Home to one of the most popular children’s zoos in the United States, Fort Wayne maintains a strong community atmosphere. It’s nicknamed the “Summit City” due to its location at the high point of the old Wabash-Erie canal and features museums and picturesque green spaces to explore.
Things to do in Fort Wayne
Explore more than 26,000 artefacts and hands-on exhibits relating to Fort Wayne and Allen County at the History Center. Learn about the region’s earliest inhabitants and the Miami Indian village of Kekionga, then discover how the Wabash-Erie Canal helped the industries of Fort Wayne flourish.
Visit the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, considered one of the best in the United States. Explore the giraffe feeding area and Safari Trail in the African Journey exhibit, witness echidnas, dingos and kangaroos in the Australian Adventure, then head into the Indonesian Rainforest to spot orangutans and Komodo dragons.
Green thumbs should visit the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory where more than 500 different plant species are on display. Wander through the seasonal showcase gardens, photograph the waterfall in the tropical oasis display and encounter more than 70 types of cacti in the Sonoran Desert exhibit.
Ignite your imagination at Science Central, a former power plant that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art museum for science, maths and technology. There are more than 200 hands-on exhibits, together with exciting science presentations and touring exhibitions from across the country.
Getting around Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne is around three hours’ drive from Chicago, while Fort Wayne International Airport is 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre. Both trains and buses travel through the city and there are bike-sharing stations available.