12 Museum and Activities Things To Do In Fort Wayne IN (Indiana)

Fort Wayne, as the state’s second-largest city, offers a wide variety of cultural attractions and recreational opportunities. Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne is the beating cultural heart of the city. As a result of community involvement and strong passions, this group helps manage Fort Wayne’s Cultural District. The Fort Wayne Art Museum, the Arts United Center, and the Fort Wayne History Center all fall under this category.

Things To Do In Fort Wayne IN the annual Three Rivers Festival, held in Fort Wayne county in July, is one of many festivals that Arts United helps organize.

It’s not hard to see why Fort Wayne is so successful at converting visitors into permanent residents, what with all the promenade park, zoos, and museums the city has to offer. Explore our top things to do in Fort Wayne for more ideas on how to spend this part of your Indiana vacation.

12 Best Things To Do In Fort Wayne IN Today

1. Fort Wayne Museum of Art

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art (FWMoA) is a staple of Fort Wayne’s Cultural District and one of the many venues run by Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne promenade park. It features works from a wide variety of genres and media within American art.

Visit Fort Wayne over seven thousand works of art, including sculptures and works of delicate glass, are on display at the museum. The exhibits at FWMoA feature the work of Indiana Impressionists, renowned artists, and skilled glassblowers.

Programs, events, and classes at FWMoA occur frequently throughout the year. A family-friendly Dia de los Muertos celebration is held every October, and other events include art classes and internships. Chalk Walk, held in conjunction with the Three Rivers Festival each July and attended by thousands of people, is another annual highlight of the museum’s calendar at North Carolina.

Address: 311 East Main Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana

2. Parkview Field

Parkview Field, which opened in time for the 2009 baseball season and is now an integral part of downtown Fort Wayne, is the home field for the TinCaps, a Minor League Baseball team in the city of Vera Bradley.

Parkview Field is home to some of the best minor league baseball in the country, but it also plays host to over 400 other events each year besides baseball, including concerts, fitness festivals, and more.

The baseball stadium’s track and concourse are open to the public every day, weather permitting, for a brisk walk around the stadium. No matter how many new features this stadium adds, night games under the lights will always be the main draw. Fireworks at the end of the game and fan participation in between innings are two of the special features of this game.

Address: 1301 Ewing Street, Fort Wayne outfitters, Indiana

3. Headwaters Park

Headwaters Park, located a mile north of downtown at the confluence of three major rivers, is a well-loved green space that sees a lot of use from the locals.

The 30-acre park is a popular place to relax and take in the scenery along the river, and it hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the signature Three Rivers Festival at fox island county park.

The Hamilton Sculpture Garden is a beautiful outdoor area right on the premises. Headwaters Park also has a large open-air pavilion available for private events. Headwaters Ice Skating Rink is a great place to have some winter fun during the colder months of the year.

Address: 333 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana

4. Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory is a year-round tropical attraction located on the south side of downtown, close to Parkview Field and the Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum. This conservatory features three different garden areas, making it a wonderful destination for families, groups of friends, and anyone interested in botany.

The desert-like conditions of the Desert Garden are perfect for the growth of cacti, while the lush vegetation of the Tropical Garden threatens to overwhelm the walkway that leads to the koi ponds and the waterfall at historic fort wayne. Every season brings a new immersive experience to the Showcase Garden’s immersive Butterfly Garden.

In addition to classes, workshops, and events like plant swaps and artist receptions, this botanical center also encourages visitors to grow their own plants. On the first Thursday of every month, the Conservatory offers a low-cost $1 Night.

Address: 1100 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana

5. Historic Old Fort

This “Old Fort,” a meticulous recreation of the original Fort Wayne from 1815, is a great place to learn about local history while having a good time. This reconstructed historic fort is only a quarter mile from its original site, across the St. Marys River from Headwaters Park.

Since the grounds are open to the public, people of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to wander around and discover what they like. The non-profit group that runs the fort holds numerous special events throughout the year so that people can see the inside of the fort and take part in some of the live-action history that it sponsors. For example, at the annual Siege of Fort Wayne reenactment, participants dress up and give tours to the public.

Address: Rivergreenway, Fort Wayne, Indiana

6. Arts United Center

The Arts United Center, designed by famed architect Louis Kahn in 1973, is a crown jewel of the downtown Cultural District. This performance art and civic theater was Kahn’s last major project before he passed away, and his influential designs can be seen in every bright corner and brick arch.

The concrete walls surrounding the main stage add an atmospheric and sonic barrier. The Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, the Fort Wayne Ballet, the Fort Wayne Dance Collective, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic all perform in this state-of-the-art auditorium. Tours of the theater’s backstage area are available upon request and provide interesting insights into the building’s design and construction is a fun thing.

Address: 303 East Main Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana

7. Science Central

Science Central is an interactive science museum for children and adults alike that is housed in a decommissioned coal-burning power plant from 1908. Except for the bright smokestacks and fake dinosaur skeleton by the entrance, Science Central still looks like the power plant it was meant to be from the outside.

More than 35,000 square feet in the landmark City Light & Power building are dedicated to teaching kids about science. The High Rail Bike is one of Science Central’s most popular permanent exhibits because it allows children to learn about gravity in a risk-free environment at castle gallery.

Science Central hosts a number of educational events and programs every month. Science Central hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including STEM Camps, Coding Clubs, and an Afternoon Science Series. Mondays and Tuesdays are off-limits at Science Central, but it’s open for business on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Address: 1950 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana

8. Three Rivers Festival

Fort Wayne is also known as the City of Festivals because it hosts so many celebrations throughout the year. Fort Wayne hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, from cultural celebrations like Taste of the Arts and Pride Fest to food festivals like the St. Joe Pickle Festival.

Every festival in Fort Wayne would be nothing without the music. Buskerfest and the Middle Waves Music Festival are two examples of festivals that feature street performers. However, the Three Rivers Festival in July is undoubtedly the largest festival in Fort Wayne.

Headwaters Park hosts all of the Three Rivers Festival’s over eighty events. The festival features exciting events such as pie-eating contests alongside musical performances, massive parades, and fireworks displays.

For nearly 50 years, locals and visitors alike have gathered in Fort Wayne for the annual summer celebration known as Three Rivers Festival.

9. History Center

The History Center, located on the Arts United cultural campus, houses an extensive archive of local artifacts and historical documents. The Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society, which calls the 1893 City Hall building home, has amassed a collection of more than 26,000 artifacts.

The museum’s displays are very in-depth, covering everything from the area’s indigenous cultures to the 20th century’s technological advances. 

Some examples of the permanent displays include an accurate recreation of a blacksmith shop and foundry and a display on the local history of the Miami Indians. Newer innovations, such as musical instruments and motorcycles, have also been showcased to highlight the region’s rich history of creativity.

The Chief Richardville House, located five miles south of downtown, is under the care and supervision of the History Center. One of Fort Wayne’s most prominent historical figures once lived in this beautifully preserved 19th-century mansion.

Address: 302 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana

10. Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum

Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum, located in the historic Old Station No. 3 in the downtown area, close to Parkview Field and the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, you’ll find a fascinating museum.

Firefighting artifacts from a bygone era greet visitors as soon as they step foot inside this two-story museum. This includes decommissioned operating systems and vintage red fire trucks.

More artifacts and a glimpse into the living quarters of modern firefighters await visitors on the museum’s upper level. The museum’s collection of artifacts and relics from the bravest profession in the world is complemented by a wealth of information about that era of firefighting.

Address: 226 West Washington Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana

11. Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve

Nestled on the southwestern outskirts of the metropolis is the 756-acre Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve, a restored mix-wetland ecosystem. The nature preserve is a wonderful place to go if you want to see wildlife in its natural habitat, as it has more than ten miles of hiking trails that wind through the various wetlands, meadows, prairies, and forests that make up the area.

The Little River Wetlands Project, which also manages other similar preserves around the city, owns and operates the preserve. The organization provides many opportunities to explore its properties, such as guided hikes, public runs, and talks by experts in the field.

The Little River Wetlands Project also oversees the upkeep of the Arrowhead Preserve and Arrowhead Prairie, located further to the southwest.

Address: 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana

12. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, located just a few miles north of downtown, is a popular destination for families. The Children’s Zoo has been open for business for over 50 years, during which time it has grown to become a popular attraction that draws over 500,000 visitors annually.

Among the zoo’s many unique exhibits and experiences are the African Journey Safari Trail, the Australian Adventure River Ride, and the Indonesian Rainforest. Orangutans, lions, kangaroos, Komodo dragons, zebra sharks, and Tasmanian devils are just some of the native animals.

Wild Encounters allow visitors of all ages to get up close and personal with animals, such as giraffe feedings and other events. The Children’s Zoo also hosts special events and programs such as Family Wild Nights, Kids Nature Camps, and adult-only galas and fundraisers.

Address: 3411 Sherman Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Where To Stay For Sightseeing In Fort Wayne, Indiana?

There are many options for places to stay in Fort Wayne, as there are many attractions that warrant an overnight visit. A majority of Fort Wayne’s high-end hotels are clustered just outside the city limits, with easy access to the city via the nearby Interstate 69. There are also plenty of places to stay overnight in the downtown area, making it easy to visit all of the sights and sounds of the neighborhood right away.

• The Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Fort Wayne is a great example of a mid-range hotel in the heart of the city. This hotel, part of a well-known chain, is conveniently located next to Parkview Field and the Grand Wayne Convention Center and features an indoor pool, restaurant, and fitness center in addition to easy access to the city center via an attached walkway. The Comfort Suites Fort Wayne, located just south of downtown, is another excellent option thanks to its spacious suites, complimentary breakfast, and complimentary transportation to and from the airport. Each suite at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Fort Wayne, which is located close to the Comfort Suites, comes equipped with a kitchenette, a desk, and plenty of space to unpack.
• Cheap hotels can be found in every Fort Wayne hotel cluster. In addition to the great value you get at Extended Stay America – Fort Wayne – South on the city’s south side, the spotless, well-appointed rooms are sure to entice you back again and again. Quality Inn, which is located closer to the heart of the city, offers great rates and is known for its friendly, helpful front desk staff. WoodSpring Suites Fort Wayne, located on the far northwest side of the city, provides the most square footage for the money, with each modern suite featuring kitchenettes and comfortable furniture. WoodSpring Suites offers discounted rates for extended stays.

FAQs Things To Do In Fort Wayne IN