Gowanus in Three Stops: Art, Pie and an Evening Option

This Gowanus outing connects a pie shop, an arts organization and an optional evening taproom stop. Build it around a scheduled arts program if you want more than a lobby visit, then adjust the food stops to fit.

1. Start With Pie at Four & Twenty Blackbirds

Begin your Gowanus outing at Four & Twenty Blackbirds (439 3rd Ave), a pie shop. The shop is open weekends for both morning and afternoon visits, but ask about seating if you need a seated break. Consider pie as a snack or coffee break rather than a full meal. If you’re planning a later art stop, check closing times to avoid missing out on your preferred slice. For more on what to expect, see Four & Twenty Blackbirds Turns Gowanus Pie Into a Pick-Up Plan.

2. Walk North on 3rd Avenue to Powerhouse Arts

From the bakery, head north along 3rd Avenue to Powerhouse Arts (322 3rd Ave). The route follows public sidewalks, not a continuous canal path, and involves crossing busy intersections. The operator directs pedestrians along 2nd Street to the lobby doors. Use current street directions and posted pedestrian routes rather than assuming the canal edge provides a shortcut.

3. Explore Powerhouse Arts’ Public Lobby and Architecture

Powerhouse Arts is a large arts organization housed in a striking industrial building. The public lobby is open during the posted visitor hours, but access to studios and galleries is only available through specific programs or by invitation (source). If you don’t have a program booking, use the lobby as an introduction and take in the building’s architecture from the street. For more on public access and what to look for, see Can You Visit Powerhouse Arts Without an Event Ticket?.

4. Choose Your Art Anchor: Lobby Visit or Scheduled Event

Decide whether your visit will center on a scheduled art event or a self-guided lobby stop. If you book a program or tour, you may want to reverse the order of your food and art stops to fit the event’s timing. Without a booking, the lobby offers a brief look at the space and a chance to view the building’s exterior. For tips on finding and booking local maker events, see Your First Brooklyn Maker Class: Compare the Whole Commitment and live weekend calendar.

5. Head to Wild East for Drinks and a Food Popup

Finish your route at Wild East Brewing Co. (623 Sackett St). From Powerhouse Arts, walk north to Sackett Street, then east toward 4th Avenue. The taproom offers a range of beers, including non-alcoholic options and rotating food popups. Hours extend into the evening on weekends, making it a flexible stop for groups or solo visitors. For details on beer styles and what’s on tap, see Wild East Turns a Gowanus Beer Stop Into a Style Choice.

6. Plan Your Route and Timing

Pie shops and taprooms have different peak times and closing hours. For a daytime food stop followed by evening drinks, compare the pie shop’s closing time with your chosen art program before setting the order. If you’re attending a scheduled art event, check its timing and reverse your food stops as needed. Ask the stops you choose about restroom access and seating if those needs determine the length of your outing. Use official websites for the most current directions and hours.

Before You Go

Gowanus is a changing neighborhood with active construction and evolving public spaces. Use public sidewalks between the three addresses, but expect to cross busy streets and follow posted pedestrian routes. This route uses public streets rather than promising an uninterrupted waterfront walk. Check the next crossing before setting off, and shorten the route if construction or the weather makes a stop inconvenient. For the latest on events, art programs, and food popups, check each venue’s official site before heading out. This three-stop plan is flexible—choose your art anchor, adjust for closing times, and leave enough time for the part of the outing that matters most to you.