Mural Arts Safe Spring Walking Tours To Open Soon
Four walking tours, including three brand new tours, highlight the season for Mural Arts Philadelphia’s spring schedule. West Philly Inspired Mural Arts Walking Tour, New Bella Vistas Mural Arts Walking Tour, and Spring Into the Arts Mural Arts Walking Tour are all new for 2021, and will rotate schedules on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The Mural Mile Center City Walking Tour will run every Saturday and Sunday morning at 11 am from March 13- May 30, 2021.
Experience firsthand how art ignites change. Explore the world’s largest outdoor art gallery and get to know Philadelphia’s stunning mural collection on a guided tour. Weave through neighborhood streets on foot and get inspired by the incredible public art that makes Philadelphia the Mural Capital of the World. Professionally-trained guides offer a behind-the-scenes look and share the in-depth stories about the people and communities that inspired and shaped each Mural Arts Philadelphia project. Visitors also learn about the mural-making processes and how the work of the organization has evolved over its nearly 40-year history.
Know Before You Go
Safety precautions for Mural Arts Tours will include mandatory masks for participation in the tour, with a maximum of 10 guests per tour. Tickets must be purchased in advance on the Mural Arts website, muralarts.org/tours. Tours last 90 minutes.
Mural Mile Center City Walking Tour
Get to know Mural Arts Philadelphia’s world-renowned collection on foot along the Mural Mile. Explore culturally-rich and bold Center City, getting up close and personal with murals that tell the intimate and inspiring stories of our city, its leaders, citizens, and amazing public art. The Mural Mile highlights art tucked in out-of-the-way corners to soaring additions to the cityscape, like the breath-taking Untitled, by Amy Sherald and Water Gives Life, by Philadelphia artists Euhri Jones and David McShane.
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, March 13 – May 30, 2021, 11 am – 12:30 pm
Departs from: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 128 N. Broad Street, Lenfest Plaza (outside) by the large paintbrush sculpture.
$24 per person. Advance reservations and face coverings are required.
Neighborhood Walking Tours – Three different neighborhoods tours rotate every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from March 13 – May 30. Visit muralarts.org/tours for a complete schedule of dates.
West Philly-Inspired Mural Arts Walking Tour
NEW TOUR ROUTE for 2021: Explore on foot the many wonderful and awe-inspiring murals in West Philadelphia. Led by a professionally-trained tour guide, guests will wend their way through University City, Powelton, Mantua, and Belmont to learn the stories behind the murals, the artists, and how Mural Arts has evolved to impact every neighborhood of Philadelphia. Many of the murals on this tour feature charismatic figures who overcame incredible challenges to pave the way for future generations. Some highlights include They Met the Challenge, by Marcus Akinlana, which pays homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Silent Watcher, by Faith XLVII, a majestic visual landmark at the gateway to University City.
Dates: Various Saturdays and Sundays, March 13 – May 30, 2021, 2 – 3:30 pm
Departs from: This tour begins at the Richard Allen mural at 3801 Market Street in West Philadelphia (Northeast corner of 38th & Market Streets)
$24 per person. Advance reservations and face coverings are required.
New Bella Vistas Mural Arts Walking Tour
NEW TOUR ROUTE for 2021: Discover on the foot the many stunning and inspirational murals in the Bella Vista, South Street, and Hawthorne neighborhoods. Led by a professionally-trained tour guide, guests get an inside look at the unique character of the area, hear stories behind the murals, the artists, and how Mural Arts has evolved to impact every neighborhood of Philadelphia. The murals on this tour exemplify new beginnings and the pioneering spirit and grit that is at the heart of Philadelphia and its residents – past and present. These include Remembering a Forgotten Hero, by Keir Johnston and Willis “Nomo” Humphrey that celebrates early civil Rights activist Octavius V. Catto in his own neighborhood and David Guinn’s Autumn Revisited, in the beautiful Palumbo Park, adjacent to the Fleisher Art Memorial.
Dates: Various Saturdays and Sundays, March 13 – May 30, 2021, 2 – 3:30 pm
Departs from: This tour begins at Palumbo Park, 723 Catharine Street.
$24 per person. Advance reservations and face coverings are required.
Spring Into the Arts Mural Arts Walking Tour
NEW TOUR ROUTE for 2021: This tour will explore the up-and-coming Spring Garden neighborhood, which offers an explosion of eclectic mural styles in the now-named Spring Arts District. Here, stunning temporary works are mixed with permanent mural masterpieces, ensuring a surprise around every corner. The graphic and beautiful murals include Folding the Prism by Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn and Jim Houser’s Wide Open.
Dates: Various Saturdays and Sundays, March 13 – May 30, 2021, 2 – 3:30 pm
Departs from: This tour begins at Common Threads, at the Northeast Corner of Broad and Spring Garden Streets
$24 per person. Advance reservations and face coverings are required.
Segway Tours
Opt for the fun and different Mural Arts Segway Tour which features murals throughout the Spring Garden and Northern Liberties neighborhoods. Mask and helmet required.
Departs from Philly Tour Hub, at Pier 5, 7 North Christopher Columbus Blvd
$85 per person. For a complete tour schedule and to reserve tickets visit: http://www.phillytourhub.com/Our-Tours/Segway-Tours/2-Hour-Mural-Tour.aspx.
Private Group Options
All public tour offerings are available for private bookings for social, business, or civic groups of virtually any size and age. In addition to the walking tours, a step-on option is also available for groups with their own vehicle. pricing, further details, or to book private tours and activities, call 215-925-3633 or email to***@mu*******.org.
Mural Arts Philadelphia tours are presented by Bank of America with additional support from Fashion District Philadelphia.