Welcome back to the Austin Pedal Party Blog, we are (as always) so excited to have you stop in and read with us. If you’re searching for activities to enjoy during a stay here in Austin, you have come to the proper page. Here in the city that we can’t stop talking about, creativity seems to ooze from every building and street corner. Walking down Congress Street or anywhere in Austin, the amount of street art in this area is truly dynamic and breathtaking. You can find it on the sides of drug stores, coffee shops, clothing stores and pretty much what ever decides to hold still long enough. A fully comprehensive list would be too much for even the bravest of bloggers to attempt! Here we have taken some time to highlight some of our favorites. Keep reading to learn more about what murals you are bound to want to visit once you’ve read through this piece. For an extra smile, remind yourself that every display mentioned in this article is another free option for something to do here in Austin. If you’d like more free activities, take some time to read through our last post. We made a list of free happenings in the area, and you won’t want to skip out on the savings while you’re here. Now, on to the real reason you came here, the murals! Let us know if you get to see any that are mentioned here today by using the #AustinPedalParty hashtag when posting your sure-to-be-awesome photos from the day.
Greetings from Austin
First up on the list, your essential beginning location for an album full of mural photos. Depicting a vintage postcard, find this mural next to Roadhouse Relics on 1st street. An essential way to let people know that you are having the time of your life while visiting the city. The “Greetings From Austin” mural is a fun way to commemorate an awesome trip.
Historic 6th Street Mural
Another gem is waiting to be found on at the very beginning of 6th Street by the I-35 frontage road, this mural is real life pop art. No filters are needed when you pose for portraits in front of this classic piece. Designed and painted by Sanctuary Printshop in 20212, this mural has remained an eye-catching portion of the area for 20 years now. Take a moment to read all the separate pieces of the painting and photograph each section for fun Instagram group posts.
Austin, Texas
Similar to the “Greenings from Austin” mural in style, but unique enough to be its own stand out piece is the “Austin, Texas” mural at 3700 Guadalupe that features a word art style display of “Austin, Texas” with landscapes and portraits inspired by the area.
I love you so much
Simple, powerful and paired with a great local story to go alongside it, the “I love you so much” mural is rumored to have been a love note sprayed on the side of Jo’s Hot Coffee at South Congress and James Street by Amy Cook to her partner (and shop’s owner) Liz Lambert. Some say that the note was an apology, others believe that it was just a quick expression of the love from one person to another. Whatever version of the tale you believe, the mural is an awesome stop for engagement announcements, family portraits or even girl’s night out pictures. Adding to the mix of popular South Congress murals, this cute piece will put a smile on your face.
This Is Not A Test
Another South Congress Street mural that makes for the best Instagram post you can imagine, “This Is Not A Test” is a piece that will take us old folk back to the days of cable television. Who else remembers that awful screen that would pop up right as a news station went down? Catch all the nostalgia with none of the obnoxious static at the “This Is Not A Test” mural located at 1902 South Congress avenue.
Til Death Do Us Part
“Til Death Do Us Part” is an iconic, instantly recognizable mural by the corner of Waller and East 7th street. It is a piece done by Artist Frederico Archuleta, a name you will get used to reading by the end of this article. Made with the use of stencils and what seems like endless creative ability, Frederico’s work is some that locals could point out from a mile away. Creating a fusion of Latino and American culturally influenced pieces, Frederico Archuleta is one artist you will want to see more often.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor
Everybody’s best friend and neighbor no matter where you live, Mr. Rogers aided in raising multiple generations with his brand of wholesome entertainment. Everyone is a fan of his thirty-one seasons of different shoes, sweaters and pleasant lessons about life and living in a positive light. Go ahead and try to find someone that wouldn’t smile at the thought of a photo next to a huge mural of Mr. Rogers. We here at Austin Pedal Party are stoked to know that this is beauty is easily located on South Congress Avenue right on the side of Home Slice Pizza because those pizza slices are heavenly.
Image courtesy of A Taste of Koko
SOCO
Not to be confused with SoCal, the South Congress or “SOCO” Mural shows off a pride for Austin that has been burning long and strong since 1852. It is similar (not exact, but similar) to the styling of the “Welcome To Austin” Mural, this piece fits right in to an online album of postcard-like murals in the area. It can be found at 1800 South Congress Avenue.
Be Here Now
Trippy, bright, and enticing as much as it is delightfully tacky, the “Be Here Now” mural is one of those displays that you will want to visit more than once, there is no guarantee that you will notice all that the somewhat abstract picture has to offer. Well known contemporary artist Jason Eatherly created this mural for the side of the East Austin Hotel and it is now an important component of a vast portfolio filled with heartfelt and storytelling pieces. 1310 East 6th Street is the address, and we encourage you to be there now!
Smile! even if you don’t want to
Change your direction and head south on Congress Street to 1511 South Congress Avenue for a bit of encouragement from the wall located across Elizabeth Street from the “Willie for President” Mural. “Smile! even if you don’t want to”, is more than sage advice from a friend. This mural is a cute reminder to keep your chin up during hard times and we think that is a great message that also makes for a great Instagram photo of you and yours showing off those pearly whites for the camera.
Houston Toad
The Houston Toad is not just an obvious name for what content is centered for this mural. Aside from being a beautifully executed piece, there is a message hidden in plain site. Our Houston Toads are endangered, and awareness needs to be brought to that fact. Look no further than 6th Street on the northwest corner of San Jacinto for a glimpse of the mural and don’t skimp on sharing your photos to social media. Truly a part of something that is much bigger than art, the Houston Toad Mural is essential to your list of Austin, Texas public murals.
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You’re My Butter Half
What makes the murals around Austin special is the intent behind their creation. Sometimes, people want to do something nice and that’s the end of that. “You’re My Butter Half” has the vibes of someone who wanted to give folks another reason to grin on a random Tuesday. Bread and Butter are the focal points of this playful, cartoon-ey exhibit on 2000 E Martin Luther King Blvd.
Before I die
Labeled not as a mural, but a Global Interactive Art Project , the “Before I Die” mural is one that you can be a part of because it is a collaborative art piece with a chalkboard background. Make sure to bring a piece of chalk and fill in the line from “Before I die, I want to __” and take part in a group project that has made its journey to 206 East Elizabeth Street in Austin, all the way from New Orleans.
Love Is The Question, Love Is The Answer
Back in 2014, artist Daniel Johnston decided to state the question and answer in a superhero themed mural that is a cute and inspiring exhibit at 1115 West Lynn Street near the drug store. Keep an eye out for his name later in this article, Daniel Johnston is kind of a big deal here in the city.
Image courtesy of A Taste of Koko
Let’s Band Together
Remember back when we told you to keep Frederico Archuleta in mind for the future? Well, the future is now! This piece called “Lets Band Together” can found at 1816 East 6th Street and can be easily spotted while walking to and from the many bars located on East 6th. We don’t have enough room to mention every creative contribution he has made to our streets, but we could not compile a list of murals without more than one of them. “Let’s Band Together” could be called the Heart of Austin if you enjoy a good pun. Inspired by his travels between Mexico and Texas and recognizable by his stencil style of painting, we could come up with an entire article about Frederico Archuleta alone. One visit to any of his many murals will tell you the reason why.
Tau Ceti
This is Austin’s tallest mural so plan to have someone with you who can walk across the street to get a full photo of this one. Trust us, selfies from a below angle don’t work out even for the best of self-portrait artists on most days. Finding this mural won’t be hard. It is on the corner of 2nd and Brazos so get ready to see what they mean about everything being bigger in Texas.
Willie For President
Elizabeth Street is home to the original mural that inspired t-shirts worn by people in, from and around Austin, “Willie For President”. Find this gem of a display on the side of STAG Provisions for men and catch a nice chuckle from this grand portrait of a man we all still cherish here in Austin and all over the world. Though Willie might not have the time to come hang out with all of us (though we’d like to believe that he wants to), our second-best offer is the “Willie For President” mural.
Image courtesy of A Taste of Koko
You Make My Heart Sing
Trying to find a gift idea for your sweetheart while in Austin? Look no further than “You Make My Heart Sing”. It is a mural that is exactly what it sounds like. Get all gussied up and take a quick photo to have printed out for Valentine’s Day or even an anniversary present that is heartfelt and unique. Located on 301 W Riverside Drive, this is a sweet natured piece for anyone to enjoy.
“Welcome to Austin. Do it – The Austin Way”
One of our favorite murals in town and easily seen from our route on the Austin Pedal Party bike is a huge street art mural done by the internationally famous Alec Monopoly that says “Welcome to Austin. Do it – The Austin Way”. It’s located at 601 West 6th Street right on the corner of West 6th Street and Nueces. Though Alec Monopoly is well known (even if the name Alec Monopoly is an alias) for his many art projects worldwide he maintains anonymity by painting with his face masked. It is his first piece in Austin and portrays beloved characters from our childhood, the Monopoly man and Scrooge McDuck, both relishing a vast Texas landscape while an oil rig shoots a giant oily dollar sign into the air! It covers the Nueces Street side of one of our favorite bars in town named Parlor & Yard and brings a comic relief with a quirky nod to the roots of Texas’s economic success.
CONCLUSION
Now don’t forget, there are many murals in Austin to check out, even more than all that we’ve mentioned here on the Austin Pedal Party Blog. Keep an eye out, maybe there will even have to be a part 2 for this particular topic! There’s more than enough material on the subject and we are always on the search for another reason to go exploring. If you decide to visit anything that we have mentioned today, feel free to hashtag #AustinPedalParty and let us know that we sent you. Nothing makes us happier than knowing our guests have had a great time in Austin because that is always our goal.
Bookmark this page and check back regularly to find out what is happening in the wonderful city of Austin, Texas and while you’re here. Take a look around the site for information on the #PedalParty and why it’s the only tour you will want to book. Our local tour guides have a knack for showing off Austin in a way that does more than point out a few historic landmarks. The Pedal Party is an affordable and Eco-Friendly way to get around the city with your party or some new friends that you have just met. Whether you want to book one seat or rent us for the entire family, we have packages available to suit any and all of your needs.
Until next time, we can’t wait to see you for a tour on the #PedalParty. Thanks for checking in again!