Summary
Just east of Fort Wayne, New Haven is a city that owes its early development to the Wabash and Erie Canal, which connected the Great Lakes with the Gulf of Mexico beginning in the 1840s.
Eventually, the canal was supplanted by railroads, and you can explore the area’s remarkable steam heritage at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society located in the countryside to the east.
Presently, New Haven is a small city featuring a compact and welcoming downtown, complete with local businesses, a selection of excellent dining establishments, and an attractive little park that becomes a venue for festivals, markets, and musical events during the summer months.
In downtown New Haven, visitors can also access a greenway network that follows the riverbank leading to Fort Wayne, situated six miles to the west.
1. Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society
Since the mid-19th century, railroads have been essential to Fort Wayne, ultimately connecting the city with every major urban center across the nation.
Located just east of New Haven, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society revives that spirit with steam excursions and open houses throughout the year.
The centerpiece here is the Nickel Plate Road 765, a Berkshire-type locomotive constructed in 1944 at Lima Locomotive Works in Ohio.
Since the society’s establishment in the 1970s, this remarkable piece of machinery has undergone restoration, drawing over 3,000 visitors daily during operating events throughout the Eastern United States.
Visitors may also tour the repair shop to observe ongoing restorations of vintage railroad equipment and engage with the volunteers about their work.
2. Rivergreenway Trail
A designated National Recreation Trail extends throughout the Fort Wayne Area, traversing the Maumee, St. Joseph, and St. Marys Rivers.
This extensive Rivergreenway Trail spans 25 miles in a cross pattern, with pathways converging near the confluence adjacent to downtown Fort Wayne.
In New Haven, the trail follows the banks of the Maumee River, commencing at the pond/creek within Moser Park before crossing to the river’s north bank and meandering along the waterside, shaded by deciduous trees.
New Haven offers a total of three miles along this trail, allowing you to monitor your progress with clearly marked mile markers.
3. Broadway Street
For those eager to experience downtown New Haven, the bustling Broadway Street requires little detour, concluding to the south at the picturesque Schnelker Park.
Within just a few blocks, Broadway Street showcases a rich variety of businesses. Visitors will encounter a bicycle repair shop, a jeweler, an antique and collectibles store, a ladies’ fashion boutique, several home goods stores, and a traditional butcher.
Dining options abound, featuring a range of bars and pubs, a bakery, cafe, a popular BBQ establishment (Smokehaus), and the highly regarded Rack and Helen’s Bar & Grill, detailed further below.
4. Schnelker Park
Proceeding southbound on Broadway Street leads you to the charming Schnelker Park, regarded as the town’s green space.
This serene area is adorned with towering hardwood trees, a newly renovated pavilion, a gazebo, and a surprisingly expansive playground for children’s activities. Given its proximity to downtown, the park hosts numerous events, especially during the summer months.
In June, the park becomes a focal point for Canal Days, and as the festival has expanded, components such as the food tent and main stage have become established features in Schnelker Park.
On Wednesdays throughout July, Schnelker Park features Music, Market, and Munchies, integrating live musical performances at the gazebo, a farmers’ market, and a selection of local food trucks.
5. Jury Pool
A staple activity during the summer school break in New Haven, the pool at Jury Park operates from Memorial Day Weekend until early August.
Dedicated swimmers seeking exercise can utilize the lap pool, while children seeking enjoyment will delight in the leisure pool, featuring zero-depth entry.
Additional amenities include a variety of water slides and a spray ground area complete with a large tipping bucket. Jury Pool is also available for private events, along with options to reserve individual lanes or poolside pavilions.
6. Kreager Park
Located across the Maumee River, northwest of New Haven, Kreager Park is a vast recreational area managed by Fort Wayne’s parks and recreation department. Acquired in the mid-1960s, the land was formerly a potato farm.
Since the 1990s, this 170+ acre park has been transformed into an outdoor recreation haven, abundant in facilities.
These amenities include illuminated baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields, outdoor fitness equipment, and a segment of the Rivergreenway.
For children, the park boasts the exceptional Boundless Playground, designed to be inclusive for all abilities. Featuring a splash pad, this playground includes Alpha, Beta, and Gamma “pods” catering to children aged 2-5, 2-12, and 5-12 respectively.
7. Salvatori’s
This small chain of authentic Italian restaurants is unique to Northeast Indiana and originated in New Haven. The original Salvatori’s was established in 2006 at an unassuming location next to a gas station.
Although this venue accommodates just 48 patrons, it has evolved into a local phenomenon, attracting visitors from across the Fort Wayne area.
Following the overwhelming demand, three additional locations have opened. A distinctive feature of the New Haven Salvatori’s is the open kitchen, enabling patrons to peer into the bustling operation.
Menu highlights include cavatelli & sausage, baked ziti, and hand-rolled manicotti filled with ricotta and fresh herbs.
8. Rack and Helen’s Bar & Grill
Established on Broadway Street, Rack and Helen’s has been a local fixture for approximately fifty years.
Since 2000, this establishment has emerged as a principal gathering spot for New Haven residents and those from adjacent towns, transforming a small bar into a spacious restaurant equipped with a state-of-the-art kitchen and screens adorning every wall.
Here, patrons can enjoy hearty comfort food served in generous portions, complemented by attentive service. The renowned house specialty is a considerable sausage roll, followed closely by the pulled pork dinner and tenderloin sandwich.
With over 20 draft beers available and regular live music performances, the ambiance is lively and inviting.
9. Whispering Creek Golf Club
Situated by the Maumee River in the northern region of New Haven, Whispering Creek Golf Club features an 18-hole, par 72 course that opened in 1967.
Recently acquired by a group of investors, the club has initiated enhancements such as the introduction of a new pond, new tee stations, updated maintenance equipment, and GPS-enabled golf carts.
The signature hole is the par 5 17th, characterized by a fairway split by a creek that feeds into the Maumee River and a narrow, figure 8-shaped green. The facility includes a driving range and a clubhouse featuring a grill and pro shop.
10. Moser Park
West of Broadway Street, near downtown New Haven, Moser Park presents a serene woodland area, perfect for nature walks.
The park serves as the New Haven trailhead for the Rivergreenway, with the trail weaving through a clearing in the woods, passing a pond with benches and a fishing pier. Amenities include a welcoming picnic shelter and a Nature Center offering educational programs during the spring, summer, and fall.
While Moser Park is ideal for passive recreation, it also features facilities for baseball, softball, disc golf, and basketball.
11. Bell’s Skating Rink
Many residents who have grown up in the New Haven region hold cherished memories of this family-oriented skating rink, which has become a popular venue for birthday celebrations.
Bell’s features a well-maintained all-wood surface and includes a DJ booth that plays a wide range of music suitable for all ages. For families with children, snack and drink packages are available.
On weekdays, Adult Jam occurs on Tuesdays for adults only, while Wednesdays feature $1 Night, and Fridays offer Roll-N-Glow with black lights and a disco atmosphere.
12. Jury Park
While the pool is the principal attraction at Jury Park, recent renovations have introduced a variety of additional facilities that keep the park active beyond the swimming season.
Families with young children will appreciate the exceptional playground, equipped with new equipment and a safe astroturf surface.
Additionally, four tennis courts, which can be adapted for pickleball, are available, as well as a new pavilion suitable for picnics and special occasions.
Also relatively new at Jury Park is a picturesque rain garden developed with funding from Walmart to assist in water purification and reduction of surface runoff.
13. Wabash Railroad Depot
Just beyond the southern end of Moser Park lies another aspect of railroad heritage at the historic New Haven Station.
This gabled, one-story wooden structure was built in 1890 by the Wabash Railroad and features elaborate Stick Style/Eastlake movement details.
The station’s inauguration marked a significant era in New Haven’s history, arresting the economic decline experienced since the closure of the Wabash and Erie Canal.
Though it ceased operations in 1964, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. After years of deterioration, the depot was restored to its original charm approximately ten years ago by the New Haven Area Heritage Association.
14. New Haven Canal Days Festival
The primary annual celebration in New Haven is a five-day affair occurring around the first weekend in June.
Commemorating New Haven’s location along the historic Wabash and Erie Canal, this festival has origins dating back to 1958, undergoing numerous changes over the past seven decades.
Since the 1980s, Canal Days has been hosted in downtown, with activities taking place in Schnelker Park. In a typical year, the schedule is filled with extensive entertainment on the Main Stage, as well as a car show, arts and crafts booths, an exhibitor tent, and a food tent.
The grand finale occurs on Saturday, featuring a parade along Park Avenue along with various activities designed for children’s enjoyment.
15. Fort Wayne
Located just a 15-minute drive west of New Haven, downtown Fort Wayne is within easy access to a plethora of attractions and activities.
At the meeting point of three rivers, the city can be explored on foot or by bicycle, featuring over eight miles of scenic riverfront trails.
In the downtown area, the Arts Campus serves as a continuously developing cultural hub, housing institutions and venues such as the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, the Auer Center for Arts & Culture, and the Arts United Center.
Families will find enjoyment at the renowned Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, highly regarded among the nation’s best zoos, while the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory offers a stunning oasis within the city’s center.
During the summer, be sure to catch a game at the modern Parkview Field, home to the Fort Wayne TinCaps, the minor league affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
