Railroad Square facts for kids
Railroad Square Art District is a super cool place in Tallahassee, Florida! It's full of art, fun shops, and exciting things to do. You'll find amazing metal sculptures and stores selling unique artwork and collectibles. It's famous for its small, local shops and places where artists create their work. It's a bit different and very creative!
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A Look Back: How Railroad Square Began
This awesome art district used to be a lumber company called McDonnell Lumber. The buildings you see today were mostly built way back in the 1940s. Later, it became an industrial park. In the 1950s, the Boynton family bought the property. Three generations of their family still own much of it today!
It was Nan Boynton, from the second generation of owners, who had a brilliant idea in the 1980s. She started inviting artists to set up their studios and shops there. She also gave the area its new name: "Railroad Square." Since then, it has grown into a lively spot with over 70 different businesses. You can find everything from coffee shops and art galleries to rock climbing gyms and vintage stores.
First Friday: A Monthly Art Party!
One of the most exciting things about Railroad Square is "First Friday." This happens on the first Friday of every month. It's a huge art party where the whole district comes alive! You can walk around, enjoy live music, grab tasty food from food trucks, and explore all the shops and galleries. It's a fantastic way to experience the creative energy of Railroad Square.
Cool Shops to Explore
Railroad Square has tons of unique shops where you can find all sorts of interesting things. Many of these shops are small and locally owned, meaning they are run by people from the community. You can discover:
- Vintage clothing and cool old items at places like Wonsaponatime Vintage and Curio Vintage.
- Handmade bags at Anhaica Bag Works.
- Comics and graphic novels at Cosmic Cat Comics.
- Books at Loud Voice Books.
- Unique gifts and crystals at Crystal Portal and Airen's Oddities.
- Fun socks at Psockology: Novelty Socks.
- Even kayaks and paddleboards at Tally Yakkers!
Fun Places to Eat and Play
When you get hungry or want to have some fun, Railroad Square has you covered!
- You can grab a bite at The Crum Box Gastgarden or enjoy a drink at Black Dog Cafe.
- If you have a sweet tooth, check out MAYhem Sweets & Treats.
- For active fun, there's the Tallahassee Rock Gym where you can try climbing.
- You can also play classic arcade games at Flippin' Great Pinball.
- If you're interested in martial arts, there's Leon County Judo Club and Railroad Square Jiu Jitsu.
- And for a unique experience, visit the Mickee Faust Club Community Theater for a show!
Amazing Art to See
Since it's an art district, you'll find many galleries showcasing incredible artwork. These are great places to see paintings, sculptures, and other creations by local artists. Some of the galleries include:
- 621 Gallery
- Artisans Gallery
- Jan's Gallery
- Objex Gallery
Images for kids
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The entrance to Railroad Square.
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The art park office.
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A caboose (part of a train) that's now a cafe!
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A food trailer, often seen during First Friday.
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A typical busy First Friday night.
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The South of Soho gallery and rock gym in an old warehouse.
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One of the many cool shops in the park.
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The House of Plywood.
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The Mickee Faust Club House.
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The sign for Gallery 621.
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A painting called "Dragon Breath" by Ray L. Burggraf, an artist connected to Railroad Square.
