Ever wonder what your pet is thinking when he looks at you? Does it seem like he really understands what’s going on? Chances are, it’s more than just a coincidence you’re feeling this way. Animals are so much smarter than we give them credit for! Take the kids to Science Central for the Wild Minds exhibit and see just how brilliant animals are.

Learn about how animals think!

From now through September 8, learn about the lesser-known cognitive skills that animals possess. Created as a partnership with the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Wild Minds takes you inside the minds of animals, ranging from the family dog to an ocean-dwelling octopus. Animals use their thinking capabilities as a strategy to adapt to changing environments, and they use all their senses to experience their surroundings.

The exhibition was developed by the New York Hall of Science, and illustrates the shared cognitive skills of animals that are key signs of higher mental abilities. Not that you can expect to carry on a scintillating, intellectual conversation with Fido, but you’ll learn how smart animals are by their ability to use tools, solve problems, develop self-awareness, and the ability to communicate. Like humans, they are able to invent, plan, and empathize. Who would have thought?

Visit the Wild Minds at Science Central this summer to explore the way animal minds think.

Science Central

1950 N. Clinton St.

Fort Wayne, IN 46805

260.424.2400

sciencecentral.org

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This post is part of our Hot Summer. Cool City. series, where you can discover great family getaways and even WIN a getaway for your family in our Fort Wayne Photo Contest. Learn more here.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is consistently ranked one of the top children’s museums in the country and is a great activity for families and visitors of all ages in the summer.  Here are our picks for the hottest exhibits at the zoo and the best ways to stay cool during your visit.

African Journey

The African Journey is the newest part of the zoo.  With its renovation in 2009, the exhibit now has more animals and ways to get up close to them than ever before.  You can ride on the Sky Safari and get a bird’s eye view of the animals from thirty-eight feet in the air.  Take a walk around the 20-acres in this part of the zoo to see different animals and learn from education stations and volunteers.  Interact with lions, zebras, ostrich, and other African animals.  You cannot miss the opportunity to feed the giraffes.

Australian Adventure

The Australian Adventure at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is the largest collection of animals from Australia outside of Australia.  Ride down the river on the log ride to see animals—kangaroos will even come up to you as you ride or walk through this area of the exhibit.  Learn about fish, sharks and the Great Barrier Reef.  On Wednesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m., you can even ask a SCUBA diver questions about the animals while she’s underwater.  Another great feature of the Australian Adventure is the nocturnal animals in the Australia After Dark building.  You can see bats, possums, echidnas, and other animals in a darkened building—it’s dark during the day so visitors can see the animals when they’re active.

Indonesian Rain Forest

The Indonesian Rain Forest is in the heart of the zoo and has a great collection of unique animals.  You can see a Komodo dragon, pythons, and other snakes at Dr. Diversity’s Research Station.  Not a fan of reptiles?  Check out exotic bees and butterflies or see monkeys and apes.  Kids love watching the orangutans swing around in the Orangutan Valley.  Don’t forget to see the majestic Sumatran tigers.

Insider tips for staying cool at the zoo

–Check out the zoo in the morning before it gets too hot.  Just like humans, animals are less likely to be awake and out in the open during the hottest parts of the day.  The zoo opens at 9 a.m., so try to get there early.  You can get your hand stamped for reentry later in the day if you need a break from the heat.

–Try out some of the great cool treats and eats at concession stands located throughout the zoo.

– Bring a suit or change of clothes for the kids – there are several splash pads and cool-off stations throughout the zoo!

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You’re never too old for magic. Magic is exactly what BusketFest and its related activities are all about!

The 4th Annual BuskerFest will take place just two blocks from the library at Wayne & Calhoun Streets, downtown Fort Wayne on June 29, from 4 – 10 p.m. The free festival offers unique performances, food, activities–and more! BuskerFest is a celebration of the street performer and a festival of the unexpected, no performance is too quirky! Scheduled stage performances guarantee the audience a great line-up of entertainment but the random street performers are the energy, excitement and ingenuity of the festival.

The schedule is as follows:

• 4-4:10 River City Breakers: Spins, freezes, acrobatic moves and eye-pleasing rhythmic original choreography
• 4:10 Dumpster Drummers: Educational performance group making music out of trash
• 4:30 FW Summer Music Theatre: Songs and scenes from the upcoming play 9 to 5…the Musical
• 5:00 River City Breakers: Fort Wayne’s breakin’ crew
• 5:15 Jug Huffers: An old time, bluegrass, acoustic local folk band
• 6:00 The Circus of Learning: Juggling and more
• 6:30 Samuel TrueBeDOOR: Acoustic folk and soul with a distinctive beat
• 7:00 Beautiful Freakshow: Dancers, fire performers, acrobats, glass walkers & more
• 7:45 Hope Arthur Orchestra: An eclectic mix of classical piano, quirky accordion and orchestra set this act apart
• 8:15 Pyroscope Entertainment: Fort Wayne’s first fire performance troupe create enticing illusions including a set to live music with Hope Arthur Orchestra
• 9:00 Wickersham Brothers: Americana JazzRock with Soulful Grooves that make you want to sing and dance like nobody’s watching
• 9:40 Pyrotechniq: Expert fire theatrical performers from Chicago with superb choreography executing a visually stunning kinetic fire performance
  

  Photo By Jeffrey Crane

Photo By Jeffrey Crane

Buskers are the highlight of BuskerFest. Professional buskers from T.A.G. Art and Joy Unspeakable are scheduled throughout the evening with random or unplanned performances scattered along sidewalks, in One Summit Square and on the lawn giving the audience a sampling of the originality, novelty and creativity in Fort Wayne’s artist community. Look for street drummers, human statues, chalk artists, guitarists, aerialists, fire breathers, caricature artists, magicians, jugglers, mimes, painters, musicians, balloon artists, poets and more. The DID encourages patrons to tip buskers for their efforts.

But the fun doesn’t end here! Families may attend a free magic show at the downtown Allen County Public Library between 2 – 4 p.m. Magic of Fort Wayne features a meet and greet with Ronald McDonald, a magic show and a tribute to magician Dick Stoner and special performance by a local ventriloquist. After the show, guests are invited to parade down to BuskerFest for more fun. Children must be accompanied by a parent and seating is limited so guests are encouraged to sign-up on the DID website.

All that fun can really work up an appetite.  Satisfy your hunger with food from local food trucks Jumby’s Joint and Bravas. Additionally,  JK O’Donnell’s will offer both food and beverages. Numerous restaurants around the Wayne and Calhoun area will also be open for BuskerFest.

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Parking options in downtown Fort Wayne can be elusive, even for residents. Those visiting the city likely find it equally as perplexing. The good news is it’s not that complicated. The city offers several lots, garages, and metered parking, which makes it convenient for guests. This handy parking map provides a list of convenient parking facilities, and their pricing.

You might be curious about the best parking for your destination. We’ve made it easy for you!

Embassy: For evening performances, free parking is available at all downtown metered parking spaces. Paid parking is available at the Civic Center Parking Garage ($2 after 5 p.m.) off of Jefferson Blvd. and Calhoun St. and the Harrison Square Parking Garage ($4 after 5 p.m. for events) on Harrison and Douglas. Fifteen minute parking meters are located on Harrison Street for patrons purchasing tickets at the Embassy box office.

Grand Wayne Convention Center: The facility is attached to Hilton Hotel. Parking Garage level 3 connects by skywalk to Hotel and Grand Wayne Center level 2.

TinCaps:  If you’re arriving at Parkview Field by car, there are many different parking options. And for the most part, pricing depends on how far you want to walk. Directly across from the pavilion in front of the stadium, you’ll see the Silver Lot. Entering here is a no-no unless you have a season’s parking pass, but don’t get discouraged. If you’re next to the Silver Lot with your left side to Parkview Field, there are two team-run lots just seconds away. The first, which butts up against the Silver Lot, is the Green Lot, where parking is $4. One short block further, the Red Lot also charges $4.

But if you’re looking to save a buck, there’s a large city lot on the south side of West Baker Street, on the non-ballpark-side of the Silver, Green and Red lots. Parking here is $3, and it’s only a street width further away from the stadium gates.

If you’re insistent upon parking right up close, or perhaps if you’re staying in the Courtyard hotel a stone’s throw beyond the outfield fence, the Harrison Square Garage is at the corner of Harrison and Douglas streets, at the east end of the Parkview Field complex. Barring that, a number of $3 city lots can be found within five minutes’ walk of the stadium.

Allen County Main Library:   The downtown library is a draw due to its genealogy department. If you do not have a library card parking will cost $1/hour with a maximum charge of $7 for the day. Parking tickets must be taken inside the main library for validation and or payment.

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory: Free parking is provided in the Civic Center Parking Garage with paid garden admission. Bring your ticket for validation at the front desk.  The Civic Center Garage is located northeast of the Conservatory, across the intersection of Jefferson and Calhoun Streets–enter from Clinton, Calhoun, or Jefferson.  Metered parking is available on nearby streets; meters are free on weekends and evenings.  Handicapped accessible spaces, bus parking, and passenger drop-off are available in the circle driveway located off Calhoun Street.  Please call in advance to arrange for bus parking at 260-427-6440.  

If you prefer metered parking, you’ll likely find many options. Street parking is typically .50/hour, and free after 5 pm weekdays and on weekends. At 50 cents an hour, Fort Wayne’s parking rate remains lower than other similar-sized cities, such as Toledo, Cleveland, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. Most of those cities charge 75 cents to $1 an hour for downtown metered parking.

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Known throughout the world for his exquisite glass creations, Dale Chihuly’s work will be on display at The Fort Wayne Museum of Art beginning June 29.  The exhibit titled Chihuly: Secret Garden will display works from one his most daring innovations. Creating pieces intended to interact with architecture and the natural environment, Chihuly has marveled art enthusiasts and amateur art lovers alike.

Chihuly’s work is showcased in over 200 museums world wide.  Having created more than a dozen well known series of works, he is one of the most well known living American artists.  Also famous for his architectural installations, his work has been exhibited in Paris at a solo exhibition titled, Dale Chihuly objets de verre, at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Palais du Louvre.  Chihuly has also exhibited nationally and internationally in cities such as Venice, London, San Francisco, Boston, and New York.

Chihuly’s Blue Herons
Courtesy Franklin Park Convservatory, photo by T. Rishel

Chihuly: Secret Garden at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art is the result of collaboration with the Franklin Park Conservatory.  Amanda Martin, Deputy Director of Administration and Programs at FWMoA tells me they jumped on the opportunity to collaborate with Franklin Park as soon as they heard about it.  “The exhibits don’t become available very often,” she told me.  “Fort Wayne loves studio glass and loves the notoriety Chihuly brings to the city.”

The exhibit is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the museum.  Over ten years ago, in 2002, when Chihuly was last displayed at FWMoA 30,000 guests viewed the exhibit.  That’s five times the number of guests that typically view an exhibit at the museum.  Given Chihuly’s popularity, visitors are expected from throughout the Midwest.

I asked Amanda what guests should expect from the exhibit.  “We’re creating a fantasy garden,” she told me, “Expect a lot of drama.”  This series of works from Chihuly is most commonly displayed in a garden setting, which prompted the museum to plan something extra special.

Chihuly’s Niijima Floats
Courtesy Franklin Park Convservatory, photo by T. Rishel

In addition to the exhibit, the International Glass Invitational will be on display.  This display will showcase 30 different pieces of glass art.  The Chihuly Affect exhibit will also be on display at the museum during the Secret Garden exhibit showcasing works from artists inspired by the work of Dale Chihuly.  All three exhibits will be available for viewing from June 29-September 29.

Admission to Chihuly: Secret Garden is free for FWMoA members.  Admission to the museum is also free for members. Nonmembers will be charged a $14 admission to attend the exhibit.  Nonmember admission to the museum is $7 for adults, $5 for students with free admission on Thursdays from 5-8 and Sundays from 12-5.  Museum memberships start at $30.

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