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Fort Wayne is the second largest city in Indiana, set in the northeastern corner of the state where the St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers join to form the Maumee River. This confluence was the site of Kekionga, the capital of the Miami people, and a key portage on the route between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi. In 1794 General Anthony Wayne built an American fort here, which gave the city its name, and Fort Wayne grew as a canal town on the Wabash and Erie Canal and later as a railroad and manufacturing hub.
Today Fort Wayne has about 265,000 residents and is known as the City of Churches for its many historic steeples, and as a friendly, affordable place with a revitalized downtown. The Allen County Courthouse, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece completed in 1902, is one of the most beautiful in the country, and the Embassy Theatre is a lavish 1928 movie palace. The Landing, a restored historic street, and the Electric Works campus, a former General Electric plant transformed into a lively district of food, shops and offices, show the city's new energy.
Outdoor life centers on the three rivers. Promenade Park offers a treetop canopy trail, kayak rentals and riverfront gardens, and the Rivergreenway trail network runs for miles along the water. Visitors can also explore the highly rated Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, the historic Old Fort replica and the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library, one of the largest genealogy collections in the world. Parkview Field, home of the TinCaps minor league team, is regularly named one of the best ballparks in the minors.
A riverfront park opened in 2019 where the St. Marys River runs past downtown, with a treetop canopy walk, an amphitheater, kayak and canoe rentals, a playground and a restaurant. It is part of the city's riverfront development and hosts free concerts and festivals in summer.
A downtown glass conservatory with three gardens: a tropical garden with a waterfall, a desert garden of cacti from the Sonoran Desert and a showcase house with seasonal flower displays. It is a warm escape in winter, and the outdoor terrace garden opens in summer.
A highly rated zoo in Franke Park with an African Journey area, an Indonesian Rain Forest dome, an Australian Adventure section with kangaroos and a Sumatran tiger exhibit. Train, carousel and sky ride options make it fun for kids. The zoo is open from late April to October.
A hands-on science center in a former power plant north of downtown, with more than 200 exhibits including a high-rail bike, an earthquake simulator and a kids' area. It is good for school-age children and takes two to three hours. Check opening days, which vary seasonally.
A Beaux-Arts courthouse completed in 1902, crowned by a copper dome with a statue of Lady Liberty, with marble interiors, art glass and murals. It is a working courthouse, but the public can look around on weekdays and guided tours are offered by the preservation trust.
A 1928 movie palace downtown with a lavish interior, a Grande Page pipe organ and seating for about 2,500, now hosting Broadway tours, concerts and the Festival of Trees each holiday season. Backstage tours are offered on certain days. Arrive early to see the ornate lobby.
The downtown ballpark of the Fort Wayne TinCaps, the High-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, repeatedly ranked among the best minor league parks in the country. It has a 360-degree concourse and skyline views. Tickets are cheap and the concourse is open to walkers on some days.
A redevelopment of the former General Electric campus near downtown, where historic brick factory buildings now hold the Union Street Market food hall, offices, shops and event space. The lit GE sign on Broadway is a city landmark. Visit for lunch at the market hall.
A restored downtown block of Columbia Street, one of the city's oldest commercial streets, with restaurants, bars and shops in 19th century buildings. It is a short walk from Promenade Park and the Embassy Theatre, and is a good place for dinner before a show.
A reconstruction of the 1815 American fort that gave the city its name, set near the confluence of the three rivers. It hosts living history events, battle reenactments and craft demonstrations on some weekends. The grounds are free to walk, and the Rivergreenway trail passes nearby.
One of the largest public genealogy libraries in the US, with millions of records, family histories, census data and military records, and staff who help visitors trace their roots. It is free to use. Bring names, dates and places, and allow several hours for research.
A downtown museum focused on American art from the 1800s to today, with paintings, prints, glass and changing exhibitions, including works by regional artists. It sits near the Arts United Center and the Embassy Theatre. Plan around an hour, and check for free admission days.
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