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39º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 8:06 a.m. | Sunset 5:33 p.m.

🚗 No wrong turns

The ultimate road trip to Fort Wayne, IN

An alley with red lanterns in Fort Wayne

There’s no shortage of murals in Fort Wayne. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Itching to get out of town, Hoosiers? Skip those pesky airport security lines and jump in your car for a road trip to Fort Wayne instead.

From a tropical paradise at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory to Bravas’ smashburgers — we’re spilling all the details on how to have an unforgettable time in the 260.

📍 Essential info

Drive time: ~2.5 hours from Indianapolis
Year city was established: 1840
Est. population: 265,000

Inside the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory — This Conservatory has indoor + outdoor gardens to stroll through.
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Photo by INDYtoday team

🎟️ Experience

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Catch the live butterfly exhibit — “Color In Motion,” until Sunday, June 25, take a botanically-inspired class, or spin the oversized kaleidoscope at this kid-friendly oasis.

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
From an African safari to an Indonesian rain forest, there’s plenty to explore at this family destination. Don’t miss an opportunity to brush a goat, feed a stingray, or ride the Z.O.&O. Railroad.

🍔 Eat

Bravas
Notice the bowling alley lanes for countertops at this burger + tapas joint known for its Patatas Bravas + smashburgers.

Hoppy Gnome
You can’t talk about Fort Wayne’s food scene without mentioning Hoppy Gnome, which serves up inventive fusion entrees like the Thai meatball taco, tandoori cauliflower, and kimchi chicken fingers.

🏨 Stay

Historic Sion Bass House
Check yourself into this cozy VRBO with classic decor and an old-timey letterbox outside.

Spacious Fort Wayne Condo
Have a porch to yourself with a fully equipped kitchen and free WiFi included.

Wait a minute, Hoosiers. Before you head out the door, find the cheapest places to fill up your gas tank and stock up on road trip snacks from Just Pop In! and The Best Chocolate in Town.

Also, bookmark this map so you have no trouble finding all of our recommendations while visiting Fort Wayne.

Explore Fort Wayne like a pro

Asked

When deciding on a road trip destination, what is the maximum amount of time you want to spend driving?

A. 1-3 hours
B. 4-6 hours
C. 6+ hours
D. None, I prefer to fly

Hit the gas

Events

Tuesday, April 25

Indianapolis Career Fair | Tuesday, April 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Sheraton, 8787 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis | Free | Bring copies of your resume and dress business professional for this sales + management-focused career fair.

Wednesday, April 26

Small Space Gardening | Wednesday, April 26 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Indianapolis Public Library - Warren branch, 9701 E. 21st St., Indianapolis | Free | Listen to Dr. Jarrod Dortsch of Solful Gardens share how to grow a lot with just a little space.

Thursday, April 27

Indy Fuel vs. Toledo Walleye | Thursday, April 27 | 7 p.m. | Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis | $16-$60 | The Fuel have lost twice to the Walleye recently — cheer on a comeback in the playoffs.
“Two Mile Hollow” by Leah Nanako Winkler | Thursday, April 27-Sunday, April 30 | Times vary | Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis | $15-$45 | Enjoy a blistering comedy about a very white and very wealthy family and the problems that ensue in trying to divide their inheritance when their patriarch dies.*

Friday, April 28

Str8 Up Frederick Douglass | Friday, April 28-Friday, July 21 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Cost of admission | Explore the life + legacy of the prophet and freedom fighter with music dance inspired by his words.
DivaFest - The Divine Alchemists | Friday, April 28-Saturday, May 6 | Times vary | IndyFringe Basile Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis | $14-$20 | Watch main character Aerith + her friends navigate loss and friendship while challenging the structures that erase their queerness.

Saturday, April 29

Love Your Neighbor 5K | Saturday, April 29 | 9 a.m. | White River State Park, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $25-$34 | Participate in the live event or take advantage of the virtual option to support Indy’s unhomed neighbors.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Drink

🥂 Cheers to at-home happy hour

Presented by an INDYtoday partner

A St. Elmo Cosmopolitan in a martini glass.

Have an instant quality cocktail — no shaking or stirring required. | Photo by Dave Pluimer

Whether you’re having a few friends over or a solo happy hour, making craft cocktails takes time, skill, and a lot of ingredients. Enter: St. Elmo ready-to-pour cocktails, a simple way to have a quality cocktail.

Find these four varieties in local liquor and grocery stores or buy online:

Old Fashioned: The original. This recipe was introduced to St. Elmo diners in 2010 and quickly gained popularity. Tasting notes: Bourbon, orange, and aromatic bitters.
Cosmopolitan: Keep it classy with a classic. This Cosmo features an approachable flavor profile that pleases most palates (great for a crowd). Tasting notes: Subtly sweet blend of vodka and orange liqueur.
Cherry Vanilla Bourbon: This is the spirit behind the famous Elmo Cola. At 88 proof, it’s a robust spirit that blends perfectly in cocktails. Tasting notes: Traditionally distilled straight bourbon infused with natural cherry and vanilla beans.
Espresso Martini: Enjoy the rich flavors of coffee beans with this modern masterpiece. Tasting notes: Coffee, vodka, chocolate, and vanilla.*

Make bartending a breeze

News Notes

Development

The city has a vision of improving downtown’s aesthetic by repurposing some of its surface parking lots. One municipal-owned lot on the north side of Old City Hall will be converted soon — the project has received several bids and we should see what’s in store later this spring. (IBJ)

Community

The IndyRent rental assistance program will relaunch on Thursday, April 27 for those facing eviction. It was stopped temporarily to shorten and improve the application process. The program’s funding started with $15 million from the CARES Act + applicants must have a max income of 80% of the median. (WIBC)
A Mega Yard Sale is in the works to raise money for Indy Neighborhood Cats — a nonprofit that neuters + vaccinates stray cats around the city. The community is invited to donate electronics, collectibles, tools, and cat toys for the sale, which is set for April 29-30 at Indianapolis Animal Care Services. (WRTV)

Closing

The Sustainery — a sustainable goods and refillery company based in Indy — will be stopping its delivery services to Indy and moving them to Noblesville. Its last Circle City delivery day will be Thursday, May 11. It’s considering options to continue serving Indy, so stay tuned.

Sports

As May nears, nearly 200 people from several states came to the IMS for a comprehensive safety training for IndyCar, NASCAR, and IMSA crews on Sunday. The instruction included hands-on scenarios like practicing live burns, extrication, and vehicle rollovers. See the photos. (WTHR)

Ranked

The Hoosier State ranked No. 5 in a recent study on the most pet-friendly rental locations in the US. According to “Lets for Pets,” Indiana has 36.2% pet-friendly locations, compared to Georgia’s No. 1 ratio of 46.3%. The worst place to stay with your pet? That would be Hawaii. (FOX59)

Wellness

In a world where prescription meds seem to be the only option, Thesis helps thousands of people improve cognitive functioning and eliminate distractions with natural adaptogens. Take their three-minute quiz to find your personalized blends — then get 15% off your order with code 6amcity.*

Kids

Two words: free bowling. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free to connect with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling everyday this summer. Plus, grab a Family Pass + up to four adults can join in on the fun.

Event

📚 Book it to the library

Hoosier authors Leah Johnson and Ashley C. Ford in conversation

Central Library hosts several author-related events throughout the year. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Two of Indiana’s most popular award-winning authors — Leah Johnson + Ashley C. Ford — will be taking the stage at Central Library on Sunday, April 30 from 2 to 3 p.m. to discuss Leah’s latest book.

“Ellie Engle Saves Herself!” is a middle-school level book that tells the story of a young girl who gains power from a freak earthquake that has hit her small town. It will be released next month. Leah’s other books include YA novels “You Should See Me In A Crown” (which is set in a fictional Indy suburb) + “Rise to the Sun.”

Fort Wayne native + current Indy resident Ashley C. Ford is known for her New York Times Bestselling memoir, “Somebody’s Daughter.” You can also find her writing in Allure Magazine and ELLE, among other publications.

You can learn more about the author’s backgrounds in our guide to Indy’s bestselling authors.

The Wrap

Anna Bowman in a black shirt and jewelry

Today’s edition by:
Anna Bowman

From the editor

I visited Fort Wayne with my mom over the weekend and we were delightfully surprised by a detour on the way back. After seeing a sign for Roanoke, we (well I was driving, so it was more of a solo decision) decided to make an impromptu stop in the small town, whose main street was simply adorable. We didn’t stay long, but I would highly recommend checking out a little shop called Paper Moon — we wanted to buy the whole store.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Feel like you belong at these Circle City spots.

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