YoCo Twist Blog
York County has a burgeoning art scene that makes it a fantastic destination for lovers of street art. Beautiful works can be found all over the county.
Historic Murals of York
In downtown York City, historic murals started popping up in the mid 1990s in an effort to celebrate York’s rich history and to bolster tourism. This collaborative initiative resulted in the creation of more than two dozen large murals within several blocks of Continental Square. The murals depict a variety of scenes illustrating early York history (the Articles of Confederation were adopted here), manufacturing and agricultural roots, prominent Yorkers, milestones, and more. Several mini murals feature the art of Lewis Miller depicting life in York during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Fortunately, the York County History Center has digitally preserved these works of art along with a map noting locations.
Royal Square District
The Royal Square District of York City is a small but mighty arts and culture destination with art galleries, shops, restaurants, and the Royal Square Mural Park. Royal Square District is named for the streets that surround the area: Duke, King, Queen, and Princess.
Unveiled in August 2023 during York Arts Week, Mural Park currently features 30 vibrant, larger-than-life murals all within a one-block radius. Many have been enhanced with augmented reality (viewable through the free VisionSolutions AR app available here). Conveniently located adjacent to the award-winning Collusion Tap Works, Mural Park offers a perfect after-meal stroll to burn a few calories and delight your eyes. The colors in the murals are absolutely stunning and provide many gorgeous backdrops for Instagram-worthy photos.
Surrounding Mural Park, you’ll find the merchants of Royal Square District, with several unique art galleries and working artist studios, eclectic shops and services, and a few more restaurants, including Levant Mediterranean Cuisine which opened in July 2024 to rave reviews, Asian-fusion, a lively pub, and Alley’s which is scheduled to open in summer 2024. During warmer months (April through September), visit on a Sunday afternoon to stroll the first block of East King Street for “Sidewalk Sundays” featuring artists and crafters creating live works in front of the shops. On the First Friday of every month, you’ll find shops and galleries open late from 5-9 p.m., often with special guests, discounts, giveaways, tasty nibbles, and sometimes even an animal friend or two. With everything this little district has to offer, it's not to be missed on a visit to York. The best days to visit the shops and galleries are Saturdays and Sundays 12 noon-4 p.m. and First Fridays 5-9 p.m. Click here for a map and directory.
YoCo Arts and Culture Digital Passport
The YoCo Arts and Culture digital passport is a free mobile ticket to dozens of York County arts and culture attractions. Be sure to check in on your phone each time you visit a participating location. When you check in to five locations, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a getaway experience here in York County.
Additional locations for great art in York County:
Throughout the downtown area, you’ll also find a variety of playful sculptures, most of which were fashioned from old manufacturing parts in a nod to York’s industrial history. Larger than life flowers, animals, benches, planters, and more are fun to spot as you wander the area.
The Penn Street Art Bridge (200 block of North Penn Street) was established in 2017 by the York Time Bank, transforming a “vandalism issue” into a creative community asset. The art bridge created a safe space for street artists to share their work with the community while raising awareness about the beauty of graffiti and street art in general and current events. The art bridge is a footbridge connecting the 200 block of North Penn Street with Gay Avenue, right off Roosevelt Avenue between Philadelphia Street and Route 30. Art is constantly changing as new artists visit and create.
Ruins Hall (30 Enterprise Street, Glen Rock, PA 17327) has a long history in manufacturing and served many purposes since being built in the 1870s. Today, it serves as a haven for street artists and hosts a variety of events such as weddings, festivals, and pop-up markets. It’s also a popular site for photo shoots.
Creative York (10 N Beaver St, York, PA 17401) is a non-profit visual arts center located in historic downtown York City, featuring two art galleries showcasing local, regional, and national artists. They frequently exhibit innovative new artists, local favorites, experimental installations, and diverse art forms to give art enthusiasts a uniquely inspiring experience with every visit. The gallery is located across the street from Central Market House.
York Art Association (220 S Marshall St, York, PA 17402) is one of the oldest art associations in the United States. It proudly offers two galleries exhibiting local art plus year-round classes for adults and children. The Nancy M. Woodward Gallery hosts seven exhibitions a year, including members-only exhibitions, invitationals, and the annual Open Juried Exhibition. The Sally Little Danyo Members' Sales Gallery, located at the front of the Nancy M. Woodward Gallery, provides a venue for YAA members to display original artwork and prints for sale.
Hanover Area Arts Guild (32 Carlisle Street, Hanover, PA 17331) is located in the heart of historic downtown Hanover, PA, within easy walking distance of various shops, galleries, restaurants, and other attractions. The non-profit guild originated in 1968 and is an organization of approximately 150 eclectic artists and craftsmen, offering new exhibits monthly.
