Fort Wayne, population 219,351, is a transportation center founded at the confluence of the St. Joseph, St. Marys and Maumee rivers. The city hosts conferences and meetings and is known for an abundance of restaurants, great shopping, entertainment venues, museums and festivals. The city is home to three higher education institutions including Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, which enrolls more than 11,000 students.
Big name acts perform and sports teams play at Fort Wayne's Memorial Coliseum. Broadway shows come to the city's Embassy Theatre. Other performance acts include ballet and dance groups, community and comedy theatre and orchestra. Top family attractions include the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo and Science Central. The city's premier museum is the Lincoln Museum. It features artifacts, interactive exhibits, Lincoln family photos and a Lincoln-signed edition of The Emancipation Proclamation. The area has more than 25 golf courses.
The city is home to Glenbrook Mall, the state's largest indoor mall, which has more than 175 stores. At Jefferson Pointe Shopping Center, stores, restaurants and an 18-screen movie theater are housed in Mediterranean-style surroundings. Antique stores are located throughout the city.
Festivals and shows are held year round. Highlights include Three Rivers Festival. This nine-days event featuring arts and crafts, food and music is held in July. In September the city honors John Chapman at the Johnny Appleseed Festival.
Fort Wayne has a busy nightclub scene anchored by Piere's. This multi-level club has spectacular light and sound shows and features concerts, karaoke, dancing and a sports bar.
Fort Wayne is 125 miles northeast of Indianapolis. It is accessible via Interstate Highways 69 and 469 and U.S. Highways 24, 30 and 33. Lodging is plentiful. National chain hotels and motels and bed and breakfasts are concentrated in the northern, western and downtown sections of the city.
