Strolling the Broadway Arts District

The Broadway Arts District offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the historic charm of Fort Wayne and the vibrancy of modern urban life. Spanning across a colorful stretch of Downtown, lined with historic buildings, eclectic boutiques, cozy cafes, and dynamic artistic spaces, the Broadway Arts District calls for exploration. Union Street Market at Electric Works is Fort Wayne’s newest dining destination and a “must see” on any visitor’s list, but the locally owned businesses along the Broadway Arts District, leading to and from Electric Works, call for an afternoon spent adventuring in this unique neighborhood.

Start on the north end, at Washington and Broadway, and head south. In this first block, you will discover Davey’s Delicious Bagels, a great place to start with a coffee and freshly-steamed bagel.

Just down the street, you'll find even more tasty treasures at Good Bread, a gluten-free bakery. Just across Jefferson is The Abstract, a chill cocktail lounge with tasty drinks and bites. And across Broadway from that is the beloved dive bar, the Brass Rail, where music nightlife abounds. 

Studios and Galleries

Many of Fort Wayne's finest artists call Broadway home. Here's a list of art studios and galleries located in the Broadway district:

Alexandra Hall Art

Gallery K

Peter Lupkin Studio

Terry Ratliff Gallery

Ruth Koomler Art

Virginia Stoner Hugenard Art Gallery

Boutique Shops

Broadway boasts a handful of expertly-curated boutique and vintage shops. Check them out:

Aaron’s Fine Rug Gallery

Delaney’s at 1421 Broadway

Fancy & Staple

Hopscotch House

Knitting Off Broadway

Sharon's Victorian House of Gifts

Restaurants

Mexican mom-and-pops, craft beer, custom cakes, a state-of-the-art food hall...Broadway has it all:

Davey’s Delicious Bagels

Golden Wok

Laredo Restaurant

Mad Anthony Brewing Co.

Tacos Arandas “El Amish”

Taqueria Salsa Grille (in George’s International Grocery)

Union Street Market (at Electric Works)

Chapman's Brewing Co.

Public Art and Murals

From Jerrod Tobias’s mural on the side of the Brass Rail, to all the public art lining the walls and tunnels of the Electric Works campus, scope out some of the city’s most iconic installations on Broadway,

Music

The Brass Rail has long been a popular spot to hear local bands, national acts, and everything in between. One-part dive bar, one-part music venue, and 100% sure to deliver a memorable experience.

Events

Electric Works and Union Street Market (the food hall and public market located on Electric Works’ campus) regularly host live music, farmers markets, and pop-up events. 

One of the biggest events on Broadway each year is the annual Art on Broadway—a local art and gallery crawl spanning across multiple businesses on Broadway. During Art on Broadway, the district’s neighboring businesses work together to host special pop-up art exhibitions, artist showcases, live music, and special experiences. 

Another major event on Broadway is the annual Broadway Street Stroll, designed to showcase the art, cuisine, breweries, shops, and venues along Broadway. The Street Stroll is family-friendly, with hands-on activities, art demonstrations, and live music.

Both Art on Broadway and the Broadway Street Stroll offer excellent opportunities to immerse yourself in the Broadway district experience. Three new businesses are opening on Broadway as part of this event: Gallery 02, Astra Lounge, and the second location for Kreative Framing. The other businesses participating are: Ratliff Gallery, Ruth Koomler Art Gallery, Aaron's Find Rug Gallery, Tammy Silowsky's String Shop, Fancy & Staple, and Lupkin Designs Inc.

Explore the latest happenings on our Events Calendar. 

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