Check out our amazing new video that showcases a great getaway in Fort Wayne, Indiana!
Spend a great day together in Fort Wayne, Indiana!
Kick off your day with a trip to Science Central, Indiana’s interactive science center. Have hands-on fun discovering the world around you!
After lunch, you’ll want to head to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, where you can enjoy an African Safari (feed giraffes and get nose-to-nose with a lion!), take a trek through the Australian Outback and explore an Indonesian Rain Forest! In addition, you’ll enjoy rides in every part of the zoo!
And then its time to head downtown, to the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, where you can experience Tropical and Desert gardens in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne.
Of course, no matter when you come, there’s bound to be a special event or festival in store! Check out our Calendar of Events to see what’s going on when you’re in town!
And then finish your day at Parkview Field where you can enjoy watching the TinCaps play baseball at the “#1 Minor League Baseball Stadium in America!” With seats starting at just $5, it’s the perfect way to end a great day in Fort Wayne!
For more information, or to start planning your next getaway give us a call at 1-800-767-7752!
Kristen Guthrie is the Marketing Manager at Visit Fort Wayne, where she has the pleasure of sharing Fort Wayne with our potential visitors! She loves exploring downtown and taking her 5-year old son to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, where he knows more about the animals than she ever will!
This past weekend I was roaming downtown Fort Wayne with my family. It was their first time in Fort Wayne and I was showing them around. We visited the Allen County Public Library, the Botanical Conservatory, and were roaming the streets when we stumbled across the Last Saturdays events that take place on the last Saturday of every month.
In particular, we stopped at a very cool “pop-up store” that was selling individually packaged gourmet and exotic popcorn flavors. Such a great little store that was occupying a vacant retail space for that one day only. Conveniently located and fun.
We then continued down to J.K. O’ Donnell’s and had an authentic Irish dinner, complete with fish and chips and some imported Irish beer. After leaving we could still here the music of a live band playing on Calhoun Street, smack in the middle of downtown Fort Wayne. What a great way to top of the evening with some good fun.
Overall Last Saturdays is a unique experience that is conveniently located in Downtown Fort Wayne. Check it out on the last Saturday of every month!
Alex Souders is the Web Marketing Manager for Visit Fort Wayne. A Ohio native, Alex is still experiencing many of Fort Wayne's treasures for the first time. He hopes to get the most out of Fort Wayne's great food, festivals, activities, music and more.
I won’t lie, I’m not exactly what you would call a “history buff,” but when I heard about the new exhibit at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, WWII Aircraft Nose Art I was actually excited to go.
Nose art varies greatly, and each one holds history and artistic delight.
What I found out when I went was that painting “nose art” on airplanes began during WWI, and by WWII every “nose” had been painted.
On September 1, 1945 (the day before the peace treaty was signed), Sgt. Bob Dutcher and Sgt. Eugene M. Gillum took it upon themselves to head to the flight lines with one roll of film. Two weeks after the photos were taken, the paintings were ordered removed. Thankfully, their vision enables us to enjoy these amazing treasures.
The exhibit runs through May 6, and the Museum of Art is open Sunday from noon – 5 pm, Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am – 6pm and Thursday 11am – 8 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students (K-college), and $10 for families, free admission to all military personnel and their families any day of the week.
If you are taking the kids, be sure to devote at least 30-60 minutes to the kids area, they will love it! After the Museum of Art, walk across the street to enjoy lunch or dinner riverside at The Gas House Deck.
Renee is a Fort Wayne native and mother of 4 children ages 7-13. She works part-time as the Visit Fort Wayne Information Services Assistant. Meet her as the face of Fort Wayne online at Facebook.com/FortWayneIN
Are you interested in collecting art? Have you ever wondered what the process of collecting entails? Come to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art and see Fort Wayne Collects: Three Viewpoints and learn about collecting!
This exhibit features three local, private art collections and allows viewers to have a rare glimpse into the aesthetics and process of collecting as explored through the diverse visions of each collection.
The Fort Wayne Museum of Art will feature "Fort Wayne Collects: Three Viewpoints" through May 6th, 2012
The works on display will range from local to internationally-known artists, cross media and techniques, and span much of the 20th century and beyond.
Every collection, art or otherwise, has its own patterns and distinct characteristics. What every compilation shares is the passion and drive of the person, or persons, assembling it.
These works will never be shown together again, be sure not to miss your chance!
The exhibit will be on display now through May 6, 2012.
Megan Adams is a senior at Huntington University and will be graduating with a degree in Public Relations in May. She is currently working as the Marketing Intern at Visit Fort Wayne and is enjoying getting to explore and learn more about the city. In her spare time, Megan loves working out, playing tennis, reading, shopping, and traveling.
When you find yourself in downtown Fort Wayne for either work or play, there are definitely a variety of things to do and places to go.
However, if you find you need a moment of peace while you’re here, there are plenty of options open to you for taking a well-deserved break. My top five favorites are:
1. The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory: Situated in the heart of downtown, the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory provides visitors with a chance to stop and let the world go by, while taking in the sights and scents of natural, floral beauty. Wander casually through their Showcase Garden with featured seasonal displays, take in the beautiful Tropical Garden with gorgeous orchids and a soothing waterfall, or enjoy the serenity of the Desert Garden. Visit the Botanical Conservatory Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Conservatory is closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day and Christmas Day. Admission is $5 adults, children (age 3-17) $3; children age 2 and under admitted free.
The Allen County Public Library offers a peaceful stop - and a Dunkin' Donuts on site!
2. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art also offers a quiet respite in the middle of the city. Walk the whisper-quiet galleries at your own pace, taking in exhibitions and collections designed to provoke thought, insight or amusement. The museum is located at 311 Main Street, and is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Art Museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $5 adults, $3 for students Kindergarten through college and $10 for families. The museum offers free admission on Sundays and Thursdays.
3. If you’re looking for a different kind of quiet, check out the Allen County Public Library. Make a quick stop at Dunkin’ Donuts (conveniently located adjacent to the southeast entrance) to pick up a treat and your favorite hot or icy beverage. The library’s main hall alone is worth the time to walk and explore. The two-story open area is home to a larger-than-life wall mural featuring inspirational quotes from some of the world’s most profound thinkers. Wander the departments, peruse a book or two or check out the featured exhibits on display. The main library is open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Please note the main library is closed on Sundays from May 27, 2012 to September 1, 2012. You can find the library at 900 Library Plaza (bordered by Wayne St., Ewing St. and Washington Blvd.)
Beautiful Freimann Square offers downtown serenity, despite being only steps away from busy Main Street
4. We’ve all heard jokes about the fickle tendencies of Indiana weather: “If you don’t like it, wait a minute and it’ll change,” and the weather in Fort Wayne is no exception. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a little bit of time on a pleasant day, visit Freimann Square. This fountain-adorned park offers a surprising amount of serenity despite being only steps away from busy Main Street. Pick a bench and enjoy cool shade or the full-on warmth of the sun, bring your lunch or enjoy a book. Freimann Square is located on the west side of the Arts United Center/Fort Wayne Civic Theatre. (Parking entrance accessible from South Clinton St.)
5. Finally, tucked into former firehouse number 3 – located at 226 W. Washington Blvd. – is the Fort Wayne Firefighter’s Museum. Station 3 was closed in 1972, and within a couple of years, plans were being made to turn the building into a museum full of local history. Years of work ensued, and the museum opened on a limited basis in 1981. In 2001 a staff was hired and regular hours took effect. The equipment and memorabilia in the museum were all once used by the Fort Wayne Fire Department, and were generously donated by the firefighters and their families. The museum is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is closed Wednesdays, Sundays and most holidays. Admission is $4 adults, seniors and students (K-12) $3. Children 5 and under are free.
What about you? Are there any downtown quiet spots that you’d recommend?
Rebecca Cameron is a non-native Fort Wayne resident, but has lived here for half her life. She currently works in corporate communications, and has over a decade of freelance writing experience as a contributor to local, regional and national publications. When she is not working or writing, she helps her husband keep six children (ranging in age from 2 to 19) on their radar. When she finds any other free time, she enjoys running, knitting and keeping up her blog, Back to Square One at www.squareonemom.blogspot.com
