Fort Wayne has a few under-rated night-life establishments worth checking out. Here are a few “dive bars” I recommend:

• The Brass Rail:  John Commorato Jr. and Corey Rader have owned this bar/music venue, located at 1121 Broadway, since June 2007.  This 21+ place is a hot spot for music entertainment, especially national acts. There aren’t too many places in town where you can catch a quality out-of-town band on a Tuesday night.  The best part: you can catch bands of all musical genres-from metal, to punk, to bluegrass–all under one roof! Be sure to order their signature drink–a PBR!

• Deer Park Pub: A favorite of University of St. Francis students, the Deer Park Pub boasts more than 52 different import beers. Not a beer fan? They also offer fine wines, ports and dinner specials at reasonable prices. I would describe this pub as “cozy.” The intimate atmosphere also makes for a unique experience. A la “Cheers,” the bar tender comes to know your name. The Deer Park is known for attracting artists from a variety of musical genres, from solo acoustic performances to cabaret style shows hammered out on our 1930′s depression era piano.

• O’Sullivan’s Italian Pub: Don’t be fooled by the name: O’Sullivan’s is not much of an Italian joint as it is a dive bar. (They do serve up a mean pizza, though!) Boasting a full bar, and regular music entertainment, “O’s” as the locals call it, is worth checking out. Oh, and be sure to look on their walls for kitschy memorabilia.

So, there you have it: three ways to see Fort Wayne’s nightlife in a different light. Insider’s Note: Be sure to have plenty of cash on hand, as there is often a minimum purchase requirement to use plastic.

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Why do the people of Fort Wayne fuss over a river? Because we have THREE! There’s a ton of history and fun that can be had on these beautiful (and historic!) landmarks.

“The St. Marys River cuts through the southeast section of Allen County, flowing northward, while the St. Joseph River cuts through the northeast section of the county, flowing southward. Both rivers converge roughly in the center of the county to form the Maumee River, which flow northeastward, eventually emptying into Lake Erie.”

Fort Wayne offers celebrations that engulf the history and even today’s adoration with our city’s unique landmark and tourist attraction. Known as the city of “The Three Rivers,” Fort Wayne boasts several great ways to get out and enjoy these local landmarks.

The beautiful St. Joe River cuts through the northeast of the county, flowing southward.

1. Kayak!

Fort Wayne Outfitters:

Fort Wayne Outfitters has a great selection of boats and bikes for your vacationing needs!

2. Walk, Jog, Rollerblade or Hike!

The Rivergreenway Trail along the banks of the St. Marys, St. Joseph and Maumee Rivers might be the right place for you! Rivergreenway is a “long (24 miles), narrow park with limited access that is ideal for activities such as bicycling, hiking, nature study, jogging, rollerblading or just going for a leisurely walk. The Rivergreenway offers natural vistas and scenic overlooks within an urban environment.”  Check out these great trails.

3. Picnic!

Grab a bite to eat from Cindy’s Diner (authentic 50′s diner), or a tasty lunch from Fort Wayne’s famous Coney Island and head down to Headwaters Park, conveniently located in downtown Fort Wayne where the perfect picnic spot can be enjoyed along the bank of the river!

Can’t decide which one to do? Try them all and have some fun with our three rivers this summer.

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It’s my last day in Fort Wayne, and before I go I wanted to learn more about the city I have quickly grown to love over the last six days. So, I decided to visit the Allen County History Center.

A historic police bicycle caught my eye.

I had no idea what to expect from The History Center, but I expected old photos and heritage. Which they definitely delivered.

The center is in a beautiful building, that immediately tells you it is from decades or centuries past. Inside I found a museum filled with historical artifacts and pictures of Allen County and Fort Wayne’s history.

One thing I found interesting was the old fashioned Fort Wayne police bicycle. I think it is crazy how much has changed over the years so quickly, and it is interesting to see what used to be here. I wonder what a week in Fort Wayne back then would have been like?

Another thing that I thought was fascinating was the display of old-fashioned shoes worn by women, and old-fashioned headgear that was worn by soldiers. I even learned that soldiers tried to impress their enemy with their headgear.

There was also an old council chamber displayed upstairs which I thought was cool looking and an old jail cell located downstairs which I, unfortunately, did not get to see.

Learning about a city I had never been too was a new experience for me, and really opened my eyes to another city’s roots.

Coming from Toledo to a museum dedicated to a city that I have never been to before might sound boring, but once you are in there it gets interesting because you are learning something totally new about a totally new place. If you have an hour or two to kill I think that you should check out The History Center.

Well, that wraps up my week. I head back to Ohio tomorrow, and when everyone asks what my week was like, I can easily tell them that Fort Wayne has a lot to offer. And that I can’t wait to explore more of it. I only scratched the very surface of this great city. It really is a wonderful place that everyone should take the time to visit.

See you next time.

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So far I have been pretty impressed with the restaurants that I have visited while in Fort Wayne. But between the appearance, excellent food, and friendly, quick staff, J.K. O’Donnell’s, an Irish pub, is at the top of my list.

Parking downtown for J.K. O’Donnell’s was simple. Lots of nearby spaces that are free after 5 and on weekends.

Located downtown, there was plenty of parking and it was easy to find.  The best word I made up to describe it is “antiquey” where the wood and comfortable patterns and flourishes really sold the old Irish feel I think they were going for.  Not to mention the whiskey barrel that was my table.

When I went for dinner I ordered the grilled Irish cheddar cheese sandwich. It is a grilled cheese sandwich on toasted potato loaf bread with tomatoes and onions in the middle. Beware: it is not a small sandwich. it comes with JK chips, which are delicious wedge style french fries, and a thick garlic aioli sauce for dipping.

I absolutely recommend trying J.K. O’Donnell’s if you are looking for a delicious meal. Especially the grilled cheese lovers out there.

See you on day six

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Ever wondered what Mars is like? Find out for yourself at Science Central!

Mars in 3-D is Science Central’s newest traveling exhibit. So, what can visitors expect? The European Space Agency’s Mars Express Probe is Europe’s first mission to another planet. Since 2004, a stereo camera designed and built by Germany’s space agency, the German Aerospace Center, has been mapping the entire Red Planet and producing colorful, high resolution images. Six natural forces that have significantly formed Mars over billions of years – volcanism, water, ice, erosion, wind, and tectonics – are the focus of the exhibition.

Suspended throughout the exhibition are enormous photographs, and with the help of red-blue glasses, visitors will see Mars like they have never been able to before – in 3-D! These images are supplemented with bilingual interpretive signs in English and German with a vast amount of information about the Red Planet, its moons and exploration efforts. The Mars exhibition was developed by the German Aerospace Center, (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR).

Through 120+ exhibits, school tours, distance learning programs and weekend public events, the museum brings the excitement of science and technology to nearly 130,000 children and adults annually. While there, be sure to check out their permanent exhibits. Insider’s Note: Some exhibits have a 50″ minimum height requirement and 225lb maximum weight limitation to ensure safety.

For more information on Science Central, visit their website, or call 260-424-2400 x 441. Science Central is open Tuesday – Friday 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday Noon to 5 pm. Admission ranges from free (under age 2) to $8.00.

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