Kokomo
Around Kokomo
Photo: Derek Jensen (Tysto) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Indiana · 84k people
Kokomo
“City of Firsts”
Where the spirit of invention meets the heartland.
Kokomo Wildkats redCorn gold
Welcome to Kokomo, the City of Firsts! Whether you're here for the racing, the history, or just to grab a tenderloin, you'll find friendly folks and a sense of community. Come for the speedway, stay for the small-town charm.
Clubs for Kokomo
No clubs for Kokomo yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Kokomo. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Kokomo. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Seiberling Mansion Historic Victorian mansion housing the Howard County Museum.
- Kokomo Speedway Famous dirt track hosting weekly sprint car races.
- Kokomo Municipal Stadium Home of the Kokomo Jackrabbits baseball team.
- Highland Park Large city park with playgrounds, trails, and a lake.
- Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center Local water park with pools and slides.
- Elwood Haynes Museum Home of the inventor of the automobile, with exhibits.
- Outdoors Fishing at Kokomo Reservoir
- Outdoors Hiking at Highland Park
- With kids Kokomo Jackrabbits baseball games
- With kids Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center
- Evenings Local sports bars
- Evenings Brew pubs
- Locals love Dirt track racing
- Locals love Local diners
Through the year
- Howard County Fair summer Summer fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Kokomo Farmers Market summer Local produce and crafts every Saturday morning.
- Kokomo Civic Theatre productions year-round Community theater performances throughout the year.
- Kokomo Speedway racing season spring to fall Weekly sprint car races on the dirt track.
- Kokomo Jackrabbits home games summer Prospect League baseball at Municipal Stadium.
Kokomo has four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors. Best: Spring and fall are mild and pleasant, ideal for outdoor activities.
Getaways
- Peru (Peru, IN) Circus history and the Wabash River.
- Logansport (Logansport, IN) Riverfront trails and historic downtown.
- Frankfort (Frankfort, IN) Small-town charm and local eateries.
- Marion (Marion, IN) Mississinewa Reservoir and veterans memorial.
Local flavour
Rooting for Indianapolis Colts (NFL), Indiana Pacers (NBA), Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA), Purdue Boilermakers (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A Hoosier staple, breaded and fried, served on a bun with pickles and onions.
- Sugar cream pie Indiana's official state pie, a simple custard-like pie made with cream, sugar, and nutmeg.
Where people go
- Cornfields and rural farmland The surrounding countryside is defined by vast fields, small farmsteads, and quiet country roads.
- Local diners and family-owned restaurants Classic Midwestern diners serving comfort food and homemade pies.
Heritage and traditions
Kokomo is proud of its 'City of Firsts' heritage, from the first automobile to stainless steel, and its tight-knit Hoosier community with a strong automotive and glassmaking history.
This time of year in Kokomo
- High school football Fall Friday night lights and community support in the fall.
Say it like a local: “You guys” — Plural you
Festivals
- Kokomo Jazz & Blues Festival August A summer event featuring local and regional jazz and blues performers.
- Kokomo Greek Festival September Greek food, music, and dancing at the local Greek Orthodox church.
- Kokomo Art Walk First Fridays Monthly downtown art stroll with galleries, vendors, and live music.
- Kokomo Christmas Parade December Holiday parade with floats, bands, and Santa through downtown.
Landmarks with a story
- Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory The oldest art glass manufacturer in the US, offering tours and a showroom.
- Howard County Courthouse Historic courthouse with a distinctive clock tower in the town square.
- St. Patrick's Catholic Church A historic church known for its stained glass and architecture.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Friday night fish fries at Catholic churches during Lent, a community staple.
- Persimmon pudding A Hoosier dessert made from wild persimmons, often served at church dinners and fall gatherings.
- Hoosier-style pizza Thin, cracker-crust pizza cut into squares, a regional favorite.
Music and arts
- Kokomo Opalescent Glass Art glass manufacturing with a long history of colored glass used in architecture.
- Kokomo Jazz A local jazz scene with venues and the annual Jazz & Blues Festival.
A little history
- 1844 Kokomo founded and named after a Miami chief
- 1894 Elwood Haynes builds the first gasoline-powered automobile in Kokomo
- 1912 Haynes invents stainless steel
- 1971 Ryan White born in Kokomo
- 1980s Automotive industry boom and subsequent layoffs
- Game day Racing at the Kokomo Speedway
- Game day High school basketball (Hoosier Hysteria)
- Outdoors Fishing at Kokomo Reservoir
- Outdoors Hiking at Highland Park
- With kids Kokomo Jackrabbits baseball games
- With kids Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center
Kokomoans speak a Midwestern accent, often saying 'pop' for soft drinks and referring to themselves as 'Hoosiers.' They may say 'crick' for creek, and 'you guys' is common for a group.
Only here
- Kokomo is the 'City of Firsts,' claiming the first automobile and first stainless steel.
- The Kokomo Speedway is one of the most legendary dirt tracks in the country.
- Kokomo Opalescent Glass is the oldest art glass manufacturer in the US.
- Locals joke that the Beach Boys' song 'Kokomo' isn't about this town, but they still sing along.
New here? A few tips
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner—it's a Hoosier classic.
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters; pack layers.
- Get used to saying 'pop' for soft drinks and calling yourself a 'Hoosier.'
- Visit the Kokomo Speedway for a dirt-track race—it's a local institution.
- Learn about the city's 'firsts' at the Elwood Haynes Museum and the Kokomo Opalescent Glass factory.
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Part of Indianapolis area
Nearby
Every areaPeruIndianaWhere the big top meets the heartlandLogansportIndianaWhere the rivers meet and the bridges tell storiesFrankfortIndianaWhere the cornfields meet the skyMarionIndianaWhere roses meet the heartlandWabashIndianaA bright spot in the heartland.MonticelloIndianaHome of Indiana Beach and quiet watersLafayetteIndianaWhere the Wabash meets the BoilermakersHuntingtonIndianaWhere the Wabash runs through the heartland.
Kokomo, IN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.