More than just a mural, "8-Bit to 5G" is a celebration of creativity and innovation. This evocative mural—a work created by Raleigh artist Taylor White—is a colorful expression of a collage of characters, graphics, hardware and other elements that represent a multitude of game genres and titles played, watched and made in the Raleigh area.

When viewed with the naked eye, “Abstracted Motion” depicts five figures in shades of purple and blue, hitting an array of poses. But, when viewed with an accompanying Android smartphone app, the 40-by-60-foot mural practically leaps off the wall. The art piece, painted by Raleigh artist Taylor White, is considered one of the world’s first augmented reality (AR) murals.

Originally painted in 2015 by Luke Buchanan, this mural has become the unofficial welcome sign to downtown Raleigh. This mural was painted on the side of chef Ashley Christensen’s restaurant, Poole’side Pies. Christensen is an established local chef and restauranteur who commissioned this mural to promote equality for the LGBTQ community. Luke Buchanan was invited back to Raleigh to give this mural a makeover and create a new “All are Welcome” mural during the summer of 2019.

Stretching 150 feet along the wall of a former grocery store, this downtown Cary mural shares the entire history of the town, starting with the railroad, important in the town’s early days, and ending with images of modern activities and fine dining—experiences you can enjoy today. The mural was created by Val Fax, and completed in June of 2003.

One of downtown’s most colorful spots belongs to the Marbles Kids Museum. "Color Pop Corner," painted by Raleigh artist Lisa Gaither, delights the senses of both young and old with its eye-popping and brightly-colored geometric shapes. With seating, a small grassy area and big colorful concrete spheres, the space is an ideal spot to burn off extra energy, usually generated by a fun trip to Marbles.

Raleigh’s tallest mural comes courtesy of artist Scott Nurkin of The Mural Shop with help from the Raleigh Murals Project and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. A Towering piece at the corner of W. Hargett and S. McDowell Sts., "Green City, USA" depicts an abstract tree composed of geometric shapes that appears to be sprouting right out of the sidewalk. It gives a nod to Raleigh’s luscious canopy of parks, squares, wildlife and forests as well as the eco-friendly technology developed in the Research Triangle area. It also celebrates the organic and technological greenery that will power this area for generations to come.

When you think of wine, your think peacocks, right? If not, then one look at "Pavo the Cosmic Peacock" on the exterior of local wine shop DRINK will certainly shift your perspective. A creation by local artist Clark Hipolito, this colorful fowl regally gazes at you as its plumes of eye-covered feathers cascade down the side of the business, surround the building’s entrance and continue along the sidewalk path. Pavo is named after one of the 12 constellations established by Petrus Plancius. There’s also a wine called Petrus that’s widely considered one of the best red wines in the world.

Commute Smart Raleigh, Raleigh Union Station and Raleigh Arts teamed up to commission local artist J.P. Powell to paint a mural at the Raleigh Union Station bike racks. “Ride” was also created to increase awareness for National Bike Week and is meant to inspire the joy of cycling. The mural, with its city skyline, a solo bicycle, a pair of cyclists wearing helmets and its interconnected pathways, reflects the multi-modal connectivity of bike and rail. Cruise on over to the Warehouse District on your own two wheels to get a closer look!

Look out for this giant mural when you visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. "The Good of the Hive" is an artistic initiative founded by Matthew Willey on a personal commitment to hand-paint 50,000 honeybees—the number necessary for a healthy, thriving hive—in murals around the world. You can find 11 on the mural in Raleigh!

As part of CAM Raleigh's "Above The Rim" exhibition (closed in Feb. 2019, the exhibit explored basketball through the lens of art from 16 international artists), Stephen "ESPO" Powers re-created a scene from 1990s NBA history—Allen Iverson, sitting on the bench during an actual game, having his hair braided by his mom Ann. A "shoutout to moms everywhere," as Powers described it on Instagram.

This mural by artist Jalel Ronin celebrates the life of the late John Lewis, a towering figure of the civil rights era who served for more than three decades in Congress and is known for his unwavering fight for equality in the 1960s. Lewis—who in 2011 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor—was one of the 13 original Freedom Riders, was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinator Committee, was an organizing leader of the March on Washington and led many other protests, sit-ins and marches. Lewis was arrested more than 40 times and repeatedly physically assaulted, including an infamous beating by police that fractured his skull on the Edmond Pettus Bridge in Selma in 1965. Lewis died at the age of 80 in 2020, and this mural on the exterior of Trophy Brewing + Pizza went up the following month. The mural depicts the Edmond Pettus Bridge with a new name, the John Lewis Bridge, a change that many have advocated for in recent years.

Many visitors to Raleigh’s Glenwood South entertainment district acquaint themselves quickly with the delicious Asian fusion cuisine of Five Star Restaurant—a City of Oaks staple for more than 20 years now. What makes the experience even more appealing is the welcoming 2-D hostess right outside the restaurant’s entrance. Painted by artist Clark Hipolito, this anime-inspired character—dressed in red flowy robes and adeptly holding a pair of chopsticks—offers passersby a demur smile as she plucks a five-pointed star out of the air. Pose for a mural selfie on your way in or out for the perfect complement to an Instagram-worthy meal.

The iconic Free Expression Tunnel is the longest, widest and most heavily-used pedestrian tunnel on the North Carolina State University campus. True to its name, it’s also where students and visitors alike can express thoughts and feelings about anything—some of which manifests itself in some truly unique artwork. Local tip: Look for the “Express Yourself” plaque dedicated by the University in 2006.

Ever wondered what it would be like to see Abraham Lincoln cruising around behind the wheel of a Lincoln automobile? Well, wonder no longer, because the Lincoln Theatre hosts a beautiful mural that brings that exact scene to life on the live music venue's west-facing wall. This piece took five days to complete and was painted by Clark Hipolito with assistance from David Eichenberger and Jason Johns.

North Carolina Central University coach LeVelle Moton is a certified living legend, a distinction now immortalized via a beautiful mural at the corner of Salisbury and Hargett Sts. in downtown Raleigh. Designed by Adam Williams and constructed by mural artist Sean Kernick, the piece features Moton surrounded by championship trophies, family and organizations like the Raleigh Boys and Girls Club that helped shape him. "Coach Mo," who grew up in Southeast Raleigh, leaves his mark on the region on and off the court, giving back and inspiring through the Velle Cares Foundation as well as transforming his old Raleigh neighborhood by partnering with the city to develop more affordable housing.

First created in 1996, this large-scale mural on the side of Raleigh landmark Mission Valley Cinemas was commissioned by HopeLine, a local independent volunteer organization that lends a hand to those in need. Freshly-reimagined and -repainted in May of 2019 by artists Susan Skrzycki and Sven Johnson, the mural offers a phone number for anyone in crisis to call (919.231.4525).

At The Cardinal located in Glenwood South, you’ll find some of the best hot dogs and brews in the city as well as one sweet piece of urban art. The Raleigh Bicycle mural is a sprawling rendering of a cyclist being chased by a lion through a warm-colored savannah, inspired by a vintage Raleigh Bicycle Company advertisement distributed to African colonies during the early 20th century. Being that it’s the only lion native to these parts, this mural is a true must-see!

Shaw University—the first historically black university in the South, the first college in the nation to offer a four-year medical school and the first black college in the nation to enroll women—celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2015. This mural by artist Scott Nurkin showcases three themes—technology, entrepreneurship and sustainability.