Guidebook for Fort Wayne
Parks & Nature
This park is just a block away. It's famous for its rose garden and reflection pools. There's a huge pond you can walk around, and a pretty good playground, as well as tennis and basketball courts.
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Lakeside Park
1401 Lake AveThis park is just a block away. It's famous for its rose garden and reflection pools. There's a huge pond you can walk around, and a pretty good playground, as well as tennis and basketball courts.
Kreager Park is listed as one of the top 50 playgrounds in the US. They have a super fancy "Boundless Playground: The playground, which includes a splash pad, features three circular pods and activity areas on changing elevations, with connecting accessible ramps. In addition to the swings and climbing opportunities, a Boundless Playground provides activities that have been carefully planned for therapeutic and learning purposes."
Kreager Park
7225 N River RdKreager Park is listed as one of the top 50 playgrounds in the US. They have a super fancy "Boundless Playground: The playground, which includes a splash pad, features three circular pods and activity areas on changing elevations, with connecting accessible ramps. In addition to the swings and climbing opportunities, a Boundless Playground provides activities that have been carefully planned for therapeutic and learning purposes."
Entertainment & Activities
I grew up in this place, was there most Saturday mornings as a kid, then Friday and Saturday nights as a teen. The Saturday morning/afternoon sessions are great for kids, and they have these awesome skate-assist frames on wheels that let children learn to skate at their own pace (better than tightening their wheels). Thursday night is an adult night, great if you don't want kids veering in front of you.
Roller Dome North
444 W Coliseum BlvdI grew up in this place, was there most Saturday mornings as a kid, then Friday and Saturday nights as a teen. The Saturday morning/afternoon sessions are great for kids, and they have these awesome skate-assist frames on wheels that let children learn to skate at their own pace (better than tightening their wheels). Thursday night is an adult night, great if you don't want kids veering in front of you.
I volunteered here in Middle School, got to feed penguins and clean out cages, loads of fun! I still enjoy visiting and now bring my kids here. It's one of the best children's zoos in the country, and displays animals in a child-friendly way. One of the coolest things you can do is feed lettuce to the giraffes (you used to be able to pet them but this discouraged them from coming forth).
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Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
3411 Sherman BlvdI volunteered here in Middle School, got to feed penguins and clean out cages, loads of fun! I still enjoy visiting and now bring my kids here. It's one of the best children's zoos in the country, and displays animals in a child-friendly way. One of the coolest things you can do is feed lettuce to the giraffes (you used to be able to pet them but this discouraged them from coming forth).
Even if you don't really like baseball, consider checking out the Tincaps, Fort Wayne's baseball team. There is so much going on that it's impossible to get bored, and every game ends in fireworks, even if the Tincaps lose!
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Parkview Field
1301 Ewing StEven if you don't really like baseball, consider checking out the Tincaps, Fort Wayne's baseball team. There is so much going on that it's impossible to get bored, and every game ends in fireworks, even if the Tincaps lose!
Food Scene
This restaurant has a decent menu and isn't too expensive. It also has a great bar with tons of character.
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Henry's Restaurant
536 W Main StThis restaurant has a decent menu and isn't too expensive. It also has a great bar with tons of character.
My parents used to take me to Zesto on occasion on hot summer evenings. It's an institution it its own right.
Zesto Ice Cream
2225 BroadwayMy parents used to take me to Zesto on occasion on hot summer evenings. It's an institution it its own right.
My parents took me to this pizza place when I was a kid, and we still go back. The pizza has a unique taste, not sure if it's the crust, the sauce, or the toppings, but it's the same and I love it. To place your order, you pick up an antique phone on the table and relay your order to your server. They have booths with porch swings, and when I was a little boy, my parents agreed to let me sit on one, but I spilled my milk and cried about it, even though they were totally cool. Be careful on the swings.
Pizza King
321 W State BlvdMy parents took me to this pizza place when I was a kid, and we still go back. The pizza has a unique taste, not sure if it's the crust, the sauce, or the toppings, but it's the same and I love it. To place your order, you pick up an antique phone on the table and relay your order to your server. They have booths with porch swings, and when I was a little boy, my parents agreed to let me sit on one, but I spilled my milk and cried about it, even though they were totally cool. Be careful on the swings.
This coffee shop is just up the street. It's a good place to get a quick lunch, and they obviously have great coffee drinks. If you like dark roast, go for the 9th of Darkness. My dad liked this roast so much he would order it and have them ship it to him in Florida. If you go up the street a bit more, you could also try Firefly, also very nice, maybe a bit younger clientele.
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Old Crown Coffee Roasters
3417 N Anthony BlvdThis coffee shop is just up the street. It's a good place to get a quick lunch, and they obviously have great coffee drinks. If you like dark roast, go for the 9th of Darkness. My dad liked this roast so much he would order it and have them ship it to him in Florida. If you go up the street a bit more, you could also try Firefly, also very nice, maybe a bit younger clientele.
Sightseeing
The Embassy was almost torn down in 1974, but was spared and today is the gem of downtown. You can take a tour on select dates, "Come tour the Embassy including the theater, dressing rooms, rooftop patio and ballroom." There are shows and concerts playing there regularly, and every Christmas you can see the "Festival of Trees," if that's your thing.
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Embassy Theatre
125 W Jefferson BlvdThe Embassy was almost torn down in 1974, but was spared and today is the gem of downtown. You can take a tour on select dates, "Come tour the Embassy including the theater, dressing rooms, rooftop patio and ballroom." There are shows and concerts playing there regularly, and every Christmas you can see the "Festival of Trees," if that's your thing.
My cousin, also named Max, and his family own this pickle factory in St Joe. You can tour the factory and see how they make pickles, and of course, you can buy them in the gift shop. While your this far out, make sure and visit (or drive through) the Spencerville covered bridge, built in 1873, and almost destroyed by an errant semi truck "just following GPS" in 2012.
Sechler's Pickle's
5686 IN-1My cousin, also named Max, and his family own this pickle factory in St Joe. You can tour the factory and see how they make pickles, and of course, you can buy them in the gift shop. While your this far out, make sure and visit (or drive through) the Spencerville covered bridge, built in 1873, and almost destroyed by an errant semi truck "just following GPS" in 2012.
My mom was born in Auburn, and I have fond memories of visiting the ACD museum, and have gone back several times as an adult. My son loves cars (don't all two year olds?), and I can't wait to take him. The National Automotive & Truck museum is right next door, and is cheaper than the ACD, and may be more fun for younger kids.
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Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
1600 Wayne StMy mom was born in Auburn, and I have fond memories of visiting the ACD museum, and have gone back several times as an adult. My son loves cars (don't all two year olds?), and I can't wait to take him. The National Automotive & Truck museum is right next door, and is cheaper than the ACD, and may be more fun for younger kids.
Drinks & Nightlife
If you want a drink, this is the place to go. I've seen people of all ages here, and they have three levels with slightly different ambiances in each one. Many nights they have jazz music on the ground floor, and they make great martinis and have a pretty good beer selection as well. If it's hot, they have good outdoor seating upstairs.
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Club Soda
235 E Superior StIf you want a drink, this is the place to go. I've seen people of all ages here, and they have three levels with slightly different ambiances in each one. Many nights they have jazz music on the ground floor, and they make great martinis and have a pretty good beer selection as well. If it's hot, they have good outdoor seating upstairs.
Essentials
Fort Wayne doesn't have a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods, but this place is just as good. If you've been to a Sprouts, it's just like that (they were both sort of created by the same guy). They have a good selection of organic fruit and vegetables, plus all your favorite organic and natural foods. All the gluten-free food items are clearly marked, and they have a huge bulk foods section. It's a good way to get just a cup of olive oil and vineger.
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Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
4320 Coldwater RdFort Wayne doesn't have a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods, but this place is just as good. If you've been to a Sprouts, it's just like that (they were both sort of created by the same guy). They have a good selection of organic fruit and vegetables, plus all your favorite organic and natural foods. All the gluten-free food items are clearly marked, and they have a huge bulk foods section. It's a good way to get just a cup of olive oil and vineger.
Getting Around
From FW Parks and Rec: "The Rivergreenway Trail is a 25 mile long linear park in Fort Wayne and New Haven, Indiana. The trail is along the banks of the St. Marys, St. Joseph and Maumee Rivers." You can catch the Rivergreenway at a few points near Lakeside Park, just search for "Rivergreenway map" and you'll find the access points!
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Rivergreenway
RivergreenwayFrom FW Parks and Rec: "The Rivergreenway Trail is a 25 mile long linear park in Fort Wayne and New Haven, Indiana. The trail is along the banks of the St. Marys, St. Joseph and Maumee Rivers." You can catch the Rivergreenway at a few points near Lakeside Park, just search for "Rivergreenway map" and you'll find the access points!
FWOBD has excellent gear available for bike riding, canoeing and kayaking (single and double). Their prices may seem high, but their equipment is really high end and is worth it, assuming you think it's worth it. If it's too much, you could try Zagster, Fort Wayne's new bike sharing service. If you want to rent a surrey, try Model T at Headwater's Park.
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Fort Wayne Outfitters and Bike Depot
1004 Cass StFWOBD has excellent gear available for bike riding, canoeing and kayaking (single and double). Their prices may seem high, but their equipment is really high end and is worth it, assuming you think it's worth it. If it's too much, you could try Zagster, Fort Wayne's new bike sharing service. If you want to rent a surrey, try Model T at Headwater's Park.