Spring/Summer 2011

Philadelphia has long been known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” but it also has another name — “The International City of Murals.” More than 3,000 murals displayed throughout the city are part of the Mural Arts Program, started in 1984.

The program, conceived as part of a community effort to eliminate graffiti, trains street artists to use their talents in another public arena. Today, the MAP has produced thousands of murals that bear testimony to the city’s artistic soul. 

The vibrant and elaborate murals, some eight stories high, cover countless subjects ranging from gardens, comic books, African American history, musicians and, of course, Philadelphia heroes. With murals created by both street and professional painters, Philadelphia has truly become a community of open-air art for all.
Visitors can tour the murals independently — on foot, by bike or trolley — or take one of the many year-round tours, led by trained guides. Custom tours are available, too.

In June 2010, Philadelphia unveiled its Center City “Mural Mile.” Consisting of 17 new murals — including depictions of civil rights, animal justice and even famous individuals named “Frank.”  By downloading podcasts and cell phone tours, visitors can listen to the artists and neighbors talk about the murals’ creation.
The tours have become so popular that a young Canadian visitor chose the “Love Letter Tour,” a series of murals comprising a romantic missive, as the spot to propose to his girlfriend.

As a local glee club sang “All You Need is Love,” she glanced up at the final mural. In crooked, colorful letters it read, “If you were here, I’d be home now.”
Cue the bent knee and the ring. (She said yes.)

- State - Pennsylvania

- Type - Family Vacations

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