Fort Wayne is the second-largest city in Indiana and has its roots as a post-American Revolutionary War fort. General Anthony Wayne built the fort, named after himself, in 1794 as one of many area forts meant to conquer Native American tribes right after the war had concluded. However, Fort Wayne was one of the very few forts that were ordered to permanently exist while the others were quickly abandoned after the Treaty of Greenville was created to maintain peaceful negotiations with native tribal leaders.
The military abandoned the fort between 1815 and 1819, and citizen settlement in the area began around this same time. Up until 1829, the area was an unnamed village for these settlers, but in 1829, Fort Wayne was incorporated as an official town with a population of just 300. Through the years, this town became a city, and then it boomed when German and Irish immigrants came to work in Fort Wayne’s factories and on surrounding railroads. Many important American inventions came from Fort Wayne, such as gasoline pumps, refrigerators, and the first home video game console named Magnavox Odyssey.
Today, residents and visitors of Fort Wayne can learn more about the city’s rich history by visiting the History Center, and anyone can see the modern art and culture that defines Fort Wayne at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art or Artlink Gallery, both located downtown. Other popular local attractions include the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, an indoor garden featuring waterfalls and different seasonal plants; Science Central, a children’s museum that features over 200 hands-on science exhibits; and the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, one of the top 10 zoos in the United States.
Fort Wayne Music Festival - Annually in May, the Fort Wayne Music Festival includes musical events like Throwback Thursday, Country Jam, and Rock on the River.
New Haven Canal Days - Those who like enjoying the food and craft vendors of summertime festivals will love the New Haven Canal Days in southern Fort Wayne each June.
Hobnobben Film Festival - Those who enjoy seeing and supporting independent filmmakers can attend the Hobnobben Film Festival every October in downtown Fort Wayne's Cinema Center.
If you'd like to travel with your pet, you can search RVshare for pet-friendly rentals in Fort Wayne. Along with making sure pets are allowed in the RV you rent, you'll also want to make sure the campgrounds where you plan to stay allow pets as well.
Bring your pet's bedding and toys along on an RV trip so they have some comfort items in an unfamiliar environment. If you need to leave them alone in the RV, you'll want to make sure they have access to these things as well, along with a litter box or wee pads if necessary. You'll also want to make sure the interior of the RV is at a safe and comfortable temperature for your pet.
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan and encompasses over 20 square miles of countryside land for visitors to enjoy. At this park, hiking through the dunes, swimming in the lake, and biking the park's trails are extremely popular activities.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is a must-see attraction for those who love to hike. Here, visitors can see many waterfalls on a river that runs for over 100 miles and rent a canoe or kayak to explore them.
Made up of 400 miles of tavern caves, Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is a destination for cave touring and exploring. Also included at the park are miles of hiking trails on the surface and rivers perfect for fishing and boating.
Independence Dam State Park in Ohio is close to Fort Wayne and offers a front-row seat to the Maumee State Scenic River. In the summer, visitors can fish and boat on the river, and in the winter, anyone can go cross-country skiing.
Harrison Lake State Park, also located in Ohio, is made up of over 142 acres of land that's perfect for bird watching and wildlife viewing. Here, raccoons, skunks, red foxes, and squirrels are everywhere within the park's wetland environment.
Lake Loramie State Park in Ohio is home to the 1,600+ acre Lake Loramie and is a great location for swimming, sunbathing, hiking, fishing, and hunting. In the winter, ice fishing on the lake is popular, and the hills around the lake often become sledding hotspots when snow is present.
In Lawton Park in downtown Fort Wayne is the Civil War Memorial, a grouping of statues and plaques dedicated to soldiers from Indiana's Allen County who fought in the American Civil War. Also located at the site are preserved cannons from the war.
Along the St. Joseph River is the Johnny Appleseed Park, and inside the park is the official Johnny Appleseed Gravesite. Around the gravesite are interpretive signs for visitors to read and learn the importance of Appleseed's life as well as picnic tables and benches for resting and eating.
The Embassy Theatre is in downtown Fort Wayne and is a historic theatre preserved exactly how it was built and furnished in 1928. Inside the theatre is a restored historic pipe organ, and you can come to the Embassy Theatre to see regular events like concerts, comedy shows, plays, and more.
The Bluffton/Fort Wayne KOA is located in the Fort Wayne area and has plenty of RV-friendly campsites with full hookups that include cable and free Wi-Fi. Also at this KOA campground is a swimming pool, firewood, propane, a camping store, and an on-site camp restaurant.
The Johnny Appleseed Campground is located within Fort Wayne's Johnny Appleseed Park and has 41 campsites on the St. Joseph River. Most sites have full hookups while some also include handicap accessibility and paved RV pads.
Davis Lakeside Campground in nearby Churubusco is located on Blue Lake and is a great pick for campers who like to fish right outside their campers. Also at the campground is a boat launch area and sites with full hookups in wide, grassy areas.
In most areas, the price to rent a motorhome is around $200 a night and the price to rent a towable trailer is around $120 a night.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Fort Wayne, IN RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What do I need to know before renting an RV in Fort Wayne, IN?Fort Wayne has plenty of freeway access that makes getting around in an RV easy. There are also plenty of parks and green spaces to explore. Be sure to include time in your plans to visit the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, the city's public art, or the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory.
What are the RV rental requirements in Fort Wayne, IN?There is no special license needed to rent an RV, but it never hurts to check state websites. if you are unsure about traveling there and any regulations they may have, double-checking with the state will provide some peace of mind!
What are some tips for first-time RV renters in Fort Wayne, IN?Renting an RV in Fort Wayne, IN means blue skies and plenty of history. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and plenty of food before you hit the road. You'll find plenty of RV campgrounds with pools and other fun amenities. Busy season is in the summer so book early to get your spot, or go off-season to avoid crowds.
What are the minimum age requirements for renting an RV in Fort Wayne, IN?The minimum age requirement for renting an RV is 25.
What is included in my Fort Wayne, IN RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Are there pet friendly RVs for rent in Fort Wayne, IN?Looking for a pet friendly RV rental? Use the pet-friendly filter when searching on RVshare.com to find the perfect one for you!
Can I have my Fort Wayne, IN RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
Are there one way rental options from Fort Wayne, IN?One way rentals can add flexibility to your trip, but there are typically costs associated with returning the RV back to the owner. Learn more about one way rental options at rvshare.com/one-way-rv-rentals.
