Fort Wayne area
Around Fort Wayne area
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Indiana · 663k people
Fort Wayne area
Locals say Fort Wayne · “Summit City”, “The Fort”
Three rivers, one home
Komets orangeMastodons navyMastodons gold
Welcome to the Fort! Whether you're here for the riverfront, the hockey, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly midwestern vibe. Grab a Coney and enjoy the trails.
Clubs for Fort Wayne area
No clubs for Fort Wayne area yet.
The room
Fort Wayne area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Fort Wayne's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Fort Wayne. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Fort Wayne area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Fort Wayne Children's Zoo One of the top zoos in the Midwest.
- Parkview Field Home of the TinCaps, with a great downtown view.
- Memorial Coliseum Where the Komets play hockey and big concerts come.
- Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory A tropical escape in the middle of winter.
- Science Central Hands-on exhibits for all ages.
- Embassy Theatre Historic venue for concerts and shows.
- Outdoors Kayak or paddleboard on the St. Marys River
- Outdoors Bike the Rivergreenway
- With kids Visit the Children's Zoo
- With kids Explore Science Central
- Evenings See a concert at The Clyde Theatre
- Evenings Watch the Komets at Memorial Coliseum
- Locals love Riverfront trails
- Locals love Historic neighborhoods
Through the year
- Three Rivers Festival July A week-long summer celebration with parades, food, and music.
- Johnny Appleseed Festival September Pioneer-era crafts, food, and persimmon pudding in the park.
- Allen County 4-H Fair July County fair with livestock, rides, and local exhibits.
- Middle Waves Music Festival September Indie and local bands perform in downtown venues.
- Fort Wayne Marathon May Races through the city and along the rivers.
Fort Wayne has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers are warm and humid, and spring and fall are mild. The best time to be out is late spring and early fall. Best: Late spring (May–June) and early fall (September–October) are ideal for being outdoors with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Fort”
- Nickname for Fort Wayne
- “Summit City”
- Another nickname for the city
- “Coney”
- A Coney dog, a local favorite
- “The Landing”
- Downtown district
Getaways
- Auburn Visit the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum.
- Kendallville Enjoy lakes and trails at Bixler Lake.
- Huntington Explore the Huntington Reservoir.
- Angola Head to the lakes around Pokagon State Park.
Local flavour
Teams
- Fort Wayne Komets ECHL
- Fort Wayne TinCaps MiLB
- Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Coney dog Fort Wayne's signature hot dog with chili, onions, and mustard
- Pork tenderloin sandwich Indiana staple, often served breaded and fried
- Persimmon pudding Regional dessert made from native persimmons
Where people go
- Riverfront parks Trails and green spaces along the three rivers
- Historic neighborhoods West Central, with Victorian-era homes
- Minor league ballpark Parkview Field, home of the TinCaps
Heritage and traditions
Fort Wayne is proud of its three rivers, its industrial and railroad heritage, and its strong sense of community, celebrated through year-round festivals and the legacy of Johnny Appleseed.
This time of year in Fort Wayne area
- Apple picking at local orchards Fall A fall activity at nearby farms.
Say it like a local: “the Fort” — Nickname for Fort Wayne
Festivals
- Germanfest June Celebrates German heritage with food, music, and dancing in June.
- Greek Festival May or June Hosted by the Greek Orthodox church, featuring Greek cuisine and cultural exhibits.
- Irish Festival September Celebrates Irish heritage with music, dance, and food in September.
- Hispanic Heritage Festival August Showcases Latin American culture with performances, vendors, and food.
- Art This Way Summer Public art installations and events throughout downtown in the summer.
- Fort Wayne Pride June LGBTQ+ celebration with a parade and community events in June.
Landmarks with a story
- Allen County Courthouse A grand 1902 courthouse with a statue of Chief Little Turtle in front.
- Chief Richardville House The 1827 home of a Miami chief, one of the oldest structures in the state.
- Johnny Appleseed Memorial The grave of John Chapman, a beloved local legend, in a city park.
- Lindenwood Cemetery A Victorian-era cemetery with notable local burials and beautiful landscaping.
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception A historic Catholic cathedral in downtown Fort Wayne.
- First Presbyterian Church A historic congregation with a striking building, part of the city's religious heritage.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Many Catholic churches host fish fries on Fridays during Lent, a community staple.
- Sugar cream pie Indiana's state pie, a simple custard pie often served at diners and family gatherings.
- Bratwurst and sauerkraut at Germanfest A nod to the city's strong German heritage, enjoyed during the festival.
- Chicken and noodles A hearty Hoosier comfort food, often served over mashed potatoes.
- Amish-style baked goods Available at farmers markets, from nearby Amish communities.
Music and arts
- Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra A professional orchestra performing at the Embassy Theatre.
- Civic Theatre of Fort Wayne One of the oldest community theaters in the country.
- Fort Wayne Museum of Art Presents contemporary art exhibitions and educational programs.
- Artlink A contemporary art gallery in downtown, showcasing local and regional artists.
A little history
- 1794 Fort Wayne founded by General Anthony Wayne after the Battle of Fallen Timbers.
- 1820s The Wabash and Erie Canal brought trade and growth to the area.
- 1850s Railroads made Fort Wayne a major junction, boosting industry.
- Late 1800s Industrial expansion with companies like General Electric shaped the city.
- 1908 Carole Lombard, future Hollywood actress, was born in Fort Wayne.
Rivalries
- Komets vs. Toledo Walleye ECHL hockey rivalry with a long history.
- TinCaps vs. South Bend Cubs Minor league baseball rivalry between Indiana teams.
- Game day Komets hockey games
- Game day TinCaps baseball games
- Outdoors Fishing for catfish in the Maumee River
- Outdoors Birdwatching at Eagle Marsh
- With kids Visit the Fort Wayne Museum of Art
- With kids Explore the Allen County Public Library
Fort Wayne residents speak a Midland American English dialect typical of the Midwest. They often say 'pop' for soda, refer to the city as 'the Fort,' and use 'Hoosier' for Indiana natives. The accent is generally neutral, with a few local terms.
Only here
- The grave of Johnny Appleseed in a city park, a beloved local landmark.
- The confluence of three rivers: St. Marys, St. Joseph, and Maumee.
- The Nickel Plate 765 steam locomotive, a local icon that still runs special trips.
- The Fort Wayne Komets, the longest-running minor league hockey team.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for cold winters and hot, humid summers; dress in layers and have a good coat.
- A car is essential; the city is spread out, though downtown is walkable.
- Try a Coney dog from a local stand, but also explore the international restaurants.
- Learn to pronounce 'Maumee' as 'Maw-mee' to sound like a local.
- Take advantage of the Rivergreenway for biking and walking.
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Areas in Fort Wayne area
Fort WayneIndianaThree rivers, one homeKendallvilleIndianaLocal rooms for Kendallville.AuburnIndianaA small town with a big love for the classics.HuntingtonIndianaWhere the Wabash runs through the heartland.DecaturIndianaLocal rooms for Adams County.AngolaIndianaWhere the lakes are many and the pace is slow.
Nearby
Every areaLaGrange CountyIndianaWhere the pace is slow and the pies are sweet.Van WertOhioWhere the cornfields meet community.WabashIndianaA bright spot in the heartland.ColdwaterMichiganSmall-town charm on the waterMarionIndianaWhere roses meet the heartlandSturgisMichiganWhere country roads meet small-town charm.BryanOhioHeart of the Black SwampCelinaOhioWhere the lake meets the heartland
Fort Wayne-Huntington-Auburn, IN CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.