7 Hidden Gems of Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana is a city full of charm, unique destinations, and hidden hotspots. Many of these places you may not be fully acquainted with yet, but are worth a visit soon. Check out our roundup of the city's hidden gems and see how Sturges Property Group has impacted them.
1. Wells Street Corridor
The long history of the Wells Street Corridor has seen many businesses come and go over time, but the small-town essence has remained. Its pedestrian-oriented streetscapes, yearly events, and a unique mix of local businesses make this area a must-see.
Sturges Property Group helped place new tenants, Honey Plant, Meraki Co., and Lofthouse Films at the corner of Wells & 4th – just look for the gorgeous mural!
You will also find GI Joe’s Army Surplus, the original Big Eyed Fish, and Klemm’s Kafe. Some other favorite Wells Street Corridor businesses are Paleteria La Michoacana, Ophelia's, and Hyde Brothers Booksellers.
2. Ash Skyline Rooftop
The Ash Skyline Rooftop is so hidden that it is not open to the public most of the time. However, when it is open, you should definitely give it a visit! This little-known slice of beauty and vegetation is located downtown just across from the Sturges Property Group office.
It is managed by Sturges Property Group's Director of Property Management, Carol Chaney, and is also available for private events by contacting the Property Manager.
3. ArtLink Contemporary Gallery
Just across the street from the Fort Wayne Museum of Art lies another museum! Found in the Auer Center for Arts & Culture, Artlink is a creative art space and contemporary gallery supporting regional artists through education, exhibition, and community engagement. They have different exhibitions running for about a month each, so you can visit year-round and see many different artists’ work.
Best of all, it is free to visit and open Thursday through Sunday, and also available for private events. Donations are always welcome, of course.
4. ACRES Land Trust Nature Preserves
ACRES is a thriving member-based nonprofit organization protecting land and preserving natural areas in northeast Indiana, southern Michigan, and northwest Ohio. Within Allen County alone, you can visit fourteen different nature preserves for free any day of the year, from dawn to dusk.
Some highlights are Bicentennial Woods and the Mengerson Nature Preserve. ACRES also organizes events and group hikes. Sturges Property Group's Vice President of Brokerage, John Caffray, serves on the board of ACRES. We hope he can inspire you to get out into the diverse natural spaces in our area.
5. Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities
Did you know Fort Wayne is home to a U.S. Paralympic Training Site? Turnstone is the official home for USA Goalball, a fast-paced game for athletes with visual impairments in which two teams of three attempt to throw a ball with bells inside their opponent’s goal net. Turnstone has hosted the USA Men’s National Goalball Team since 2015 and the USA Women’s National Goalball Team since 2017.
In addition to goalball, Turnstone also provides comprehensive services and programs that empower people with disabilities to achieve their highest potential.
Sturges Property Group President, Brad Sturges, currently serves on Turnstone’s Board of Directors, and our CEO, Barry Sturges, retired from the Board back in 2018 after many years of service.
6. The Board Game Collection of Allen County Public Library
Most people know about Allen County Public Library's vast collection of books and movies, extensive Genealogy Center, and abundant digital resources, but did you know you can check out board games as well? Perfect on a rainy spring day, the collection includes popular titles like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Kanagawa. You can peruse them in the Arts, Music & Media area or even place a hold on them to be delivered to your local branch library.
7. Porch Off Calhoun Alleyway
This is a local summer hotspot, hosting weekly events with live music, food trucks, and more. Bring your lunch or grab ‘n go from a nearby restaurant, then come join the fun in this activated alley. Outdoor couches, plenty of tables, some music, and good company make this a Fort Wayne must. Find it in the alley between Pint & Slice (816 S Calhoun) and the Sturges-managed City Center Parking Garage. When you are ready to walk off your meal, you can mosey on down to nearby alleys to see Fort Wayne’s longest and largest mural, Shawn Dunwoody’s “Hello”, along with many others.
If you’re looking for a property that could become Fort Wayne’s next hotspot, call the brokers at Sturges Property Group today!
