Date Visited: February 27, 2016
Cost: Free
Parking: Off street parking and parking lots are available throughout the area
Location: Dean Ave., Manchester, NH
Dean Avenue, also known as the hardest place to find in Manchester, is home to Cat Alley – an alley full of cats.
I must have asked a dozen people for directions to this alley way until one older gentleman chuckled and sent me in the right direction. A lot of people got it confused with the “Alley Cat” (a popular pizza joint in the area). Don’t go there as it is not even close to the “Cat Alley.” The hidden alleyway is easy to miss. It is located between Lala’s Hungarian Pastry (mmmm) at 836 Elm St and Alpha Loft at 844 Elm St. There is a sign on the shingle of Lala’s indicating Dean Ave.
There are cats everywhere in Cat Alley.
The name “Cat Alley” precedes the art on the walls. According to legend, the name was derived from a business man witnessed two stray cats duking it out. I sure wish he had broken it up. At any rate, after noticing the alley way, which I might not recommend walking down too late at night, a business man decided to raise funds and hire street artists to give the alley the look it deserves. Below is a slideshow of all of the art as well as a video of a walk through of the alley.
Cat Alley isn’t the only place I found graffiti, much to the chagrin of many Manchester residents I am sure. I found this mural on Manhattan Lane, a side street parallel to Elm St. This mural is spot on, minus the recycling bins. From left to right is the “Man In The Mountain” (which, as a child, I used to call the “Old Man In The Mountain”) – a rock formative created by wind, erosion and other weather factors on the side of a mountain and which collapsed on May 3, 2003.The state flower is represented as purple lilac. The rest of the mural is also emblematic of New Hampshire; a purple finch (which does have a reddish look) and a covered bridge which is a staple of New Hampshire.
This is another piece of graffiti I found on Manhattan Lane.
I saw a lot of photo-worthy things during my visit. I will be posting more from my trip soon. Don’t forget to “like” me on Facebook here to see photos and videos I don’t post in my blog posts. Thank you!
February 28th, 2016 at 9:09 pm
So neat! I would love to visit there! 🙂
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February 28th, 2016 at 9:14 pm
It really is worth a visit if you’re in the area!
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February 28th, 2016 at 11:11 pm
This super cool and worth searching for. The art work is great!
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March 1st, 2016 at 3:36 am
Thank you very much! They did a really great job!
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February 29th, 2016 at 12:28 am
Thanks for sharing Cat Alley. I would love to see it in person.
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February 29th, 2016 at 2:06 am
It was fun to photograph and video. The artists did a great job. You might see it in person. You never know when you might find yourself in Manchester!
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February 29th, 2016 at 12:50 am
Such vibrant and fun street art! Thanks for sharing a piece of little-known history! ☺
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February 29th, 2016 at 2:08 am
They really did an amazing job. I read the artists were “at risk street people.” Hopefully this project gave them direction and purpose. They are certainly talented people.
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February 29th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
I’m not usually a fan of graffiti, but I loved the pictures of the cats on the walls! Thanks for sharing your photos!
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February 29th, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Thank you for reading and commenting! It is a really cool place.
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February 29th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
Them alley cats. 😀
I don’t support graffiti (as it is vandalism) but this would have to be an exception.
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February 29th, 2016 at 6:52 pm
I would consider it art more than graffiti. It is a nice little attraction for everyone. I’m sure kids would lice it as well.
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February 29th, 2016 at 11:28 pm
“lice it”? 😀 I know what you meant.
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February 29th, 2016 at 11:31 pm
whoops! Yeah I have a hard time typing on my cellphone from time to time. Thanks!
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February 29th, 2016 at 5:15 pm
I love street art, wall art, grafitti – call it what you will so I will certainly try and find this cute cat street. As a point of interest, my home town near Oxford in England has a tiny alleyway called Mousey Lane – I think they need to encourage the artists to do a similar job on the walls which are sadly rather dull in comparison
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February 29th, 2016 at 6:45 pm
I agree. If it’ss done tastefully and artistically I don’t have a problem with it. It’s a form of art. Of course. It shouldn’t be done on private properly without the owners consent. It can add some flavor to the drab city.
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February 29th, 2016 at 6:54 pm
Agreed – no-one should deface another’s property though sadly many do – the results are often messy and not at all artistic which is doubly sad.
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March 1st, 2016 at 9:07 pm
This is so incredible! I have never seen anything like this before, an alley dedicated to murals. I think it’s fantastic!!
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March 2nd, 2016 at 2:51 am
I know! It is so much more fun to photograph and blog about something different and artistic. It was a real find!
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March 2nd, 2016 at 2:55 am
Everything you post is a treasure, but yes, this was fun and artsy, fantastic. 🙂
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March 2nd, 2016 at 3:08 am
And so are your posts! Thank you so much!
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March 2nd, 2016 at 3:09 am
That was so very kind of you, thank you. 🙂 And you are most deserving and welcome.
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March 2nd, 2016 at 3:16 am
You’re always so kind to me. I always enjoy reading your comments!
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March 2nd, 2016 at 3:30 am
You just made my night, again, as you have many times. Thank you
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March 2nd, 2016 at 3:41 am
Have a great night!
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March 2nd, 2016 at 4:14 am
You too!
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March 2nd, 2016 at 3:21 am
I love street art/murals – great capture of Cat Alley.
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March 2nd, 2016 at 3:26 am
Thank you! I’m glad I could share it with everyone!
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March 9th, 2016 at 12:46 am
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
LOOKS LIKE SOME COOL ARTIST CATS ARE THERE, NOW!
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March 24th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Thanks for your sharing New England with us!
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March 24th, 2016 at 2:29 pm
Thank you for reading and commenting!
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March 5th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
I had a lot of fun creating artwork for Cat Alley! It’s great to see they’re all up (with even some other great new additions) and kicking!
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March 7th, 2018 at 11:23 am
You and all of the other artists did a great job! Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
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