Travel Writers Hosted and Articles Written enEarned
Media 2016
2016 Earned Media Travel Writers Hosted and Articles Written In 2016, Visit Fort Wayne had a record year for our work with travel writers. From January – August we hosted 28 writers in our community and assisted well over 50 others with photos, interviews and information regarding Fort Wayne and our amenities.
Our Marketing Team works to secure these articles because of the immense value of being featured in the editorial sections of travel publications and websites. Our earned media strategy includes: •
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Attending and exhibiting at regional and national “travel media" trade shows were we meet with Travel Writers and introduce them to Fort Wayne Hosting writers in our community - both in formal group FAM tours, individually, and with their families.
Frequently communicating with the writers we’ve met and found online, via personal contact and seasonal e-newsletters
Enclosed in this book you will see examples of the writers we hosted in 2016, and some of the social media promotion we received during their visits.
The later tabs contain many of the articles that were published in 2015 and 2016. All of the included articles were written as a result of our efforts, as we invited and hosted each of the writers represented here.
Travel Writers Hosted by Visit Fort Wayne
2016
2016
Travel Writers Assisted (A) / Visited (V)
Jan
VacationIdea.com
A
Jan
AAA Travel
A
Jan Feb Feb 4-5 July 6 Feb
March 4-5 March 31 April 13-17
Jan-Feb
USA Today (Catch Carrie)
A
Jake Oakman - Visit Indiana Fox59 Spring Break Feature
A
Jane Ammerson, Travel IN Botanical and River cruising
A
Boomer TV taping (with Visit Indiana) Botanical, Genealogy, TinCaps, etc
V
Elizabeth Granger Visited for Travel IN Wineries, Tolon, DT Attractions
V
Rita Kohn Visited for NUVO Breweries
V
Attending Vera Bradley Outlet Sale: Carrie Lambert, Visit Indiana and ITA Carol Sergi, Visit Indiana Jennica Zalewski, Indy’s Child Jackie Seckler Finch, H&L and M Amy Maher, freelance Whitney Smith, freelance Stephanie Black, Indy Homeschool
Images sent to the following local organizations: Allen County Library Brentwood Communications Vera Bradley City of Fort Wayne Arts United Park Center Kate Gigli
V V V V V V V A A A A A A A
Mar-April
May
Spring Break Articles were placed in the following pubs: (Written by us and others we hosted) Travelocity AAA Midwest Traveler Travel IN Indianapolis Monthly KIT Magazine (for Indy moms) Indy’s Child Hamilton County Family South Bend’s “In the Bend” Cincy Magazine
Natalina Sents – The Roots Journey Alan Solomon - Chicago Tribune
Samatha Feuss – Sam Have Sippy May - July
Summer Articles were placed in the following pubs: (Written by us and others we hosted)
Plymouth Pilot News Michigan City – Summer Fun Guide Valparaiso – Summerpalooza Noblesville – Summer Fun Guide Indy N Suburbs – 101 Days / One Tank Trips Kokomo – Heartland Magazine Bryan, OH – Summer Guide NW Ohio – Summer Fun Hicksville, OH – Daycations Indy’s Child Hamilton County Family Michiana Summer Fun Guide Indy N Suburbs – Townepost Indy Monthly KIT Magazine SW Michigan – 101 Things for 101 Days
June
Sent information and photos: Amy Lynch, KIT Sarah Perry, AAA Living MW Travel Bloggers (Fall Trip)
A A A A A A A A A V V
V
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
June
July
Katy Mann – Indy With Kids
V
Ann-Marie Rohe – Chaos is Bliss
V
KIT Magazine Photo Shoot (Kelly McVey) Megan Leahy - Indy’s Child
V
Connie Reed – Midwest Wanderer
V
Jerry Perez – Life is Poppin
Whitney Smith – Pumps and Circumstance
V V
Nedra McDaniel – The Adventure Mom
V
Elizabeth Granger
V
Jeff Gayduk – Premier Group Travel
V
Tonya Prater – The Traveling Praters
V
Jennifer Lear – Fortville Mama August
V
Forrest Graef - Coast to Coast Newspaper Elizabeth Musgrave
Paula Reynolds – American Tour Guide
V V V
V
Travel Writers Hosted by Visit Fort Wayne
Samples of the social media coverage received while they were in town
NATALINA SENTS – THEROOTSJOURNEY.COM May 26, 2016 – Columbus Junction, Iowa Social Media Following: 3,253 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
AMY LYNCH – FREELANCE WRITER June 2016 – Indianapolis, Indiana Social Media Following: 303 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
KATY MANN – INDYWITHKIDS.COM June 6-8, 2016 – Indianapolis, Indiana Indy With Kids Social Media Following: 33,752 Katy Mann Social Media Following: 1,013 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
KELLY MCVEY – KIT INDY MAGAZINE June 17, 2016 – Indianapolis, Indiana Social Media Following: 2,330 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
ANN-MARIE ROHE – CHAOSISBLISS.COM June 18 -20, 2016 – Indianapolis, Indiana Social Media Following: 20,890 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
Facebook:
MEGAN LEAHY – INDY’S CHILD MAGAZINE June 27-28, 2016 – Indianapolis, Indiana Social Media Following: 608 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
JERRY & MISSI PEREZ – LIFEISPOPPIN.COM July 1-3, 2016 – Indianapolis, Indiana Social Media Following: 64,947 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
Instagram:
CONNIE REED – MIDWESTWANDERER.COM July 14-17, 2016 Social Media Following: 9,094 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
WHITNEY SMITH – PUMPS & CIRCUMSTANCE July 15-17, 2016 – Indianapolis, Indiana Social Media Following: 2,499 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
NEDRA MCDANIEL – ADVENTUREMOMBLOG.COM July 19-20, 2016 – Cincinnati, Ohio Social Media Following: 65,123 Sample of Social Media Coverage while in town:
General Fort Wayne Articles
Travel Articles written as a result of Visit Fort Wayne’s efforts
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(c DISP.AT.Cr.iES >) 5 Fort Wayne, Indiana Finds That Will Surprise You
Posted in Food And Wine, Indiana
Most Popular • Unleash Your Inner Fangirl/Fanboy: 7 Nerdy Travel Destinations • Mixing Business and Pleasure: QuicK Escapes in Indianapolis • 5 Things You Should Know About Canopy by Hilton • 5 Fort Wayne, Indiana Finds That Will Surprise You • 1 o U.S. Universities to Visit (Even If You're Not a Stu<lent) -- [l> X
1-� Hoosier Hospitality is plentiful in Fort wayne, Indiana. where the locals are glae! to have you visit ane! people still actually smile at each other when passing on the street. Beyond the warm ane! relaxed, though, lies an eclectic wealth of unique attractions that create a one-0f-a-kine! getaway to the state's second largest city. Here. five surprises that C!elightee! us on a recent trip: 1. Cookies Upon Arrival: After the stress of air travel, it's nice to have a friendly welcome - especially in the form of freshly baked cookies. Fort wayne International Airport's Hospitality Hosts hand you a free treat, of course with a genuine smile. to make travelers feel like they're being invitee! right into someone's hOme. 2. Forward Fashion: The Fort Wayne area is home to the Vera Bradley Design Center, where the wildly popular fashion accessories line was started. The annual Vera Bradley Outlet Sale featuring C!eep discounts is legendary, with up to 65,000 women visiting the city for girtfriene! getaways, family reunions. ane! shOpping trips all scheC!uleC! around the five-<lay event. This year's sale has already come ane! gone, but mark your calendars: Next year's elates are April 13-17. $5 tickets for the first three Clays go on sale in February (no tickets are required the last two Clays, but all shoppers still must register) .
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Escape tQ Fort Wayne for a weekend getaway Northeast Indiana ci�y makes for a fun daytrip
JOSEPH S, PETE joseph.pete@nWi.com, (219) 933-3316 The author Michael Martone humorously suggested in a book title·that Fort Wayne is seventh on Hitler's list. While Fort Wanye might not be in the top seven on your list of travel getaways, it's a quick day trip or weekend visit that provides a great chfillge of scenery. It's nice to get out of town every once in a while, and you've probably already seen most of Chicago and the Michigan coastline. Just keeping going east on U.S. 30, about 2 1/2 hours from Merrillville. . Fort Wayne used to have a great Lincoln museum that is no more, but th.ere are occ.asions to visit, ·such as the festival of Northeast Indi ana I>laywright Festival in March, BuskerFest on June 27"and the Fort Wi:1vrlP Frioht Nictht in (l,.tnhoT th.at
About the series
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act Ignited a firestorm and Incited many, Including prominent Star Trek actor George Yakel, to call for boycotts of Indiana. The furor has died down, but the bad press could have biased many against trips to Indiana In unconscious ways for years to come. The Hoosier state, however, offers plenty to see and do, and Is far more welcoming than Its state politicians may make It seem. The bimonthly Travel Indiana series highlights what's worth exploring around the state. But there's also plenty to see and do anytime you visit. '
FORT
If you ever went to college with anyone from Fort Wayne, you know they often refer to it as The Fort, as in "you he�ded back to The Fort this weekend?" You wouldn't name a town after a fort if there weren't an actual fort somewhere; And there is a wooden fo�t downtown at 1201 Spy Run Ave. in Headwaters Piark, where the St. �ary's, .st. Joseph and Maumee.Rivers converge. \ \ • I I
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Fort Wayne The Historic Old Fort is a repli~a 9f one built in 1815 that defended against Native Americans. You can walk through the living history museum at any time, and there are also various tours throughout the year, where you can learn ;ibout Northeast Indiana's early French set- . tlers, the Revolutionary
War or the 1812 Siege of Fort Wayne. · DRINK
Mad Anthony isn't just the Revolutionary War general who defeated the Redcoats at Stony Point and once requested his own court martial after losing more than 150 men in a surprise attack. It's also a well-established microbrewery in Fort Wayne that dates back to 1999, long before so
many bearded men witl fixed -gear bikes talked about hops and IBUs. Mad Anthony Brewing Co. makes a lot of lighter, refreshing beers like the Auburn Lager and the Gabby Blonde Lager. Its Harry Baals Irish Stout is named after a former mayor in what's surely a spirit of civic pride and not juvenile snickering. As you'd expect, there's also great locally sourced food at the brewpub. Standouts
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EAT
Fort Wayne Famol!.s Coney Island, 131 W. Main St., has been around for a century, and with good reason. You can never go wrong with juicy hot dogs smothered with chili and ~hopped onion in steamed bun. Get a frank with a bottle of coke for the full vintage experience. Cindy's Diner, a 195os-style greasy spoon where diners crowd around a lunch counter, is one of the few places where you'll hear people saying "the garbage was excellent:' referring to a breakfast hash with eggs, ham, potatoes, cheese aJ?.d onions. Of course, neither . .o.f{hose places have been· I~ ound nearly as long as The Oyster Bar at-1830 S. CalhounSt., -w'hich dates-back to 1888-You can get your Chesapeake Bay oyster th,ere seven differeqt ways, including Bienville, Rockefeller and the tradi-. tional way: raw. with spicy cocktail sauce, horseradish and crackers. There's also a sampler with one of each. ·
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JOSEPH S. PETE, THE TIMES
Agiraffe has a snack at Fort Wayne Children's zoo.
arts gallery with fre, quently rotating exhibits. If you prefer still lifes, landscapes and more traditional work, seek out the Castle Gallery, a historic mansion at 1202 West Wayne Street that's been repurposed as a gallery that presents "fine art in a residential setting!' BALL
the National Register of Historic Places, is a magnificent perform ing a,rts space with a Grande Page pipe o);'g?Jl, one of th"e few surviving Brei:iographs,-a lavishbeyond -belief interior and an incandescent marquee. The 87-year-old theatre hosts Broadway shows, concerts, stand-up· comedians and screen ings of-v.µitage movies · such as "Mitropolis" and "Ben -Hor!' ·The·.anibiance alo.ne 1~ \'V'.Orth the ·price of a ticket, and you'.ll be transported to another era. Interested in cool, out-there films they don't · show at the multiplex? The Cinema Center at 437 E. Berry St. d0wnfown is a vintage art house movie theater where you can catch indie and foreign films, as well as documentaries and classics. The theater in the old school, brick-clad Hall C~unity Arts Ce~ter has.tt1E}d to present film as an art form for nearly three decades.
The Fort Wayne TinCaps may be a minor league affiliate for tp.e San· Diego Padres, but they play in a major league park downtown. The newish Parkview Field was modeled after Wrigley Field, Fen.way Park, and other ballparks, and it shows. It was built by the same ART architectural firm that The city has a pretty designed Oriole Park at decent-sized art museum, Camden Yards, and that the Fort Wayne Museum shows too. The retro park\ ofArt,orFWMoA. The with a brick facade is a real museum at 311 E. Main St. beauty with a panoramic features a lot of contem view of downtown. It's porary work and has an open to runner _a nd walk- . biennial "The National: ers, s.o you should just go Best Contemporary , check it ouf even if there's Photography" exhibit · no g~~ or concert w\hen you V1s1t. · that showcase~ some of the most cutting-edge photographers are doing SHOWS LIBRARY today. Across the street is The Embassy TheAn 'architectllrlil gem Artlink, a contemporary atre, which is µsted on downtown is the Allen County Public Library's Main Library. It's worth poking your head inside PINES V!LlAGE MERIDIAN WOODS 1 HOMES APARTMENTS because of the- Great Hall, which has a huge vaulted PINES VILlAGE ceiling with an-expansive ASSISTED LMNG CAMP~fREIT skylight; It's an inspiring (219) 465-9918 • VALPARAISO, IN • WWW.PINESVILlAGE.ORG place that's flooded with light. There's also a small art gallery to check out.
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include the Scooby . Snl!-cks, which are potato wedges with Maryland crab seasoning, gorgonzola waffle fries, and IPA beerbattered fish and chips.
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You can hand-feed giraffes or swing by Monkey Island at the well-regarded Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, which has been ranked among the country's top zoos by national publications such as Parents magazine, You can get up oiose to penguins, pelicansand ) ellyfish at the 40-acre zoo, which is home to more~ 1, 000 animals. Adult tickets are a rea sonable $14, and kids get in for only $9. I
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Let a Visit to Fort Wayne Surprise You in a Good Way BY NEDRA MCDANIEL
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I have to admit that my visit to Fort Wayne, Indiana really surprised me. I had no idea that the downtown had so much to offer. Growing up, we would visit my cousins who lived about 30 minutes from downtown Fort Wayne, but we typically only visited the mall which left me with an impression from 30+ years ago that there wasn’t much to do there. Well Fort Wayne, you got the last laugh and my apology. I packed a lot into my short visit and I hope that this will encourage you to discover what Fort Wayne offers for kids and adults.
Adventure with Animals
Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo located at 3411 Sherman Blvd, Fort Wayne This zoo really went BEYOND my expectations! First off, don’t let the name give you the impression that it only appeals to kids. I would still enjoy and spend a lot of time at this zoo if I was kid free because there is so much to see and do here. When I arrived, I appreciated the free onsite parking because it’s rare to not be charged parking when you visit a bigger zoo.
You might want to bring a few extra dollars for the rides that average about $2 each. During our visit, we rode the Crocodile Creek Adventure Ride that gave us another perspective of the exhibit with kangaroos. Parents of small children will LOVE that this zoo is designed so that you don’t have to take kids out of their strollers to see the animals. This thoughtful detail is really appreciated as a parent who has taken kids out of a stroller more times than I can count when they were little because they couldn’t see.
Make sure that you allow several hours for your visit and that you look at the schedule of daily events and map. We almost missed The African Journey, which would have been horrible because it’s a giant portion of the zoo that includes the area where you can feed the giraffes.
Science made FUN
Science Central located at 1950 N Clinton St, Fort Wayne. This former power plant has been transformed into 30,000 sq ft of hands on learning making science and math FUN! I will also add that it’s fun for adults too. You will want to allow time to experience all of the exhibits on each level. Science Central does a really great job of awakening curiosity for guests young and old.
Kids and …some adults will want to go down the giant tube slide with the loaner clothing items provided so that they don’t get shocked. I hate getting shocked on slides and that is genius! Free parking is once again another bonus that gives you more money leftover for items at the gift shop.
Garden Inspiration
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory- located at 1100 S Calhoun St. Speaking of parking, the conservatory validates parking for your visit at the nearby Civic Center Parking Garage with paid garden admission. Bring your ticket for validation at the front desk. Score! The inside and outside of the conservatory are really beautiful. There are permanent exhibits and seasonal ones along with several hands on areas for kids to learn and explore. The conservatory offers a lot of special events including evening concerts on the roof by the outdoor garden.
If you are hungry during your visit you might want to check out the Empyrean Cafe that features fresh food that is made from scratch. I would suggest making this your 1st stop if you plan on visiting a few other places downtown and just leave your car parked in the parking garage to take advantage of its central location.
Bike Racks that Double as Art
There are over 40 unique bike racks that double as art in downtown Fort Wayne. The downtown is very bike friendly. There are connecting paths from neighborhoods leading to downtown and Bike Share rentals with several stations throughout the city. You could easily make an adventure out of searching for all of them.
Art Inside and Out
Street art always brings a smile to my face when I’m walking around a city. Fort Wayne Museum of Art located at 311 E Main St, Fort Wayne is a stop for American and related art from the 19th century and up in a variety of styles and mediums.
The museum has many special events and rotating exhibits so make sure that you stay connected to their website so that you don’t miss any of the incredible art on display.
Great Architecture
I’m a sucker for a pretty building and I found several downtown that were worth going inside to view. The only catch is that you can’t take pictures inside so you will need to take pictures with your mind… but it will be worth it.
Make sure that you stop inside the Allen County Courthouse located at 301 N Main St. and the Lincoln Tower located at116 E Berry St with amazing art deco design.
Dining and Drinks
Downtown Fort Wayne is experiencing a sq.. with new shops and restaurants. During my visit I enjoyed a Hazelnut Mocha from Fortezza Coffee and ate lunch at the farm to table restaurant called The Golden. I had to try the restaurants namesake burger with two beef patties, beer cheese, fermented cucumber, revitalization, honey bun.
The menu changes often with the seasons which gives you another excuse to come back. Craft Beer lovers will want to add The Hoppy Gnome to their list for their large selection of drinks along with their unique takes on the taco.
Discover your family history The Genealogy Center located in the Fort Wayne Public Library located at 900 Library Plaza. People come from all over the country to the center to discover more about their ancestors. The Genealogy Center has one of the largest research collections available as the second largest genealogy department in the country. They have staff available who specialize in genealogy who can help you get started on your path to discovery. This can be a place to just get started or dive really deep into finding out more about your lineage.
Need a place to stay?
During my visit I stayed at Hotel Fort Wayne located at 305 E Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne. I found the location to be extremely convenient to all of the attractions during my visit. The ballrooms at the hotel are a popular venue for conferences and wedding receptions. I LOVED the pool that allowed access to swim inside or outside. The temperature of the pool was perfect which made it hard for me to want to get out of it. I like when pools are a little warmer. There is also a hot tub inside for guests to enjoy.
If you stay on the Concierge level you will have access to the Concierge Lounge that has an enhanced breakfast and hot Hor’doevres. I might have also tried more than one cookie… for research purposes of course (don’t tell).
There are two restaurants located within the hotel. Duesy’s Sports Bar is casual with lots of tvs and Red River Steakhouse. I took advantage of a Taco Tuesday special at Duesy’s later that evening before a great night’s sleep. I found a lot to do in a little time and I have a feeling that I only scratched the surface. You can find more ideas for your next visit from the Visit Ft. Wayne website.
Thanks again to Visit Ft. Wayne for hosting my visit!
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FILED UNDER: ADVENTURES, ADVENTURES WITH ANIMALS, ADVENTURES WITH FRIENDS, ART, FAMILY ADVENTURES, FEATURED, FOOD ADVENTURES, RESTAURANTS, TRAVEL TAGGED WITH: CHILDRENS ZOO, CONSERVATORY, FOELLINGER-FREIMANN BOTANICAL CONSERVATORY, FORT WAYNE, FORT WAYNE CHILDRENS ZOO, HOTEL FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, SCIENCE CENTRAL
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Friday, August 26, 2016
Foodie Friday: Why I Farm Roadtrip, May
My Work Thanks for joining my Roots Journey!
I confess, I'm that girl that takes a photo of just about every meal and snack I've had so far on the Why I Farm Roadtrip. I love trying the local flavors and I don't want to forget all the unique experiences I've had in each state. Starting from the beginning, here's a look at the tastes of May.
Hey there, it's Natalina Sents! I'm a Millennial blogger writing about agriculture and entrepreneurship. I love to travel, thrift and cheer on the Iowa State Cyclones.
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One of the Why I Farm Roadtrip visits I had was with blueberry farmers from Michigan. The Bowerman family has a beautiful farm market full of doughnuts, pies and preserves. They sent this jar with me as a souvenir. I enjoyed it while I was staying with Jennifer Osterholt in Ohio. It was delicious!
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Featured Post 28 Things That Inspired my 50 State Roadtrip I'm overwhelmed by how many people have responded to my less than traditional post-graduation plans. When I made the decision to roadtri...
Barbara Siemen of The Chick Wire still holds the record as one of the best cooks I've visited so far. When I arrived, she had fresh pastries, banana bread and cookies to share. My stomach is growling just looking at the pictures again!
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Blog Archive ▼ 2016 (44) ▼ August (11) Foodie Friday: Why I Farm Roadtrip, May Wordless Wednesday: Why I Farm Roadtrip in Maine Monday Motivation: Why I Farm Roadtrip Week 15 Wordless Wednesday: Why I Farm Roadtrip in Boston,...
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When I visited Fort Wayne, Indiana, the lovely folks at the tourism bureau gave me tickets to "Summer Nights at the Embassy." There was a great band, and unique food and drinks for sale. This Mac & Cheese with pulled pork had a little kick to it and hit the spot after a long day of traveling.
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Summer Nights at the Embassy was just the start of great food I had in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The next day, I went to Tolon, a newer restaurant in the area. My burger and homemade chips were fantastic. Advice: If you see something on the menu with bacon jam, order it. You won't be disappointed.
To wrap up a great visit to Fort Wayne, I was able to visit the Joseph Decuis farm and restaurant. This is by far the nicest restaurant I've been to while on the road. It was so fascinating to learn about the veggies, pork, and Wagyu beef that were part of my meal. To top it off, our fantastic waitress let me sample a few beers from a popular local brewery, Sun King. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo, but the Mangalista Cracklins' were great. Treat yourself to an order of those!
Early in the road trip I decided I needed to try a strawberry shake in every state. When I can't find a local place, Chick-fil-A is my go to. You can see the real strawberries and it doesn't taste syrupy. Mmm! That's it for May's Foodie Friday! Check back next week to see a few of the yummy things I had in June. Thanks for reading! Posted by Natalina Sents at 6:00:00 AM
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Vera Bradley Outlet Sale
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Spring Break
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BUMMED THAT YOU'RE NOT ON A PLANE TO FLORIDA? FILLING YOUR SPARE TIME PINNING PICTU RES OF TROPICAL ISLANDS? YOU CAN FIND ADVENTURE RIGHT HERE IN INDIANA, AND TH ESE STAYCATION IDEAS PROVE YOU DON'T NEED A TROPICAL DESTINATION TO HAVE A GREAT SPRING BREAK.
FORT WAYNE Suburban Safari Now through April 10, young adventurers can grab the'ir vests and put on their safari hats at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. At Dig This! kids can dig for dinosaur bones, uncover fossils, and discover cool gemstones and minerals. Visitors can see how coal was formed in ancient bogs and which plant fossi ls might hide in coal deposits. Even though you are still in Indiana, you'll feel miles away surrounded by lush tropical plants in the middle of this active learning garden. 1100 S. Calhoun St., 260-427-6440, botanica!conservatory.org
Ticket to Learn The invisible forces of nature spring to life at Science Central 's Rori, Drop, Bounce exhibit running through May 29. Play hard, learn hard with the hands-on exhibits that teach kids about Newton's laws of motion, kinetic energy, friction, momentum, and gravity. Kids will get the opportunity to design a car, test a helicopter design, and build a roller coaster on the many ramps, loops, wheels, and air currents winding t hrough this active learning laboratory. 1950 N. Clinton St. , 260-424-2400, sciencecentra!.org
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conveniently located near trailheads and the nature center, and Clifty Inn offers an indoor swimming pool , a bonfire pit overlooking t he Ohio River, and warm meals. 2221 Clifty Dr., 812-273-8885, in.gov/dnr/ parklake/2985.htm
Wild, Wild Midwest Saddle up and head to Shilo Farms, located about 20 miles north of downtown Madison. On one of the private guided trail rides, walk, trot, and sometimes even canter through Southern Indiana's beautiful scenery. Shilo Farms caters to each group's specific abilities and needs, which means you don't have to worry about ending up in a li ne of 30 horses trudging along a tra il, but you do have to call and make a reservation at least a few d ays beforehand. 11678 N. Jefferson Rd., 812-839-3784, shilofarms.com
Red Carpet Experience So maybe there isn't actually a red carpet , but the Ohio Theatre, which originally opened in 1938 and boasts a mere two screens, still lights up the night with their vintage-style marquee. For some evening entertainment, stop by for a movie and popcorn. They t ypically offer kid-friendly fil ms in an old-timey theater atmosphere. Black tie not required. 105 E. Main St., 812-273-4880, ohiotheatremadison.com
Homegrown van Goghs Inspire young artists at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art's exhibit featuring winners from the 2016 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Students across the country in grades 7 through 12 submit works of art, from sculpture and painting to poetry and short stories, for a chance to win scholarships, regional awards, and national awards. Last year 54 students from the Fort Wayne region were honored, and you can check out this year's winners at the exhibit featuring the best student artwork and writing of the region, now through April 10. 311 E. Main St., 260-422-6467, fwm oa.org
SOUTH BEND Bonbon Voyage Don't fo rget the wipes for this trip, unless you like your car covered in sticky fingerprints. Treat yourself and the kids at the South Bend Chocolate Company factory tour. Learn about different kinds of chocolates, watch t he confection experts work their magic, and walk away with tasty souvenirs. After the tour, stop by the outlet store for some sweet prices on your favorite treats. 3300 W Sample St., 574-233-2577, sbchocolate.com
MADISON Fit to Visit Great Explorations The su n is shining, grass is growing green again , and the waterfalls at Clifty Falls State Park are sure to be in full regalia as winter melts away. Whether you want to take the kids camping or just get out of the house for the afternoon, Clifty Falls has magnificent views and fun adventures for everyone. Many of the fa lls are less than a mile from the parking lot, and the trails range from easy to very rugged. For an overnight stay, the campground is 98
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Getting kids to eat their veggies can be hard, but HealthWorks! Kids' Museum is up for the challenge. Kids will love playing on the hands-on exhibits without even realizing they're learning about food groups, nutrition, and healthy habits. Check their calendar for the monthly Family Passport to Play, a free event hosted by HealthWorks! and South Bend Parks and Recreation at one of the local parks with games, prizes, and fun for everyone. 111 W Jefferson Blvd., 574-647-5437, healthworkskids.org â&#x20AC;˘
Summer Getaway
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Fort Wayne Voted on by travelers across the state, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and Tin Caps Baseball were chosen as the #1 and #2 things that families “Gotta Do” this summer. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and Tin Caps Baseball — Indiana travelers voted these two attractions the top two things that families “Gotta Do” this summer. The zoo houses more than 1,500 amazing animals alongside rides and activities. Tickle your toes in the treetops on the Sky Safari, cool o耀݇ on an Australian log ride and come nose-to-nose with a lion—it’s no wonder this attraction has been named “one of the Top Ten Zoos for Kids (BY WHO???). Named the No. 1 Fan Experience in Minor League Sports, the Tin Caps baseball experience includes an awesome downtown ballpark, great family fun, food and tickets starting at just $5. Headwaters Park — this downtown plaza is home to a di耀݇erent festival every weekend throughout the summer. From unique ethnic gatherings to
outstanding celebrations of the arts, the party never stops, and you’re invited. Outdoor recreation – Fort Wayne o耀݇ers more than 81 miles of biking, hiking and kayaking trails. We o耀݇er safe, fun places to get outdoors with the family with trails that connect to parks, attractions and downtown. Keep an eye out for 50 new pieces of public sculptural art that also double as bike racks. Genealogy — Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center is the nation’s largest genealogy collection with more than one million physical articles and more than two million searchable records in an online database. Science — The 㘠ㄭrst of its kind in Indiana, and a real wow for your science enthusiast, Science on a Sphere is a 3D globe that lets visitors experience earth and space systems in a whole new dimension.
©2013 Kit. All Rights Reserved.
JULY 19, 2016
FAMILY FUN IN FORT WAYNE, IND. JULY 19, 2016
*This is a sponsored post. H owever, ALL opinions are my own.* Back when I lived in Marion, I used to go to Fort Wayne a lot to shop. However, once I moved further south to the Indianapolis area, my trips to Ft. Wayne become nonexistent. As a writer, I’m on a few media lists and I recently got an email from the folks at Visit Fort Wayne (http://www.visitfortwayne.com/) mentioning things to do this summer. Since I now have a family and I’m all about affordable vacations, I thought I would head back to my old stomping grounds. Except this time I wasn’t going for shopping, I was going to have some family fun. Fort Wayne is about an hour and ah alf away from Indianapolis, so if you can’t do a weekend you can certainly make a day of it, but I’ll warn you, you’ll be back to finish everything. Who knew Ft. Wayne had so much to offer? In fact, there was so much to do that my family and I are planning to head back to catch the things we missed like shopping for me, Science Central (http://sciencecentral.org/) for The Kid and dining for the husband. We arrived early Friday evening to Hotel Fort Wayne (http://www.hotelftwaynein.com/), which would be our home for the weekend.
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Silly me, I’ve passed this hotel several times, but never noticed it. The staff was very nice, the rooms clean and they have a courtyard that leads to an indoor/outdoor pool. The location is perfect’! You’re close to Downtown and all its amenities.
Since we arrived later than we wanted on Friday, our main focus was getting food. I was given several maps and things from Visit Fort Wayne (http://www.visitfortwayne.com/) and Shigs In Pit (https://www.shigsinpit.com/home), a barbecue restaurant is what stood out to me and the family.
My goal on this trip was to eat and do only local things because I can hit up any chain restaurant or store any day.
The food was pretty impressive. I forgot to get a picture of my husband’s plate, but if you go, you MUST get the baked beans. Yum! On Saturday, the family fun continued at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo (http://kidszoo.org/) and the Botanical Conservatory (http://www.botanicalconservatory.org/). Before The Kid, my husband and I had been to the zoo, but it was really cool to go back and see things through our daughter’s eyes.
We even got up close and personal with a giraffe.
This guy just turned 30!
We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do the entire zoo because the little one got tired, but we while she napped in the stroller, we headed to the Botanical Conservatory. This past weekend was the last time to see the butterfly exhibit, so we picked a right time to visit.
Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m surprised I actually did this because me + flying objects= pure chaos. I kept my cool, though. The butterflies were lovely. Sidenote: Did you know their lifespan is only two weeks? Poor things.
Live Butterlly Exhibit Please: Keep butterflies in tent No strollers No food or drink Enter in small groups Do not run Do not pick flowers Do nol catch butterflies
Thank you for visiting!
The conservatory is worth checking out because there is a lot for little hands to touch and if you like horticulture, you will love it. Those two activities pretty much had us beat! I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to head back and do some shopping because I saw several consignment shops and boutiques that I want to check out. Have you ever been to Fort Wayne? What did you think?
-WHITNEY-
INsider
FAMILY FUN
l<IDDING AROUND
Digfor dinosaur bones, explore animal habitats and design a city in these Indiana attractions that make learningfunfor all ages-even ifthey were designedfor children. BYREBECCABERFANGER LEARN Evansville's historic library building is home to the Koch Family Child,·en's Museum ofEvansville. Children of all ages and their parents can explore more than 18,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. In the "Quack Factory," visitors learn how waterways work by sending ducks through a lock system and connecting pipes to create plumbing systems. 22 S.E. Fifth St.,
Evansville,
812.464.2663, cmoekids.org (S)
EXPLORE Climb a wall designed \vith children in mind, make music or videos in a computer technology lab designed by and for kids or even slide down an oversized toilet in an exhibit about the inner workings of a house at kidscommons in downtown Columbus. 309 Washington St., Columbus, 812.378.3046, kiclscommons.org (sc)
DISCOVER Learn about science and nature at Won ded.ab Museum ofScience, Health and Technology near the Indiana University campus in Bloomington. Children can explore 50 hands-on exhibits, including the two-story grapevine climber and recreated animal habitats. Children under 6 can visit the George & Evelyn BrabsonDiscovery Garden, where they can safely explore the 14 OfficiallndlanaTravelGuide I 2015
Kaleidoscope Cave, live animal habitats, the Magnet Wall and treehouse climbing structures. 308 W. Fourth St., Bloomington, 812.337.1337,
wo11derlab.org(SC)
EXPERIENCE The largest and one of the oldest museums lo cater to kids, T he Children's Museum oflndianapolis, founded in 1924, amazes children of all ages \vith the recreated pre historic world ofDinosphere, where kids encounter fossils and real dinosaur bones. In Playscape, younger children are encour aged to get their hands dirty. Don't forget to take a ride on the antique carousel that was once an attraction of an Indianapolis park. 3000 N Meridian St., Indianapolis, 317.334.4000, childrensmuseum.org (cl
HAVE FUN Helping children learn while having fun has always been the philosophy of Muncie Children's Museum. A visit to the Five Senses garden in the Outdoor Learning Center will increase kids' interests in the outside world. A close-up look at a 1915 Interstate 30 manufactured in Muncie and the "Munseetown Express" built by the Muncie & Western Model Railroad Club will change the way they think about transportation. 515 S. High St., Muncie, 765.286.1660,
munciemuseum.com (E)
INVESTIGATE W ith a focus on teaching children about science and technology, exhibits at the Tet·re Haute Children's Museum have been designed to engage families since 1988. In Agciting!, discover the science of agriculture, including where food comes from. Visit Wl'HCM Studios to play a news anchor or meteorologist while learning what causes severe weather. Animal lovers can try their hand at being a veterinarian, groomer, trainer or pet parent at Ready Vet Go! 727 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute, 812.235.5548,
thchildrensnwseum.com (W)
MAKE MEMORIES Consistently ranked among the nation's top zoos for kids, Fm·t Wayne Chilch-en's Zoo offers an up-close look at \vild animals. If your children liked Finding Nemo, they'll love the Australian Adventure's 20,000-gallon recreation of the Great Barrier Reef, including clown fish, eels and puffer fish. There's also a 50,000-gallon shark aquarium. Little ones who enjoyed The Lion King won't want to miss the Afri can Journey's African lions, spotted hyenas, wildebeests and articulated giraffes. Over all, the Fort Wayne zoo is home to 1,000 animals of 200 different species. 3411
Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, 260.427.6800, kidszoo.org (E) J
Group Tour
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