Seniors Find “Hoosier Hospitality” in Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne is located in the northeast part of the state, 18 miles west of the Ohio border and 50 miles south of the Michigan border. It’s a three-time All American City Award winner, and is consistently cited for a high quality of life, low cost of living and warm Hoosier Hospitality. This is why this senior picked up on Fort Wayne, a great place for a visit and a blog.

With an estimated population of 258,522 in 2014, Fort Wayne is the 77th most populous city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana. It is the principal city of the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, consisting of Allen, Wells, and Whitley counties.

Fort Wayne has a long history.  It got its name from an American Revolutionary War statesman, Anthony Wayne. The US Army built Fort Wayne last in a series of forts in 1794. Three rivers conjoin in the area and a trading post sprung up for European pioneers.

 Parks, Gardens and Rivergreenway Draw Seniors

TripAdvisor notes that Fort Wayne serves up the perfect mix of urban convenience and natural beauty, boasting a world class cultural scene in a landscape enhanced by plenty of green space. Senior shoppers can find the latest trends at open air Jefferson Pointe. The grandkids will enjoy the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, while the adults can take in a performance at the Embassy Theater.

Senior joggers, hikers and cyclists can keep active on the Rivergreenway that links the city’s parks, where they may come across Johnny Appleseed’s Grave.

Parks, gardens, hiking trails, and a throng of outdoor activities are attractive to senior outdoor enthusiasts.

Seniors Try Pedal City

Seven museums dot the city and you can view a lot of it on a city tour, one of them called Pedal City. Some have nicknamed the vehicle a “beer bike.” I saw one recently in Scottsdale (Arizona). A group of maybe ten people sit pedaling with five on each side as  the weird structure moves along down the street.

Me, I’d head for Lakeside Park and Rose Garden, that has a unique sunken garden featuring over 2,000 rose bushes.

Plan to stop in Fort Wayne when you drive through Indiana. The city overflows with amenities for folks of all ages and Hoosier Hospitality is one of them as you will experience.  -jeb