If you are looking for a calm, warm place to spend an afternoon as the weather cools, the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory is worth a visit.

The city-run garden is at 1100 S. Calhoun St. in Fort Wayne, and it is part of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Here is what to know about hours, admission and what is on display this fall.

Hours

The Conservatory is closed on Mondays.

It is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday hours run later, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On Sundays, the doors are open from noon to 4 p.m.

Holiday hours can differ, so call 260-427-6440 or check the city's page before you go.

Admission

Adult admission is $7, and youth ages 3 to 17 pay $5.

Children age 2 and under are admitted free.

On Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m., admission is just $1, according to the city's visitor information.

There is no admission fee to visit Café Flora, the Conservatory Shop or the Sales Garden.

The Conservatory's page has also promoted a free-admission afternoon through the Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown program this year, so it is worth checking for any dates still to come.

What to see this fall

The current showcase exhibit is Pueblo Garden: Styles of the Southwest, open through Nov. 15.

It features adobe-inspired structures and a look at Pueblo gardening techniques, along with earthy aromas and vibrant plantings.

The exhibit is part of regular admission, so there is nothing extra to buy.

The summer concert series known as Back to Our Roots brought local music to the Prado Garden on Thursday evenings.

The city's Botanical Conservatory page lists fall events as well, including Botanical Brew and an outdoor screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a costume contest and a Fright Night Market.

Botanical Brew features local and regional beverages, artisan vendors, food and live entertainment.

Dates for those events are posted on the city's calendar, so confirm them before you plan around them.

Planning your visit

Because the Conservatory is indoors, it makes a comfortable choice on a chilly or rainy day.

The city's Fall Fun Times brochure devotes several pages to the Conservatory, with programs and classes worth a look if you like to plan ahead.

Once Pueblo Garden closes, the Conservatory has typically moved on to a holiday showcase, which opened on Nov. 20 in 2021, for example.

Watch the city's announcements for this year's holiday exhibit dates, since they were not yet posted when this article was written.

The city's page also lists membership, venue rentals, and classes and workshops for those who want to go deeper.

Visitors who only want to browse the Conservatory Shop or the Sales Garden can do so without paying admission.

That can be a simple way to pick up a gift or a plant on your way through town.

Parking and accessibility details are best confirmed with the Conservatory directly, since they were not listed on the pages reviewed for this article.

If you are bringing a group or have questions, call the Conservatory at 260-427-6440 before you head downtown.

Hours and admission can change, so it is wise to confirm the details with the city before you go.

A few quiet hours among the plants can be a gentle way to enjoy the season.