Nestled in northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne is approximately 200 miles from three major Midwestern cities in Chicago, Cleveland, and Milwaukee. Rich in history, Fort Wayne was named after a U.S. military fort founded in 1794 by General Anthony Wayne. Originally drawn to its central location as the hub of three rivers, the city developed into the second largest in Indiana. Immigration in the 19th century helped paint the city in the colorful diversity it enjoys today.
CVB/Sports Commissions Services Offered
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Things to do in Fort Wayne
With a championship pedigree, Fort Wayne has housed many tournaments and guests through the years. Lodging options nearby include 5,000 hotel rooms priced at 15 percent below the average national cost. You’ll find comfortable stays at Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Fort Wayne, Holiday Inn Purdue Fort Wayne, Ramada Plaza Fort Wayne Hotel & Conference Center, among others.
Fort Wayne has truly impressive sports facilities as well as state-of-the art family-friendly attractions to offer. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, one of the top 10 zoos in the nation, offers distinct exhibits in 40 acres of magnificently landscaped grounds. Each section features their own variety of rides, animals, and unique hands-on experiences.
Take your team out to the ballgame at Parkview Field, where the TinCaps battle it out on the diamond. Inspired by ballparks around the county like Fenway Park in Boston, Wrigley Field in Chicago and Newbridge Bank Park in North Carolina, this field offers Home Run Porches in left field, treetop seating in right field, and high-top tables along the third-base line. For something different, check out the more than 200 exhibits at Science Central. Learn about balance and gravity required to ride the high rail bike or visit the six-foot diameter, floating Science on a Sphere.
Located in the heart of downtown, walking through the doors at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory instantly submerges you into an oasis of natural wonders. Traverse the luscious gardens and visit the orchids and palms to be silenced by their beauty and the hum of the cascading waterfall.
Explore exhibitions that date back to the 19th century at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Here you will analyze the cross-cultural connections between artists’ work from diverse ethnic and national backgrounds.
Planner Perspective
We host events all over the nation and Fort Wayne is our favorite by far! Fort Wayne’s welcoming community and outstanding facilities are second to none.
Gym Rats Basketball: Todd Hensley
Working with Visit Fort Wayne was outstanding. They were a major reason that our convention was such a huge success. Their friendly staff was with us every step of the way.
ATC: Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association, #1 Minor League Sports Market, 2008: Bob Hirschelman-LAT
How to Get to Fort Wayne
By Car: For sports planners and teams coming from the West Coast or Midwest states like Iowa and Illinois, take Interstate I-80 E, then take Exit 31 for State Highway 49 towards Chesterton/Valparaiso. For those coming from the East Coast, take Interstate I-90 W, I-76 W and I-71 S to US-30 W. If coming from the South, take Interstate I-75 N, I-24 W, I-65 N and I-69 N to Illinois Road in Fort Wayne.
By Air: Centrally located near a plethora of major international airports, Fort Wayne is nearest Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA), a primary commercial service airport with passenger flights reaching eight airline hubs of Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia.
Contact Information
Company Name: Visit Fort Wayne
Sports Sales Manager: Stephanie Coleman
Title: Group Sales Manager, Sports
Telephone: 260-424-3700