And that it does as it brings kids and parents face-to-face with animals such as kangaroos in the newly renovated Australian Adventure, African lions in the African Journey and Red Pandas in the Asian Trek. There are 100 different species at the zoo in five different exhibit areas.
Children will enjoy brushing the goats on the Indiana Family Farm and families can giggle as the giraffes grab leaves of lettuce from the hands of excited children. Get a different view of the animals on the Z.O&.O. Railroad, Sky Safari Ride and Crocodile Creek Adventure Ride.
But don't worry - nothing here bites.
Before you head out, don't forget to get your picture with the red "Z-O-O" sculpture at the entrance of the park. It's a Fort Wayne tradition.
Science Central
With 35,000 square feet of exhibit space, northeast Indiana's only science museum offers dozens of hands-on activities for children. Toddlers can enjoy Kids Central complete with slide, water table and a giant piano keyboard. Elementary school students and even their middle school counterparts will enjoy hair-raising demonstrations, learning about the solar system, electricity and weather - among many things. And everyone's sure to enjoy the Science on a Sphere exhibit, which was created by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as it brings the Earth to life.
Parkview Field
The downtown baseball stadium might have been designed for the Fort Wayne TinCaps, but one would be hard-pressed to say that it wasn't designed for families, too.
When the TinCaps are playing, children can enjoy the game or the play area - complete with rock wall - while enjoying a hot dog, ice cream or popcorn (or maybe all three).
Coney Island
Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island is, well, famous in Fort Wayne. The Main Street restaurant is rich with nostalgia - counter seats, bottles of Coca-Cola and neon lights in the windows. Children will love watching the employees cook and assemble their coney dogs while parents will relish the quick service and affordable prices. Just a few steps away is the ice cream store, Sweets on Main.
Salomon Farm Park
Situated on the north side of Fort Wayne, Salomon Farm Park was once a working family farm. Now the land offers a 1.8-mile walking trail, learning center and year-round events that pique the interest of adults and children alike.
The farm is also a destination for families with farm park staff-led walks, fishing in the pond and demonstrations such as blacksmithing during special events.
Start planning your family getaway to Fort Wayne, Indiana today!
