A Seattle Mural and Seattle Street Art Guide

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Where To Find Seattle Street Art and Seattle Murals

If you’re visiting the beautiful city of Seattle, I highly recommend taking a Seattle mural walk. The Seattle street art scene is one of the best in the country, and there are tons of gorgeous pieces that make for outstanding photos. Like the Shepard Fairey piece above, located at the corner of Pike Street and 1st Avenue.

I recently found myself with 24 hours in Seattle and chose to use that time to see some of the most famous sites while taking in their incredible street art scene. If you’re a long-time reader of my blog you’ll know that one of my favorite travel activities is taking snapshots of my Frenchie pup, Maddie, in front of amazing works of street art. We’ve photographed street art in New York, Los Angeles, Portland, OR, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and San Diego. I’ve also captured gorgeous works of art in Warsaw, Poland, and Athens, Greece. Unfortunately, Maddie couldn’t join me on those trips.

If you’re looking for street art in Seattle, I highly recommend starting at Pike Place Market and walking north towards the Space Needle. I’ll trace my route below so you can plan your own Seattle street art tour and view as many cool murals as possible.

Pike Place Market

My guide to Seattle street art begins at one of the biggest attractions in Seattle, Pike Place Market. This market is filled with beautiful murals as well as the iconic Seattle gum wall. You’ll find a few photo ops at this location. Head down Pike Street at 1st Avenue until you hit the market.

Follow the stairs from the iconic fish throwers down to Ghost Alley and the gum wall, and continue down. (Alternatively, there is an elevator that can take you down if you have mobility issues.) Follow the descent of Ghost Alley until you reach more stairs (or another elevator) and take it all the way down to Western Avenue.

At the base of the stairs (or directly around the corner from the elevator), you’ll find a pink floral mural, which is a great spot to stop and snap some photos before you head northwest towards the Olympic Sculpture Park.

Below are a few of the murals we came upon while walking around the market.

Pike Place Market. Art by @KateEndleIllustration.

Fresh Produce art by Billy King.

Cool musician piece by artist @Craigcundiff.

Room for Change by artist Carolina Silva.

This may be the most famous public art in the city. It’s super quirky and a little disgusting, but well worth the visit. Difficulty level 10, trying to get your dog not to lick the spent gum stuck all over the Seattle Gum Wall.

Leaving the Seattle Gum Wall, you’ll find a massive graffiti alley covered in stencils and other artworks that make for a pretty cool punk rock background.

Exiting Pike Place Market and heading northwest on 2nd Avenue at the corner of Pike Street, you’ll hit this massive blue and white Seattle Ferris wheel scene. Artist unknown.

From here, we walked down 2nd Avenue towards Pine Street and ran into these murals by Vivid Matter Collective. Vivid Matter Collective has murals all over the city, and they always offer very cool, bright pops of color.

2nd Avenue and Pine Street. Art by Vivid Matter Collective.

2nd Avenue and Pine Street. Art by Vivid Matter Collective.

2nd Avenue and Pine Street. Art by Vivid Matter Collective.

2nd Avenue and Pine Street. Art by @artbreakerbt.

2nd Avenue and Pine Street. Art by Nikita Ares.

2nd Avenue and Pine Street. Artist unknown.

3rd Avenue and Pine Street. Artist unknown.

3rd Avenue and Pine Street. Artist unknown.

3rd Avenue and Pine Street. Art by @overallcreative and @neverbetterxyz

3rd Avenue and Lenora Street. Artist unknown.

Belltown Seattle

Warning: this dog park can be a little sketchy due to a nearby bus stop and proximity to homeless services, but it’s worth a little detour if you’re visiting during daylight hours. I just wouldn’t do it alone as a solo female traveler. I almost had my shoes stolen outside were it not for the presence of my male travel companion. But I had to capture this adorable dogs playing poker mural.

Belltown Dog Park, 3rd Avenue and Bell Street. Art by @M.CurryDesigns.

Belltown Dog Park, 3rd Avenue and Bell Street. Art by @M.CurryDesigns.

After our experience at the Belltown community dog park, I cut my street art tour short. But if you’re feeling safe enough to walk this neighborhood, you can continue over to the iconic welcome to Seattle sign location at 2231 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121.

Once the most photographed mural in Seattle, this mural was, sadly, made part of a private event venue around 2017. Opaque gates block the art that was once part of the community, and as the space was made into a private patio, access to view the mural is limited to those able to pay for tickets to high-priced events or to the guided Seattle tours that occasionally still include access.

Given the fact that it’s not in the best area and we weren’t guaranteed access, I omitted it from my walking tour.

4th Avenue and Lenora Street. Artist unknown.

From here we headed south, back to our hotel, but you could continue on to the Olympic Sculpture Park and the Space Needle if you’re looking for a good Seattle walking tour. Unfortunately, it was very hot during our trip, and I had to be cognizant of my model’s limitations.

4th Avenue and Seneca Street. Artist unknown.

Pioneer Square

That night we walked to the Seattle Mariners game, sadly without Maddie, but we saw a few cool works of art on our way.

1st Avenue and King Street. Artist unknown.

1st Avenue and King Street. Artist unknown.

Other Great Locations for Viewing Street Art in Seattle

Another great spot for viewing Seattle street art is the Capitol Hill Murals area. You can easily take the light rail to the Capitol Hill Station where you’ll find the Capitol Hill mural loop. You’ll see more than a half-dozen cool murals on this short loop around the heart of Capitol Hill. These murals showcase vibrant colors, cool characters, and timely political messages. Sadly, it was well into the 90s when we visited Seattle, and my model, Maddie, was in danger of having her paws burn up on the sidewalk, so we didn’t make it to Capitol Hill.

But if you’d like to do the walk, you can start at 1603 Nagle Place; your first mural is right off Nagle and East Pine Street, across from the bottom of Cal Anderson Park. From there you’ll walk south to Pike Street and 10th Avenue. Then you’ll walk west to Broadway, then south to Union, east to 12th Avenue, north to Pine Street, and finally west to Nagle to complete the approximately 1-mile loop.

I wish we had gotten to complete the loop, but sadly the weather was not on our side.

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed this Seattle mural guide. My model and I thank you for checking it out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle Street Art

Where can you find the best street art in Seattle?

Pike Place Market, Downtown, Belltown, Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square, and SODO contain some of Seattle’s strongest concentrations of murals and public art. Start around Pike Place Market if you have limited time, or explore the Capitol Hill mural loop for a more neighborhood-focused experience.

What is the best Seattle neighborhood for murals?

Capitol Hill offers colorful murals, political artwork, and painted storefronts within a relatively compact area. Downtown and Belltown work well for visitors combining street art with major attractions, while SODO has enormous murals covering industrial buildings along the transit corridor.

Where should I begin a Seattle street art walk?

Pike Place Market makes an excellent starting point because it combines murals, the Gum Wall, and easy access to Downtown. From there, travel north through Belltown toward Seattle Center or take the light rail to Capitol Hill for a separate mural loop.

How long does a Seattle street art tour take?

Allow two or three hours for a relaxed walk from Pike Place Market through Downtown and Belltown. The Capitol Hill loop is approximately one mile and can be completed separately in about an hour, although photography, coffee, and becoming emotionally attached to a particular mural may extend the journey.

Is Seattle street art free to visit?

Yes. Most murals can be viewed from public sidewalks without paying admission. Transportation, parking, or a guided tour may cost extra, but Seattle’s walls have not yet developed the ability to demand an entrance fee.

Is Seattle street art permanent?

No. Murals may be painted over, damaged, blocked by construction, or replaced when a building changes ownership. Treat every location in this guide as a starting point rather than a guarantee, and enjoy the fact that the temporary nature of street art makes every visit different.

What is the SODO Track?

The SODO Track is a two-mile street-art corridor featuring 51 murals painted across industrial buildings. Many pieces can be viewed from Link light rail between Stadium and Beacon Hill stations, while approximately 20 can be seen from the SODO Trail. Learn more through the official SODO Track guide.

What is the easiest way to see the SODO Track murals?

Ride the Link light rail between Stadium and Beacon Hill and look through the windows as the train passes the murals. This option requires much less walking than exploring the industrial area on foot, although photography becomes more challenging when both you and the artwork are moving.

Where can I find murals near Pike Place Market?

Murals appear throughout the Market, along Pike Street, on Western Avenue and around nearby sections of First, Second and Third Avenues. The artwork changes regularly, so explore side streets and look beyond the locations featured in this guide.

Is the Seattle Gum Wall considered street art?

The Gum Wall is generally treated as an evolving public-art attraction, although “art” may feel generous when thousands of pieces of previously chewed gum are involved. It is located beneath Pike Place Market in Post Alley and is worth seeing at least once—preferably without leaning against it.

Is the Seattle Gum Wall wheelchair accessible?

Elevators provide alternatives to several stairways within Pike Place Market, including access from the waterfront, parking garage, and Western Avenue. However, the Market has multiple levels, slopes and crowded passages, so consult its interactive accessibility map before visiting.

Is Seattle street art wheelchair accessible?

Many murals can be viewed from paved sidewalks, but a complete street-art route is not barrier-free. Seattle’s hills, uneven pavement, steep curb ramps, construction, and crowded market passages can create difficulties. Shorter neighborhood loops or vehicle-based sightseeing may provide a more comfortable experience.

What is the most accessible Seattle mural route?

A condensed Downtown route around Pike Place Market, First Avenue and Second Avenue provides numerous murals within a relatively small area. Pike Place Market has elevators, accessible parking, and step-free routes between many—but not all—areas. Check the current Pike Place Market visitor information before arriving.

Can I explore Seattle street art without walking long distances?

Yes. Use light rail to see the SODO Track and travel between Downtown and Capitol Hill, then explore a small area around each station. Buses and rideshares can reduce the distance between murals, and a private driving tour may be helpful for visitors who cannot manage hills or extended outdoor routes.

Is Seattle public transportation wheelchair accessible?

All King County Metro buses have front-door ramps or lifts, and drivers can lower the bus for easier boarding. Sound Transit trains and stations provide accessible features, but elevator outages can disrupt step-free routes. Check Sound Transit accessibility information and current station alerts before every trip.

Is accessible parking available near Pike Place Market?

Yes. The Pike Place Market parking garage has designated accessible spaces on each level near elevators, with direct access into the Market. Accessible street parking is limited, and Downtown traffic can make driving considerably less artistic than the murals.

How can I explore Seattle street art with a chronic illness?

Choose one neighborhood, schedule rest stops, and use public transportation between mural areas. Bring water, medication, and clothing suitable for changing weather, and identify cafés or indoor attractions where you can recover. A half-mile route enjoyed comfortably is better than a three-mile route completed while quietly resenting every wall in Seattle.

What is the best time of year for a Seattle mural walk?

Late spring through early fall usually provides the mildest temperatures and lowest chance of persistent rain. Summer days are long, but occasional heat can make pavement and exposed routes uncomfortable. Autumn and winter walks are possible if you bring waterproof layers and protect your camera.

What is the best time of day to photograph Seattle murals?

Morning typically provides softer light, fewer pedestrians, and quieter sidewalks around Pike Place Market. Bright midday sun can create harsh shadows, while late afternoon works well for west-facing walls. An overcast Seattle day often produces excellent mural photographs—which is fortunate because the city has several available.

Is the Capitol Hill mural loop wheelchair accessible?

Much of the loop follows public sidewalks, but slopes, curb conditions, and temporary construction vary. Capitol Hill Station has elevators, making it a practical starting point, but visitors should still examine the route carefully and allow extra time for hills.

Is Pioneer Square good for street art?

Yes. Pioneer Square combines murals with historic architecture, galleries, and public art. Brick paving, older sidewalks, hills, and construction can make some blocks difficult for wheelchair users, so consider exploring a smaller section rather than attempting the entire neighborhood.

Is Belltown safe for a self-guided mural walk?

Belltown is an active urban neighborhood, and conditions can vary by block and time of day. Explore during daylight, remain aware of your surroundings, and avoid isolated alleys if you feel uncomfortable. Do not risk your safety for a mural; the artist would almost certainly prefer you remain available to admire additional work.

Can I take photographs of Seattle street art?

Personal photography from public sidewalks is generally acceptable. Do not enter private property, block doorways, climb structures, or touch painted surfaces to improve a photograph. Credit the artist when possible, particularly when sharing images online.

How can I identify the artist who created a mural?

Look for a signature, social-media handle, or plaque near the artwork. Urban ArtWorks maintains an interactive Seattle mural map, while the City of Seattle has published maps connected with its downtown mural projects. Some pieces remain unattributed, especially older graffiti and frequently changing walls.

Are guided Seattle street art tours available?

Guided tours are occasionally offered by local artists, neighborhood organizations, and private operators, but schedules change. A guide can explain the artists, techniques, and political context behind the murals, while a self-guided walk provides more freedom to stop for photographs and rest.

Can I bring my dog on a Seattle mural walk?

Dogs can accompany visitors along many outdoor sidewalks, but pets are not permitted inside Pike Place Market buildings; trained service animals are allowed. Bring water, avoid hot pavement, and keep dogs away from the Gum Wall unless you want to spend the afternoon negotiating over some extremely questionable snacks.

Are there accessible restrooms along the mural routes?

Pike Place Market has accessible public restrooms at several locations, and additional facilities can be found at Seattle Center, museums, and businesses throughout Downtown. Restrooms are less predictable around outdoor mural routes in SODO and some parts of Capitol Hill, so plan stops before beginning a longer walk.

Is Seattle Center worth adding to a street art tour?

Yes. Seattle Center contains more than 50 works of public art near the Space Needle, museums, and performance venues. Its self-guided Seattle Center Art Tour is a useful addition for visitors who enjoy sculpture and installations as well as murals.