Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo 🇺🇸

Located on 40 acres in Fort Wayne's Franke Park, the Fort Wayne Zoo (formerly known as the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo) opened in 1965 and hosts approximately 1,000 animals. Operating under its mission of connecting kids and animals while inspiring conservation, this top-ranked U.S. destination offers diverse, self-contained global biomes. Explore the African Journey to spot lions, zebras, hyenas, and reticulated giraffes, or glide overhead on the Sky Safari lift.

Venture into the Australian Adventure to walk alongside grey kangaroos, observe dingoes, feed stingrays, and discover nocturnal species. In Asian Trek, wander through the domed forest habitat to encounter Sumatran orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, and red pandas. The Central Zoo features ring-tailed lemurs, African penguins, river otters, and Capuchin monkeys on Monkey Island, alongside Coastal Cove's California sea lions and harbor seals.

Before leaving, visit the Indiana Family Farm to pet farm animals and feed goats.

What to see at Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

• Observe Sumatran orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and red pandas along the Asian Trek
• View lions, zebras, and giraffes from the ground or aloft on the Sky Safari ride
• Walk through open paths alongside eastern grey kangaroos in the Australian Adventure
• Watch California sea lions and harbor seals around the rocky shores of Coastal Cove
• Pet farm animals and brush or feed goats at the Indiana Family Farm

Visiting tips

Purchase animal feeding experiences for a hands-on opportunity to feed species like goats, stingrays, sitatungas, and chickens.

How long: 3-4 hours · Best time: Early morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is easy to reach on Fort Wayne’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Fort Wayne travel guide.