Fort Wayne Welcomes Families with Fun … And Cookies

There are plenty of great reasons to visit Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the city rolls out the red carpet for all its guests from the moment you arrive (especially if you arrive via airplane). Each visitor who gets off a plane at Fort Wayne International Airport can grab a pack of delicious cookies, free of charge. It’s just one way Fort Wayne sets itself apart as one of the friendliest cities in the country. The initiative also helped the airport make a name for itself. After all, who can say no to free fresh cookies?

The free cookie initiative has been a thing since for several years and is truly a labor of love. Cookies are handed out by volunteers who have passed out well beyond 3 million cookies, and there is no plan to change the routine. What does change is the flavor, which alters based on what the baker provides. Popular options include chocolate chip, oatmeal and salted caramel. If you don’t see a host waiting to welcome you with a pack of cookies (the volunteers do go home eventually, after all), simply head to the Cookie Kiosk at the Security exit and help yourself to the waiting display.

The cookies are synonymous with the welcoming attitude of the airport and city of Fort Wayne. They aren’t just happy to have you there, they’re happy to have you discover why the city is so perfect for families. The city is full of family-friendly activities, and it is constantly adding more reasons to visit. Last month, Fort Wayne Zoo celebrated its 60^th anniversary with the Coastal Cove exhibit, featuring seals, sea lions and Tasmanian devils. Science Central, the city’s hands-on interactive science museum, gears up to unveil the region’s only planetarium (expected to open toward the end of 2025).

As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll want to be sure you visit the city’s newest park, Promenade Park. Located along the riverfront, this park is a hub for locals and visitors alike who want to enjoy the confluence of the city’s riverways along the city’s urban center. The park was designed with a focus on accessibility and family friendliness, with plenty of fun activities like a treetop canopy trail, a kids’ canal and riverboat cruises.