Road Trips from Toledo: 10 Things to Do in Fort Wayne
Photos by Matt Sackmann and Erin Holden
My husband Matt, our two-year-old son Townes, and I all got a chance to take a family weekend trip to Fort Wayne, IN in May. In just one weekend, we were able to do ALL of the following activities. Now we are sharing our knowledge with you! Below you’ll find 10 things you must try if you visit the city where the Maumee, St. Joseph, and St. Marys Rivers converge.
First of all, Toledo Zoo members get 50% off admission through our zoo’s reciprocal zoo program, so that is a major perk! You could easily spend the whole day at this zoo, the highlight of which — for us — is the kangaroo exhibit. You basically walk through a gate and are surrounded by mama kangaroos with their joeys in their pouches, hopping around freely. It’s an immersive experience you won’t want to miss.
Another really unique feature in the zoo is their Crocodile Creek Adventure ride. The three of us were able to ride together in the log-shaped boat that coasts gently down a winding stream throughout the Australian section of the zoo. It was so peaceful.
The newest thing at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is their Red Panda Ridge, one of the largest red panda exhibits in the U.S. Visitors will find both Chinese and Himalayan red pandas, a Chinese Muntjac, several different species of Asian birds, and a bamboo maze that kids of all ages will love.
2. The Landing
There are several different places to explore at The Landing, a historic neighborhood that has been the center of culture and commerce in Fort Wayne for 185 years. It is full of beautiful murals that reflect both the history and current representations of life in the city. We loved exploring the different eateries and shops, beginning with lunch at Mercado, where I had some of the best tacos I’ve ever tasted! My recommendations: Cali AF, Chorizo, and Ernie’s Fish Tacos. Your mind will be blown.
If you’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, you can grab a coffee at Utopian Coffee & Kitchen, which has a nice ambiance and tasty lattes.
For a little grown-up time, head to Gnometown Brewing Co., where I had a beer with local artist Alex Hall after she graciously showed me around the downtown area to explore the art scene. More on that later!
It was a little chillier than I expected when I packed for this weekend trip, so I used that as a convenient excuse to buy a cozy sweater at The Urban Hippie, a boho-inspired boutique that donates to local and international animal rescue groups. Cute clothes for a cause.
Finally, though it is not technically on the main stretch of The Landing (the 100 block of West Columbia St.), I’d be remiss not to mention B&B Loan Company, a pawn shop around the corner that drew me in with its well-curated record collection. I walked away happy with Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams.
Union Street Market at Electric Works is similar to the Landing in that it has taken a historical commercial center and transformed it into a modern place to build community, all while honoring the original site’s rich history. Originally home of the innovative lighting company Fort Wayne Jenney Electric Company, the campus has a history that dates to the 1880s. In 2015, the renovation of its historic buildings began, culminating into what is now a thriving market filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and activities for the whole family. Our family ate dinner here, opting to sample from a few different places: samosas at O-Cha Thai, sushi at Seoul Garden, and barbecue at Brooks BBQ & Chicken. Oh, and a glass of wine at The Charlie Horse.
4. Must-Try Fort Wayne Restaurants
Still hungry? A few other places we enjoyed were Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island (try their pie!), Shigs in Pit BBQ, and sweets from GK Baked Goods.
For a city to steal our hearts, all it really has to have is a beautiful waterside public space. Fort Wayne certainly has that with its downtown Promenade Park, a beautiful center of fun for kids and adults. You’ll find an accessible playground, watersports like kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, a canal riverboat tour, Trubble Riverside Cafe & Tap, and much more. We like that the Park offers simple pleasures like a game of cornhole and ping pong for anyone walking by, plus the relaxing swings facing the St. Marys river.
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If you’re a fan of Imagination Station in Toledo, you’ll likely find your happy place at Science Central as well. There are age appropriate learning opportunities for kids of all ages, from a section filled with exotic animals and an indoor playground to the Geo Table and Topo Box, both of which teach kids about geology in a hands-on way. Townes loved it!
We strolled through many different biomes — deserts, tropical rainforests, and grasslands among them. This in itself was a wonderful experience, but there are also very cool things for kids to do at this conservatory. There’s a talking tree (which, unfortunately, terrified Townes), and a log that kids can climb through and slide out the other side. The absolute best part of this place, though, was the butterfly exhibit. An attendant invites you into a massive tent filled with these vibrant butterflies, one of which landed on my purse and stayed there throughout our visit to the exhibit! Another attendant awaits when you exit, supplied with a butterfly net for wrangling any escapees.
This art museum is much smaller than the Toledo Museum of Art, but it was a real joy for us to visit. Adults will love its vast display of glassworks, while kids will love the John S. and James L. Knight Learning Center, which features tactile art education tools and a place for kids to let loose for a bit before getting close to all the shiny breakables.
9. Public Art Tour
Speaking of thought-provoking art, our family quickly noticed all the colorful murals throughout The Landing when we ate lunch at Mercado, and not long after that I got to experience even more of Fort Wayne’s art scene when Art This Way’s director Alexandra Hall took me on a private tour! As we walked around downtown Fort Wayne, lots of people throughout the neighborhoods stopped to chat with Alex, and you could really tell how passionate she is about her work and her hometown. We saw murals from artists from a wide array of backgrounds, and many of those murals had 3D printed renderings of the art for people with visual impairments. The art you’ll find throughout Fort Wayne is interactive and ever-changing. I certainly felt like I knew more about what the city was all about by the time Alex and I ended our art walk back at The Landing.
10. Seasonal Festivals
After my art tour, Matt brought Townes back to the downtown area post-nap so we could enjoy Buskerfest, an event that brings musicians and street performers from all over the country to downtown Fort Wayne. We danced, we marveled at daring jugglers balancing on unicycles, and we felt very lucky to have been in town for this event. Other upcoming festivals to check out include the Three Rivers Festival in July, the Fort Wayne Arts Festival in September, and the Fort Wayne FAME Festival in March.
However you choose to spend your time in Fort Wayne, you’ll soon discover that the second largest city in Indiana has something for any family’s interests. For more inspiration on taking a trip there, head to visitfortwayne.com.
Toledo Gets a Visit from the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile!
Folks around Toledo may have noticed an unusual sight in recent weeks: a 27-foot Oscar Mayer Wienermobile (the official name is now the Oscar Mayer Frankmobile), making its way through our city. One of the perks of working in the media? Having the chance to go for a ride in this behemoth with my toddler, Townes! I knew this would be right up his alley because this thing is straight out of a Richard Scarry book.
With “Aioli Anna” and “Jumbo Dog Jimmy” at the helm, we got a chance to take pictures outside of the vehicle at Gunckel Park, take a tour inside it, and then ride around downtown for a bit in it. The duo was generous enough to give us a special Frank whistle and a Frank plushie for Townes!
Here are some “cheesy” facts that the Wienermobile shared with us about this unique vehicle:
- It’s 60 hotdogs long.
- It drives coast-to-coast on a weenie roast.
- It comes equipped with “meat”-belts, ketchup and mustard seats, and a “bun roof.”
- The first Wienermobile was created in 1936.
- There are six vehicles across the U.S. at parades, festivals, venues and more!
To track the Oscar Mayer Frankmobile yourself while your family is enjoying summer travels, visit khcmobiletour.com/wienermobile.
Spotlight on Students: BCSN and Northern Lakes League Launch NLL Network
BCSN and the Northern Lakes League (NLL) will be partnering to launch the NLL Network Powered by BCSN. This new network will air on August 1 and replace the BCSN2 Channel. The partnership between NLL, which has dedicated itself to promoting activity and competition among schools in Northwest Ohio, and BCSN—committed to covering local sports—will provide an enhanced platform for sharing information about local schools, talent, and students. The launch of the NLL/BCSN partnership network will coordinate with the NLL’s expansion to include four more schools—Clay, Findlay, Fremont Ross, and Whitmer–for the fall 2023 school year.
The new network will feature content such as game broadcasts, interviews, special feature segments, school concerts, plays and musicals, graduation ceremonies, and band competitions. Content will also provide an opportunity to spotlight student-generated content and local positive initiatives by teachers and school administrators. In total, the network will serve as a platform for 11 schools, which comprise a student body of 10,700 people. Some aspects of the BCSN channel that will remain unchanged in the new network include exclusive coverage of Toledo Mud Hens games, Toledo Walleyes games, and content about local colleges and universities.
The partnership has received enthusiasm from NCLL and BCSN leadership. NLL Commissioner Richard Browne shared his positive perspective of the partnership, stating, “this new network is just another platform for sharing the great stories of our students, athletes, teams, and communities.”
Jason Lockhart, Buckeye Broadband Station Director, shared a similar view of the partnership network as he expressed that it offers “more opportunity to showcase the amazing local talent right here in our region.”
Capture your Bundle of Joy with JP Photography
Your pregnancy is a precious time — even when it doesn’t feel like it amidst all the morning sickness and sleeping difficulties! You’ll want to capture both your beautiful baby bump, as well as the adorable moments after delivering your long-awaited child. That’s where JP Photography comes in as a wonderful option for maternity photos. As a runner-up in both our Instagram Account and Family Photographer categories of Family Favorites, Julie Paszczykowski’s studio is clearly beloved by many of our readers. Check out jp-photography.net to look through her portfolio, especially those in the Birth Stories section. You’ll find maternity shoots, family photos with infants, and even beautiful home birth stories.
FREE Toledo Area Family-Friendly Events: July 2023
Looking for some free fun in the 419 this month? Our calendar is FULL of ideas. Check out some of our favorites below:
Reading Buddies – Various Branches
Kids in grades K-3 can get one-on-one reading assistance with trained volunteers and library staff.
City of Toledo Community Movie Nights
Free weekly movie nights in different parks across the city. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy a movie under the stars. July 6, Creed III at Joe E. Brown Park. July 13, Vivo at Woodsdale Park. July 20, DC League of Super Pets at Navarre Park. July 27, Shazam! Fury of the Gods at Trilby Park.
Diamonds in the Rough Weekly Workshops
Free fun-filled Saturday enrichment workshops, including sign language, chess, arts in the park, intro to fishing, personal fitness, anti-bullying awareness and character building.
Join TAPA in the Park this summer for family fun music time. The event will include instrument petting zoos, crafts and other activities. For ages 3-adult. No registration required, drop in at your leisure!
Move, sing, clap, dance, and listen to music together with your child! Music is a whole-body activity for children and their caregivers. This activity is designed for babies and toddlers accompanied by a caregiver.
A circus show unlike any other, featuring interactive entertainment for all ages!
Art Adventures with Spin and Splash Studios – registration required
Come unleash your inner artist on a new type of painting adventure. The real question is – will you spin or will you splat!? (Wear paint clothing!) Registration is required.
The YMCA Fun Bus will be visiting Riverside Elementary on Thursdays in July with free recreational activities for youth.
Wiggle Wednesday is a monthly interactive children’s entertainment and education series at Franklin Park Mall. Each month will focus on a different area including science, nature, music, art, and more. Kids will learn from community organizations while having fun with games, crafts and entertainment.
Youth Fishing Event
Cannonball Prairie pond will be open for youth fishing (under age 18). Those aged 16 & 17 will need to have an Ohio Fishing License. You are welcome to bring your own equipment, but there will be fishing poles and bait available on a first come, first served basis.