Fort Wayne, Indiana has the makings of endless itineraries for great fall weekend getaways. This is just one exciting way you can spend 36 hours in the Fort. For more ideas, check out the Apple Trail, fall festivities, or the best places to take in the fall foliage.
Fort Wayne, Indiana Fall Weekend Itinerary
Friday
4 pm: Shopping
Whether you want to hit the mall, outlets, specialty shops or go antiquing, Fort Wayne has it all. Start to unwind from the work week with a little shopping in Fort Wayne. Click here for the top shopping destinations in Fort Wayne.
8 pm: Copper Spoon
Enjoy an upscale, locally sourced menu of food and cocktails at the Copper Spoon. The recipient of many awards from “Best Fine Dining Restaurant” to “Best place in the city for a cocktail” and more, The Copper Spoon is recognized for their dining experience and culinary craftsmanship. It's the perfect place to enjoy great food, drinks, and conversation with friends.
10:30 pm: Live, Local Music
Still up for more excitement on Friday night? Check out Fort Wayne’s #1 Local Music Venue/Dive Bar, The Brass Rail. Check the website for details on upcoming shows. Open Monday from 8pm-3am, Tuesday-Thursday from 4pm-3am, and Friday-Sunday from 3pm-3am (Note: this is a 21+ venue.)
Saturday
8 am: Hit the Trails
Enjoy a crisp fall morning and explore some of the area's bike trails. Grab your bike, or rent one from the bike share and check out one of the trail itineraries that grabs your interest. Or explore with the Fort Wayne Outdoor Pass, check-in at trail locations, and earn prizes!
11 am: Brunch at the Hoppy Gnome
Try something new with brunch at the Hoppy Gnome! Brunch options include steak and eggs, the Bayou Benedict, French toast, and more. Refuel with the offerings from their scratch kitchen and enjoy a specialty brunch cocktail before taking on the rest of your day!
1 pm: Winery and Brewery Tour
Take in the changing fall foliage as you tour local wineries, breweries, and cideries surrounding Fort Wayne. Most wineries and breweries feature fall flavors like the English Style Hopped Cider at Two EEs Winery or the Monroe Harvest cider at Kekionga Craft Company.
5 pm: Dinner at Tolon
Enjoy a taste of the Midwest at this trendy, farm-to-fork restaurant in downtown Fort Wayne. Featuring a menu crafted from local, in-season agriculture, Tolon is a true gem in Fort Wayne’s dining scene.
7 pm: Catch a Show
Most Saturdays this fall you can catch a show at the Embassy Theatre or the Clyde Theatre, from the Fort Wayne Philharmonic to national touring concerts! Or check out the Fort Wayne Comedy Club or the Summit City Comedy Club for great entertainment and laughs.
Sunday
9 am: Breakfast at Cosmos
Cosmos has been dominating the Fort Wayne breakfast scene since 1995. With a variety of breakfast options, you can enjoy almost anything from pancakes to crepes, to omelets and more. Cosmos is dedicated to using as many fresh, local ingredients as possible and has standing relationships with area farmers to bring Indiana agriculture to the breakfast table.
12-4 pm: Kuehnert Dairy Fall Festival or Wild Zoo Halloween
Get a taste of Indiana Agriculture at Kuehnert Dairy Fall Festival. Spend a sunny Sunday afternoon learning how a dairy operates, petting newborn calves, making your way through a themed corn maze, painting pumpkins, and more. Grab a pizza from the new Udder Up Cafe after a tour of the farm. There are seemingly endless activities for people of all ages at the Kuehnert Dairy Fall Festival. The festival runs September 13 to October 27.
Don your favorite costume and enjoy your favorite zoo animals at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Wild Zoo Halloween celebration. During the month of October, the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo transforms into a "merry-not-scary" wonderland full of fun displays, interactive activities, treat trails, and more!
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This post was originally published August 2022 and has been updated. Last Updated: October 2024
