Get to know Austin through its street art by following our
tour of local artists’ work as they paint a colourful story of Austin’s culture
and heritage. No tickets or entrance fees required, grab a camera and hit the streets.
Start the day in South Austin at the Greetings From Austin
Mural, a giant vintage postcard of the city. Each letter showcases key
sites to explore during your stay in the city, some of which you’ll come across
later on in the tour. We recommend coming here early and beating the crowds as
it’s one of the most photographed murals in the city!
From here, wander onto South Congress Avenue, a bustling
street home to many of the city’s iconic murals. Head over to the popular
Love
From Austin black and white mural and check out
Prima Dora, the souvenir
shop it’s attached to, for some early bargains.
If you’re feeling hungry, this is the perfect place to stop
for breakfast, with the
Magnolia Café just a short stroll away. Pick up some
pastries to go or sit in and admire the local artwork on display whilst tucking
into typical diner favourites.
If you’re with country music fans, the Willie For
President mural is a must see. Located just a bit further up South Congress
Avenue, the mural’s bright orange colour serves as an excellent backdrop for a photo
next to local legend Willie.
Keep strolling along South Congress for plenty more great
photo opportunities. On the side of
Jo’s Coffee, snap a picture with your loved
ones next to the iconic
I Love You So Much mural. Sprawled by Amy Cook,
this mural was dedicated to her partner who owns the coffee shop it features on.
From South Congress, make your way across the Congress Avenue
Bridge, taking in the sweeping views of the Lady Bird Lake and Colorado River as
you go.
As you step off the bridge and enter the Warehouse District, you will
be greeted by Austin’s largest mural on your left. Covering the side of the
LINEHotel, the
Women Vote mural created by Shepard Fairey and Shandra
Chevrier commemorates the 100th anniversary of American women receiving
the vote.
A short stroll onto East Second Street bring you to the next
mural Tau Ceti. Make sure to stop off at some of the speciality boutiques
in the area on the way. Designed specially by Josef Kristofoletti, the mural’s
colour spectrum effect shifts with the changing light throughout the day, making
the piece unique to whatever time you look at it. To capture the giant mural in
full, we recommend either crossing the street or getting down low and pointing the
camera towards the sky.
Continue north into Downtown Austin to the
Mexic-Arte Museum
where the
El Mero features a rotating display of artwork by local Mexican
and Latino/a artists. With its changing designs and a museum next door full of traditional
and contemporary Latin and Mexican art, El Mero is definitely worth a visit.
You can learn more about the program and the current mural
here.
After a morning of walking and exploring, reward yourself with
some lunch in the heart of downtown. Whether you’re in the mood for sizzling
Tex-Mex at
Pelons or authentic Texas barbecue from
Cooper’s Old Time PitBar-B-Que, you’ll find plenty of local flavour in this district. Don't leave
without trying Cooper's famous 'Big Chop', a smoky, tender pork chop that's
become a local BBQ icon.
After fuelling up, head north-east of Downtown to discover
Rhapsody
in the historic
Six Square, located in the heart of Austin’s black cultural
district. Colourful mosaic tiles pay homage to East Austin’s blues and jazz
roots, depicting a scene of saxophone and trumpet players caught mid jam sesh.
As you venture further into East Austin, the influential We
Rise mural builds on the area’s rich and multicultural heritage, portraying
famous Black, Latino/Latina and Indigenous figures. It’s a great opportunity for
a selfie with Beyonce, Muhammad Ali and many others.
A little further north, the bright turquoise You’re my Butter
Half mural is a perfect place to visit with someone special. As a highly
photographed spot, there’s even a phone holder at the mural to help you capture
the perfect self-timer photo!
Leaving East Austin behind, make your way west towards the
University of Texas at Austin campus, stopping on the way to see one of the
city’s most iconic murals, Jeremiah the Innocent. The giant spray-painted
frog was created by local artist and musician Daniel Johnston for his album ‘Hi,
How Are You?’ in 1993. As a beloved local gem, the mural wall has remained preserved
even though the original building surrounding it has been torn down.
After taking a walk around the University’s campus, head
over to the
Austintatious mural for a detailed and kaleidoscopic scene of the
city. This mural is a great way to get a feel of the city, as artists Kerry Awn,
Rick Turner and Tommy Bee have been adding to the mural since its creation in
1974, incorporating more recent landmarks like the "Jenga Tower" Downtown and the
Austin FC stadium.
Finally, to wrap up the day, head back downtown to the Historic
Sixth Street mural. Strike a pose underneath the retro-inspired ‘Austin,
Texas’ sign to capture a colourful memento of your time exploring the city’s
vibrant street art scene.
Want to check out more of Austin’s endless street art? Check
out our
Instagram for more murals and local art.
Posted by: Visit Austin
Posted on: 01/09/2026