Washington DC neighborhoods have a charisma and personality all their own. Touring areas such as Dupont Circle, NoMa, Logan Circle, and along the Metropolitan Branch Trail, you can feel their unique energy with each step of the pavement, or stop on the metro, as the case may be.

It comes as no surprise that the arterials of Washington DC are home to some of the best street art in the country. As the nation’s capital, Washington DC is a phenomenal city for cultural experiences, and we’ve recently shared why it’s a great place to see art. As we narrow our focus on art in public spaces in some of our favorite creative destinations, we’re sharing what we consider among the best street art for a self-guided mural tour in the District of Columbia.

The Shaw Neighborhood

As the site of civil rights marches and protests in pursuit of racial equality, Shaw has a rich and important history. These elements of African American culture are often reflected in powerful works of colorful murals in areas such as Blagden Alley, which draws visitors and locals alike to experience their beauty.

Blagden Alley

In our article about why DC is a treasure trove for art lovers, we touched on the street art murals of Blagden Alley. In contemplating some of Washington DC’s exceptional public art, we happily stumbled upon the “DC Alley Museum,” the brainchild of local artist Bill Worrell.

Just a short walk from one to the next, a series of murals fill the space in Blagden Alley with vibrant color and timeless messages, including “Space is the Place” by talented artist Aniekan Udofia, whose creations adorn many DC walls and alleyways. The vibrant mural, for which Udofia utilized spray paint and latex on wood panels, portrays singer-songwriter Erykah Badu, flanked by (floating) jazz composer Sun Ra. Udofia painted the piece in conjunction with the Sun Ra festival, but it lives on in recognition of contributions of the groundbreaking musical artists, and as a tribute to “multiple generations of creative inspiration.” The DC Alley Museum features five works in total and is a public art experience worth checking out.

U Street Corridor

United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made a big impression as a lawyer and jurist, and the mural in her image reflects a monumental legacy. A red brick two-story building on U street NW near 15th is the perfect backdrop for this fitting tribute to the woman whose life-work continues to captivate the nation and inspire women and girls of all ages. The mural was commissioned by a DC real estate group that hired local artist Rose Jaffe to capture the larger-than-life representation of RBG and is one of many incredible street murals in the area.

The Noma Neighborhood

Named for its location north of Massachusetts Avenue, NoMa is known for its Union Market gourmet food scene and as a hub for transportation. Traversing the streets of NoMa offers endless possibilities to witness amazing street art.

DC Walls

The local business district is heavily invested in NoMa’s street appeal and has collaborated with DC Walls, benefiting extensively from their annual street art festival (formerly known as Pow! Wow!). The festival hosts artists from all over the world and provides an endless canvas of neighborhood wall space and street fronts on which to create their masterpieces.

We hope this has helped navigate a plan to see the exciting street art to experience in Washington DC. In the meantime, you can shop UGallery’s selection of original works and check out new art weekly on our website.