One of my favorite things to do when visiting other cities (and one of my key size-a-city-up practices) is to wander around its neighborhoods and take note of its public art. Sculptures, graffiti and shop signs are all fair game; a city's visual flavor betrays a great deal about its inhabitants. Our home features framed photos of particularly inspiring pieces we've seen -- some of which disappeared soon after we admired them -- and my memories of places I've lived all feature public art that gave otherwise characterless expanses (concrete tunnel bridges, windowless brick walls) permanent prestige in my mind's eye. Of course I appreciate street art's political power -- Banksy is legendary, and JR is visionary -- but I also just love one-of-a-kind signage, or simple messages scrawled on a wall. Austin's got lots of all of it. Here's a small sampling, hot off my phone.

What are your favorite cities for street art sightseeing?