Newcomers Guide to Fort Wayne

Located in North Eastern Indiana Fort Wayne is the second largest city in the state, and has no shortage of entertainment choices for families with children. from Indoors to outdoors and from educational to just plain fun a new resident to Fort Wayne is sure to have many options to help them get acquainted with this great 'All American City'.

Starting with outdoor fun. Located near downtown you will find Headwaters park. Headwaters Park has great biking and walking trails, beautifully landscaped lawns and a outdoor sprinkler/fountain that in the summer is always alive with local children cooling off from the heat. Headwaters is host to many summer festivals in Fort Wayne including the Three Rivers Festival and the German Festival to name a few. Summer isn't the only time entertainment can be found at the park, in the winter headwaters boasts a outdoor ice skating rink that is sure to be fun for and kid.

Another favorite spot for locals is The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Located on Sherman Blvd. the zoo is centrally located in the city. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is home to a wide array of animals from tigers to orangutan's plan on spending an entire day exploring all the zoo has to offer. Set to open in 2009 the zoo will be adding a new exhibit to its collection 'A journey through Africa' will bring your children up close to giraffes and other African wildlife.

Located on Lake Ave. near Parkview Hospital you can find Lakeside Park and Rose Garden. Reconstruction began of the park in 2005 and the improvements are many!! Lakeside Park and Rose Garden is a beautiful park with no place like it any where else in the city. The park provides 25.8 acres to enjoy such activities as: basketball, fishing, ice skating, picnicking, playgrounds, trails, and tennis courts besides finding scenic spots for taking photos or simply relaxing and enjoying the day! The real treasure of the park is the over 2,00 rose bushes and the over 150 varieties of roses.

In the heat of Summer nothing beats cooling off in one of the cities pools. Located on East State Blvd. you can find Northside Pool. Really an ' Family Aquatics Center' Northside Pool offers something for everyone. A lap pool and diving board are great for older kids and the zero depth children's pool with fun sprinkler system provides worry-free fun for the younger ones. A large grassy sunbathing area makes the perfect spot for enjoying something from the snack bar. But the most popular part of Northside Pool has to be the two enclosed water slides that provide high thrills and cool splashes to the visitors of the pool.

In the Southwestern area of town just off of Aboite Center Rd. you can find Indian Trails Park Located next to the newer Jorgensen YMCA. As the name suggest Indian Trails park offers extension bike and walking trails a lake an expansive playground with an enclosed 'tot-lot' that is great for younger children.

In 2004, the city opened Lawton Skate Park just north of downtown and near Headwaters Park, Lawton Skate Park provides skateboarders and in-line skaters with an exciting place to gather and enjoy their sport. Most weekends the park is filled with skaters and spectators enjoying 'the show'.

if your looking for something fun to do indoors Fort Wayne has no shortage of indoor options either. From Science central to the Fort Wayne Art Museum and the many Theaters located around town there is always something something fun to do!