — a tribute to the spirit of Frank Shorter, a Boulder Olympian who helped spur the running boom in the 70s and contributed to Boulder's reputation as a famously active community

Running Mural

SMiLE's Hidden Street Art

Street artist SMiLE's elaborately stenciled cats, historical figures and other portraits can be spotted all over Boulder, beautifying electrical boxes, garbage bins and old phone booths. Keep an eye out, particularly in the Hill neighborhood and the blocks surrounding Pearl Street.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Smile (@smileboulder) on

Public Art Walking Tour

See murals and more on Boulder's downtown public art walking tour. You'll cruise down Pearl Street, taking in sculptures along the way.

Family-Friendly Location ✔️

Winter in Front of Boulder Book Store with Buffalo Sculpture

Spot Your Own

More and more murals and street art are popping up around Boulder as the town's artistic ambitions grow. Keep an eye out and you're sure to find more inspiration. Snap a photo and tag @VisitBoulder to share.