Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island has been serving up Coney dogs since 1914, and they don’t show any signs of slowing down. Locals know you should always order with a side of beans.
In this city, it’s all about the minor league ice hockey team, the Fort Wayne Komets. Once you’re in Komets’ territory, it’s best pull on an orange shirt and blend in with the crowd.
Seyfert was founded in Fort Wayne by Charles Seyfert in 1933, and locals have been loving the snack food bearing his name ever since.
Fort Wayne’s massive Three Rivers Festival includes a bed race… that’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s not something you see everyday, but it’s certainly an interesting form of entertainment.
If you visit Fort Wayne in the winter, come with a shovel. Residents are used to the massive snowfall, so expect to see drivers on the road even when the road isn’t really visible.
DeBrand is Fort Wayne’s favorite local chocolatier. You can take a tour, see how the chocolate is made, and receive free samples, but you’ll likely find that a few samples are just not enough.
816 Pint and Slice is a favorite hangout for Fort Wayne residents who know that fancy does not always equal better, especially when it comes to pizza and beer.
House4AHouse Block Party hosted by A Better Fort is not your average block party. DJs, great food, and an entire town’s supply of glow sticks draws hundreds of Fort Wayne residents downtown to celebrate.
Fort Wayne has jumped on the food truck bandwagon, and locals are sure glad they did. Favorites like Ragin’ Cajun and Bravas Food Truck are must visit spots for any out-of-towner.
For Johnny Appleseed, a.k.a. John Chapman, Fort Wayne was the place he finally took off his tin cap and laid down to rest after introducing apple trees to much of the Midwest. Out-of-towners can come to full appreciate the reverence locals have for the legendary figure at the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival.
The Fort Wayne TinCaps name comes from the tin utensil (that also served as a cap) which Johnny Appleseed wore on his head.
Fort Wayne isn’t called the “City of Churches” without reason. If you’re looking for something to do on a Sunday morning, you’ll find your options are mostly limited to going to church. Then again, with a church on nearly every block, it’s hard to say you’re truly limited.
No one should miss these slider style burgers. The huge stack of shaved onion topping is what makes these burgers a local favorite.
Just because it has “children” in the name doesn’t mean it’s not awesome as an adult. The zoo currently houses a baby red panda, so the cute factor is totally through the roof.
If you want to drink with the locals, stop by Mad Anthony Brewing Company. Their seasonal beers will have you coming back to try something new all year long.
Neat Neat Neat Records & Music is every Fort Wayne vinylphile’s favorite local record shop. Their selection of new releases and older classic albums is sure to satisfy any musical taste.
If you’re craving even more music after a trip to the local record store, The Brass Rail is the place to find it. This old-school dive bar hosts the best metal, punk, and rock bands that are touring the area.
Allen County Public Library has the largest genealogy research collection in the country, and draws thousands of researchers to Fort Wayne every year. If you’re looking for a long lost relative, or some distant connection to a famous American hero, Fort Wayne just may be the place to find it.
Fort Wayne’s arts and culture community is way stronger than you’d think. The city is home to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Arts United, Wunderkammer, Chalk Walk, and Artlink Contemporary Gallery—all perfect places to tap into your artsy side.
Want to see that new super indie experimental French flick with the tiny limited release? The Cinema Center is your go-to spot.
Fort Wayne is filled with tons of farmers markets, so don’t worry. You won’t have to break your ridiculously restrictive raw vegan diet on this trip.
Vera Bradley was founded in Fort Wayne, so you can expect to see tons of the brightly colored floral and paisley print bags on your trip.
From concerts and Broadway shows to symphonies by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra, the historic Embassy Theatre hosts events that are sure to appeal to everyone.
If you’re craving a culinary trip out of Fort Wayne without actually leaving the city, George’s International Market is the place to stock up. It also houses the city’s only Chicago style bakery, for a trip to Chicago without the drive.
Talk about tapping into a niche market. Sweets So Geek is the kind of place you go when you just wish your cake was shaped a little more like the TARDIS. These baked goods also taste so great that you’ll start wishing your stomach was bigger on the inside.
Fort Wayne isn’t just another generic Starbucks city. Old Crown is where the more discerning coffee drinkers go, and it’s a great place for out-of-towners to get a sense of the local community by watching all the loyal regulars.
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you have to explain about Fort Wayne to out-of-towners in the comments below!
