You may have noticed that Texas is a behemoth of a state to drive through. While that can make for some lengthy road trips, it also means there’s an incredible collection of art living in big cities and small towns. You’re never too far away from something spectacular.
Stumbling on a work of public art is a treat, though sometimes it helps to have a specific destination in mind. We’ve got your back with a road trip featuring 20 murals in Texas, spread all across the Lone Star State.
A couple of caveats with this itinerary: Seeing all of these murals requires a lot of driving. It is more than okay, and even encouraged, if you decide to break things up into smaller chunks or do a day trip that only includes a few near your area.
Also, murals and works of art keep popping up all the time. We’re sharing magnificent murals you can visit right now, but there will always be new pieces worth checking out.
Alright, enough logistics. We’ve got some art to see!
Amarillo: ¡El Gato!
The U.S. Route 66-Sixth Street Historic District is one of the most entertaining places in Amarillo, and you’ll spot this meow-velous mural from a mile away. The curious orange cat fittingly rests on the wall of the Alley Katz Unique Antique Emporium, which features over 40 vendors selling antiques and vintage collectibles. Swing through the shop, too. You just might pick up an item to ride with you on your mural journey.
2807 SW 6th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79106
Vernon: Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison liked to sing about a “Pretty Woman,” but the mural honoring the singer is plenty pretty itself. Orbison was born in Vernon, and his birthplace honored him with this mural designed by Selena Mize. The mural is 110 feet wide and 25 feet tall, an appropriate size since Orbison’s shows often felt larger than life. While you’re in the area, be sure to walk to the Robert Brown Hibiscus Mural, get a greeting from Bacon City, USA, and pay homage to a local legend, Harvey Dean. He sold tamales to raise money for his children to go to college, and his story lives on through art.
1506 Main St, Vernon, TX 76384
Frisco: A Place Like Home
Any visit to Frisco should include making your way to one particular building. Inside, you’ll find the science-savvy Discovery Center, the choo-choo-riffic TrainTopia, and the nostalgic National Video Game Museum, among other hands-on activities. Along the side of the building, you’ll also discover a delightful mural. Alec DeJesus unveiled A Place Like Home in 2025 as a curiosity-filled invitation to the wonders that lie inside.
8004 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75034
Dallas: Deep Ellumphants
You could easily spend a full day traversing the Dallas mural trail. However, if you only have time for one stop, Deep Ellumphants by Adrian Torres is the best choice to make. As the name suggests, the elephants live in the Deep Ellum neighborhood, on the side of the Brake & Clutch Warehouse building. The area that houses this mural doesn’t have a ton going on, so it’s a nice bit of peace amid the rush of the city.
3601 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Tyler: Art Alley
When one piece of art is not enough, head to Tyler to discover an entire alley of colorful pieces from local artists. The art gets rotated out regularly, so you’ll likely encounter something new every time you stop by. As a bonus, Tyler’s Art Alley is not too far from The Plaid Rabbit; the “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired speakeasy is full of eclectic decor and innovative cocktails that may or may not produce a Mad Hatter.
200 W Erwin St, Tyler, TX 75702
Waco: Be a Pepper
All this road trippin’ will likely work up a thirst. Stopping at the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco is a logical solution. Plan to join the “Extreme Pepper Experience,” where you’ll get guided tours, score a Dr Pepper float, and have the opportunity to make your own soda. Or, just stay outside and admire the artwork outside the factory.
300 South 5th Street, Waco, TX 76701
Bryan-College Station: Sister Cities Mural
One wall of the Clara B. Mounce Public Library represents Bryan-College Station’s sister cities from around the world. The mural, completed by Enrico Pense, features animals and phrases that celebrate the cities’ international ties. Keep an eye out for nods to Salamanca, Mexico (a jaguar); Bastogne, Belgium (a deer); Toruń, Poland (an owl); Greifswald, Germany (a crane); and Bryan itself, represented by a blue jay. The mural also includes phrases in each language, such as discovering together, exploring new paths, inspiring each other, and embracing curiosity and connection.
201 E 26th St, Bryan, TX 77803
Brenham: Lady & The Bear
Some murals have names that evoke deep meaning or intense feelings. Others simply describe what’s going on in front of you. Lady & The Bear falls into that latter category, though it’s still quite impactful. And sorry to the bird and flowers; neither gets top billing on the mural marquee. Michael C. Rodriguez developed this mural in 2017 for the Texas Arts and Music Festival, and it still stands proudly today. In fact, Brenham has a charming art walk with several works in the vicinity of Lady & The Bear, so get out and stretch your legs.
210 S Park St, Brenham, TX 77833
Austin: Tau Ceti
Several impressive murals dot downtown Austin and spill into South Congress. You’ve probably seen people snap pictures in front of the I Love You So Much mural by Jo’s Coffee; the oddities of Space Cowboy are out of this world; and the Wonder Woman mural is visible from blocks away as you head down Cesar Chavez. But if you want to see the tallest public artwork in the state capital, visit Tau Ceti, named after a star in the constellation Cetus. This 103-foot tall mural is a myriad of rainbow colors, completed in November 2018 by Josef Kristofoletti. Pick up a coffee from Desnudo a block away, then marvel at Tau Ceti’s sheer height.
E 2nd St and Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
Kerrville: Anole
Some people find parking garages to be a bit nerve-wracking, with dark corners and tight squeezes making for a white-knuckled ride. But when there’s an enormous mural on the side of the parking garage, it makes all your worries disappear for the time being. Anat Ronen painted this 115-foot anole lizard on the third floor of Kerrville’s downtown parking garage. The mural aims to “promote walkability and community vibrancy” in the city, and it’s certainly worth getting out of the car to admire.
201 Clay St, Kerrville, TX 78028
Nixon: Bobcats and Mustangs
Every good mural has a story, and Nixon’s finest work of art blends the town’s past and present while nodding to its future. Siblings Noe and Natalie Hernandez created this work as a city beautification project along the Aphne Pattillo Nixon Public Library, though it became more extensive as it developed. The siblings, who were a senior and junior at Nixon-Smiley High School in 2025, led the charge in presenting the Bobcats—the former mascot of the school—and the Mustangs, the school’s current name. Alumni are invited to sign their end of the wall, while future graduating classes will ink their signatures on the right side, showcasing a bond throughout the ages.
Nixon Public Library: 401 N Nixon Ave, Nixon, TX 78140
Mathis: Howdy from Mathis
It would be pretty wild to go through an entire Texas road trip and not come across a single “howdy,” so a stop in Mathis is worth your while. The Howdy from Mathis mural is just one part of a larger vibrant landscape of people and animals, but the “howdy” side is the only one that features a farmer surfing through a crop of corn. The mural is just a few steps away from Gigi’s Pizzeria, where you can have the moon hit your eye like a big pizza pie. That’s a-mural-e!
101 E San Patricio Ave, Suite B, Mathis, TX 78368
Sinton: Our Texas Heritage
Texas artist Daniel Dzul painted a pair of 15 x 60′ murals to celebrate 250 years of America and the history and culture of the Lone Star State. The result is a combo of colorful tapestries that are catty-corner to each other. On one side, famous American icons such as the Liberty Bell, a bald eagle, and George Washington. On the other (pictured above), Dzul pays homage to the six flags and people who have transformed Texas into what it is today. Should you need a pick-me-up at this point in your trip, Reveille Coffee across the street has a cookie butter latte that’ll knock your socks off.
197 US-181, Sinton, TX 78387
Corpus Christi: Pups on Broadway
Are you ready for your big close-up? Corpus Christi hosted its inaugural mural fest in 2022, and each year, more majestic works liven up downtown. Within a few blocks, you can spot a sky-high Farrah Fawcett, a pair of musical skeletons, and a lucky lotería card. Perhaps the most delightful of all is Koda Witsken’s Pups on Broadway. Corpus Christi residents sent Witsken portraits of their dogs, and she brought them to life in a swirl of bright, fantastic colors. Extra points if you have your dog join you for a selfie in front of the mural.
401-457 N Lower Broadway St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Port Isabel: Alebrije Aztec
Adrian Rodriguez is a junior high art teacher in Port Isabel, but his work extends far outside the classroom. Under the name “Serkit,” Rodriguez has murals all over the Rio Grande Valley. Alebrije Aztec, right in between Port Isabel and Laguna Heights, is among the most impressive. Alebrijes are folk art sculptures of animals with bright colors and unusual features. Pedro Linares, who created this art style, hallucinated these animals while he was ill with a fever. Rodriguez teaches this style to his classes, and he brought it to life as Serkit. Alebrije Aztec features an Aztec man with a headdress, a sea turtle, a pelican, and a Texas horned lizard.
801 Highway 100, Port Isabel, TX 78578
Mission: Tom Landry Mural
This one’s for the Dallas Cowboys fans. The 95×18-foot tribute to the legendary Cowboys coach has seen a handful of weather-necessitated renovations since its initial dedication on Sept. 18, 1995. But Manuel Hinojosa’s work still stands proudly in Mission. Landry is most well-known for leading the Cowboys to five Super Bowl appearances and two victories. However, he also played high school ball with the Mission High School Eagles, quarterbacking an Eagles team that finished with an undefeated season. The mural serves as a timeline to his many accomplishments.
100 E Tom Landry St, Mission, TX 78572
Uvalde: Healing Uvalde
The mass school shooting at Robb Elementary School claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers, a senseless tragedy that devastated the city of Uvalde. The Healing Uvalde Mural Project aims to bring the community back together. Artists from across Texas united to build a legacy for those students and teachers. Abel Ortiz, one of the contributing artists, initially thought it would be one mural, but believed the work needed to be “monumental.” So, instead of just one work of art, there are 21 murals, each depicting an individual and showcasing their interests, joys, and personalities. Anat Ronen, another contributing artist, explained that everyone deserves to be remembered as the people they were. Creating “a colorful gallery of ginormous murals” lets locals and visitors honor them forever.
Primarily along Main St, Uvalde, TX 78801
Del Rio: Vida, Amor y Muerte
Papel Picado is one of the most traditional decorations in Mexico. You’ll see it at Día de Muertos celebrations, as they bring a unique, colorful style to community ofrendas. Gabriella Rosales designed the Vida, Amor y Muerte mural to highlight this type of decoration. As the name suggests, each section represents a different element. You’ll find life, love, and death depicted here. The designs feature tons of intricate details, so feel free to take a longer look.
308 Guillen St, Del Rio, TX 78840
Rankin: All of Matt Tumlinson’s murals
Rankin is a small oil town in Upton County, with fewer than 800 people during the last census count. Yet its art game might be one of the biggest in the entire Lone Star State. That’s largely due to Matt Tumlinson, who’s made it his mission to beautify the city. All of Rankin’s works are eye-catching, and they often give a wry wink and a nod to Texan culture. Since Rankin is only 1.1 square miles, it’s not tough to see them all while you’re out and about. If we had to pick a favorite, it’s John Wayne as a professor, showing off his “Life is tough, but it’s tougher if you’re stupid quote” as an easy-to-understand chart.
Various locations
Marfa: Giant
“Giant” was the last movie that James Dean ever filmed. John Cerney believes it’s among the actor’s finest work, so he designed an entire mural dedicated to the film. You’ll see Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson, all posed in iconic moments from the movie. Director George Stevens is also hidden amongst the car and building backdrop. And if you dig this mural, Cerney donates a work of art to a different city each year. Perfect for a Cerney-centric road trip!
US Highway 90, approximately five miles west of Marfa Wyatt Ranches in the Little Reata Division
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
