Mapped out in 1839, New Haven lies on the eastern outskirts of Fort Wayne. It was located on the Wabash & Erie Canal that linked the Great Lakes and Ohio River before being served by the Nickel Plate Railroad on its route between Buffalo and Chicago. Today, New Haven is a laid-back city with an atmospheric downtown area.
Things to do in New Haven
In the heart of New Haven is Broadway Street, which is lined with independent stores selling everything from antiques and collectibles to women’s fashion. You can feast on barbecued meats at the Smokehaus or mingle with the locals at Rach and Helen’s Bar & Grill, which is famed for its giant sausage rolls. Walk it all off in nearby Schnelker Park, a picturesque green space with a children’s playground and leafy trails.
Train enthusiasts can visit the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, which restores and operates a historic steam locomotive from the Nickel Plate Railroad. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the locomotive operates excursions throughout north-east Indiana. Admire the vintage railroad equipment and rolling stock on display or check to see what’s happening in the workshop.
Hugging the bank of the Maumee River is part of the Rivergreenway Trail, which extends for 40 kilometres through Greater Fort Wayne and connects to the Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Also adjacent to the river is the Whispering Creek Golf Club, which centres around an 18-hole course designed by golf architect Robert Beard.
Getting around New Haven
New Haven is around 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Fort Wayne and 25 minutes from Fort Wayne International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Buses connect to New Haven, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.