Worcester Massachusetts Street Art Murals Day Trip
Welcome to Worcester MA Street Art Murals
Did you know exploring Worcester’s public street art murals is a fun, convenient day trip in the heart of central Massachusetts for families, photographers and people looking for a unique experience in the Commonwealth?
In 2016, the international street art festival Pow! Wow! was brought to Worcester, Massachusetts (MA) and after participating in the festival for four consecutive years, there are now over 100 public murals to see. These diverse, unique murals are displayed on buildings and public spaces across Worcester and add a vibrant flavor to the city’s revitalization efforts.
Update: Pow! Wow! Worcester Returns
After a year off, Pow! Wow! returned to Worcester, Massachusetts in 2021 with artists from around the world to add vibrant public murals representing youth voices. This piece below is my favorite from the newest 2021 Pow! Wow! murals displayed on Worcester’s Main South school and community buildings.
Park in the YMCA lot at 766 Main Street and walking around the back of the building to see this mural on the Jacob Hiatt Magnet School building and two others on the YMCA building next to the school.
How to get to Worcester Massachusetts’ Street Art Murals
Start your day trip at 570 Main St. (there is on-street parking and public parking at the Federal Plaza garage). From here, you can easily walk to a series of murals that are located on or a short distance off of Main Street.
What to see exploring Worcester’s street art murals
We’re going to check out seven murals that are within walking distance for a fun, easy street art excursion. Also, this piece by discovercentralma.org offers a great itinerary for spending a morning or afternoon.
Starting out by 570 Main St., there are two murals painted on opposing sides of the Federal Plaza garage by: Christina Angelina on the left (top pic) and Marka 27 on the right (bottom pic).
From here, walk towards the city hall building with the clock tower (heading north) and turn right onto Federal Street. Walk less than a block’s distance and looking to your right on the side of the Hanover Theater, you’ll see a compelling, eye-popping mural by Insane 51. Using over 500 cans of spray paint, this 50-foot tall mural is composed with 3-D illusory effects.
From here, walk to Salem Street to see a somewhat hidden mural that exudes a vintage vibe. It’s painted on a building in small parking lot at the corner of Salem and Franklin Streets and is titled “Austin, TX.”
Head back onto Main Street (via Franklin Street) turning left and you’ll see this painting on the corner of Chatham and Main titled “The Block Player” (not part of the Pow! Wow! festival).
From here, continue on Main Street walking towards and past the city ball building with the clock tower until reaching the Palladium concert hall (artists that performed here include Blink-182 and Kayne West) at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Turn right before the venue doors and walk down into the parking lot on the side of the Palladium for our final two murals.
On the side of the building, you’ll first see this hummingbird (titled “Bird #6”) by Arlin and then turning left past this mural, you’ll see a play on the smiley face (a Worcester invention by Harvey Ball) titled “Slick” by OG Slick.
Tip: Look for parking spots along Main Street. You can also park by the Palladium and do this itinerary in reverse.
Tip: By going in the late afternoon, you can get some really cool street shot and cityscape pictures at sunset.
Have you seen the street art murals in Worcester MA? Which mural or murals are your favorites. Leave a comment below and let us know your tips for exploring Worcester’s public art or other attractions.
