Denver Street Art Guide: All the Best Murals, Photography Tips and Hidden Gems

At one point in time, graffiti was considered a faux pas, a destructive defacing of cities and public buildings. Some murals were politically charged and anti-establishment, a way for rebels to quietly protest, while physically leaving their mark on the city. It was art with a powerful message that started as an underground subculture.

Sometime during this millennium though, a curious thing happened. Street art evolved into a genre accepted by the masses, worth being explored, photographed, and even commemorated in museums. It’s not necessarily highbrow couture, but it is respected. The Tate Modern in London opened the world’s first exhibit dedicated to solely street art in 2008 and people like Banksy became household names.

Explore Denver’s vibrant street art scene with our guide to the best murals and expert photography tips. Capture stunning shots of the city’s most iconic and hidden street art pieces because street art is one of Denver’s biggest attractions.

Street art has completely changed the way we travel. Instead of seeking out historic landmarks, whimsical millennials seek out colorful murals and rainbow desserts to practice their photography, promising to garner Instagram likes and follows. The world became a canvas and cities with extensive street art scenes suddenly became cool.

Denver is one of those places and embraces public art as a way to beautify the city. In fact, 1% of any capital construction project over $1 million dollars must go towards public art; ensuring the city’s collection of street art and sculptures is continually expanding.

Denver is renowned for its impressive street art scene, and there are several iconic locations that photographers shouldn’t miss. The RiNo Art District is the epicenter of Denver’s street art, featuring massive murals by local and international artists. Another popular spot is South Broadway, where you’ll find everything from abstract street art to political murals. For a quieter experience, Larimer Street offers a collection of smaller, but equally stunning, street art pieces. These spots are perfect for photographers looking to capture everything from detailed graffiti to large-scale urban masterpieces. While less artsy, Union Station and Coors Field are also nearby and worth a visit.

With more than 100 new murals popping up last summer alone, drive down any of the main thoroughfares – Broadway, Colfax, or Santa Fe — and you’ll be greeted with a modern city awash in color. The vast majority can be found in RiNo (River North) between the 25th and 31st blocks of Larimer Street, Denver’s most conspicuous example of neighborhood gentrification. Warehouse conversions, boxy construction, patterned designs, and sculptures paint a cheery façade on a downtown that’s growing far beyond its britches. Is it covering up a larger problem? Maybe, but it is also adding to Denver’s curb appeal and that’s a debate for another day. Take the art at face value and enjoy the creativity.

Top Denver Street Art Locations: Best Murals & Hidden Gems for Photographers:

CRUSH Walls Festival

New murals are added every year at the CRUSH Arts Festival in early September. Standing for Creative Rituals Under Social Harmony (yeah, it’s deep), artists spend a week beautifying the city and adding new murals to the RiNo district. To date, they’ve painted over 500 walls and provided over 1.5 million dollars in artist stipends in the 10+ years the festival’s been running.

Top Street Art Photography Tips: How to Shoot Murals Like a Pro

Capturing street art in Denver can be a rewarding experience, but a few photography tips can elevate your shots. First, always shoot during golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) to capture murals in the best natural light. If you’re shooting large-scale murals, use a wide-angle lens to capture the full artwork. For close-ups of intricate details, a macro lens works wonders. Don’t forget to experiment with perspective and composition, and try shooting from different angles to add drama to your images. Denver’s urban environment offers a unique backdrop for street art photography, so don’t be afraid to incorporate the city’s architecture into your shots.

Now that you know where they are, how do you get the best street art photos?

When shooting murals, a little pre-planning goes a long way. Think about what you’re going to wear and bring. Bright, sold colors generally compliment the art, while busy patterns may clash. It’s always a good idea to pack 1-2 outfit changes to see what looks best (that’s a pro Insta tip) and accessories like hats and umbrellas to compliment the design.

There’s a debate as to whether posed or unposed shots look better. My thought? Just take a bunch and see which turns out the best. If you have an iPhone, leave Live Photo on so you can view different keyframes and have even more options to choose from. Since I normally travel solo, a tripod and remote are how I get most of my shots (random strangers usually don’t result in good photos and aren’t always around).

Always check the weather before you head out. Lighting is the #1 photo killer so harsh midday sun (or inclement weather) can be a buzzkill. Considering most street art is in busy commercial areas, parking lots or otherwise, it’s always a good idea to visit on off-peak hours, either early in the day or late in the day and during the week over the weekend. There will almost always be some type of obstacle that you can’t prepare for from people staring to cars and construction cones (once I even had a surprise porta potty) so often times you simply have to play the waiting game (I’ve have to return to the same place multiple times to capture some of these).

Don’t get frustrated, just use it as motivation and celebrate when you finally do get that one perfect shot. Also, while you do want to visit at off-peak hours, some of these are in areas that could be considered sketchy so be aware of your surroundings and stay vigilant about traipsing through alleys by yourself – bring a buddy if possible.

The Denver Street Art Scene is One of the Best in the Country

From the iconic “Love This City” murals to mesmerizing geometric patterns, the city is a canvas that invites both locals and visitors to discover its artistic heartbeat. Whether you’re wandering through the alleys of RiNo or meandering down Broadway, each piece tells a story and adds to the rich urban landscape. So, grab your camera, put on your walking shoes, and immerse yourself in Denver’s dynamic street art scene—you never know what masterpiece you’ll encounter next.

Plan Your Trip:

• Looking for a hotel in the area? Here’s my recommendation
• For more on Denver’s street art scene, check out this post from Visit Denver.
• For the most Instagrammable dishes in Denver, read this tasty post.
• Want to see them all? Book a street art photography tour.

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