Graffiti, Murals, and More! A Portland Street Art Guide
Edited on
Buckman Community Mural
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The Best Portland Murals and Portland Street Art
I had the great pleasure of recently making a trip up to the Pacific Northwest to photograph graffiti, wall art, and murals in Portland, Oregon. I love Portland. The food, the people, the natural beauty… it really is a stunning place. But the Portland, Oregon Street art scene is one of my favorites in the United States. Local Portland artists and street artists from around the globe fill the community with some of the best graffiti art in the world. From massive art deco pieces to old-school graffiti letters, Portland has it all. If you’re a fan of murals, make sure Portland, Oregon is on your must-see list.
For this trip, as with all my domestic street art journeys, I was able to travel with my faithful companion, Miss Madelyn Pew. Maddie is my walking buddy and model. Her big bunny ears and toothy grin instantly make all photos 100% better. I hope you’ll agree.
Artist: @villatose
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Where To View Street Art Murals in Portland, Oregon
Best Neighborhoods for Portland, Oregon Art
The Alberta Arts District
The Alberta Arts District is in the northeast part of Portland. Alberta Street in Portland is the center of the district. There is an art walk each Thursday to showcase local shops and street art artists, but visiting any day of the week will not disappoint. You’ll find art everywhere; even the power boxes are decorated in a colorful fashion.
Downtown Portland
Downtown Portland is a popular place for many tourists as it’s the heart of the city. Here you can find the classic “Keep Portland Weird” on the side of Dante’s. There are a myriad of incredible new pieces of public art popping up all the time.
Southeast Portland
This neighborhood is home to so many different restaurants, funky shops, and antiques. It’s decidedly more residential than downtown Portland, but you’ll still find nice wide sidewalks to safely get around. There are also some beautiful parks where you can hike and sneak in views of Mt. Hood. But for our purposes, this is a street art hotspot and home to some of Portland’s best community murals. Stroll down streets like Hawthorne and Stark Street to see what new artwork you can find decorating these walls.
Artists: Tatyana Ostepenko, Salomée Soung, Amaranta Colindres, Isis Fisher, Kyra Watkins, Sunny Beard, Angela Saenz, and Laura Medina
Title: Ladies Up Project
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Taking a Street Art Tour
You can explore this awesome graffiti street art on your own or choose to sign up for a Portland Street Art Tour. Taking a street art tour is one of my favorite things to do in any city. While you can easily take some time to explore on your own, this Portland Street art tour will help explain more about the artists and also take you to any new pieces that may have sprung up since I last visited. Unfortunately, the tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Artist: Unknown
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Artist: NDA
Location: 5001 NE 30th Ave. Portland OR 97211
Artist: @youcancallmebernie
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Artist: Unknown
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Artist: @sunnystabs
Location:
Artist: Unknown
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Adler Street between 14th and 15th Avenues
Artist: @curlieturtle
Location: SE Adler Street between 14th and 15th Avenues
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Adler Street between 14th and 15th Avenues
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Adler Street between 14th and 15th Avenues
Artist: Unknown
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Artist: Unknown
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Artist: Laura Berger
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Artists: Tatyana Ostepenko, Salomée Soung, Amaranta Colindres, Isis Fisher, Kyra Watkins, Sunny Beard, Angela Saenz, and Laura Medina
Location: 1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Artist: Josh Keys
Location: 1308 SE Morrison St.
Info: Painted in August of 2015 by artist Josh Keys for the annual Forest For The Trees mural event.
Artist: @Lawson.Arts
Location: SE Adler St and 11th Avenue
Artist: @Quaif.qa
Location: SE Adler St and 11th Avenue
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE 11th Avenue between Adler Street and Washington Street
Artist: @SunnyStabs
Location: SE 11th Avenue between Adler Street and Washington Street
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE 11th Avenue between Adler Street and Washington Street
Artist: @Gasp.Yikes
Location: SE 11th Avenue between Adler Street and Washington Street
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE 11th Avenue between Adler Street and Washington Street
Artist: @tekpatl_art
Location: SE 11th Avenue between Adler Street and Washington Street
Artist: @NotesWiseLion
Location: SE 11th Avenue between Adler Street and Washington Street
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE 11th Avenue between Adler Street and Washington Street
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Adler Street and 11th Avenue
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Morrison between 9th and 10th Avenues
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Morrison St between 7th and 8th Avenues
Artist: Unknown
Location: 10th Avenue between Morrison Street and Belmont Street
Artist: Broken Fingaz
Location: 1875 Southeast Belmont Street in Buckman Neighborhood
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Taylor Street between 11th and 12th Avenues
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Taylor Street between 11th and 12th Avenues
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Taylor Street between 11th and 12th Avenues
Artist: @apeseven
Title: Celestial
Location: 1036 SE Taylor St, Portland, OR, United States
Artist: @menaceresa
Location: SE Taylor Street and 10th Avenue
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Taylor Street and 10th Avenue
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Taylor Street and 10th Avenue
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Taylor Street and 10th Avenue
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Taylor Street and 9th Avenue
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Taylor Street and 7th Avenue
Artist: Unknown
Location: SE Belmont Street and 27th Avenue
Hope You’ve Enjoyed This Graffiti, Murals, and Other Portland Street Art
If you enjoyed this tour of graffiti, murals, and other Portland Street art, be sure to check out my other city street art guides, including New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Athens, and Warsaw.
Looking for more things to do in Portland? Be sure to check out my accessible guide to Portland, Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portland Street Art
Is Portland known for street art?
Yes. Portland has a thriving street art scene that includes enormous murals, traditional graffiti lettering, portraits, community projects, and decorated utility boxes. Local artists work alongside internationally known muralists, transforming otherwise ordinary walls into an outdoor gallery.
Where can I find the best street art in Portland?
The Alberta Arts District, Downtown Portland, and Southeast Portland contain some of the city’s best-known murals. The Central Eastside and Buckman neighborhoods are particularly rewarding because numerous pieces are clustered around Southeast Morrison, Taylor, Alder and Belmont Streets.
What is the best Portland neighborhood for murals?
The Alberta Arts District is an excellent choice for visitors who want to combine murals with independent shops, galleries, restaurants and cafés. Inner Southeast Portland may be better for dedicated street art fans because it contains dense clusters of murals within a relatively compact area.
Where should I begin a Southeast Portland street art walk?
The murals around 1401 Southeast Morrison Street make a convenient starting point. From there, explore nearby sections of Morrison, Taylor, Alder, Belmont, and Southeast 11th Avenue. Artwork changes frequently, so treat the addresses in this guide as helpful starting points rather than legally binding promises from a wall.
Where can I see murals in the Alberta Arts District?
Explore Northeast Alberta Street and the surrounding blocks, particularly between approximately 15th and 30th Avenues. Murals appear on shops, restaurants, galleries, alleys, and utility boxes throughout the neighborhood.
Does the Alberta Arts District have an art walk every Thursday?
No. Last Thursday takes place on the final Thursday of the month rather than every Thursday. Galleries and businesses host indoor activities throughout the year, while the larger outdoor event with street closures normally occurs in June, July, and August from 6–9 p.m. Check the official Last Thursday website for the current schedule.
Is Last Thursday on Alberta free?
Yes. Last Thursday is a free, all-ages community event featuring art, music, performances and local vendors. Summer events can become extremely crowded, so visitors who use mobility aids or become fatigued by noise and crowds may prefer to explore Alberta Street on a quieter weekday morning.
Is there a Portland street art map?
The Portland Street Art Alliance provides an online mural map as well as self-guided maps for the Alberta Arts District, Central Eastside, and other parts of the city. Because street art is constantly changing, no map will remain completely accurate forever—an unfortunate refusal by murals to respect our spreadsheets.
Can I take a self-guided Portland mural tour?
Yes. A self-guided tour allows you to choose one neighborhood, stop whenever you need a break and spend as much time as you want photographing individual pieces. Save mural locations before leaving your hotel, but remain open to finding artwork that has appeared since the map was last updated.
Should I take a guided Portland street art tour?
A guided tour can provide valuable information about the artists, techniques, and stories behind the murals. However, accessibility varies considerably between operators. The tour featured in this guide was not wheelchair accessible when reviewed, so confirm the distance, pace, terrain, steps, and restroom arrangements before booking.
How long do you need to explore Portland street art?
Allow two or three hours for a focused walk through one neighborhood. Seeing murals in Alberta, Downtown, and Southeast Portland will require at least a full day or several shorter outings because the districts are spread across the city.
Is Portland street art free to see?
Most murals and outdoor artworks can be viewed free from public sidewalks. Guided tours, gallery exhibitions and special events may charge admission, but you can create an excellent self-guided itinerary without spending anything beyond transportation and the coffee Portland will almost certainly persuade you to buy.
Do Portland murals change frequently?
Yes. Murals may be repainted, damaged, covered by construction, or replaced with new commissions. Smaller graffiti pieces and paste-ups can disappear even more quickly. Check recent photographs and current maps before traveling if seeing a particular work is important to you.
Is graffiti legal in Portland?
Painting or marking property without permission is illegal. Authorized murals generally require the property owner’s consent and may need approval through the city or the Regional Arts and Culture Council. The City of Portland explains its requirements on the Original Art Mural Permits page.
What is the difference between a mural, graffiti and street art?
A mural is usually a large planned artwork painted directly onto a wall with permission. Graffiti commonly includes names, tags, and stylized lettering, although it can also be highly elaborate. Street art is a broader category that may include murals, graffiti, stencils, paste-ups, stickers and installations.
What is the best time to photograph Portland murals?
Morning and late afternoon usually provide softer light and fewer harsh shadows. Weekday mornings also bring lighter pedestrian traffic, although delivery vehicles may temporarily block artwork on active businesses. Overcast days can be excellent for photography because colors remain visible without intense glare.
Can I photograph Portland street art?
Generally, yes, when the artwork can be seen from a public sidewalk or street. Respect private property, credit the artist whenever possible, and never climb fences, block business entrances or stand in traffic for a photograph. No mural is improved by adding an ambulance to the composition.
Is Portland street art wheelchair accessible?
Some murals can be viewed from smooth, step-free sidewalks, but the complete route is not uniformly accessible. Visitors may encounter cracked pavement, steep curb ramps, driveway slopes, construction, wet leaves, and objects blocking the path. Consider choosing a small cluster of murals and inspecting the route with street-level imagery before visiting.
Is the Alberta Arts District wheelchair accessible?
Much of Northeast Alberta Street is relatively level and can be explored from sidewalks, but pavement conditions, curb cuts, and entrance accessibility vary between blocks and businesses. Last Thursday events introduce additional barriers such as crowds, vendor tables, and limited maneuvering space.
Is Southeast Portland accessible for wheelchair users?
Many inner Southeast murals can be viewed from public sidewalks, and several are concentrated within a few blocks. However, driveway crossings, uneven pavement, rail lines, and busy intersections may complicate the route. A vehicle can reduce the distance between mural clusters, although accessible parking may not be available directly beside every piece.
What is the most accessible way to reach Portland murals?
TriMet buses and MAX trains have accessibility features, but not every mural sits conveniently beside a stop. Use the trip planner to connect major clusters, then examine the remaining walking or rolling route. TriMet’s accessibility information also covers reduced fares, travel training, and LIFT paratransit.
How can I explore Portland street art with a chronic illness?
Choose one neighborhood rather than attempting the entire city, and identify cafés, restrooms, and transportation stops before beginning. Schedule your outing during the part of the day when your energy is strongest, carry medication and weather protection, and give yourself permission to abandon the route if symptoms worsen. The murals will understand.
What should I wear for a Portland street art walk?
Wear comfortable shoes with reliable traction and bring a waterproof jacket. Portland’s weather can change quickly, while wet pavement and fallen leaves may become slippery. Sunscreen is still useful on cloudy days because the Pacific Northwest occasionally allows ultraviolet light through its atmospheric haze.
Is it safe to explore Portland street art alone?
Most popular mural districts are active neighborhoods with shops and restaurants, but visitors should use normal city precautions. Explore during daylight, remain aware of traffic, avoid isolated alleys, and keep cameras and phones secure. If a location feels uncomfortable, photograph something else and continue your tour.
Can I bring my dog on a Portland mural walk?
Yes, provided your dog is leashed and comfortable around traffic, crowds and other animals. Carry water and waste bags, avoid hot pavement, and do not allow your dog to block entrances or approach people working on a mural. Individual shops, restaurants and galleries have their own pet policies.
Are Portland street art walks suitable for children?
Yes. Colorful murals and utility boxes can turn a neighborhood walk into an informal scavenger hunt. Families should supervise children near traffic and remember that street art is not curated like a museum exhibition, so some pieces may contain political themes, strong language or mature imagery.
Jenn Lloyd is a disabled travel blogger and television writer based in Los Angeles. After a successful career writing for shows like KC Undercover and The Thundermans, she launched Sick Girl Travels to share her experiences navigating the world with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and fibromyalgia. Having visited 40 U.S. states, 39 countries, and all 7 continents, Jenn offers inclusive travel guides with accessibility tips for those with mobility challenges. Her work has been featured on CNN, Huffington Post, and Consumer Reports. When not traveling, she enjoys fostering dogs, photographing street art, and spending time with her French bulldog, Miss Madelyn Pew.
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