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Discover NYC Through Public Art

There's a lot of public art to see in NYC. NYC Parks are home to hundreds of permanent and temporary works. And, you'll find outdoor art in every borough if you know where to look. Exploring these hidden corners of NYC allows you to discover new artists and neighborhoods.

We've highlighted some of the best areas in each borough to help you plan your own public art scavenger hunt.

Where to Go: NYC Neighborhoods with Great Public Art

Best Places to See Public Art in Manhattan

The High Line and neighboring enclaves of Chelsea and the Meatpacking District are great areas to view outdoor public art. The High Line has some amazing public art projects and is always rotating its roster to highlight emerging artists.

Nearby, you'll also find some exceptional, large-scale works, like the monumental Afrofuturist sculpture The Mothership Connection, currently on display in the Meatpacking District.

Surprisingly, there are some really interesting public art installations in the plazas of office buildings and city intersections. Head downtown to 140 Broadway in the Financial District to see Red Cube from renowned Japanese sculptor Isamu Noguchi. It appears frequently in movies!

Further downtown, another iconic work is street artist Keith Haring's Figure Balancing On Dog in front of 17 State Street, across from Battery Park. In addition to Haring's sculpture, Battery City Park boasts a diverse array of public art, including at the newly reopened Wagner Park.

Stretching from Midtown East to the heart of the Upper East Side, the Park Avenue Malls offer long blocks to promenade with a beautiful, green backdrop for displaying rotating sculptural installations. 

Harlem also features a lot of community-focused public art in its parks, public spaces, and along the East River Esplanade. We love to visit the Harlem Art Park and Graffiti Hall of Fame in Central Harlem, while the stunning Audubon Mural Project is worth heading further uptown for. Find it in Hamilton Heights.

Where to Find Public Art in Brooklyn

The public art in Brooklyn is dominated by street art—murals, graffiti, and installations on buildings and sidewalks that function as a form of social activism and commentary.

The best street art in Brooklyn can be found in Bushwick, centered around the Bushwick Collective, an extraordinary open-air gallery showcasing first-rate street art from international artists. You'll find much of the art on Starr, Troutman, and Jefferson Streets, as well as the blocks of Moore, Seigel, and White Streets.

Dumbo also features some noteworthy street art, especially the Dumbo Walls—eight walls near the York Street subway station that have been adorned with large-scale murals by renowned artists. There are a number of ongoing art installations around the Brooklyn Bridge and throughout the neighborhood.

It's also no surprise that the artsy, seaside enclave of Coney Island is adorned with some beautiful murals honoring the People's Playground.

The Welling Court Murals aim to beautify the streets of Astoria. Photo courtesy of the Welling Court Mural Project

Queens' Best Public Art

Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens is a garden that's also an open-air museum featuring large sculptures and multi-media installations. There are ongoing artworks commissioned from both established and emerging artists. It's a wonderful space for families to enjoy the outdoors, discover new art, and take part in fun, educational programs.

A visit to Socrates makes for a great jumping-off point to art exploration in the neighborhood, thanks to its proximity to the Noguchi Museum and MoMA's PS1, which displays cutting-edge, experimental art in its courtyard and outdoor plaza. New Yorkers can visit the museum for FREE; just reserve your tickets online in advance and provide your zip code when they're scanned at the admission desk.

Not to be overlooked when it comes to street art, the Welling Court Mural Project is the longest-running, largest mural project in Astoria, consisting of about 150 murals by 140 artists. The murals are intended as a historic community beautification project to emphasize positive societal change. New murals are added each June in an annual festival.

Public Art in the Bronx

The most famous public artworks in the Bronx are located on the Bronx Walk of Fame. This 23-block corridor on the Grand Concourse features street signs honoring people who have lived in the borough and have had worthy accomplishments. The Bronx Tourism Council produces an interactive app that helps you explore the Walk of Fame and learn all about the people and nearby historical landmarks.

There are a number of murals scattered throughout the Bronx that pay homage to hip-hop artists and culture. The majority of them can be found in the South Bronx and at Hunts Point. You'll definitely want to check out the dazzling array of murals on Boone Avenue. The murals are painted by artists chosen during the annual Boone Avenue Walls Art Festival. Boone Avenue Walls aim to beautify the neighborhood with creative and unique murals while bringing the community together.

Staten Island's Public Art Destinations

If you're looking to see public art in Staten Island, make sure to regularly check the programs and events hosted by Staten Island Arts. In past years, it's commissioned artists to project video onto salt mountains, installed floating sound sculptures, celebrated traditional Irish music, and painted murals along the waterfront.

The Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden has outdoor sculptures, and it's FREE to the public. The Chinese Scholar's Garden is designed so beautifully that the entire area is like one immersive art experience. You'll also find permanent and temporary art exhibits in parks, such as Stapleton Waterfront Park, Wolfe's Pond Park, and Freshkills Park.

Street Art Tours For Families

If the idea of a public art scavenger hunt sounds fun, but you'd like to skip the planning, there are tour guides that offer both public and private art walks. Here are a few to consider:

• Let's Roam offers several types of art walks in the city and can be customized to meet your interests.
• Watson Adventures is a tour company that focuses on scavenger hunts in NYC and can be personalized so you can focus on seeing public art.
• Graff Tours offers street art tours in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

In NYC, you're never far from public art, so keep your eyes open! Photo by Jody Mercier

Free & DIY: Make Your Own Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts don't have to be too complicated. To keep the hunt manageable with young kids, choose one specific area of the city to explore and then make a rough plan of what you want to see. You can also shape your scavenger hunt by theme, such as animals, murals, shapes, colors, or historical figures.

Beyond this guide, the NYC Parks Department has a comprehensive guide to public art in its parks and provides a helpful map. You can also search for the artwork by borough.

The Public Art Fund is also another great resource for planning a scavenger hunt, and it lists the current outdoor public art exhibitions throughout the city.

The NYC DOT has its own public art program, too, and its commissioned works can be found in subway stations, bridges, pedestrian plazas, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.

Pro Tips for a Great Public Art Hunt with Kids

• Check the weather, since the scavenger hunt will be outside. During the summer, the best times to go would be mid-morning, before it gets too hot.
• Consider the crowds, especially if you've chosen more touristy areas, like the High Line or Chelsea. Avoid weekends or go early or late to avoid the crowds.
• Be prepared with water, snacks, a camera, and weather-appropriate accessories like hats, sunblock, jackets, and scarves.
• Set age-appropriate expectations and limits. For older kids, turn the hunt into a challenge with prizes. Engage with kids with the art by having them make observations or drawings in a journal.
• Leave room for flexibility, as you never know where the scavenger hunt may take you.

FAQs for Planning a Public Art Scavenger Hunt

• Is this a good activity for toddlers? Scavenger hunts can be a great activity for toddlers as long as the area of the hunt is limited and the time for the hunt is kept short. Make sure to have snacks on hand and combine the outing with a trip to the park.
• Do I need permission for large group hunts? No permission is needed since public art is for everyone.
• Can we do this in winter? Scavenger hunts certainly can be done in the winter, but just make sure to have weather-appropriate gear. End the activity with some delicious hot chocolate.