Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Kokomo, Indiana

Recognized as an industrial hub at the dawn of the 20th century, the city of Kokomo is undergoing a significant transformation, with its population increasing by a third over the past decade.

Kokomo’s industrial history was propelled by the Indiana natural gas boom of the 1880s, which established the city as a center of technical innovation over the following 30 years.

Dubbed the City of Firsts, Kokomo contributed to the world with new alloys, the first pneumatic rubber tire, and the first commercially produced automobile.

The spirit of innovation can be experienced at the remarkable homes of industrialists Monroe Seiberling and Elwood Haynes, as well as along the Industrial Heritage Trail, which connects visitors to various factory sites from the downtown area.

1. Seiberling Mansion & Howard County Museum

One of Kokomo’s most affluent individuals during the city’s prime was the industrialist and entrepreneur Monroe Seiberling (1839-1908).

Drawn to the Indiana gas boom, Seiberling owned a paper mill and glass factory and is also recognized as the uncle of Frank Seiberling, founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

The striking Eclectic mansion built for Monroe in 1889 continues to be a prominent landmark in Kokomo’s Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood.

Since the 1970s, this property has been home to the Howard County Museum campus and is a must-visit for anyone exploring Kokomo.

The restored interior showcases exquisite woodwork and parquetry composed of various types of wood, including mahogany, cherry, maple, walnut, and oak.

A Moorish motif is prevalent in the sash lifts, door knobs, plates, and hinges, with the magnificent rotunda on the third floor, accessible via a grand ballroom, as a particular highlight.

2. Elwood Haynes Museum

Another notable figure from Kokomo’s past is the inventor and entrepreneur Elwood Haynes (1857-1925).

Haynes is recognized for his invention of novel nickel and cobalt alloys that fortified his wealth, along with his co-discovery of martensitic stainless steel.

His influence extended to the automotive sector, where he designed one of the nation’s earliest gasoline-powered vehicles in 1894 and subsequently the first commercially produced automobile.

In 1916, he settled into his Prairie School residence in Kokomo, which has served as a museum since 1967, highlighting his significant role in contemporary American history.

The museum showcases a small fleet of Haynes automobiles in the garage, along with numerous inventions on display in the main building, personal artifacts, photographs, and business correspondence.

3. Downtown Kokomo

Kokomo’s historic downtown area offers more than one might anticipate. Main Street and its intersecting thoroughfares are adorned with historic buildings dating back to the city’s industrial zenith.

Amidst the various Howard County services and administrative buildings, one can find several long-established businesses. A local favorite is Jamie’s Soda Fountain, a classic fast-food eatery offering traditional soft drinks.

At 111 E Sycamore St., Kokomo Toys & Collectibles has established itself as a hub for collectors across the Midwest.

Two trails, the Industrial Heritage Trail and the Cloverleaf Trail, have transformed former railroad corridors for pedestrian and cyclist use, while the All Alleys Lead to Art initiative has converted downtown corners into expansive art displays.

Included in this artistic endeavor is the Kokomo Sculpture Walk, featuring nine public art installations. Additionally, the Kokomo Jackrabbits, a well-regarded collegiate summer baseball team, play at the 4,000-capacity Kokomo Municipal Stadium.

4. Kokomo Opalescent Glass (KOG)

East Central Indiana holds a remarkable legacy in glassmaking, tracing back to the natural gas boom in the 1880s.

This era gave rise to the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Works, which was established in 1888 and is regarded as the oldest glass manufacturer of its kind globally.

KOG was founded by French immigrant Charles Edward Henry, who moved his stained glass enterprise from La Rochelle, New York, to Kokomo.

Since its inception, the company has become a premier supplier to the stained glass industry, even supplying materials to the esteemed Art Nouveau designer Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Public factory tours are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, offering visitors a chance to observe molten glass being ladled and rolled from a 2,500°F furnace.

Additionally, the KOG Hot Glass Studio features glass-blowing demonstrations by expert artisans, and opportunities exist for guests to enroll in classes to create their own glass art. The factory store welcomes visitors Monday through Saturday.

5. Foster Park

Located in the downtown area, this tranquil riverside park connects via the Walk of Excellence, which follows Wildcat Creek through the city.

The picturesque green banks are adorned with towering trees, although caution is advised due to the presence of geese during the summer months.

Given its proximity to the downtown area, Foster Park serves as a fitting venue for July 4 fireworks and a well-attended summer concert series at the Kokomo Performing Arts Pavilion.

A footbridge across Wildcat Creek leads to the Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center, an outdoor water park loaded with attractions.

Generally open from May to mid-August, Kokomo Beach features a leisure pool, a competition lap pool, a lazy river, various slides, and a food court.

6. Highland Park

Kokomo experienced a significant population increase during the gas boom in the late 19th century, and the origins of this prominent park date back to that period.

Highland Park spans both sides of Kokomo Creek, showcasing vast green spaces, towering trees, and intriguing artifacts over a century old.

At the visitor center, guests can view a massive stuffed steer and the stump of a giant sycamore tree, which are discussed further below. The historic Vermont Bridge, built in 1875 in the namesake town, was relocated to Highland Park in 1957.

Historically, the park was linked to downtown through the Kokomo Street Railway Company trolley line, and an artifact from that time is Rodgers Pavilion, a previous trolley station. Additional features include a modern playground with a zip line, a disc golf course, and various sports facilities.

7. Old Ben – World’s Largest Steer & Giant Sycamore Stump

At Highland Park, a visit to the visitor center reveals two nostalgic yet significant attractions. Behind a glass display rests the taxidermied Old Ben, recognized as the “world’s largest steer.”

Born in 1902 weighing 125 pounds, he reached a staggering weight of between 4,585 and 4,720 pounds at his death in 1910, standing 6.5 feet tall and measuring 16.25 feet in length.

Old Ben was a highlight at the Indiana State Fair at the turn of the century, with his local owners declining many lucrative offers from circuses and sideshows.

Also housed in this facility is the enormous stump of a sycamore tree, transported to Kokomo from nearby New London in 1916. This tree is estimated to have been around 1,500 years old and stood at 100 feet tall before being toppled by a storm in 1915.

8. J. Edwards Fine Chocolates and Gourmet Cakes

A local highlight in Kokomo, this beloved bakery and chocolate shop, established in 2003, has evolved into a true destination for confections.

The storefront is located at 2106 W Sycamore St., presenting a treasure trove of artisanal sweets.

The handmade chocolates are exquisite masterpieces, featuring a variety of options from flavored creams to chocolate-covered caramels, caramel pecan clusters, and chocolate-covered strawberries.

J. Edwards also produces an impressive array of gourmet cakes and cupcakes, encompassing familiar flavors such as red velvet, black forest, and carrot cake, alongside unique offerings like maple bacon and snickerdoodle round cake.

The bakery is similarly known for its delightful cheesecakes, available in flavors including key lime, cookie dough, vanilla, strawberry, blueberry, and an assortment of others.

9. Industrial Heritage Trail

Beginning in downtown, this rail-with-trail leads visitors to explore Kokomo’s industrial heritage, including the prominent Kokomo Opalescent Glass Works.

Running north to south, the Industrial Heritage Trail spans nearly six miles, connecting with the extensive Nickel Plate Trail, which extends to Rochester, 40 miles to the north.

In Kokomo, the trail showcases the sites of several pioneering manufacturers. Notable among them are the Kokomo Rubber Company, founded in 1895, which produced the country’s first pneumatic rubber tire, and the Haynes Automobile Company, established in 1896 as the first commercial automobile manufacturer in the United States.

10. Jackson Morrow Park

Kokomo’s largest park is situated in the southern part of the city along the banks of Little Wildcat Creek, blending wooded areas with a variety of recreational amenities.

One notable feature is the Jackson Morrow Walkpath, spanning 1.3 miles, which is paved with specific scenic segments along the creek featuring bark chips.

The Kirkendall Nature Center, which provides informative displays with both live and preserved animals, offers insights into the natural ecosystems of Central Indiana.

During winter months, the park is home to one of the best sledding hills in Kokomo, and it offers facilities like the Kokomo Pipeline Skate Park, a playground, picnic shelters, open fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, and a beach volleyball court.

11. Kokomo Speedway

From April through October, exhilarating races take place on Sunday evenings at this racing circuit located on the northern outskirts of Kokomo. Established in 1947, Kokomo Speedway is a quarter-mile bullring designed explicitly for sprint car racing, which still dominates its schedule.

The highlight of the annual racing season is the Kokomo Klash, featuring a diverse array of race categories, along with fireworks scheduled for the Sunday preceding July 4th, and regular monster truck events.

Notable competitors who have graced Kokomo Speedway include legends such as Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon, A. J. Foyt, and Ryan Newman.

12. Treasure Mart Antique Mall

For those with a passion for seeking out distinct treasures in expansive antique centers, Kokomo offers a perfect destination.

Founded in 1995, the Treasure Mart Antique Mall is situated in a former wood-planing mill dating back to 1869, featuring over 70 dealers.

This elegant brick structure boasts more than 25,000 square feet of floor space, providing ample opportunity to explore the diverse offerings from various vendors.

Specialties include historic advertising, coins, jewelry, pottery, linens, furniture, toys, dolls, books, primitives, and fishing gear.

13. Greentown Glass Museum

Kokomo is part of the Indiana Glass Trail, which connects historical factories and glass-related attractions across five counties in Eastern Indiana.

The next stop on this trail is located just east of Kokomo in Greentown.

In the early 20th century, Greentown gained recognition for its collectible glassware; however, this industry plummeted following a devastating fire at the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Factory in 1903.

The products crafted at that plant remain highly sought after. Hundreds of exquisite pieces of Greentown glass, produced between 1894 and 1903, are exhibited at the Greentown Glass Museum, which was established in 1970 to coincide with the 67th anniversary of the fire.

Visitors can appreciate the varied patterns and colors produced by the factory, and an intriguing display helps to differentiate genuine Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Factory glass from reproductions.

14. Grissom Air Museum

Approximately ten miles north of Kokomo lies the Grissom Air Reserve Base, which was established as a U.S. Navy installation in 1942 and transitioned to an Air Force base following the Korean War. Since being downsized in 1991, the base now also functions as a civil airport.

The museum was inaugurated in 1987, subsequently adding an indoor exhibit area a few years later, showcasing a collection of over 20 aircraft in a remarkable outdoor setting, primarily from the mid-20th century.

Standout aircraft include the Grumman F-11 Tiger, McDonnell F-4C Phantom II, Boeing B-47B Stratojet, Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II, and a Grumman F-14 Tomcat, reminiscent of its appearance in Top Gun (1986).

Inside, visitors can explore compelling exhibits, including the cabin of an HH-1K helicopter and the cockpit of an F-4C. Additionally, an ascension of a five-story Cold War-era observation tower offers an exceptional view of the base.

15. Markland Mall

Situated along Indiana State Road 931 in southeastern Kokomo, visitors will discover a substantial commercial area featuring a variety of shopping centers, big-box retailers, chain restaurants, and this enclosed mall that has operated since the 1960s.

Like many similar locations, Markland Mall has experienced significant tenant turnover in recent years, yet all nine anchor stores remain operational.

Prominent brands include Target, American Eagle, Claire’s, Foot Locker, GameStop, Kay Jewelers, Rue21, Bath & Body Works, and PetSmart.

For family-friendly attractions, Gravity Trampoline Park is a recent addition, and the nearest cinema, AMC Classic Kokomo 12, is situated just a few minutes away at Kokomo Town Center.