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City in Indiana, United States
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Fort Wayne is a city in the northeastern part of Indiana, a state of the United States of America. It is 30 minutes from the western Ohio border and 70 minutes from the southern border of Michigan. With a population of around 260,000 in the city and 615,000 in the metropolitan area, it's Indiana's second largest city.
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It is the largest public genealogical collection in the United States. The library offers special classes and has librarians there to assist you in your search. One night a year, they keep the room open until midnight. It is usually around Halloween.
Is a museum with many interesting displays about the area, from the days before Europeans came, to modern times. Even the castle-like building is worth a careful look. Among the stories to be read there are the afternoon that hi fidelity sound (from separating the frequencies and routing them through different speakers) was invented at the local Magnavox plant. They had settled on the term "tweeter" for the small speaker, but rejected a number of other suggestions before settling on "woofer" for the big ones.
Engine House No. 3
Three indoor gardens with over 500 species of plants and 72 different cacti. They even have a children's area with human sized worm holes and a talking tree that is quite cute.
Voted one of the top ten for children by Child magazine. With over 1500 animals, from lemurs to dingo dogs, orangutans to tigers. Themed areas like the Indonesian Rainforest and the new African Journey. They also have a sky ride, zoo train, carousel, canoe ride, and pony ride. Really nice zoo! $10-$14.
Great public park along the St Joseph River. It is also the location of John Appleseed Chapman's grave. A marker and memorial exist to make finding it easy. Free
Non-profit art gallery that celebrates modern visual art from the region. They also offer classes and workshops.
Focusing on American art, permanent pieces by William Forsyth, Janet Fish and more, and a collection of 56 Indiana Amish quilts. Furniture collection, modern and traditional art, Indiana artists, African American art, and more. $3-$10.
Located in Fort Wayne.
An old movie palace that opened in 1928. It is a rare find, most grand movie palaces like this have been torn down. The theater was finally renovated and returned to its original shine in the early 80s and reopened as a performing arts venue. It has a huge balcony. The symphony performs here as do occasional travelling Broadway shows and performers. There is a large variety of acts that perform, ranging from ZZ Top to Jerry Seinfeld. They also show classic movies on the big screen in the winter.
If you are into architecture, pick up the self-guided tour booklets at the downtown public library or look online and bring printouts of the tours. There was a rich culture in Fort Wayne until the 1950s when a number of major companies left the city or went bankrupt. The town was built on the junction of three rivers and has a French, English and American heritage. The Wabash and Erie Canal ran through the center of the downtown. FW has a number of mansions built for railroad and canal executives still standing. Some have been restored, but are not open to the general public. Stroll along Forest Park Boulevard or take a drive down Old Mill Road if you'd like to see these mansions from the outside.
A few minutes' drive north of downtown is Science Central, a hands-on science museum particularly well suited for children. There are many mechanical, optical, and industrial exhibits to explore, including a more-or-less working grain elevator inside.
Fort Wayne's minor league hockey team that plays in the International Hockey League. Founded in 1952, the Komets have won five league championships and have played every home game at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
Play at the Parkview Field located downtown. Seats over 8,000 and provides a "big city" feel. The Tincaps are the Class A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Tickets are cheap and games are fun. The best night to go is "dollar night" when hot dogs, soda and beer (yes, beer) is a mere $1 per cup. $6.50-9.
Sports teams of Purdue University Fort Wayne, created in July 2018 when the Indiana University and Purdue University systems dissolved their joint Fort Wayne campus. The teams had represented the joint campus, but now represent only the Purdue portion. The Mastodons play NCAA Division I sports in the Horizon League; they don't have a football team (and only two of their conference mates even have football teams). The central ticket office for all Mastodons sports is at the Gates Sports Center, home to basketball and volleyball for both men and women. The men's basketball team occasionally plays at the much larger Memorial Coliseum.
A little bit expensive, however the sushi is great. Better sushi than you would expect to find in the Midwest.
A favorite wing restaurant among the locals since the '80s. As the name implies, the specialties are buffalo wings (available in 16 signature sauces) and baby back ribs. Also serves French fries, poppers, chicken sandwiches, pitas, wraps, burgers, and other American classics. A popular hang-out among area high schoolers (especially athletes) and for families. Dine-in and take-out.
Many locals laude this Italian restaurant's signature salad as the best salad in Fort Wayne. Menu includes veal marsala, quattro formaggio pasta, lasange, Chef's salad with Genoan salami and parm, tilapia and other fish, pizza, and a host of other Italian favorites. Full bar. Reservations are recommended, as the place can get pretty busy. A three-course meal here will cost around $30 per person.
Cindy's is a traditional 1950s-style diner loaded with charm. It's one of those stainless steel prefab buildings that used to be all over but disappeared with the onslaught of the chains. Those in the mood for breakfast can find it here any time of the day. It seat about 15 people. You sit at the counter and chew the fat with the staff. They have those little juke boxes every few seats with old 50s and 60s hits. They make their own donuts with an antique donut machine that came from old downtown Murphy's store. 830 S. Harrison Street. Cheap and a great value for breakfast or lunch. Closed in evenings.
A wiener stand that likes their buns steamed since 1924. Huge during the Three Rivers Festival and the Lighting of the Santa Claus the night before Thanksgiving.
A family-friendly place to dine out!
This is one of the best kept secrets in Fort Wayne, most of the locals don't even know about it. It is a quaint Italian restaurant located in a small two story house. There is a large factory across the street, and a plain looking neighborhood surrounding. If it weren't for the small neon sign in the window you'd never look twice. It seats less than 50 and I've never seen more than three employees working: a host, a server, and the cook. The food is simple home-cooked Italian, and it's definitely worth the trip. Be sure to call ahead to make sure they're open.
Formerly Munchies at Dupont Crossing - It's fairly cheap.
MABC is an old staple in Fort Wayne. The original is located downtown on the corner of Broadway and Taylor. This particular location is the most nostalgic, decorated with political paraphernalia dating back to the early 1930s. They have a very eclectic menu, ranging from their plethora of delicious sandwiches to salmon to homemade pizza. Their beer, made on location, is some of the best in Fort Wayne. Their beer is also sold at several other locations, including Parkview Field and in bottles at local stores. It is fairly cheap and always a good meal!
There are two Oyster Bars in Fort Wayne. The original Oyster Bar downtown used to be an honest to goodness speakeasy: tradition has it that soda was served in front and cards & booze were the staple of the back room during prohibition. The original OB is just south of downtown in a 100+ year old brick building. You almost sit in the kitchen and have to walk through the kitchen to reach part of the seating. Small and very cool. You can see your dinner made and talk to the cooks. The food is really good too. You might think, Oyster Bar = Sea Food in Fort Wayne, Indiana = Huh? But this is the age of flash frozen Sashimi grade tuna air Fedexed via 747-400s. Ergo, the fish you eat in Chicago is the same stuff. In the summer you can eat outside. The north-side Oyster Bar is now closed. Steve Gard is the owner of both and a cool dude. Foodie to the max.
Great seafood and a very cool music bar called the Mangy Moose. It's in an old house. Very cool. Not cheap, but the food is great.
This place was built in the 1940 and hasn't changed. It is the prototype for White Castle but the burgers are bigger and everything is fresh. The chili is also great. Real cheap and real fun!
Serving fresh sushi and sashimi. Also available are various bento, tempura, meat dishes and more, along with a Japanese beer and sake selection. Be sure to check out the lunch specials! A bar and tatami room are also available.
A fantastic rib joint located in Georgetown Square.
Like Ruth's Chris - only much hipper in an authentic 125 year old building. Very cool and hip place. Known for its signature martinis and live music, especially jazz. Outdoor seating also available.
On the northeast side of town, just north of the Indiana University Fort Wayne and Purdue University Fort Wayne campuses is the Midwest's largest nightclub, featuring five different atmospheres in one building. The Hub is open seven days a week until 3AM, and serves 120 different bottled beers from around the region and around the world.
Downtown on Calhoun is a cool coffee house in a 100+ year old building that also serves great lunches at a reasonable price. Good soups. They also sell beer by the bottle. The walls are lined by local artists' work that are also for sale.
The Firefly is perennially voted the best coffee house in town. It's just a block or two south of the Fort Wayne campuses of IU and Purdue (which had been a joint campus before summer 2018). The drink theme is insects, and they have many good smoothies and other offerings with bug-like names. There is free wireless internet access, and usually exhibits of local art on the walls. In the evenings, there is often live music.
Downtown (Corner of Calhoun and Wayne St.), Many other locations Phone: 485-0100.
Near IUFW and PFW on North Anthony (3410) - It's the best coffee in Northeast Indiana. Fresh roasted beans every day with an emphasis on high quality. If you want great coffee, from India to Colombia, this is the place to go.
This brand new downtown hotel is a prime option in the newly designed Harrison Square
The La Salle Bed & Breakfast offers traditional B&B accommodations at an affordable price. Located one block from the Allen County Genealogical Library and just two blocks from the Grand Wayne Centre and Embassy Theatre. Amenities include homemade French Breakfast, Hot Tub, Expansive decks with city view, cable TV, telephone with voicemail, wireless Internet access, bathrobes, and private baths. Four suites are available with full kitchens and separate living area and bedroom.
The Staybridge Suites Fort Wayne is located off I-69 and US 24 in the upscale Village of Coventry - SW Fort Wayne. Easy access to the Interstate 69, Highway 24 and all major attractions and businesses in the area.
By car
By bus
Greyhound has multiple long-haul services to Fort Wayne from most nearby cities. The Greyhound bus station is located downtown at 121 W Baker St.
By train
Fort Wayne is not directly served by passenger rail, but Amtrak has several daily services to nearby Waterloo, half an hour north of Fort Wayne.
By car
To get into downtown US 27 would be the main route from north or south and Jefferson Boulevard from the west.
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Fort Wayne · Regional · FWA
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