Railroad Square, Tallahassee's original art district: 70-plus shops and galleries, First Friday 6 to 9 p.m. monthly, free parking off FAMU Way.

Last checked 2026-10-10. Facts come from The Art District, which owns and manages Railroad Square, and its FAQ.

Railroad Square is Tallahassee’s original art district: a World War II-era warehouse park turned into a 10-acre home for more than 70 shops, galleries and small businesses, between FSU, FAMU and downtown. Its First Friday festival, 6 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, opens the galleries and shops with live music and food. The next ones are Friday, Nov. 6, and Friday, Dec. 4, 2026.

Who to call

  • The Art District office (by appointment): 850-224-1308
  • Individual shops and galleries: contact each business directly; the district does not give out tenant contacts.

First Friday

From the district’s FAQ:

  • When: the first Friday of each month, year-round. Official hours are 6 to 9 p.m., but you can come earlier or stay later.
  • Roads: closed to cars inside Railroad Square from 6 to 9 p.m.; walk in any time.
  • Parking: on the property before 6 p.m., and along FAMU Way, within easy walking distance. Holders of a disabled parking placard should check the FAQ for their parking.
  • Vendors: outside vending is not allowed; the tenants sell their own work and food.
  • Rain or shine: in more than 20 years, the district says, First Friday has been canceled only for Hurricane Irma and for 14 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is there

The district lists vintage, thrift and antique stores, art galleries, creative shops, a nonprofit theater, a pinball arcade, a gaming shop, a cult cinema, the region’s largest indoor rock climbing gym and a kayak shop. Names the district itself mentions:

  • Galleries: 621 Gallery, Obsessions Gallery, Jan’s Gallery, and the co-op galleries Renditions Gallery, Able Artist Gallery and Feeling Art Collective.
  • Theater and film: Mickee Faust Theater; Capital City Video.
  • Vintage: The Other Side Vintage, Rare Birds.
  • Food and drink: Square Mug Cafe, Gamescape Cafe, Railroad Square Craft House and Crumbox Gastgarden, which the district calls the only cafe in town built out of a real railroad caboose.

Hours. Many Railroad Square businesses open Wednesday through Sunday, and a few every day. The district asks visitors to check each business for its own hours.

Getting there and parking

Railroad Square borders FAMU Way, on the doorstep of FSU, FAMU and downtown, right along the Cascades Trail. The district counts more than 200 parking spaces on the property and more than 100 within a short walk; the yellow-shaded areas on its map are free public parking, with no towing. Coming by bike? The Capital Cascades Trail connects downtown and Cascades Park; see our walking and biking trails guide.

Nearby

What this means for you

  • First Friday: 6 to 9 p.m., the first Friday of every month; next Nov. 6 and Dec. 4.
  • Park before 6 p.m. or along FAMU Way.
  • For a quieter visit, go Wednesday to Sunday daytime, when most shops are open.

Related: date night in Tallahassee, live music and nightlife and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is First Friday at Railroad Square?

The first Friday of every month, year-round. Official hours are 6 to 9 p.m., and the roads inside Railroad Square close to cars during those hours. The next ones are Nov. 6 and Dec. 4, 2026.

Where do you park for First Friday in Tallahassee?

Park on the property before 6 p.m., or along FAMU Way, within walking distance. The district marks its free public parking in yellow on its map, with more than 200 spaces in Railroad Square and 100 more nearby.

Is Railroad Square open during the week?

Many businesses open Wednesday through Sunday, and a few open every day, the district says. Hours vary by shop, so check each business.

Is First Friday free?

There is no admission charge listed. Galleries and shops open their doors with live music and food, and you pay for what you buy.