There’s nothing more romantic than being nuzzled up with your loved one, with the sound of sleigh bells in the background. Winter is a great time for a horse-and-carriage ride with that special someone.  Luckily for the romantic, there are several options to take in the sights and sounds of downtown Summit City:

Rosewood Carriage Rides:  Since 2003, Rosewood Carriage Rides has provided horse-drawn carriages year round for weddings, proms, holidays, special events, and nightly tours in downtown Fort Wayne. The offer their services year-round, weather permitting. Choose from the top up, down, or enclosed for a more intimate affair. White carriages with red velvet decor set the tone for romance.  Gift Certificates are available. MasterCard, Visa and Debit cards are accepted without additional charges. Fees are $35 for a half hour $65 for an hour. Reservations are accepted up to two years in advance. Call (260) 637-5261 to arrange for a ride.

Camelot Carriage Rides: Family-owned and operated, Camelot Carriage Rides has been in business since 1997. Their horses are beautiful Majestic White Draft horses. They offer downtown tours, as well as weddings and special events. Gift certificates are available Cash, Check and Credit cards for payment (credit cards must be pre-paid). Reservations are recommended. For more information and to secure a reservation, contact Deeann at (260) 223-2417.

Sentimental Journey:  The folks at Sentimental Journey will see that your night is special: Pricing is $35 per tour (half hour) and $70 per tour (one hour). Rides begin and end at Don Hall’s Gas House & Takaoka restaurant. Special locations and pricing can be arranged. Reservations are available most evenings with 24-hour notice. Call (260) 341-1133  for special days and arrangements.

• 

Come out to see one of Fort Wayne’s historic neighborhoods in a new and different light.

The Williams Woodland Park 2012 Holiday Home Tour, Dec. 1-2, welcomes visitors to take in the beauty of this area’s architecture. According to their website, the Williams Woodland Park Local Historic District was originally established in 1985. This area is located roughly between Calhoun to Fairfield, and Creighton to Pontiac. A slightly modified area was listed on the National Register in 1991. The district is considered significant as an early example of a planned residential development in Fort Wayne, as an intact collection of outstanding late-19th/early-20th century domestic architecture, and for its association with many prominent Fort Wayne citizens.

The tour will feature seven neighborhood homes, as well as two apartments in Fairfield Manor apartment building and the Center for Nonviolence. The Center will host a traditional English tearoom with readings from works by Charles Dickens.

The tour runs Saturday 5-9 pm and Sunday 1-5 pm. Advance tickets are $10 for individuals and $36 for groups of four. You can purchase them the day of the tour at Simpson United Methodist Church, 2501 S. Harrison St.) for $12 tickets for individuals. Children 10 and under receive free admission, so make it a family affair.

• 

The Festival of Gingerbread, the annual fundraiser to benefit The History Center, has a special treat for visitors this holiday season.

The museum kicks off its “special events” on November 21, as part of the Downtown Night of Lights. This is a time for visitors to get a sneak peek at the handiwork of creators from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is $2 a person at the door for Lighting Night. At 6 p.m. the History Center’s turret will be lit with special holiday colors of red and green. Kids will love that Santa will make an appearance.

But that’s not all! A variety of special events will occur during the Festival of Gingerbread. Throughout the season, admission is $5 adults ages 19-58, $3 for seniors ages 59+ and students ages 3-18, and free to children age 2 and under. There is no extra charge for special activities or events unless indicated. Below is a schedule:

• Saturday, November 24, 1-3 pm, Create Your Own Ornament, $1 plus regular museum admission
• Sunday, November 25, 1-3 pm, Make a Holiday Greeting Card, $1 plus regular museum admission
• Tuesday, November 27, 5-9 pm, Free Night sponsored by AEP Indiana-Michigan Power
• Saturday, December 1, 1-3 pm, Visit with Santa Claus
• Sunday, December 2, 1-3 pm, Holiday Story Telling
• Saturday, December 8, 1-4 pm, Science of Sugary Structures sponsored by PNC Bank and Science Central, $3 plus regular museum admission
• Sunday, December 9, 1-4 pm, Cookie Decorating Party, $1 plus regular museum admission

Special holiday exhibits during the Festival include a Wolf and Dessauer display of animatronic characters, an exhibit of “A Christmas Carol” watercolors that once adorned the Patterson Fletcher Department Store, and a display of holiday photos from years past.

A visit to the museum is also another opportunity to view the new exhibition gallery, “Allen County Innovation.”

The Festival of Gingerbread will run November 22 through December 9th. Hours are Monday through Thursday 9 am to 5 pm; Friday 9 am to 8 pm; Saturday 9 am to 5 pm; and Sunday Noon to 5 pm. The History Center will be closed Thanksgiving Day.

The History Center is located at 302 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, in downtown Fort Wayne. For more information, visit www.fwhistorycenter.com, or call (260) 426-2882.

• 

Take a step back in time and experience the Christmas celebration of yesteryear at the Old Fashioned Fort Christmas. This year’s event takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 24 at Fort Wayne, Indiana’s own Historic Old Fort.

Admission is by donation, allowing guests to give what they feel comfortable with. Donations help keep this historic piece of Fort Wayne history maintained and open to the public year-round for various events.

Decorations, live entertainment, demonstrations and period-specific food will be on hand at the family-friendly event which aims to get visitors into the holiday spirit. There will also be craft sales, a bake sale, caroling and more! Visitors can also create their own holiday decorations here and warm up near the Old Fort’s own fire.

This event is a part of the “Holly Trolley” tour of downtown attractions and businesses, also on November 24. While the trolley will stop here, guests not on the trolley tour can also attend the Old Fashioned Fort Christmas event.

The Historic Old Fort is conveniently located just north of downtown, nestled among the area’s many holiday attractions and events, at 1201 Spy Run. For more information on the event, call 260.437.2836, or visit the Historic Old Fort online.

• 

While the fall leaves are at their most breathtaking and the air is crisp yet refreshing, consider a walking tour during your visit to Fort Wayne, Indiana. This tour can be done anytime of year at your own leisure, but you are sure to enjoy it during the autumn season!

First off, download and save or print out a PDF version of the walking tour from the Visit Fort Wayne Visitors Center here. The tour begins right at the Visitors Center and takes you across Washington Street and over to the gorgeous Grand Wayne Convention Center.

Next pass the Embassy Theatre and venture into the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, an indoor and outdoor garden known for blooming foliage and decor year-round. Then head north to The History Center which showcases both Fort Wayne and Allen County history, including more than 26,000 photographs, along with historic artifacts and memorabilia. The tour takes you next to the Auer Center for Performing Arts: home of the Fort Wayne Ballet, Fort Wayne Trails, Pembroke Bakery and Artlink gallery.

•