Wander Through These 10 Magical Mural Alleys Across the U.S.

You can read the full article from Fodor’s Travel here

Don't be afraid to take a stroll down "Freak Alley" or one of these other splashy, colorful mural walks.

Spend time in any major U.S. city that celebrates the arts and you’ll likely see a few splashy murals as you drive or walk the streets—nods to the local culture and history, no doubt. The newest incarnations of street art are alleys—costing nothing to enter and entirely outdoors—exploding with bright paint, a montage of several different artists contributing to the effort. Because these are in urban areas, this represents a total transformation of tight, cramped spaces formerly clouded in grit and darkness.

From Buffalo, New York, to sunny Los Angeles, here are 10 art alleys you must check out on your next urban trip. Pro tip: charge up your phone or camera because you’ll definitely be snap and click-happy once you arrive. And if this isn’t your first trip to one of these alleys, don’t expect to see the art you saw before. Murals rotate as frequently as the local art museum’s shows, bringing in new perspectives.

Black Cat Alley

WHERE: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This pedestrian-only alley on the city’s East Side received its makeover in 2016 and now hosts 21 murals by 24 artists. Not all are in the Badger State: the muralists’ talent extends to Berlin, Germany; Philadelphia; and Los Angeles. Black Cat Alley has become so popular—especially for couples on their wedding day—that it’s spawned fun businesses a few steps away, like Sip & Purr Cat Café and a food hall (Crossroads Collective) with traditional food menus as colorful as these mural walls.