Things to do in Fort Wayne
Allen County Courthouse
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the recently restored Allen County Courthouse was built at the turn of the century and reflects Beaux-Roman architecture, with exquisite murals and 25 different varieties of scagliola, the use of art glass, bas-reliefs and imported Italian marble. Call 260-449-4246 for more information.
715 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN
Allen County Fairgrounds
The fairgrounds host events such as the 4-H County Fair, Muddy River Run, dances & lessons, computer, gem, antique, bird, cat, dog and reptile shows and more. Located at Carroll Road, East of Lima Road. Call 260-449-444 for more information.
Allen County Public Library
Genealogy Research Department - Trace your family roots at the country's second largest genealogy department. Professional on-site counselors are available to assist in searches. Call the main branch for library hours, which vary according to the season. Call 260-421-1200 for more information.
900 Webster Street, Fort Wayne, IN
Firefighters' Museum and Old #3 Firehouse Café
Located in historic Engine House No. 3, this museum showcases artifacts used by some of the city's earliest heroes - the firefighters. It has preserved the history of the Fort Wayne Fire Department and also gives tours (by appointment) to teach fire safety. Museum is open Monday – Friday. Call 260-426-0051 for more information.
226 W. Washington Street, Fort Wayne, IN
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Explore one of the best botanical conservatories in the Midwest. Three distinct inside gardens will draw you into one tranquil environment after another, from the Showcase House with its seasonal displays, to the lush Tropical House, where orchids and palms thrive in the shadows of a cascading waterfall, to the sparse beauty of the Sonoran Desert House. Be sure to visit Woody the Talking Tree and explore our hands-on exhibits: the Discovery Gallery, the Plant Uses Gallery, and the Underground. Open Monday - Saturday. Call 260-427-6440 for more information.
1100 S. Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
Enjoy 42 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and find out why 500,000 annual visitors call it the world's finest children's zoo. Journey to the jungle in the award-winning Indonesian Rainforest. Hike through Orangutan Valley and the Tiger Forest or travel to Africa in your own motorized jeep. Take a ride on the world's only Endangered Species Carousel, and make sure you stroll among a mob of kangaroos in the Australian Adventure. Zoo season runs April 29 - October 15. Call 260-427-6800 for more information.
3411 Sherman Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne Museum of Art
This contemporary museum offers artworks from its own permanent collections as well as national traveling exhibitions, classes, lectures, and a museum gift shop. It houses a 1,300-piece collection of 19th and 20th century art and highlights major exhibitions from museums throughout the United States. A special hands-on education gallery makes learning about art a fun experience for youngsters. Take in classes, workshops, lectures and other special events. Call 260-422-6467 for more information.
311 E. Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society is home to steam locomotive 765, which has operated excursions throughout the Midwest. The Society's collection includes a smaller switching steam locomotive, two wooden cabooses, a 200-ton wrecker, a diesel locomotive and other historic railroad equipment. Visit during our annual open house in August and take a 20-minute ride in a vintage caboose. For the ultimate rail fan experience, the Society offers an Engineer For an Hour program. You'll receive an hour of instruction on general railroading, air brake operation, and diesel locomotive operation. Then you'll climb aboard the Society's 44-ton diesel locomotive and spend the next hour operating actual railroad equipment. The Society is open most Saturdays. Call for information. Call 260-493-0765 for more information.
15808 Edgerton Road, New Haven, IN
Haunted Castle
Haunted Castle and Black Forest, now in its 21st season, is the premier haunted attraction in the tri-state area. Open Wednesdays - Saturdays in October. Call 260-489-1763 for more information.
History Center
The History Center is an architectural landmark. Housed in the former city hall and jail, the museum provides three floors of Fort Wayne and Allen County history. Recently the "Forgotten Images" exhibit showcased over 100 photographs of the Fort Wayne area by renowned photographer Felix Schanz. Call 219-422-6467 for more information.
311 E. Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN
Jack D. Diehm Wildlife Museum of Natural History
An educational look at North American Wildlife mounted in realistic settings. Open late April through Mid-October. Call 260-427-6708 for more information.
600 Franke Park Drive, Fort Wayne, IN
Lincoln Museum
The award-winning permanent exhibit, Abraham Lincoln and the American Experiment, includes 11 exhibit galleries featuring hundreds of artifacts from Lincoln's era. Eighteen interactive exhibits allow visitors to read Lincoln's mail, decorate the White House or fight a Civil War battle. There are four theaters and an array of Lincoln family photos as well as a somber look at the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination. A recent and important museum acquisition is a rare edition of The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Lincoln in 1864. It is only one of eight in the world in public collections and ahs the distinction of being the only one on permanent public display. The Lincoln Museum also features one of the largest museum stores in Indiana. Open Tuesday – Saturday Call 260-455-3864 for more information.
200 E. Berry Street, Fort Wayne, IN
McMillen Center for Health Education
Our mission is to provide vital, effective, preventative health education programs to promote physical, emotional, and social well being. Visitors will enjoy our educational programs, parent/child programs, day camps, and birthday parties. Open Monday - Friday. Call 260-456-4511 for more information.
600 Jim Kelley Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN
Old City Hall Historical Museum
Explore the fascinating history of Northeast Indiana. Discover the first gas pump, television and speakers, all invented in Fort Wayne. Admission is charged. Open February – December. Call 219-426-2882 for more information.
Science Central
Hands-on fun is the rule at Science Central, Indiana's interactive science center. We make math, science and technology enjoyable for everyone. Create you own earthquake. Bend your own rainbows. Ride around a track 20 feet up in the air on the high-rail bike! Hold a starfish, make a tornado, walk like an astronaut over a moonscape where you weigh next to nothing. Call 800-4HANDSON for more information.
1950 N. Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN
Swinney Homestead
The homestead includes the 1844 Swinney House, the 1849 log cabin and the herb garden. The house combines Federalist architecture with the Victorian-Italianate style. Group tours available by appointment. Call 260-424-7212 for more information.
1424 W. Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN
Veterans Memorial National Shrine
Memorial dedicated to all U.S. war veterans. Shrine museum includes over 5,000 military artifacts from the Civil War to the present. Call 260-625-4944 for more information.
2122 O'Day Road, Fort Wayne, IN