2013 Group Tour Guide Attractions

Fort Wayne, Indiana Group Tour Information Listed below are a few of the Fort Wayne attractions and facilities that are open for group tours.

Please call (800) 767-7752 or visit us online at www.visitfortwayne.com for additional information, or to learn more about planning your trip to Fort Wayne.

African / African-American Museum • 436 E. Douglas Ave. (260) 420-0765 • www.african-americanfw.com • This two-story house has 10 major exhibits, which include a Politicians Exhibit, an African Village and Sports Room. Tours will take approximately 1- 1 ½ hours. Tours are held TuesdayFriday from 9am to 1pm, Saturdays from 12pm to 4pm and Sundays by appointment. Guided tours are $5/adult and $3/child. Schedule at least one week in advance.

Allen County Courthouse • 715 S. Calhoun St. (260) 449-4246 **PREMIERE ATTRACTION** • www.allencountycourthouse.org • You will tour all three floors, including murals and stained glass on the third floor as well as courtrooms. Tour should take approximately 1 hour, with a maximum of 30 people in a group and a minimum of five people. Tours are held Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm. $2.00 donation for docent-guided tours. Self-guided tours are free of charge.

African / African-American Museum

Allen County Public Library • 900 Library Plaza (260) 421-1225 **PREMIERE ATTRACTION** • www.acpl.lib.in.us • Tours of the main library includes visits to each of the different public service departments with a brief explanation of their collections and services, information on system wide library services and a visit to the storage areas. Tours may be scheduled Monday-Thursday from 9am-9pm and Friday from 9am-6pm. Tours are guided and free of charge, but must be scheduled one week in advance.

Artlink • 300 E. Main St. (260) 427-7195 • www.artlinkfw.com • Contact: Suzanne Galazka • Tour gallery exhibits of contemporary art. Exhibits change every six weeks. Allow 30 minutes for the tour. Docent tours are given for groups, $2/person donation suggested. Schedule two weeks in advance.

Allen County Courthouse

ARCH • 818 Lafayette (260) 426-5117 • www.archfw.org • Walking Tours • Downtown walking tours the first Friday of every month from April-November, beginning at 1pm at the Visitors Center, 1021 S. Calhoun St. The tours last 90 minutes and travel approximately 1 mile through some of Fort Wayne’s “must see” architectural gems. $5.00/adult, children under 18 are free. Please call 1 week in advance to schedule.

• Heritage Trail • A series of four downtown self-guided walking tours that feature community history and local landmarks. Free maps available at ARCH, the History Center, and the Visitors Center.

• Charter Tours and Walks • Step-on bus tour guides and walking tours. Cost is $50/hour, per tour guide. Please schedule two weeks in advance.

Canlan Ice Sports/Lutheran Health Sportscenter • 3869 Ice Way Dr. (260) 387-6614 • www.icesports.com/fort wayne/default.aspx • Field trips available for school-aged children only; with ice skating and/or Bounce Mania. Trips are customized for each group and prices will vary depending on group size and which options are chosen. Schedule at least one week in advance.

Allen County Public Library

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Museum • 915 S. Clinton St. (260) 424-1485 • www.diocesefwsb.org/bookstore-museum/cathedral-museum/ • Contact: Dr. Karl Nadeau at (260) 486-2653 or (260) 399-7700 x 8107 • The history of Catholicism is displayed through religious artifacts from the mid-thirteenth century and portrayed through stain glass and vestments. Guided tours are free of charge, but must be scheduled two weeks in advance.

Chief Richardville House • 5705 Bluffton Rd. (260) 426-2882 • www.fwhistorycenter.com • Contact: The History Center at (260) 426-2882 • The house offers a variety of programs that celebrate Miami culture and tradition. Open the first Saturday of the month in the summer from 1pm-4pm or by appointment year around. $7/adults, $5/students, children under 5 and members are free.

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Museum

cinda b • 1530 Progress Rd. (877) 692-4632 • www.cindab.com • Contact: Korie at (877) 692-4632 • An exclusive, behind the scenes , first-hand look at cinda b bags and assessories. Visit Product Development and Creative Services to see how patterns and styles are created and brought into the line each season. Learn cinda b's story and why manufacturing in the USA is so important. Tours must be scheduled three days in advance. Guided tours are free.

DeBrand Fine Chocolates • 10105 Auburn Park Dr. (260) 969-8333 **PREMIERE ATTRACTION** • www.debrand.com • Contact: (800)482-4373 to schedule groups of 12 or more and to learn about public tours.

• The tour will start with a short video presentation, and then give you a peek into Debrand’s kitchens and a taste of some one-of-a-kind chocolate. Public tours are offered Tuesdays at 10am and Thursdays at 1pm, throughout the year. From Memorial Day through Labor Day tours are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am and 1pm. Call to schedule tours of 12 or more for times not open to the public. $5/person and is refunded with shoppe purchase of $10 or more, $3 for school groups.

DeBrand Fine Chocolates

Eagle Marsh – Little River Wetlands • 2403 Fairoak Dr. (260) 478-2515 • www.lrwp.org • School groups, scout groups and other children’s groups are welcome. Guided field trips are free and based on first come, first serve. Call in advance to make an appointment. Free Little River Ramblers Tuesdays from 9am-11am.

Embassy Theatre • 125 W. Jefferson Blvd. (260) 424-6287 **PREMIERE ATTRACTION** • www.fwembassytheatre.org • Contact: Sara Nelson (260)424-6287 ext 233 • The tour of the theatre is both historical and architectural. The tour can include a glimpse of the dressing rooms and a walk on the theatre’s stage. Inquire about having the Page Organ as part of the tour. Advance notice of at least 3 weeks required. Allow one hour for tour.

Embassy Theatre

First Presbyterian Church • 300 W. Wayne St. (260) 426-7421 • www.firstpres-fw.org • Contact: Lisa Schwaberow • Tour the 300 seat theater where 6-7 plays are produced each year. The Art Gallery also serves as the lobby for the theater. 6-8 new exhibitions are scheduled to coincide with theater productions. Tours are free and must be scheduled at least one week in advance.

Foellinger Freimann Botanical Conservatory • 1100 S. Calhoun St. (260) 427-6440 **PREMIERE ATTRACTION** • www.botanicalconservatory.org • Contact: Scheduling at (260)427-6445 • 3 indoor gardens are available with seasonal showcases and hands-on exhibits and 4 outdoor gardens with a variety of grasses, shrubs, flowers, trees and plants. Groups of 20+ adults receive a 20% discount off admission. Children groups of 20+ are charged $2/child.

Fort Wayne Aviation Museum • Fort Wayne International Airport (260) 747-4146 • www.fwairport.com/air-museum.aspx • Showcase of aviation in the tri-state area, featuring military, commercial, and general aviation.

• Tours are free and last 90 min. These tours are best for children 6 and older. Reservations must be made in advance and can be scheduled by calling (260)747-4146 ext 439.

Foellinger Freimann Botanical Conservatory

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo • 3411 Sherman Blvd. (260) 427-6800 **PREMIERE ATTRACTION** • www.kidszoo.org • Discover the wonders of nature in the African Journey, Indonesian Rain Forest, Australian Adventure, Indiana Family Farm and the Central Zoo. Visit 38 acres containing over 1,500 animals from around the world. Self guided tour with group rates by reservation only. Allow a minimum of 3 – 3 ½ hours.

Fort Wayne Civic Theater • 303 E. Main St. (260) 422-8641 • www.fwcivic.org • Contact Eunice Wadewitz at (260) 422-8641 ext. 226 or ewadewitz@fwcivic.org • Backstage tours are offered throughout the year. Staff will guide your group throughout the Arts United Center facility, from the scene shop and prop storage in the basement to the fly rail and lighting bays high above the stage.

Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo

• 226 W. Washington Blvd. (260) 426-0051 • www.fortwaynefiremuseum.com • Tour the Old No. 3 Firehouse. Discuss the history of Fort Wayne Fire Department and how to safely escape from a house fire. Group rates available for scheduled guided tours, but must be made one week in advance. Tours take about one hour.

Fort Wayne Museum of Art • 311 E. Main St. (260) 422-6467 • www.fwmoa.org • Tours vary according to current exhibits and what your group interests are. Guided tours must be scheduled 4-6 weeks in advance. Allow one hour for tour. Prices vary.

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society • 15808 Edgerton Rd. New Haven, IN (260) 493-0765 • www.765.org • Dedicated volunteers preserve, display and operate historical railroad equipment relevant to the steam era in the Midwest. Group tours are priced by size and accommodations. Tours must be scheduled two weeks in advance.

Fort Wayne Museum of Art

History Center • 302 E. Berry St. (260) 426-2882 • www.fwhistorycenter.com • Tour six galleries of exhibits with more than 23,000 artifacts, photographs and documents representing the history of Fort Wayne and Allen County. Allow 90 minutes for the tour. Guided tour prices vary for each group and must be scheduled in advance.

Karpeles Manuscript Library • 3039 Piqua Ave. (260) 456-6929 • www.rain.org/~Karpeles/ • Tours can be docent guided or self-guided, both at no charge. Constant rotating exhibits which include music, science, religion, literature, political history and artwork. Tours can vary from 1-2 hours. Please call one week in advance to schedule a guided tour.

Mad Anthony Brewing Company

Mad Anthony Brewing Company • 2002 Broadway (260) 426-2537 • www.madbrew.com • Contact: Blaine Stuckey or available manager • We welcome brewery tours and tasting parties. Maximum 25 people for brewery tour with samples available. Tour takes about 30 minutes and is free of charge. Private room available for lunch or dinner before or after tour. Schedule at least one week in advance.

PBS Television Station • 2501 E. Coliseum Blvd. (260) 484-8839 (888) 484-8839 • www.wfwa.org • Group tours and field trips available. Get behind the scenes to see how a television station operates. Tours last about 1-2 hours and are free of charge. Tours are available Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. Please schedule two weeks in advance.

Ralph Sechler and Son, Inc. • 5686 SR 1 St. Joe, IN (800) 332-5461 **PREMIERE ATTRACTION** • www.gourmetpickles.com • Get an inside look at tank-cured pickling while touring the facility that has been in the same location for almost 100 years. Tours are offered April-October, Monday-Thursdays starting at 9am through 11am and 12:30pm through 3pm. For groups of six or more, please schedule one week in advance.

Ralph Sechler and Son, Inc.

Salomon Farm • 817 W. Dupont Rd. • www.fortwayneparks.org • Contact: Renee Baines at (260) 427-6005 • Tours are available for school-aged children. Staff will lead tours based on school/troop curriculum. You may tour one or a combination of the Barn, the Animals Area and the Garden.

Charge is $2/person/hour with a minimum charge of $40 for one hour. Please schedule two weeks in advance.

Science Central • 1950 N. Clinton St. (260) 424-2400 ext. 451 **PREMIERE ATTRACTION** • www.sciencecentral.org • Field trips for school-aged children which provide hands-on programming with a mix of labs, demonstrations and exhibits targeted to Indiana educational state standards. Basic field trips are $4/student and $3/chaperone and will take last one hour. Please contact four weeks in advance to schedule.

Salomon Farm

The Olive Twist • 6410 West Jefferson Blvd. (260) 333-0866 • www.theolivetwist.com • At our olive oil and vinegar bar and retail boutique, we encourage each of our guests to taste over 40 of the finest quality first-pressed extra virgin olive oils and 20 of Italy's flavor fused vinegars. Tours are free of charge, Monday-Saturday. Please contact four days in advance to schedule tour.

University of Saint Francis-Schouweiler Planetarium • 2701 Spring St. (260) 399-7700 ext 8211 • www.sf.edu/planetarium • Nine different programs offered, with main focuses on the universe, the stars and the solar system. Each program is age-specific (children and adults welcome). Tours can take 12-90 minutes. Cost is $2.50-$3.50 depending on chosen program. Please schedule three weeks in advance.

Science Central

WPTA Television Station • 3401 Butler Rd. (260) 483-0584 • www.indiananewscenter.com • Group tours and field trips available. Get behind the scenes to see how a television station operates. Tours last about 1-2 hours and are free of charge. Tours are available Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. Please schedule two weeks in advance.

For more information about tours, visit us online at VisitFortWayne.com or call us at 1-800-767-7752