New  in Fort Wayne

There are always new things to see and do in Fort Wayne! Take a look at a few of the exciting new additions below.

The Fort Wayne Zoo celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025 with the opening of Coastal Cove, filled with delightful seals and sea lions. In addition, Tasmanian Devils have made their return, and the Zoo will welcome new events to their annual lineup including the Glo Wild Lantern Festival in spring. 

Riverfront development will continue at Promenade Park where you’ll be able to explore “The Summit,” a structure that can be climbed by foot or wheelchair. The park features accessible trails, a hammock grove, and an extension of the Tree Canopy Trail that offers a walkway out over the river.

Science Central’s Planetarium is anticipated to be open in early 2025 – it will be the only public planetarium in the region! The planetarium will simulate the cosmos using a Digistar digital projection system and a classic Spitz starball projector.

The Pearl Street Arts Center is the newest beacon of the Fort Wayne arts community. Formerly an industrial bakery, the Pearl Street Arts Center features a Music Academy, a 400-seat flexible performance auditorium, two fully accessible education classrooms, and more. Next door at The Pearl, new restaurants including Amore, Crescendo, and Ducky’s Duckpin Bowling add to this vibrant new downtown development.

Near Parkview Field and Electric Works, The Fairfield brings a three-story active social entertainment venue to downtown Fort Wayne. The Fairfield includes a taproom/restaurant, duckpin bowling, indoor bocce ball and cornhole, an indoor golf lounge, and a wedding/event venue on the third floor.

In neighboring New Haven, Marylands Farm Park phase one is underway. “Marylands Farm Park was envisioned as a place for people of all abilities to discover and explore our rural farm heritage and awaken our minds and senses to the natural world around us.” Phase one will cover six acres of the 10-acre park, and will feature a sensory trail, playground, animal viewing, a natural trail, rain garden, and more.

New events fill our calendar with fun, including:

A walk-thru Holiday Lights display at Parkview Field will add to the downtown festivities for 50 nights from November to January. The display will feature more than 1 million lights choreographed to holiday music, and feature train rides, s’mores stations, and more.

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Chalk Walk with a new exhibit in 2025. This family-friendly event is based on an Italian tradition of street painting that dates to the 16th century, and typically draws 40,000 people to experience the largest community art project in the region.

Johnny Appleseed Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary in September 2025. Celebrate with pioneer-era crafts, foods, activities, and fun!

Accessibility is a top priority for Fort Wayne, and many of our attractions are centered around being accessible for people of all abilities, including the Fort Wayne Zoo, Pearl Street Arts Center, and the  Fort Wayne Curling Club. The Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) will soon complete its $122 million renovations featuring universal design as a top priority throughout the terminals, check-in, baggage claim, and new onsite restaurant.

This article was originally published on page 14 of the Visitors Guide. Click here to view the guide online or order your FREE copy by mail.