VISITING Fort Wayne · The Summit City
Visiting Fort Wayne with toddlers and little kids: the plan.
Downtown has the Main Library and the Botanical Conservatory a few blocks apart, with Science Central just north. The zoo is in Franke Park. Here’s a day or two, with nap time built in.
Top 4 can’t-miss spots
#1North Clinton St., 1950 N. Clinton St.
Science Central
Ask at admissions for the day’s animal and demo times.
$15 ($14 online) each2 and under freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#2Franke Park, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
Fort Wayne Zoo
Ages 1 and under are free.
See it in the guide→
#3Downtown, 1100 S. Calhoun St.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Thursday evenings 5–8 are $1.
Kids $5Adults $72 and under freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#4Downtown, 900 Library Plaza
Allen County Public Library, Main Library
Baby Storytime runs Monday mornings.
FreeIndoor
See it in the guide→
Nap breaks built in
One day or two in Fort Wayne
A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.
If you have one day
MORNINGScience CentralOpens at 10 · North Clinton St., 1950 N. Clinton St. · $15 ($14 online) per person
LUNCHFort Wayne’s Famous Coney IslandConeys downtown · Downtown · Kids’ meal No kids’ menu posted; a coney dog is $2NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPFoellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryWarm garden walk · Downtown, 1100 S. Calhoun St. · $5 kids, $7 adultsIf you have two days
Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:
MORNINGAllen County Public Library, Main LibraryMorning storytime · Downtown, 900 Library Plaza · FreeNAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPFort Wayne ZooIn season · Franke Park, 3411 Sherman Blvd.Where to stay
Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions
Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.
DOWNTOWNLibrary and ConservatoryThe Main Library and the Conservatory are a few blocks apart.Near Allen County Public Library, Main Library and Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Eat
Easy restaurants near the big stops
Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.
Plan B
Rainy-day backup plan
If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Fort Wayne.
North Clinton St., 1950 N. Clinton St.Science CentralAll indoors.$15 ($14 online) each2 and under freeIndoorDowntown, 1100 S. Calhoun St.Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryIndoors.Kids $5Adults $72 and under freeIndoorDowntown, 900 Library PlazaAllen County Public Library, Main LibraryIndoors.FreeIndoorBefore you go
Practical tips
Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.
Parking at the Conservatory
Parking in the Civic Center garage is free with paid Conservatory admission; bring your ticket to the desk.
Visiting in November or December?
Santa and Christmas lights in Fort Wayne
If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.
On a budget
Free and cheap wins for visitors
Spend less without skipping the good stuff.
This week
Happening while you’re here
This week’s top events in Fort Wayne. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.
#110am–3pm
Zoolooween at the Fort Wayne Zoo
Trick-or-treat stations around the zoo, costumed characters, dancing and shows every October weekend, plus the animals.
Included with zoo admission
Hours, food & parking→
#2Sat Noon–3pm
Garden Trick-or-Treat at the Botanical Conservatory
Costumed kids trick-or-treat outdoors at treat stations through the gardens, hunting for not-so-spooky garden ghosts, with fall photo spots along the way.
Regular admission: $7 adults
Hours, food & parking→
#3Sat 10am–5pm
Chemistry Day at Science Central
A day of chemistry tabletop activities and demonstrations on top of the regular hands-on exhibits.
$15 at the doorIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
#4Fri 5–7pm
Trick or Treat Trail at LC Nature Park
Kids in costume collect candy at decorated stops along a Discovery Trail, with s’mores and live music from Mathis Grey around the fire.
Free
Hours, food & parking→
#5Sun 2–5pm
Brooks Family Trunk or Treat at Electric Works
A trunk or treat meets Halloween street carnival, with live performances, games, music and food.
Open to the public
Hours, food & parking→
Good questions
Visiting Fort Wayne with toddlers: the FAQ
Is Fort Wayne kid-friendly?
For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Fort Wayne guide lists 15 places we checked for little kids, plus 5 free places and 4 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 1 easy restaurant near the big stops and free storytimes at 1 library system. This week’s list has 27 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Fort Wayne and this weekend’s list.
How many days do you need in Fort Wayne with a toddler?
Two: Science Central and the library one day, the zoo or the Conservatory the next.
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