Hidden Gem in NYC for Families: Discovering Hi Bye Tiles in Gowanus
Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on
If you're looking for a new twist on the classic city walk with your kids, the Hi Bye Tiles art scavenger hunt in Gowanus, Brooklyn, is a magical surprise waiting to be discovered. The artist behind the Hi Bye Tiles—whose identity remains delightfully low-key—secretly installs tiny ceramic messages and characters on street corners, brick walls, and lampposts across the family-friendly neighborhood. Each tile is delightfully whimsical, sometimes sweet, sometimes sassy, always smile-inducing. Hi Bye’s art focuses on imagination, humor, and world-building through an ongoing “hidden in plain sight” series of ceramic street art tiles. She’s currently in the middle of a 100-tile project.
On a recent sunny Saturday, my 7-year-old and I found ourselves turning a corner on 3rd Avenue only to spot a yellow banana tile smiling at us while we waited for the bus. Instantly, the walk turned into a hunt. We found six tiles in total that day, and each one sparked a burst of excitement. We've got the lowdown on how to start your own Hi Bye Tile art hunt below, plus more fun secret spots for NYC kids to discover.
