Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

State: Indiana. Type: zoo in Franke Park, Fort Wayne, Allen County, northeastern Indiana. Opened July 3, 1965; covers about 40 acres and houses roughly 1,000 animals of about 200 species. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Long known as the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo; renamed the Fort Wayne Zoo effective January 1, 2025. Seasonal (typically closed in winter). Address: 3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46808. Phone: (260) 427-6800.

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, renamed the Fort Wayne Zoo effective January 1, 2025, is a popular family attraction set within Franke Park in Fort Wayne, in northeastern Indiana. Opened in 1965, it grew from a modest children's zoo into a nationally recognized institution covering about 40 acres and home to roughly 1,000 animals representing around 200 species. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, it participates in dozens of Species Survival Plan breeding programs for threatened and endangered animals. The zoo is organized into immersive themed areas that take visitors on a tour of different regions and habitats, including an African area, an Asian area, an Australian section and a central zoo, with newer additions expanding its exhibits in recent years. Animal highlights have included Sumatran orangutans, tigers, giraffes, sea lions and red pandas, and the zoo has celebrated notable births such as a critically endangered baby orangutan. Add-on experiences like a small train, a carousel, a sky-ride and pony or animal encounters round out a family day. Operated as a non-profit that receives no tax funding, the zoo runs on admissions, memberships and donations, and it is a seasonal attraction, generally closed during the winter months.

The zoo is located in Franke Park in Fort Wayne, the largest city in northeastern Indiana and the seat of Allen County. Its address is 3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46808. Fort Wayne sits in the northeastern corner of the state, within driving distance of Indianapolis to the southwest and of northwestern Ohio. The zoo occupies about 40 acres within the larger public park.

Northeastern Indiana has a humid continental, four-season climate. Summers, the core of the zoo's operating season, are warm and humid, with occasional thunderstorms. Spring and fall are mild but variable, and winters are cold with snow, which is part of why the zoo closes for the winter. Visitors in spring and fall should dress in layers, and summer guests should plan for heat, sun and the chance of afternoon rain.

Because the zoo is seasonal, generally open from spring through fall, the choice is really among those months. Late spring and early fall offer milder temperatures for walking the grounds, while summer is the busiest and warmest. Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded than weekends and holidays, and animals are often more active earlier in the day during hot weather. Check the zoo's seasonal calendar, as opening and closing dates shift year to year.

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo opened on July 3, 1965, beginning as a small children's zoo within Franke Park. Over the following decades it expanded steadily into a full-scale, regionally significant zoo covering about 40 acres, adding immersive themed exhibit areas and growing its animal collection to roughly 1,000 animals of about 200 species. Major expansions included an African-themed area that opened in 2009. The zoo earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and became involved in numerous Species Survival Plan conservation-breeding programs, and it drew national attention, including a high ranking among U.S. zoos in a 2015 travel-review list. As part of a rebranding, the institution changed its name from the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo to the Fort Wayne Zoo effective January 1, 2025, reflecting its growth beyond a strictly children's attraction while remaining a non-profit that operates without tax funding.

Visitors walk the zoo's themed regions to see animals from around the world, including African wildlife, Asian species, Australian animals and the central zoo's collection. Beyond animal viewing, the zoo offers family add-ons such as a train ride, a carousel, a sky-ride or aerial ride, pony or camel rides, and animal-contact areas, several of which carry a small extra fee. Keeper talks, feedings and seasonal events and exhibits provide additional programming. The setting within Franke Park also lends itself to a relaxed, stroller-friendly outing for families.

Key areas have included the African section (a major expansion opened in 2009), an Asian-themed area, the Australian Adventure section, the Central Zoo and, in recent years, newer additions expanding the zoo's habitats and animal lineup. Signature animals to look for have included Sumatran orangutans, tigers, giraffes, sea lions and red pandas. The zoo's aerial Sky Safari ride offers overhead views of parts of the grounds.

The zoo is reached by car within Franke Park in Fort Wayne; the address is 3411 Sherman Blvd. Fort Wayne is served by Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) for those flying in, and the city sits at the junction of several highways in northeastern Indiana. On-site or nearby parking is available at the zoo. Most visitors arrive by private car or rental vehicle, as public transit options to the zoo are limited.

The zoo is seasonal and closed in winter; as of research it operated roughly from late spring (around Memorial Day) through October 31, with daily hours listed around 9 a.m. to a late-afternoon or evening close depending on the season (for example, roughly 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the fall, per zoo information). Exact opening and closing dates and daily hours change each year, so confirm current times on the official zoo website or by calling (260) 427-6800 before visiting.

Admission is charged by age and can vary by date and event. As of research, general admission was listed at about $23 for children 12 and under and about $25 for guests 13 and older, with babies age 1 and under admitted free. Some rides and special experiences within the zoo carry additional small fees. Because pricing changes and may vary by day, confirm current admission and any parking fees on the official zoo website before your visit.

Most families spend roughly two to four hours to walk the zoo's themed areas and try a few of the rides and experiences. Visitors who want to do all the add-on activities, watch keeper talks or take a slower pace with young children may spend most of a day at the zoo.

Fort Wayne, as a mid-sized city, offers a wide range of lodging, from downtown hotels to chain hotels near the highways and airport, all within a reasonable drive of the zoo and Franke Park. There is no lodging inside the zoo itself, so visitors typically stay elsewhere in the Fort Wayne area. Booking ahead is wise during summer weekends and local events.

The zoo has on-site concessions and dining outlets for snacks and meals during a visit. Beyond the zoo, Fort Wayne offers a broad restaurant scene, from casual and chain options to local eateries, spread across the city and its commercial corridors within a short drive of Franke Park. Many families combine a zoo trip with a meal elsewhere in the city.

The zoo sits within Franke Park, which offers additional green space and recreation. Elsewhere in Fort Wayne, family-friendly attractions include the city's science center, botanical conservatory and other museums and parks, along with the downtown riverfront area. These give visitors additional options for rounding out a day or weekend in the Fort Wayne area.

Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) is the nearest commercial airport. There is no passenger rail service to Fort Wayne, and while the city has a local bus system, most zoo visitors arrive by private car or rental vehicle. Parking is available at or near the zoo within Franke Park.

The zoo is a walking attraction, so wear comfortable shoes and use sun protection and water on hot summer days. Keep young children within sight, follow posted rules and staff instructions at animal-contact and feeding areas, and do not feed animals except where the zoo specifically permits it. Strollers are useful for small children. Watch the forecast, since summer thunderstorms can move through. For any emergency, alert zoo staff or dial 911.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and water for warm days, along with comfortable walking shoes. Families with young children may want a stroller and a change of clothes, plus cash or a card for admission, rides and food. A light rain jacket is handy in the changeable spring and fall shoulder seasons.

Because the zoo is seasonal and closed in winter, check the current operating calendar before planning a trip. Arrive earlier in the day on hot summer dates, when animals are often more active and crowds are lighter. Budget a little extra for the small-fee rides and experiences if traveling with children, and confirm current admission prices and hours on the official site, since they vary by date. Combining the zoo with other Fort Wayne family attractions makes for a fuller day.

For any emergency, dial 911, the nationwide U.S. emergency number, or alert the nearest zoo staff member. For general zoo information, the main phone number is (260) 427-6800, per zoo information.

Fort Wayne Zoo (formerly Fort Wayne Children's Zoo) - https://fwzoo.com/

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This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.