2019 Group Tour Planning Guide

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Group Tour Planning Guide

1-800-767-7752 www.VisitFortWayne.com

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Welcome to Fort Wayne, Indiana!

We’re thrilled you’re interested in planning a group adventure to Indiana’s second largest city.

What makes Fort Wayne a great group tour destination? Our city offers many unique and affordable one, two, or three-day experiential tours, including memorable behind-the-scenes and handson activities to factories, outlet shops, museums, and attractions. Fort Wayne welcomes groups of all sizes with our famous Hoosier hospitality!

Let Visit Fort Wayne help you plan an unforgettable trip to our city. Don’t forget to ask about our amazing group hotel packages!

Fort Wayne is a short drive from several major Midwest cities.

Start by calling us today at (260) 424-3700 and finding us online at visitfortwayne.com/grouptours.

Vera Bradley Annual Sale

One of Fort Wayne’s most popular group events each spring is the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale!

From April 10-14, 2019, this popular event will welcome more than 60,000 shoppers from all 50 states and 11 countries to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Plan a fun experiential trip around this amazing sale, where your group can find 40-60% off retail prices of Vera Bradley handbags, purses, totes, luggage, stationary, and accessories.

Bus groups of 20 or more people can reserve a VIP experience, including a separate entrance into the sale, an exclusive check out area, waiting room lounge, and a free gift. Groups can also purchase individual tickets online, too.

Can’t make to the 2019 sale? Don’t worry! Dates for the 2020 sale will soon be announced. Call us at 260-4243700 or go to visitfortwayne.com/grouptours for more information.

Genealogy Center

Located in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne, the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library is home to the nation’s largest public genealogy collection!

Thousands of seasoned genealogists and leisure travelers visit the Genealogy Center each year to research their family ancestry, and browse through almost 1 million records, printed volumes, military records, and census records.

The Genealogy Center is fully staffed with trained genealogists who are eager to help your group get started, or dig deeper into your family research. And best of all, their services are free!

Let your group leave Fort Wayne with a piece of family history and memories to hand down to future generations!

Find more information about the Genealogy Center online by visiting genealogycenter.org.

History

Allen County Courthouse Learn the past, present and future of the historic Allen County Courthouse in downtown Fort Wayne.

Grabill Amish Community Explore a living Amish community and its shopping district.

The History Center Tour historic exhibits at Fort Wayne’s Old City Hall.

Historic Old Fort Watch re-enactments from the 1700s to Civil War times.

Historical Boat Rides Cruise the rivers to learn about riverfront development plans.

Girlfriend Getaways

DeBrand Fine Chocolates Take DeBrand’s beautiful factory tour with samples along the way and see their chocolatiers in action!

The Olive Twist Enjoy tastings and shopping at an olive oil and vinegar boutique.

Spas Relax in a group setting for a massage, pedicure, and manicure.

Wineries Learn the art of winemaking at Country Heritage & Two EE’s.

Shopping Shop at Jefferson Pointe, Glenbrook Square, and Downtown.

Downtown Experience

Riverfront Fort Wayne Relax on the bank or adventure out onto our celebrated waterways.

Botanical Conservatory Surround yourself with indoor gardens and a cascading waterfall.

Historic Embassy Theatre Built in 1928, take a memorable journey through this magical theatre and the historic Indiana Hotel!

Dining Enjoy 20+ downtown local hotspots and franchised favorites.

TinCaps Baseball Purchase tickets & meal packages for a Fort Wayne TinCaps game.

Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries

Northern Indiana Beer Trail Collect stamps and prizes as you explore the local creaft beer scene.

Country Heritage Winery and Vineyard Enjoy quality wine in a lovely, open landscape.

Three Rivers Disilling Company Take a brief tour and schedule a tasting for your group.

Kekionga Cider Company Go behind the scenes of craft cider creation and browse fresh produce at their farmers market.

Hop River Brewing Company Authentic all-ages brewery for friends to meet and make new friends.

Student

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Indiana’s #1 Summer Attraction! Visit more than 1,000 animals and enjoy lunch in the zoo’s NEW group picnic pavilion.

Science Central Explore 125+ exhibits and Science on a Sphere.

Zip Timber Lake Glide along an 8 zip-line canopy tour with 4 sky bridges.

Fort Wayne Outfitters Rent a canoe, kayak, or bike around downtown Fort Wayne.

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary Meet over 100 rescued animals in an intimate setting.

Agriculture

Kuehnert Dairy Farm Watch day-to-day operations of a working Hoosier milk farm and attend the annual fall festival.

YLNI Farmers Market Stroll through countless vendors and take in live entertainment.

Salomon Farm Experience life on the farm in a 170-acre park and shop local produce.

Moose Lake Christian Craft Villiage Take in a beautiful lake, Amish Market and overnight cabins.

Cedar Creek Produce A locally-owned market with you-pick produce and fruit stand.

Factory and Behind the Scenes

Sweetwater Sound Tour a world-class music retailer’s campus with stops to the instrument show room, studio, theater and more!

Sechler’s Pickles Inc. Tour a family-owned pickle factory and field.

Three Rivers Distilling Company Explore Northeast Indiana’s newest distillery.

cinda b purses and handbags Shop at the outlet sale with a behind the scenes tour.

DeBrand Fine Chocolates Experience the making of Fort Wayne’s most famous chocolates.

Performing Arts

Broadway at the Embassy Catch national acts and shows at the Historic Embassy Theatre - group ticket discounts are available!

Arts United Center Watch performances from the Fort Wayne Ballet and Civic Theatre.

Fort Wayne Philharmonic Watch Fort Wayne’s professonial orchestra live in concert.

Foellinger Outdoor Concerts Enjoy live outdoor national concerts at Foellinger Theater.

Arena Dinner Theatre Dig into dinner with live comedy theater.

2019 Calendar of Events Listed below are popular group-friendly events in Fort Wayne. For a complete list of events and festivals, go to visitfortwayne.com and search under “Calendar of Events.�

Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale April 10-14, 2019

cinda b Factory Outlet Sale April and October 2019

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival August 25-September 2, 2019

Peg Perego Outlet Sale April 2019

Sweetwater Sound Gearfest June 21-22, 2019

Johnny Appleseed Festival September 21-22, 2019

*Dates and times are subject to change*

Contact Us

For more information on tours, hotels, attractions, restaurants and group itineraries, find us online at visitfortwayne.com/grouptours or contact Brittany Stephenson at brittany@visitfortwayne.com.

We can’t wait to host your group in Fort Wayne, Indiana!

Visit Fort Wayne 927 S. Harrison Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802 www.visitfortwayne.com (800) 767-7752