Top Things to Do at Railroad Square Art District in Tallahassee

Planning a visit and wondering what to do at Railroad Square Art District? This lively place presents the unique side of Tallahassee. If you are an art lover, foodie, or history buff, then you will have the best time in Railroad Square Art District. Popular for its artistic atmosphere and local flavours, Railroad Square offers many enjoyable things to visitors. Here you can admire beautiful artworks, try delicious cuisines, enjoy live performances and much more. This is not only a travel destination but also a place where creativity and culture come alive. Read on to find out the top things to do at Railroad Square Art District.

Tip: Do not worry about transportation if you are travelling for a corporate trip, family vacation, or friends’ trip, as you will easily find Florida charter bus rental services to ensure a comfortable and affordable journey.

Top 8 Things to Do at Railroad Square Art District

Railroad Square Art District is a vibrant cultural hub in Tallahassee, Florida. If you are visiting this place for the first time, then you may not know what to experience. There are already so many exciting things to experience in here. This is why here is a complete list of things you must explore while visiting.

Explore Art Galleries & Artist Studios

Railroad Square Art District is a prime location for exploring art galleries and artist studios. It features more than 50 creative studios and art galleries along with amazing, unique boutiques. These artworks represent local cultures and showcase them. The notable gallery spots are mentioned below.

Studio 621

Studio 621 is a significant and must-visit contemporary art space in this area. Here you can explore non-profit hubs, beautiful experiential visuals and more. Overall, this area will give you an amazing experience amidst art and culture. It provides other facilities such as Art for Dinner and Art Weddings

Explore Local Creators

In this area, you can find young artists working on their art pieces and showcasing them. Most of these young local artists are Florida State University and Florida A&M University students as well as local businessmen. You will find many locally made small businesses selling items such as jewelry, metal sculptures and photography.

Tip: The ideal time to explore these galleries is on the first Friday of every month, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, for the famous First Friday Gallery Hop. 

Hunt for Vintage & Thrift Finds

Railroad Square Art District is a local’s favourite destination for finding vintage things at very negotiable prices. This is also considered a prime location for thrift shopping in Tallahassee. These shops are mostly ideal for retro-style fashion and home decor and you will also find antique stores.

Shop At The Other Side Vintage

The Other Side Vintage is a vintage shop with a massive collection of rare records, retro-style clothes, decor, and many other items worth buying. Visitors often praise the pricing range and love its products. From mid-century modern furniture and jewelry to magazines, comics and quirky collectibles, you will find everything here. No matter what you are looking for, be it home decor or vintage clothes, definitely come here to have an amazing experience.

Explore Savvy Salvage Thrift

This popular local shop features amazing jewelry options and offers branded footwear for visitors. Here you can also find high-quality local Florida State University merchandise. There are many other good options to visit rather than these two, such as Railroad Thrift.

Tip: Well, many will tell you to visit on First Fridays but the best time to visit these shops is actually on Second Saturdays. You will find a relaxed crowd after Friday’s hustle and can get stuff at reasonable prices.

See Colorful Murals & Street Art

There are many things to do in Railroad Square, but exploring its art and murals is definitely something. You will find murals and street art everywhere in the city of Tallahassee. These murals and street art make this place picture-perfect. The best way to enjoy these beauties is by taking a self-guided tour around this area. Artists have turned many old warehouses into beautiful paintings here. From giant wall-length paintings to hidden graffiti gems, every piece of art is stunning.

These murals and street art make it one of the top places to take pictures in Tallahassee. However, some of the must-visit artworks are Namesake Property Murals, King Love Mural and 3D and outdoor metal sculptures.

Visit Black Dog Café

Location: 229 Lake Ella Drive, Tallahassee, Florida.

Only about three miles away from this place, there is Black Dog Café. It is one of the most popular coffee shops in Tallahassee. It offers a pleasant, cozy atmosphere, which makes the whole cafe much more relaxing. This cafe serves high-quality coffee with a beautiful waterfront view. Besides coffee, you can also find delicious snacks and vegan and gluten-free options. This coffeehouse can be a perfect spot to sit and work if you are working remotely or a student. Also, it would be a perfect spot for you if you want to spend some quality time or play a board game.

• Hours: 7 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on weekends. However, these are the current operating hours and can change in the future. Always check the latest updates before your visit.
• Must-try: Draft coffee, organic kombucha, local proof craft beer, wine, freshly baked pastries.

Eat at Crum Box Gastgarden

Well, do not miss the Crum Box Gastgarden while being here. This famous and unique restaurant in Tallahassee is worth trying. This place is also known as Railroad Caboose Café Tallahassee, as it was built out of a real crimson railroad caboose. You should definitely visit this place if you want to have one of the best outdoor dining experiences of your life. Inside the café, you will find a long staircase with an open-air dining area with picnic tables all around.

In here surely go for their in-house-made sausages; other popular options are spicy jalapeño, Italian and sandwiches. But don’t worry if sausages ain’t your thing; go for meatball subs, veggie burgers and cucumber salad.

• Facilities: Crum Box Gastgarden hosts several local live performances throughout the year on its stage at the gastgarden. You can also grab a chilled brew to unwind.
• Note: The restaurant opening hours, local events and pop-ups keep changing, so always check details before making plans.

Relax at Craft Beer Gardens & Local Bars

In this beautiful area of Tallahassee, you can find many places to try crafted beers and each of them is funky and unique. You can find plenty of outdoor beer gardens and local breweries to try and enjoy with amazing ambience. Here are some top-rated options.

Railroad Square Craft House

Railroad Square Craft House is one of the best bars in Railroad Square, Tallahassee. You can not find a better place than this to have craft beer in here. With an eye-catching steampunk-themed design, this place is art itself. It features an ‘Art Garden’ for visitors to enjoy lawn games and live music. While visiting this place, definitely try out their handcrafted wine cocktails, crafted beers and other beverages.

Fermentation Lounge

Fermentation Lounge is a popular place for crafted beers and drinkers away from the busy spots of the area. This beautiful local bar is located at 115 North Macomb Street and serves amazing drinking options. Fermentation Lounge hosts many different types of events in a week, such as Taco Tuesdays (special for food and drinks), Trivia Wednesday (a trivia night starts from 7 PM to 9 PM) and New Beer Thursday (fresh kegs get tapped).

Opening Hours: It stays open from 4 PM to 12 AM on weekdays and 2 PM to 12 AM on weekends.

Play at Gamescape Café & Pinball Arcade

For indoor players, two amazing places in Railroad Square, Tallahassee, are Gamescape Café and Pinball Arcade. First things first, let’s start with Gamescape Café. This hobby store and LAN center is a number-one destination for card game enthusiasts. If you want to experience proper gaming, you should consider this place for sure, as here you can play Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon, Warhammer 40K and many recent hit video games.

Now we are going to talk about a very famous arcade spot in this area, known as Flippin’ Great Pinball Arcade. This is a pinball parlour that offers local pinball tournaments and theme nights. They also provide rental options available for private parties. The top attraction of this place is that you can play over 70 vintage and modern pinball machines and classic arcade cabinets. To play, you will need to book these games on an hourly basis. A bonus point of this place is that you can enjoy sipping on chilled beers while playing your games.

Disclaimer: Opening hours of both these places vary. To know the latest opening hours and tournament updates, you can call (850) 325-6600 (for Gamescape’s updates) and (850) 727-0313 (for Flippin’ Pinball Arcade).

Try An Indoor Rock Climbing Gym

If you are done browsing on the internet and want to do something productive and fun, then this entire place has something for you. Definitely add indoor rock climbing to your bucket list before starting your journey here. No matter if you are a beginner or an experienced climber, local gyms here feature routes for every type of climber. This is a perfect activity to try for families, friends and even if you are travelling solo. Such gym options are Alchemy Climbing, also known as Tallahassee Rock Gym.

Best Food & Drink Spots To Try In Railroad Square

Every trip is incomplete without trying the best foods of that place. Now, a vibrant place like this has a variety of food options to try. This is why let’s find out some top places for delicious food.

Coffee Shops in Railroad Square Art District

Let’s start with Mug Shots Coffee and Tea, a renowned coffee shop in Tallahassee. This coffee shop provides a cozy, welcoming ambience with a variety of eclectic caffeine options. When visiting this beautiful place, you must try their signature item, Blueberry Muffin Latte. You can find good bakery and breakfast items on the menu at the cafe. Besides this, there is Square Mug Café, an artistic vibe coffee shop. Here you should try homemade popsicles, beer, wine, all-day lunch options and obviously their sweetwater coffee. There are many other good, worth-visiting options available.

Local Craft Beer Spots To Explore

Apart from Railroad Square Craft House and Fermentation Lounge, many other craft beer spots in this area serve amazing craft beers and other drinks. You should definitely consider going to Halisi Africa at 625-1 McDonnell Dr. This is an African restaurant that often features beers with their meals. Besides this, there are many coffee shops and dining places that have craft beer, wine and other drinks on their usual menu.

Casual Dining Options In Railroad Square Art District

Railroad Square Craft House and The Crum Box Cafe are great options if you are looking for casual dining places in the area. But besides these popular spots, there are many other significant places to explore. Such options are Flamingoz A Taste of Miami (serves delicious Miami dishes), Choublak (significant for Haitian cuisine) and Pineappetit (great option for Caribbean fusions). In case you are looking for something vegan, go for The Barks. This pet-friendly, planted restaurant features a cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

Outdoor Food Gardens

While being in this place, don’t forget to visit the outdoor food gardens to have a refreshing experience. However, the top-rated outdoor food gardens are Railroad Square Craft House and The Crum Box Gastgarden with beautiful ambience and facilities. Nevertheless, there are more places to explore here, such as Reggae Rail (find the best Jamaican food), NorthFlora Collective (a beautiful nursery with a beer garden) and Railroad Square Mini Food Hall (an artistic place with several food vendors).

Best Photo Spots in Railroad Square Art District

In the entire city of Tallahassee, this area has selfie spots worth visiting. Each one of them is beautiful and picturesque, so visitors get confused about which one to visit. Find the best photo spots here from the list below.

Picturesque Murals & Walls

• Greetings From Tallahassee: This beautiful art piece features a classic postcard-style design that is a local favourite and equally loved by visitors. It is located at the rear facade of The Other Side Vintage.
• Good Vibes Only Gallery: You will find this masterpiece at the Good Vibes Only shop located at 809 Railroad Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32310. It represents some of the incredible works of popular artists. Visitors often love to capture these.
• Asphalt Art & Abstract Walls: Don’t miss visiting the famous mural just behind the FAMU buildings at 602-661 McDonnell Dr & 1046 Commercial Dr. All these beautiful paintings are done by the FAMU Art Club. These artworks attract travelers and are also loved by locals.

View The Colorful Warehouses

This whole area is full of art and paintings, but it features colorful warehouses which are literally stunning and very worthy to be on your social media feed. Here, check out some top spots.

• Fat Cat Books Mural: The beautiful Fat Cat Books Mural is located at 615 Railroad Square, Unit 5. Visiting here, you will be able to see plenty of colourful artworks with a focal point honouring some notable local figures.
• Railroad Crossings: Well, all the people out there who want everything to be Instagram-worthy, this is their place. Visit this place to capture the iconic abstract murals that are done by Michael Crowne and the FAMU Art Club.

Tip: Plan to visit during the daytime to have the best lighting, and the vintage shops in the surroundings will be open.

Outdoor Art Installations

If you want to view the outdoor art installations in this area. Here are the best ones.

• The Metal Sculpture Gardens: View the incredible works of the local metal artists, especially near places like Dickson Studios. These metal sculptures are vintage and perfect for photography.
• The Pop Culture & Tribute Murals: Explore picturesque pop culture-based art pieces such as the Machine mural and the Mickee Faust community mural. Unique pop culture artworks are picture-perfect and unmissable.
• Nan Boynton Memorial & Community Murals: Do not miss these outdoor art installations. Mostly dedicated to the late Nan Boynton, these artworks are extremely eye-pleasing and so much fun to explore.

Nighttime Lights During Events

If you don’t explore the nighttime experience in here, you will miss out on a lot of fun and enjoyment. Photography lovers should not miss the nighttime beauty of this place; here is why:

• Lighting: This entire place looks different with a different atmosphere after dark, especially during seasonal celebrations and community events. From string lights and storefronts to colorful art installations, everything creates a warm and picture-worthy atmosphere.
• Atmosphere: You will find a huge, energetic crowd here with streets filled with live music and performers. This is when you can capture both the architectural and lively street scenes.
• Tips: Plan to visit around sunset to perfectly capture the transition from golden hour to vibrant nighttime lighting. Also, do not forget to bring a tripod to capture from sharp angles.

Nearby Attractions To Railroad Square Art District

Find the nearby attractions to Railroad Square Art District to add more adventure to your upcoming journey.

Explore Cascades Park

Cascades Park is only about 1.4 miles away from the place. This urban park in Tallahassee is a beautiful natural attraction with various facilities. If you want to relax amidst nature or are looking for a fun outing, Cascades Park will offer it all. It stays open from sunrise to sunset and has completely free entry. If you are traveling with kids, then definitely do drop by, as this park has a modern nature-themed children’s playground. Not only are the facilities but Cascades Park is also home to some significant historical landmarks of the state.

• Parking: The park has on-site parking facilities available.
• Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed with leashes.
• Dining: You can go to The Edison restaurant, located inside the plant building, for amazing authentic cuisine.

Visit Florida State Capitol

Are you fond of history and culture? If so, then you must explore the Florida State Capitol. About only 1.6 miles away from this place. In the Florida State Capitol, you can visit the Historic Capitol Museum that represents the history and culture of the state. After that, you should definitely go to the Observation Deck to learn more about Florida’s political history. Besides these, you can also find several galleries showcasing additional information and valuable facts about the state’s history.

Parking: You will have to use the Tallahassee downtown parking area, but it usually fills up soon, so you can also access municipal parking options.

Outing At Tallahassee Museum

Tallahassee Museum offers a perfect mix of nature, history and outdoor adventure. Only about 4.6 miles away from the place, this beautiful place features a native zoo, historic farm and many more attractions. This place is perfect for every age group but especially for kids. Here, stroll through the elevated boardwalks to spot wildlife such as red wolves, black bears, panthers and so on. However, if you want to experience more adventure, you can explore the Tree-to-Tree Adventures course that offers zip-lines high above the forest canopy.

• Opening hours: The museum opens from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday to Saturday and from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. It stays closed on occasions such as festivals such as Thanksgivings, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s.
• Charges: The museum charges about $17.50 per adult, $16.50 per senior & student, $12.50 for the 4-15 age group and free for children 3 and under.

Disclaimer: The opening hours and visiting charges may vary depending on events and other causes. Please always check recent updates at tallahasseemuseum.org before visiting.

Explore Downtown Tallahassee

Only around 1.5 miles away from this place, you will find another beautiful charm of Florida and that is Downtown Tallahassee. This place showcases the local culture of this state with the best possible dining options. Visitors can easily explore this beautiful area by strolling around. Two must-visit spots in this place are the Adams Street Commons and the Chan of Parks. Besides these, its arts and nightlife will stun you for sure. Downtown Tallahassee represents the state capital’s history and modern city energy perfectly.

Best Seasonal Events To Explore In Railroad Square

Let’s find out the best seasonal events of this whole area so that you will not miss any enjoyment and will have the best time during your journey.

Events	Time	What to Expect	Best For
First Friday Gallery Hop	First Fridays of each month	Live music, performances, dining and open galleries	First-time visitors
Holiday First Friday	December	Festive decor, gift shopping	Families & holiday travelers
Spring Art Exhibitions	March to May	New gallery collections, artist showcases	Art lovers
Summer Community Events	June to August	Entertainment, local food and workshops	Couples, groups
Fall Arts & Maker Markets	September to November	Handmade goods, local vendors	Photography & shopping lovers

Visitor Tips For Railroad Square Art District

Before packing for your days in Railroad Square, Tallahassee, it is really important to know what to pack. So, let’s learn the packing essentials and other important information from the list below.

• Always carry your camera and tripod to capture the beauty of this place at its finest.
• To find the best spots, you will have to walk a lot, so remember to wear comfortable shoes
•  Shop from the local businesses to find the most unique and affordable products of all time.
• Remember to visit on weekdays if you want to avoid the bustle.
• Opening hours of all the shops and restaurants are not the same and they keep changing, so it is better to check before dropping by.
• On-site parking lots are available, but these areas fill up really quickly, especially during festive seasons. However, this whole area is very walkable, which will help you in exploring.

Best Time To Visit Railroad Square Art District, Tallahassee

Know the best time to visit this place from the quick comparison table below.

Season	Weather	What To Expect	Ideal For
Spring	Warm and comfortable	Outdoor art walks, festivals	First-time visitors, photographers
Summer	Hot and humid	Fewer daytime crowds	Art lovers, budget travelers
Fall	Mild with lower humidity	Pleasant weather, lively atmosphere	Shopping, outdoor events, Gallery Hop
Winter	Cool and comfortable	Easy sightseeing, holiday decorations	Families, relaxed exploration

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Conclusion

If you are in Florida and you love art, then do yourself a favor and visit this place. This hidden gem of Tallahassee is full of amazing and beautiful things with a very welcoming atmosphere. Visiting this place will give you a memorable experience, so don’t delay further and plan your journey as soon as possible.