Fort Wayne combines an extensive riverside greenway with historic landmarks and indoor garden spaces. At the Rivergreenway, the focus is on movement and protected green space; the Old Fort tells the story of a specific fort built in 1815. Together with the History Center’s exhibits and the botanical conservatory, these attractions offer a wide range of experiences for a stay. When choosing what to visit, it helps to keep the differences between nature, water, culture and history in mind.
Riverways and Water Activities
The Rivergreenway is a 25-mile linear park in Fort Wayne and New Haven, Indiana. In Fort Wayne, it runs along the banks of the Saint Joseph, Saint Marys and Maumee rivers and connects 15 city parks. The protected green space serves recreation, fitness, conservation and active transportation. Its varied uses make the park a hub for exercise and leisure, while its location along three rivers shapes its landscape.
At Promenade Park, visitors can explore the park on the water using their own canoes, kayaks, paddleboards or other watercraft. This offers a different focus from the Rivergreenway: there, the emphasis is on a long linear park along riverbanks; here, it is on exploring the park with your own watercraft. When planning, you can decide whether you’d rather experience the river landscape or bring your own way to get out on the water.
Reading Fort Wayne Through Its History
The Old Fort is a faithful replica of the fort built in 1815 by American troops under the command of Major John Whistler. Its events and programs explore several hundred years of history. If a particular program will influence your travel plans, check the relevant dates before planning your visit.
Historic Fort Wayne, Inc. uses interactive programs to inform the public about the Old Fort and its significance to the Old Northwest Territory, Indiana and the United States. The History Center takes a different approach: its permanent exhibits include artifacts documenting people, places and events important to Allen County and Fort Wayne. The two focus areas therefore differ in perspective: the Old Fort centers on the replica and interactive interpretation, while the History Center focuses on documented people, places and events.
Gardens and Other Experiences
The indoor spaces at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory include the Showcase Garden, the Tropical Garden and the Desert Garden. These three named garden areas organize the indoor offerings and provide a different focus from the river landscape or historical interpretation. If you’re interested in gardens, you can use their names as a guide when deciding what to visit.
The Fort Wayne Zoo is nationally ranked and offers families animals, rides and beautifully landscaped grounds across 40 acres. This adds a variety of experiences to the river, garden and history themes.
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