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.

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There are many things to love about fall. I love the beautiful colors of leaves changing, football, bonfires with the family, and of course, Halloween.

For years, my family and I have hosted Halloween parties, decorated our house with tombstones and scary pumpkins, and visited our local haunted houses for thrills and chills. There is no Halloween event that excites us more than Fort Wayne’s annual “Fright Night”.

Downtown’s Zombie Walk

On October 20th, downtown Fort Wayne will be taken over by ghosts, goblins, and zombies of all ages. Fright Night is an all-day event that runs from noon ’til midnight. More than fourteen cultural establishments will host activities that will be fun for all ages.

If you love the Walking Dead, you can transform yourself into a lifeless zombie and participate in the popular Zombie Walk. Young children will enjoy the Halloween Haunt, an event featuring pumpkin bowling, face-painting, and a scavenger hunt.  Pumpkin carvers will love a visit to the Pumpkin Zone where they will see creative pumpkin carving demonstrations and enjoy pumpkin games.  Those looking for a real scare can spend time in the Historic Embassy Theatre with Indiana’s Paranormal Inquisitor on a real, live ghost hunt.

There are so many great activities that I get excited thinking about them all. Fright Night offers both free and pay events.  Visit frightnightdowntown.com to learn more about this awesome event.

If you love Halloween as much as I do, you will not want to miss Fort Wayne’s Fright Night.  Grab your family, find your favorite costume, and head downtown Fort Wayne on October 20th.  You are guaranteed to have a spooktacular time!

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It’s that time of year for all things scary. Discover Fort Wayne’s dark past through ARCH’s “Murder, Mystery, Mayhem” walking tour October 6th and 20th. Here, you can hear the truth about Fort Wayne’s bloody past, rife with murder, hangings and feuds.

On October 6th, plan to leave from ARCH’s fall festival, at 7 pm at the Old Fort. On the 20th, tours leave from the Indiana Hotel Lobby. Cost is $10 for adults; $8 for ages 6-17; and free for children five and under.

Looking for another adrenaline rush? Consider participating in “Haunted History:  The Darker Side of West Central,” Oct 13th. Did you know this historic neighborhood boasts tales of mischief and fright?  Cost is $10 for adults; $8 for ages 6-17; and free for children five and under. The tour embarks from the Scottish Rite, 431 W. Berry St.,  at 7 pm.

Insider’s Note: These tours might not be suitable for young children.

For more information about both events, call ARCH at (260) 426-5117.

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b casual. b chic. b carried away.

This is one theme of cinda b, an up-and-coming handbag and tote company. They specialize in handbags, totes, travel bags, and accessories. All cinda b products are water and stain resistant and all made in the US. Even better, all cinda b products are made in a factory right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana!

cinda b is opening its factory to public tours!

Want to discover some beautiful new handbags? How about taking a tour of the factory to see how they are made, from concept to shipping? cinda b is opening up their offices and factories for tours! Tours are open to the public, whether it is you and your two best girlfriends or your whole national convention. Groups will be kept to 15 people or less, to help you have the best experience. If you have more than 15 in your group, do not fear. Larger groups will be split up into smaller groups.

During your tour you will get a chance to shop in their factory store. The factory store features retired patterns no longer in production. The factory store is open to everyone, not just to those on the tour.

Tours should be scheduled at least 3 days in advance, to make sure there is plenty going on for you to see. Tours will be available from 9 am to 3 pm on most days. To schedule your tour, call Korrie at 1-877-692-4632.

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Whether you’ve lived in Fort Wayne for 60 years, or 6 months, chances are there is something new to take in. Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown might be your chance to discover (or rediscover) Fort Wayne attractions.

And on Sunday, September 9th, from 12 noon – 5 pm, you can visit 12 of Fort Wayne’s museums and attractions for free!

Here’s how the program works:

1. Pick up a passport at any Fort Wayne Scott’s, Kroger, or Tower Bank location. Or download a one-page passport online.

2. On Sunday, September 9th, you will be able to visit 12 of Fort Wayne’s participating attractions and museums – FOR FREE! Just use your passport to gain free admission to all attractions listed within – one passport good for entire party.

So what can you expect? Participating attractions include African/African-American History Museum, Allen County Courthouse, Artlink, Embassy Theatre, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, History Center, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Parkview Field, Science Central, The Lincoln Tower, Historic Fort Wayne and Visit Fort Wayne Visitors Center.

Insider’s Note: Don’t forget your camera. There will be plenty of photo opps!

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