Howard County is the perfect location to explore if you want to see and experience some of Indiana’s top attractions.
Howard County was previously known as Richardville County, a name that honored the last “akima” of the natives in the area, Jean Baptiste Richardville.
In Howard County, Indiana, numerous towns and communities are popular for providing tourists with various attractions and activities.
Aside from this, the county is also close to the state’s center, where stunning natural areas are located.
Everyone can find something to do in Howard County, from outdoor activities to arts and culture.
Here are the 15 best things to do in Howard County, Indiana:
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One of the world’s top producers of art glass, Kokomo Opalescent Glass Co. is dedicated to research, education, and advancing the illustrious history and enduring tradition of American glass art.
Kokomo Opalescent Glass Co., established in 1888, is the country’s first manufacturer of hand-cast, cathedral, and opalescent glass.
This company has its proud headquarters in Kokomo, Indiana, and is renowned worldwide for its superior hand-mixed sheet glass.
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You can visit their factory and join the tours of the space!
Watch talented glass artists at work and see them finalize their breathtaking products.
The manufacturing store also sells glass goods for customers and visitors.
The best indoor trampoline park in Central Indiana is called Gravity Trampoline Park.
If you’re looking for an enjoyable location where you can let out all of your energy in a fun way, Gravity Trampoline Park is the place to be!
This trampoline park in Kokomo has an 18,000-square-foot entertainment complex, which includes the Gravity Cafe where you can have a snack when you get hungry.
There is also a second-floor viewing deck where you can take in the city’s beautiful sights.
Kids and kids at heart will have a great time jumping around at this facility.
Howard County Veterans Memorial in Kokomo is a heartfelt memorial to the men and women who gave their lives in service to the nation.
Along with a Prisoners of Wars and Missing in Action Table display, the memorial lists more than 2,000 names of Howard County veterans who served the county.
Roam around this memorial as you discover some of the stories of the brave heroes that fought for the country.
You will also enjoy the beautiful landscape and greenery that surrounds the memorial.
Howard County Veterans Memorial is a fantastic location to discover more about the sacrifices of individuals who have served the nation.
Wildcat Creek Reservoir Park in Kokomo is ideal if you enjoy spending your time outdoors.
This well-known park has a lot to offer with its vast grounds to explore.
Whether you want to hike, explore on a boat, or catch some fish, you can enjoy these activities at this park.
Wildcat Creek Reservoir Park is also a great place to spot local birds or watch different wildlife in their natural habitat.
If you get tired from all the fun recreational activities, you can rest at the shaded picnic areas and have a quick meal with your loved ones.
The KokoMantis is a 2012 sculpture by scrap artist Scott Pitcher that is 22 feet long and 17 feet tall in height.
It’s located in the heart of Kokomo, Indiana, near the intersection of Washington and Sycamore Streets.
The sculpture’s legs are made of traffic light poles, and the torso and wings were constructed from gasoline pontoons from World War II.
This unusual sculpture’s construction and positioning reportedly took 220 hours.
The statue also has a notice that reads, “Please do not climb me; I’m ticklish! “so don’t try to ride on top of it!
Both locals and tourists love to take pictures of this famous public artwork.
When you’re in town, don’t miss taking a selfie with the iconic KokoMantis!
If you’re fond of musical and theatrical plays, the Kokomo Civic Theater is the best place to catch electrifying performances!
The Kokomo Civic Theatre is a non-profit community theater that stages several performances yearly.
It offers various performances that will make you laugh, cry, and even sing along with exceptional actors!
The Kokomo Civic Theatre is dedicated to providing amateur theater of the greatest caliber while highlighting the outstanding skills and heartfelt passion of the performers in Kokomo and its surrounding towns.
If you enjoy live theater, don’t forget to catch a performance here while you’re in Kokomo.
The Greater Kokomo Downtown Association’s All Alleys Lead to Art campaign has resulted in fantastic public art pieces displayed in various areas in Downtown Kokomo.
The gallery features local artist exhibitions on a regular schedule.
Artists and students from universities also participate in these creative exhibitions.
The artworks displayed along the alley are available for everyone to see and appreciate as they stroll down the alley.
It’s a terrific location to see some of Kokomo’s best artworks by great artists in the area while you are going downtown.
If you’re an artist looking to get inspired or an art enthusiast who loves public art installations, check out All Alleys Lead to Art when you visit the area.
The first automobiles were created at the current site of Elwood Haynes Museum now stands.
Elwood Haynes created the first gasoline-powered automobile in 1894.
Haynes, an inventor, is recognized for being the first to make vehicles commercially in 1894.
Additionally, he created satellite and stainless steel products.
This museum in Kokomo chronicles the history of Kokomo’s automobile industry as well as the life and innovative works of Elwood Haynes.
You can roam around this former mansion and discover more about the significant contributions of Haynes to the automobile industry.
If you’re a car enthusiast or a history buff, the Elwood Haynes Museum is a must-visit.
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Seiberling Mansion is a historic home in Kokomo that has become a must-see museum.
Businessman Monroe Seiberling constructed this spectacular Victorian residence in 1892 during Indiana’s gas boom.
The locals widely know Monroe Seiberling as an entrepreneur who built several massive factories in the area in the 19th century.
The Howard County Historical Society currently oversees the mansion, which also serves as the location of the county museum.
It was restored several times back to its original Victorian beauty and now serves as a symbol of Indiana’s 1890s gas boom.
Visitors can tour the estate and discover more about the Seiberlings, who were well-known Kokomo residents.
You can also learn about how the wealthy lived and the type of assets they owned back in the day when you explore the Seiberling Mansion.
Enjoy delicious pasta meals at the popular Italian eatery called PASTArrific Ristorante Italiano.
Many of the recipes served here come from large Italian families, whose views of a recipe involved many “a pinch of this and a touch of that.”
Enjoy straightforward Italian classics that will let you taste authentic Italian flavors.
Aside from serving their signature pasta, they also offer pizzas and steaks on the menu, so you don’t have to worry because there are a lot of dishes you can choose from.
The eatery is a terrific spot to eat with friends or family and has a relaxed atmosphere.
This place will make you feel at home with its service and the dishes they prepare with love.
Try one of the specials when you visit PASTArrific Ristorante Italiano in Kokomo.
You might even catch live music performances when you dine here if you’re lucky!
Take a peaceful walk around Foster Park in Kokomo, a beautiful open area next to the Kokomo Riverwalk.
This is where you can find the iconic 16-feet tall sculpture of Willie, a white whale.
Strike a pose and take memorable snaps with this extraordinary sculpture!
Aside from this tall sculpture, there is also a skate park and playground where your kids can play to their heart’s content.
If you get hungry, you can also enjoy a quick meal at the picnic areas in the park.
Foster Parks is a great spot to chill with your family or enjoy the beautiful and serene surroundings.
The downtown Kokomo area is home to the big antique mall known as Treasure Mart Antiques Mall.
The Treasure Mart Mall is a fantastic location for browsing and shopping for one-of-a-kind vintage items.
Here, you can find a wide range of vintage goods, including collectibles, glassware, and furniture.
It has over 70 dealers housed under one roof, covering 25,000 square feet.
They also have staff willing to assist you with your queries when shopping at the mall.
If you own several valuable antiques and want to earn money, you can sell them here because they also buy vintage items.
Visit Treasure Mart Antiques Mall if you’re looking for something special and gifts or souvenirs for your family and friends.
The Greentown History Center is a museum devoted to the history of Greentown, Indiana.
The museum has displays about the town’s founding story, the glass industry, and residents who had a significant influence on the members and locals in the neighborhood.
The Greentown Historical Society has a permanent collection of 1,040 objects donated by 200 people.
These unique and rare objects are kept secure at the History Center.
Aside from this, the artifacts are used for research and exhibitions in thematic displays that you can check out when you visit.
Discover more about this small town’s past and learn about its important events at Greentown History Center!
Have a soft spot for dogs and cats?
Then this animal shelter is a place you must visit.
Kokomo Humane Society is an animal sanctuary that houses stray animals.
As a shelter, this center provides adoption services and volunteer opportunities to assist with animal care.
The Kokomo Humane Society works to enhance the lives of animals by avoiding cruelty through education and pairing animals with devoted, responsible households.
Being a no-kill facility, they will never consider euthanizing healthy, adoptable animals.
You can also volunteer at the shelter and enjoy the companionship of lovely animals here.
You may even find a furry companion that can be your next lifelong best friend!
Highland Park in Kokomo appears to be a typical small-town public park at first sight, with baseball diamonds, old trees, long stretches of lush grass, and a river running through it.
While it may seem like your usual park, the assortment of unique items kept here is what sets it apart.
The World’s Largest Sycamore Stump and Old Ben are two historical landmarks that can be found in Highland Park.
The Sycamore Stump is one of the few historical landmarks in Howard County.
According to some who remember it, the tree was 100 feet tall until storms reduced it to a big, hollow stump.
One of the lower branches was said to be eight feet in diameter, while the trunk measured more than 50 feet in circumference.
Newspaper reports state that the tree was thought to be 1,500 years old.
The stump was brought to Highland Park in 1916, so it might be maintained as a reminder of the county’s early days.
On the other hand, the Old Ben, the biggest steer in the world, can also be found here.
He was born in 1902, and his enormous size rapidly brought him attention.
His owners, Mike and John Murphy, took him to local fairs so everyone could see him.
Ben tragically only lived eight years after injuring his leg in a fall.
He was 16 feet long, over six feet tall, and weighed about 4700 pounds.
Anyone interested in the extraordinary events in the history of Kokomo must visit these two attractions at Highland Park.
Howard County has a lot to offer residents and visitors alike.
There are several historical landmarks, museums, and parks that you’ll enjoy exploring, whatever your interests are.
Howard County is the place to be if you’re looking for a location to escape your daily routine and have a fun-filled vacation.
Try these 15 best things to do in Howard County, Indiana, when you visit the area!
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