Kokomo, Indiana – Interesting Places – Things To Do With Kids

Kokomo, Indiana

Kokomo, Indiana may not be on your list of places to go this summer but if you have school children, it may be one to consider.  My grandson, Aidan, brought this to our attention.  He loves action figures.  It seems he discovered that there is this unique toy store in Kokomo that specializes in action figures.  What are the odds?

Since he knew that I grew up in Indiana, he asked me what the chances are that we might take a trip there.  Well, I talked to Dave about it.  The kids were staying with us for an entire day so we began to look for other places of interest around Kokomo, Indiana.

Kokomo is Indiana’s 13th largest city and it lies in Howard County. 

[ctt template=”8″ link=”Hct3Y” via=”no” ]Places to visit in Kokomo, Indiana – Artie’s Tenderloin, Kokomo Toys and Collectibles, Highland Park – World’s largest steer, Largest Sycamore stump, and Wilson Farm Market just down the road.[/ctt]

Artie’s Tenderloin In Kokomo, Indiana

Knowing that I love tenderloin sandwiches, Dave found a little place that had breaded pork tenderloins, my favorite sandwich.  At 922 S Main Street, Artie’s Tenderloin was opened in 1938.  This is a tiny old diner, which seats only 22 people.  When we entered the diner, the booths in the back were available but only seated two.  An older gentleman got up and graciously let the four of us sit in one of the bigger booths.    The service is great and the owners, who cook and serve, are very friendly.  Local people kept streaming in as we ate.  We knew they were local because they were called by name as they entered.

This is the first time I’ve ever had the option of a small or large tenderloin.  We ordered the small tenderloin and ate it all!  Typically, a regular tenderloin is huge and eating the whole thing is impossible.  This option is great.  The guys ordered french fries with their sandwiches.  The fries were good, too.  Sophie enjoyed a club sandwich.  The prices here are really reasonable, too.

Kokomo Toy Store

After leaving Artie’s, we headed to the toy store that inspired this visit, Kokomo Toys & Collectibles.  My grandson loves action figures, takes pictures of them, and makes stop motion videos.  This toy store is a treasure trove for kids and adults who do this.  The owners, Todd and Amber Jordan, buy and sell action figures.  What are the odds that our 12-year-old grandson finds this place on the internet?

The decor in the store is interesting!  On the balcony, Slimer from Ghostbusters caught my eye.  Sophie found a couple of Funko Pops and made her purchase.  These were new to me but the kids were well aware of them.

Aidan found a couple of action figures but with his limited budget could only purchase one.  He finally made his decision and his purchase.  I can’t wait to see his pictures and stop motion videos of Predator.

Then, we were off to Highland Park to see a couple of local attractions of interest.

Largest Steer In The World In Kokomo, Indiana

 Did you know that in 1902 the largest calf in the world was raised on a farm about 12 miles north of Kokomo?  In a covered pavilion at the Visitor’s Center in Highland Park, a sign in front of Old Ben’s stuffed carcass, (this is not a plastic replica of the steer,) says the huge calf was an object of wonder.  He weighed 125 pounds at birth.  He weighed 2 tons at the age of four.

When he died, Old Ben was 6.5 feet tall at the shoulders and 16 – foot 2-inches from the end of his nose to the tip of his tail and weighed nearly 5000 pounds.  By all accounts, he still holds the record.

 Sycamore Stump In Kokomo, Indiana

In this same park, the ‘Sycamore Stump’ is displayed in another covered pavilion.  It is one of the few remaining area landmarks of the past.  The one hundred foot sycamore tree stood along the bank of Wildcat Creek until a bad storm broke it off.  This huge hollow stump measured 57 feet in circumference.  It is 18 feet wide and 12 feet tall!   Reports are that one of the lower branches on the tree was 8-feet in diameter!  This stump was moved to Highland Park back in June of 1916.  (Sorry about the picture.  You can see the reflection of the windows on the glass.)

Sophie commented that she could live in this stump!  It is the size of a small house!  I read that at one time it was used as a phone booth and 24 people could be inside at the same time.  What an impressive tree this must have been when it was standing.

Wilson Farm Market

On our way back through Indianapolis, we stopped at Wilson Farm Market in Arcadia, Indiana.   It is located at 1720 E. 256th Street.  We strolled through aisles of Amish made jellies, candies, cookies, noodles, and other items too numerous to list.  Dave and the kids wanted ice cream.  Aidan was first up and wanted a double scoop on a waffle cone.  This is not a small waffle cone and when I saw the double scoop, asked for a bowl in order to avoid a disaster.  We turned the cone upside down in the bowl and the top scoop filled an entire bowl with ice cream!  This is not your normal double scoop!   Sophie and Dave opted for single scoops.

Two and a half hours away from us, this Kokomo, Indiana was a fun day-trip.  On our way home, Aidan asked if we could go back again.  He plans to work for some more money and buy another action figure!  Lol!

Looking for some more Indiana trips?  Click here ►Lawrenceburg, Dillsboro, and Versailles  ►Madison, Indiana  ►Indianapolis Children’s Museum  ► 5 Reasons You Need To Visit Southern Indiana ►Casey’s Outdoor Solutions Garden and Gifts.

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