Whether you’re considering relocating to Fort Wayne, or you’re visiting and want to get to know the city a little better, a driving tour can be a great way to see all of our great city. We’ve put together a Fort Wayne drive-about guide to seeing the sites through your windshield.

Welcome to Fort Wayne!

FWA

Your flight has landed and you’re ready to be on your way, but before you leave, check out the Greater Fort Wayne Aviation Museum located in the terminal, at the top of the escalators. Aviation history buffs will find historic details of the hold Baer Field and local aviation heroes. Admission is free. Be sure to take the cookie they’ll offer you as you leave the terminal – it’s a deliciously sweet way to be welcomed to our city and it’s made right across the street. Military history buffs will also enjoy the retired military aircraft showcased at the entrance of to the National Air Guard Base located just east of the airport.

Come on by!

Stop by our Visitors Center, located in downtown Fort Wayne at 927 Harrison St. (on the corner of Harrison and Washington directly across from the Grand Wayne Center) for maps, guides, and information about what to see and do.

Explore Downtown

Downtown Fort Wayne is easily accessible on foot and parking is reasonably priced near by. From here you can venture through downtown to enjoy the architecture and history of our great city. Grab a bite at one of our many restaurants, take a walk around Parkview Field (it’s open during non game days and admission is free), shop in our unique shops, and check out our historic Allen County Courthouse.  If you’re looking to know about the history of Fort Wayne, pop in to the Fort Wayne History Center located at 302 E Berry St (on the corner of Barr and Berry).  If you’d like to know more about the architecture and preservation of area buildings visit ARCH, Architecture and Community Heritage, at 818 Lafayette Street.  Downtown Fort Wayne has beautiful parks to enjoy as well.  Relax by the fountains in Freimann Square or go ice-skating in Headwaters Park.

Check out our great neighborhoods

Consider a walking tour of West Central’s historic homes. This historic neighborhood, located just west of downtown Fort Wayne boasts many restored homes and tree lined streets just waiting for you to stroll down. Looking for a sweet treat and some great shops? Check out the East State Neighborhood with great shops to pop in and out of. Don’t forget to pick up a cupcake at Yum.Mee’s Bakery (I recommend the vanilla). Want a great place to watch the game? Check out Wrigley Bar and Grill in the Georgetown Neighborhood.

Get a little shopping in while you’re in town

Fort Wayne has two great malls. Glenbrook Mall and the surrounding shopping centers have all of the stores you’re looking for. From Macy’s to Bobick’s Golf there’s a little bit for every shopper. Or, head to Jefferson Pointe for a beautiful shopping experience in their outdoor mall. With high end department stores such as Von Maur and boutiques such as Vera Bradley and Acorn you’ll find the best Fort Wayne has to offer.  Make sure to stop by DeBrands for a truffle or share the decadent ice cream sundae with a friend.

Take in a game

We love minor league sports in Fort Wayne. No matter the time of year, you can find an event to watch. Check out Mad Ants Basketball, Komets Hockey, The Derby Girls, or a TinCaps Baseball game. Tickets are reasonably priced and there isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Be a kid again

Explore the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. It appeals to kids from 3-93 and will make you want to return. Be sure to feed the giraffes and take in the sea lion show.  If animals aren’t your thing, head on over to Science Central where kids can learn about science hands on.  You can’t miss their brightly painted smoke stacks just north of downtown.

Take in a festival

From late spring to early fall there’s a festival almost every weekend. You’re sure to be entertained by GermanFest, the Three Rivers Festival, or Johnny Appleseed Festival. Even if you’re not here during the Johnny Appleseed Festival, stop by Johnny Appleseed Park at 1500 Coliseum Blvd. There you’ll find the final resting place of John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed.

Experience the Arts

Explore the Art scene in Fort Wayne. The Art Campus is located on the east side of downtown and is walkable. There you’ll explore museums, galleries, studios, theatres, and a cinema.

Eat!

Fort Wayne is know for its unique treats.  Whether you’re in the mood for Coney Dogs at Coney Island on Main Street or a tour of DeBrand’s Chocolate Factory (complete with samples) on Auburn Rd there’s something for you. You’ll lovesimple Greek meals from Friends Too, a great steak and a merlot from Chops, and Italian goodness from Casa’s.  You’re sure to find something that fits your taste buds.

• 

On a cold February morning, we have a spot of hope looking forward to the opening of the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo in April. To help you look forward to these warm sunny days, an update on how some of our favorite Fort Wayne residents are spending their winters:

Kaasidy, the black and white colobus monkey born at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo on September 25, is growing by leaps and bounds – literally!  “On Christmas Day, we saw her leaping from branch to branch for the first time,” says zoo keeper Erin Fairchild.  “Before that, she relied on Mom to help her out.  She’s very confident already!”

At three months old, Kaasidy is playful and shy.

Kaasidy, her mother Jibini, and her father Finnigan are keeping warm in their indoor quarters for the winter.  Native to Africa’s equatorial forests, they prefer summer sunshine to snowy winter days.

Kaasidy still clings to her mother for comfort.

Born completely covered in white fur, black and white colobus infants obtain the deep black coat, shaggy white mantle, and tufted white tail typical of adult colobus monkeys when they are 3-4 months old.  Kaasidy is already well on her way to developing her adult coat.

Kaasidy is the first colobus baby to be born at the zoo in 12 years.  In the wild, some populations of colobus monkeys are threatened by hunting for their dramatic black-and-white coats and by habitat loss.

Meet Kaasidy and all of her zoo friends this summer at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo!

• 

Fall in Fort Wayne is a festive time of year, there are many events around town that celebrate the season. The month of October brings the sights and sounds of Halloween to The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.

Wild Zoo Halloween gives families an opportunity to enjoy the amenities of the zoo while partaking in kid-friendly Halloween fun. Children can pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, visit the Mummy’s kitchen, trick-or-treat for candy along three treat trails, and navigate a corn maze.

The daily costume parade allows the children to strut their stuff while wearing their favorite costumes. All of this Halloween fun, and more, can be enjoyed while visiting most of the animal attractions. Wild Zoo Halloween is an event that is fun for all ages.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is one my family’s favorite places in Northeast Indiana.  Halloween just happens to be one of our favorite holidays.  When you put the two together, we believe you have an amazing, festive, fall event that can be enjoyed by the entire family.  My children are too old for costumes and trick-or-treating, but I know that we will attend the Wild Zoo Halloween and enjoy every minute.

Wild Zoo Halloween is open October 19-21, 25-28, and 31st from noon to 5 p.m. daily.  You can learn more about this great family event by clicking here.  Go ahead, click it, and enjoy Halloween at the Zoo!

• 

Maybe it’s the change of the calendar or the cooling of temperatures, but I’m ready for Fall! It is our family’s favorite season, mainly for all the fun and memories we can create. If you do anything this season, you must do at least a few items on this bucket list. (Free Printable Download)

You may have a favorite orchard or pumpkin patch, but in case you need suggestions, here are a few helpful links:

Fox Island – 7324 Yohne Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46809. Open 7 days a week, 9am – 7 pm, Labor Day thru first Saturday of November (depending on the year, this may be the last day of October). Admission is $2.00 per person age 7 and over. Children under age 7 are FREE.

Johnny Appleseed Festival – 1502 Harry Baals Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46805. September 15 10am – 6pm, September 16 10am – 5pm. Admission is FREE.

Pumpkin Patches

• DeGrandchamp’s Pumpkin Patch (pumpkins) 7722 Aboite Ctr. Rd. , Fort Wayne, IN 46804. Phone: 219-436-4359. Hours: 9 am to dusk.
• Hilger Family Farm – 5534 Butt Rd. They will be offering hayrides and pumpkins from the last weekend in September through October. Fruits, vegetables and plants all the time. Stay updated on their Facebook page.

High School Football – check the Journal Gazette or News-Sentinel for this week’s games.

Corn Maze – 3150 County Road 43, Waterloo, IN 46793.Open September 14 – October 31, 2012 (Fri. 6-10pm; Sat. Noon-10pm; Sun. 2-6pm). Admission is $8.00 for Adults, $6.00 for Youth ages 4-12, CASH ONLY.

Haunted Houses

• Haunted Castle Black Forest 8965 Auburn Road Fort Wayne, IN 46825, Opens September 28 – October 31st. Check site for dates and times. Admission is $10.00 for Castle, $10.00 for Forest or $16.00 for combo ticket. 
• Haunted Hotel 511 North Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, Opens September 30 – October 31st. Check site for dates and times. Admission is $10.00 for General Admission, $15.00 for VIP tickets.
• The Haunted Jail 611 E Market Street, Columbia City, Indiana, Opens September 30 – October 31st. Check site for dates and times. Admission is $10.00 for General Admission.

Apple Orchards

• Cooks Orchard (U-pick apples, pumpkins for sale in the shop or farm stand, also pie pumpkins, and honey from hives on the farm) 8724 Huguenard Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46818. Phone: 260-489-3940. Open: Monday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm Saturday 9 am to 6 pm Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. CASH ONLY. 
• Advanced Tree Technology (apples, pumpkins) 12818 Edgerton Road, New Haven, IN, 46774. Phone: (260) 749-0891. U-pick orchard opens mid- September. Monday through Friday 9:30am to 7:00 pm;  Saturday and Sunday 9:30am to 5:00pm.

Wild Zoo Halloween – October 19-21, 25-28 & 31, 2012, Noon – 5 pm daily. Admission is $4.00 for Adults, $8.00 for Children and Zoo Members receive $2.00 off per person.

For more ideas, check out the Fall Fun page at VisitFortWayne.com!

• 

Did you know you can take a journey to Africa right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana? Take trip to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, voted Indiana’s #1 Gotta Do Summer Attraction,  and visit the newest part of the zoo: the African Journey! Watch this video in our series Tour Fort Wayne as Connor shows you just a few of the things that you can expect to see in The African Journey section of the zoo.

•