As pretty as the winter days are, sometimes it’s challenging finding fun activities or new places to visit. However, just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.

Fort Wayne has plenty to offer visitors, whether you’re looking for indoor activities, outdoor activities, or even winter activities that you can enjoy solo.

Don’t let a little snow stop you from checking out some of these places.

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Indoor Winter Activities in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Science Central

Boy doing a science experiment at Science CentralThis hands-on science center combines fun and education into one great experience! With more than 200 permanent exhibits, temporary exhibitions that rotate throughout the year, and daily science demonstrations in the wheelchair-accessible demo theatre, kids of all ages will have a blast as they learn and play at Science Central.

Sky Zone

This indoor trampoline park is a fun place for families with older children. Kids can burn off excess energy, and parents will feel like a kid again at their various attractions.

Sky Zone includes several activities, such as dodgeball, the sky-ladder, and the free-jump, among others. Saturday nights, they even have a laser and black-light music party called Glow Jam, where you can dance and bounce to popular tunes. You can purchase tickets and sign waivers ahead of time on their website.

Painting with a Twist

If you would prefer your winter fun day to be a little less active and more creative, then you will enjoy going to Painting with a Twist. Enjoy live, step-by-step art instruction, as you sip on wine with your friends or family members. Even though the experience is meant to be fun and entertaining, the instructors are so good that you will actually be proud of the art you create.

Entertainment

Find indoor recreation with bowling, laser tag, mini golf, ropes courses, and more at places like Combat Ops, Crazy Pinz, Lazer X, and Power Up Action Park.

Outdoor Winter Activities in Fort Wayne, Indiana

two girls on fat tire bikes on a sidewalk surrounded by snow

Franke Park Sledding

Franke Park is a popular destination for the locals year-round.

In addition to the playground, hiking, and biking, you can also go sledding with the family in the winter. Hidden behind the tree line is a large hill, perfect for sledding on snow days. The whole family will enjoy themselves, and you can create long-lasting memories of simple fun in the snow.

Headwaters Park Ice Skating

Every year, from mid-November to the end of February, this covered skating rink opens to the public. Located in downtown Fort Wayne, you can enjoy skating outdoors, all within view of the city. You can rent skates on-site or bring your own.

Snowshoeing and Fat Tire Biking

While you may know about Fort Wayne Outfitters' kayak and bike rentals during the summer, they also offer winter rentals to help you enjoy the outdoors! Next time you visit during the winter, rent a pair of snowshoes or a fat tire bike and explore the winter wonderland in Fort Wayne.

Hiking at Mengerson Nature Reserve

If hiking through a snowy forest sounds fun to you, but you don’t want to hike through miles and miles of trail, then Mengerson Nature Reserve is just the place to visit.

Mengerson Nature Reserve is perfect for winter hiking because it is only 1.2 miles long. Snowfall makes for a quiet and magical forest, and you can easily trace your footprints in the snow back to your car. Located in plain sight on Stellhorn Rd. behind a residential neighborhood, the reserve entrance is marked by only a small public parking lot that you'll likely miss if you drive too fast.

Solo Winter Activities in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Woodhouse Day Spa

This luxurious day spa is one place you will have a fantastic time visiting solo. The spa has many treatments and services, but they also pamper you during the whole experience. From the deluxe showers, to the quiet room where you can enjoy the fireplace in your robe as you sip on wine or tea, you will truly be able to unwind. Treat yourself this winter and don’t wait for anyone to have a good time but yourself.

The indoor Tropical Gardens at the Botanical Conservatory in Fort Wayne

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

Fort Wayne’s Botanical Conservatory is a great place to spend the day wandering—even if you are visiting Fort Wayne on your own. The indoor gardens will transport you to a place of warmth and sunshine, and make you forget that it is cold outside.

There are three indoor gardens—the showcase garden, which features a rotating seasonal display; the tropical garden, which has a variety of tropical plant species and surrounds a beautiful waterfall and pond; and the desert garden, boasting cacti and other large succulents.

Grab your camera, or just spend the day alone with your thoughts at this wonderful jewel in the heart of Fort Wayne.

This post was originally published in January 2018. Last revised March 2024.