Best Things To Do In Fort Wayne In Top Activities & Places To Go
- Christina Rado
Located in Allen County, Fort Wayne is the second-largest city in Indianaa bustling trove of all sorts of recreational activities.
Ripe with entertainment, outdoor activities, breathtaking scenery, the finest museums, and live music, it has everything you need whether youre on vacation or youre just exploring the big city.
If youre up for a thrilling adventure or a peaceful getaway, weve got you covered. Here are some of the best things to do in Fort Wayne, IN, check em out for an amazing experience unlike anywhere else!
Visit The States Exciting Capital City
Indianapolis is the capital of Indiana and a great place to take a day trip. The city is located just two hours driving distance from Fort Wayne. Its a big city that offers guests a lot of fascinating activities.
For history lovers, youll find lots of museums and monuments. Most notable is The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Stop by and tour the home of the twenty-third President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison.
Massachusetts Avenue is one of six designated cultural districts of the city. This area is a must-see when you visit. Its ripe with art galleries, theaters, local shops, restaurants, and fun bars. The city is also loaded with picturesque green parks and lush gardens.
Enjoying A Night Of Laughter
The Fort Wayne Comedy Club is the place to go for a night of non-stop laughter. Its a fantastic venue to enjoy a show with an intimate atmosphere, and theres not a bad seat in the house! There are generally two shows every Saturday night.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as served as well as a simple food menu. One thing to keep in mind: ticket prices are always cheaper online. Although you can purchase tickets at the door if you book in advance youll save a bit of money!
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Things To Do In Fort Wayne Indiana
In case you are considering a visit to Indiana Fort Wayne is the one place you must stop at! Its a city with great destinations where you can spend best moments in life creating lasting memories. When you go on vacation, whether its a week long, or just a weekend, you should know what to eat and where to visit, so as to make the most of your time. By knowing the different places that your destination offers, youll be able to plan your trip better, and have a more pleasurable experience. This article will give you the things that you absolutely must to do when you visit Fort Wayne.
Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo
In case you find time to visit Indiana and Fort Wayne in particular, and you have your family with you, you need to take your children to Fort Wayne childrens zoo! Theyll certainly enjoy their day, and learn tons about animals too. The Fort Wayne Zoo is an animal sanctuary that has many different animals which your children can see and interact with. They also have different programs which your children can participate in, which can be very beneficial to their cultural outlook in life. The cost is relatively low, thus giving you the perfect opportunity to give your children the best day ever.
Allen County Public Library
Lakeside Park and Rose Garden
Cathedral of Immaculate Conception
Books To Read In Fort Wayne
The Backpacker Bible Learn how to ditch your desk and travel the world on just $10 a day whilst building an online income.
Sometimes a Great Notion A tale of a hardheaded Oregonian logging family that goes on strike, leading the town to drama and tragedy. Written by PNW legend, Ken Kesey.
Walden The transcendental masterpiece by Henry David Thoreau that helped modern Americans rediscover nature and her beauty.
To Have and To Have Not A family man gets involved with the drug smuggling business in the Key West and ends up in a strange affair. Written by the great Ernest Hemingway.
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Day : Explore Downtown Fort Wayne
Start your day walking around the Historic Old Fort Wayne. Youll feel like youve stepped back in time to the 1800s as you wander the complex and see the costumed actors. When youre done, walk or drive 1.5 miles to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Admire the beautiful artwork that spans many different time periods.
Travis Eckert
Next, walk or drive half a mile to the Foelinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. Spend a couple of hours exploring this beautifully landscaped outdoor oasis! Read about the different types of plants growing in the gardens and keep your camera ready to snap some epic photos.
If youre visiting the city on a Saturday, end your night laughing at the Fort Wayne Comedy Club. The botanical conservatory to the comedy club is less than one mile away. If youre not visiting on a Saturday, end your night at one of Fort Waynes downtown bars and restaurants.
Check Out The Artifacts At History Center
Learn the history of Fort Wayne and other parts of Indiana in this museum that showcases a wide array of artifacts and documents. Discover the citys earliest inhabitants, the Miami Indian history, and the founding of the city as you explore the whole building. Even the hallways are filled with informative displays. Check out the stairs going down to the old jail in the basement, where separate cells for men and women are preserved together with original wall graffiti from prisoners. Aside from the permanent displays, special events for topics that influenced Fort Wayne and Allen County history are held now and then, so make sure to check their official page.
History Center
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 10am – 5pm Sat: 12pm – 5pm
Price: 4 – 6 USD
See an awesome collection of American art ranging from the 19th century to contemporary time at Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Complete with displays ranging from glass art, classic toys, and wood and stone sculptures, everyone will find something of interest in one of their changing exhibitions. Take advantage of the free general admission every Thursday night and dont forget to check the exhibition page to make sure you know the exhibit you wish to see. Remember that flash photography is not permitted inside the museum, so refrain from taking selfies and just take your time admiring the treasures here.
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Explore Downtown Fort Wayne
Christopher Boswell
Downtown Fort Wayne is one of the most happening areas of the city. There are plenty of options to suit all interests and budgets.
Downtown has the best options for shopping in Fort Wayne, Indiana. From local boutiques to big retail malls, you wont be short on options. For foodies, enjoy a culinary adventure and sample the citys best restaurants.
From traditional Irish pubs to spicy Cajun restaurants to cozy American mid-west diners, youll find a very eclectic range of eateries. If youre looking for outdoor options, the downtown area is located right next to the river. Take a peaceful stroll along the banks, rent a kayak, or ride a bike.
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Fort Wayne is a wonderful city that is located in Northeastern Indiana. This city is well-positioned and can serve as the gateway to many other nearby destinations. Within a few hours drive, one will be able to access many other interesting things with a variety of things to offer. Ranging from the lakeside where one can enjoy the gentle lake breeze to stunning architecture and sheer fun, there are many cities that can very well be visited and enjoyed on a day trip from Fort Wayne. So, if you are in the area, you may want to consider checking out our recommendations for day trips from Fort Wayne, Indiana, below.
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If you are looking for a place to visit from Fort Wayne, then why not drive up to Colombus? The city can be reached from Fort Wayne in less than three hours if you drive non-stop. Columbus is best known around the country for its lovely architecture. With lots of public art galleries, shopping opportunities and many restaurants, one will definitely have lots of fun. To add to the thrill, take on the very amazing Columbus scavenger hunt adventure. This is a three-hour tour that allows one to discover the city with a smartphone as a guide. This quest begins at the Trinity Episcopal Church, leading one to the Capitol grounds, war memorials, green parks and so on. Using the smartphone, solve clues and challenges as you learn more about the city and discover new sights.
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Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Source: livingfortwayne
This isnt your traditional gym which we all hate visiting on holiday: it actually makes fitness enjoyable so it feels like youre having a day of fun, rather than exercising.
Sky Zone is the worlds first trampoline park. The worlds first. Thats quite an accomplishment! Whatever your experience on trampolines or fitness levels, the idea is to have fun, which is why they offer a pit filled with 10,000 foam cubes.
But if just bouncing around doesnt sound like fun to you, you can participate in their volleyball classes or ultimate dodgeball. Theres something for everyone here.
Explore The Old Fort And Its History
Whether youre a history buff or not, spending time in this expansive public park surrounded by original and restored buildings is a great way to learn the history of Fort Wayne. Know the significance of the Old Fort through the knowledgeable volunteers who will tour you around the grounds. If there is no volunteer to guide you, you can still enjoy your time reading information about the places history and how each building was used. To witness an event depicting the lives of earlier inhabitants of Fort Wayne, see the official page for their schedule, or stay tuned to Old Fort Radio 1640 AM when youre in the city.
The Old Fort
Opening hours: 24 hours
Price: Free
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Satisfy The Curious Wanderer In You
Reconnect with nature and witness the best performances of your life when you experience the best of what Fort Wayne has to offer. History buff or not, you will find interesting facts about the early years of the city and the areas surrounding Indiana – if not the whole of America – while visiting several museums all over the city. With so many things to do here, take some time to update your itinerary so you can fit everything on the list on your next visit to the City of Churches.
Kids Activities Near Me: Fort Wayne Aviation Museum Fort Wayne In
Traveling through the Fort Wayne International Airport? Dont miss the opportunity to learn about the tri-state areas military and commercial aviation history. Visitors are invited to the Greater Fort Wayne Aviation Museum to better understand and appreciate the romance era of aviation through historic details.
With artifacts from old Baer Field and other memorabilia from Fort Waynes 40s and 50s, the Fort Wayne Aviation Museum offers free tours to visitors of all ages keep in mind that tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance.
3801 W. Ferguson Road, Ste. 209, Fort Wayne, IN 46809, 260-747-4146
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See The Citys Spiritual Center
Carol M. Highsmith
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a historic church that was erected in 1860. Its a striking structure in downtown Fort Wayne and open to visitors who are allured by imposing architecture.
The church contains beautiful stained-glass windows that depict the life of the virgin Mary. They were made in Munich, Germany and have sat in place since 1896! Next to the stained glass windows, there are intricate hand-carved wooden religious figures.
This beautiful gothic church is a hidden gem in Fort Wayne and one of the citys historic and artistic marvels!
Savor Sweet Treats At Debrand Fine Chocolates
Make your ordinary day sweet and special with delectable chocolates in this high-end store producing fine chocolates, piping hot coffee, and delightful hot chocolate drinks. Treat your sweet tooth and savor every bite of truffle, caramel apple, and caramel pecan patty. The candies are delicately handcrafted and made from scratch using the finest ingredients. Visit the headquarters located in Auburn Park Drive and join a tour that typically lasts for 45 minutes to see the chocolatiers in action. Dont forget to buy some to take home.
DeBrand Fine Chocolates
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 7am – 9pm Fri: 7am – 10:30pm Sat: 10am – 10:30pm Sun: 12pm – 6pm
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Welcome To Fort Wayne In
Experience the Friendly Cultural Environment of Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, IN had humble beginnings as a trading post constructed by the United States Army in 1794. Since that time, the settlement grew into a thriving metropolis that won recognition as being an “All American City” for three years. A combination of boutique shops, art and cultural facilities, museums, animal exhibits and 86 parks mean that the community has plenty to offer visitors.
Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum
This fascinating museum can be found downtown near Parkview Field and the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, housed in historic Old Station #3.
Immediately upon entering this two-story museum, visitors encounter firefighting relics from a different generation. This includes antique red fire wagons and retired operating systems.
On the second story of the museum, more artifacts can be admired, and visitors can have a look into the lives and living quarters of modern firefighters. Every relic and artifact at the museum is accompanied by a wealth of information about that certain era of firefighting, providing great insight into one of the bravest professions on the street.
Address: 226 West Washington Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Best Free Things To Do In Fort Wayne
Weve all been there. Cities can be expensive, especially in somewhere like the United States. But dont worry, if you happen to find yourself in Fort Wayne on a budget, theres a great selection of things you and your friends can do to fill the days without busting the bank. Lets take a look at some free things to do in and around Fort Wayne.
Learn About The Fascinating Local History
Diego Delso
The History Center is a Fort Wayne museum that showcases the local history. It houses more than 26,000 artifacts, photographs, and documents related to the history and development of Fort Wayne and Allen County.
Discover the indigenous and settler roots in the area. See displays related to the history of industry in Fort Wayne. Learn about the local police department and travel to the basement where the citys old jail is preserved. You can even head inside the cell and close the door to get a real feeling of the jails!
This is one of the best attractions in Fort Wayne, Indiana to receive a proper introduction to the city.
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Romantic Activities Near Me: Foellinger Theatre Fort Wayne Indiana
The Foellinger Theatre is located on the grassy hillside of the Franke Park in Fort Wayne. It was constructed in 1949 in order to provide an open-air informal community gathering area and performing space. To this day, the Foellinger Theatre provides a popular performance stage for all kinds of music concerts, movies, and various public and private events and functions.
The theatre can seat 2,386. The open-sided dome and a new, improved stage house were added in 1976. The theatre is a memorial to Oscar Foellinger, publisher of the Fort Wayne News Sentinel, and it was gifted to the community by his daughter Helene Foellinger.
3411 Sherman Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46808, 260-427-6715
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Arts United Center Editor’s Pick
A crown jewel of the downtown Cultural District, the Arts United Center was created by world-famous architect Louis Kahn in 1973. As his last completed theater before his death, Kahn’s influential designs are apparent throughout every sunlit corner and brick arch of this performance art and civic theater.
The main stage is surrounded by concrete to create a dramatic and isolating acoustic effect. This brilliant auditorium is home to the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, the Fort Wayne Ballet, the Fort Wayne Dance Collective, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Backstage tours are available upon request and shed a light on the architecture and design of the theater.
Address: 303 East Main Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana
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