Kokomo, Indiana: Best Things to Do - Top Picks

Ever wondered why Kokomo, Indiana is a top spot to visit? This city in the Midwest is full of history, new attractions, and outdoor fun. It grew fast in the late 1800s with the discovery of natural gas. Then, industrialists like Elwood Haynes made history by opening Indiana's first car plant.

Key Takeaways

• Kokomo experienced significant growth in the late 19th century with the discovery of natural gas.
• Elwood Haynes, a metallurgy and machinery specialist, opened Indiana's first automobile plant in Kokomo in 1898.
• Kokomo industrialists were pioneers in producing the pneumatic rubber tire, the carburetor, and the push-button car radio.
• Kokomo, Indiana boasts an impressive 14 "firsts" between 1894 and 1957, including the first commercially built car and the first All Transistor Car Radio.
• Kokomo offers a blend of outdoor recreation, historic sites, and vibrant dining and entertainment options for an unforgettable visit.

Get ready to discover the hidden treasures and stories that make Kokomo special. Let's dive into the best activities and top spots in this lively city.

Outdoor Dining Patios in Kokomo

Kokomo, Indiana, has a lively outdoor dining scene. It offers many places for alfresco meals and drinks. You can find upscale steakhouses and local pizzerias with great patios on Buckeye Street.

Marble The Steakhouse

Marble The Steakhouse is on Buckeye Street. It offers a top-notch dining experience indoors and on its patio. Here, guests can enjoy tasty steaks, seafood, and more in a lively setting.

Oscar's Pizza

Oscar's Pizza is also on Buckeye Street. It has a patio where you can eat delicious pizza and take photos of the local art.

Sun King Brewery

Sun King Brewery on Buckeye Street is known for its great patio. It's perfect for craft beer lovers. The patio has cornhole, table tennis, and other fun games for socializing and having a good time.

Missy's Cafe

Missy's Cafe is on Buckeye Street too. It has a patio where you can enjoy tasty breakfast and coffee outside.

Three Amigos

Three Amigos rounds out Buckeye Street's patio scene. Here, you can try real Mexican food and drinks. The patio has lights and a fire pit for a cozy feel.

"The patio at Sun King Brewery is the perfect spot to enjoy a craft beer and some friendly competition with a game of cornhole or table tennis."

Downtown Kokomo Patios

Kokomo, Indiana, has a lively downtown with many patios great for eating outside. You can find cozy cafes and fun Irish pubs. These spots let locals and visitors enjoy the warm Midwestern vibe.

Main Street Cafe

Main Street Cafe is a favorite spot known for its lovely patio, great coffee, and yummy food. The cafe has new owners who also run Whyte Horse Winery. They're updating the place to offer more mocktails and dishes.

Foxes Trail

The Foxes Trail patio is a gem in downtown Kokomo's outdoor dining. It sits by the beautiful Wildcat Creek. Here, you can enjoy live music during the Riverwalk Concert Series with tasty food and drinks.

Cook McDoogal's Irish Pub

For real Irish food and drinks outside, go to Cook McDoogal's Irish Pub. It's the only place in Kokomo with an Irish-themed patio. It's perfect for those who love Irish flavors.

"Kokomo's downtown patios are the heartbeat of the city, offering a truly memorable al fresco dining experience."

Mexican Restaurants with Outdoor Seating

Kokomo, Indiana, has many Mexican restaurants with outdoor seating. Los Amigos and Mi Familia are two great places that have updated their patios. They offer a fun dining experience outside.

Los Amigos

Los Amigos is a new and improved Mexican spot in Kokomo. It has a big patio where you can enjoy tasty Mexican food and drinks, like horchata by the pitcher. The place has a lively vibe and real Mexican flavors. It's a top choice for outdoor Mexican dining in Kokomo.

Mi Familia

Mi Familia is a favorite Mexican place in Kokomo that just got a new patio. Now, guests can eat authentic Mexican food outside. You can try everything from hot fajitas to cool margaritas. The patio is great for a fun and tasty meal outside.

If you want tacos, enchiladas, or Mexican drinks, these two places in Kokomo are perfect. They mix great food, a fun atmosphere, and sunshine for a perfect dining experience.

Family-Friendly Patio Dining

Kokomo, Indiana, has many family-friendly patio dining spots. These places are great for both parents and kids. Top choices include

Pizza Co.

and

Prodigy Bar & Grill

Pizza Co. is a new but fast favorite in Kokomo. It's near a biking trail and a park, perfect for family outings. The patio is a great place to enjoy pizza and watch the kids play.

For a fun patio spot, try Prodigy Bar & Grill. This place has a cool outdoor area. You can enjoy boozy milkshakes or other drinks while seeing the Markland Mall. It's great for both casual and special events.

Looking for a casual pizza night or a fun patio event? Kokomo has family-friendly dining spots for a great time with your family.

Newly Renovated Patios

Kokomo, Indiana, is buzzing with new life thanks to two big updates. Kokomo Alehouse and Choo Choo McGoo's have both refreshed their outdoor spaces.

Kokomo Alehouse

The Kokomo Alehouse, once known as Mulligan's, now boasts a new patio. Here, guests can enjoy tasty pub food, craft beers, and cocktails. The patio is cozy and welcoming, great for eating outside and hanging out with friends.

Choo Choo McGoo's

Choo Choo McGoo's on Markland has a lovely patio. It's perfect for eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner all day. It's close to other fun spots like Lucky Lemon Bakery and Lexi's Drink Barn, making it a great place to spend the day.

Looking for a cold beer or a hearty meal? The patios at Kokomo Alehouse and Choo Choo McGoo's are ideal. They offer a great outdoor experience in Kokomo.

Kokomo, Indiana: Best Things to Do - Top Picks

Kokomo, Indiana, is full of attractions for everyone. It has a rich history and a lively downtown. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities that highlight Kokomo's best.

The city is known for its outdoor patios where you can eat and relax. Marble The Steakhouse, Oscar's Pizza, Sun King Brewery, and Missy's Cafe are great spots for outdoor dining. They let you enjoy Kokomo's vibe.

In downtown Kokomo, there's a lot to see and do. Places like Main Street Cafe, Foxes Trail, and Cook McDoogal's Irish Pub have outdoor seating. For Mexican food lovers, Los Amigos and Mi Familia are perfect with their patio seats.

Families will find many fun spots in Kokomo. Pizza Co. and Prodigy Bar & Grill are great for family meals outside. The city's updated patios at Kokomo Alehouse and Choo Choo McGoo's add to the outdoor dining fun.

Kokomo is also rich in history and has many attractions. It's where many car innovations started, shown at the Elwood Haynes Museum and Grissom Air Museum. You can also visit the Artist Alley and try unique foods at the Popcorn Cafe.

Kokomo has something for everyone, from outdoor fun to historic sites and great food. With its best things to do and top picks, it's a city you should visit. It's perfect for Kokomo sightseeing, Kokomo travel guide, and Kokomo vacation ideas.

Beloved Local Patios

In Kokomo, Indiana, the local patios are favorite spots for both locals and visitors. Pastarrific and El Arrerio Mexican Bar & Grill stand out as top choices.

Pastarrific

Pastarrific is a favorite in Kokomo, known for its great patio. It's perfect for enjoying classic Italian dishes under the sun. Whether you're having homemade pasta or a wood-fired pizza, the patio is a hit.

El Arrerio Mexican Bar & Grill

El Arrerio's patio is where Kokomo folks go for chips, salsa, and margaritas. The atmosphere is lively, with vibrant decor that adds to the fun. It's a top spot for real Mexican food and cool drinks.

"The Pastarrific patio is a local favorite, and the El Arrerio patio is the perfect place to enjoy Mexican food and drinks in the sunshine."

Refreshing Spring Drinks in Kokomo

As spring comes to Kokomo, Indiana, people are looking for cool drinks. They want something refreshing and fun. Kokomo's bars and restaurants have a great selection of drinks for spring, like Frozen Long Island Iced Tea and boozy slushies.

Frozen Long Island Iced Tea from The Foxes Trail

The Frozen Long Island Iced Tea at The Foxes Trail is a hit. It's perfect for the outdoor patio, offering a cool and strong drink.

Boozy Slushies from Sun King Kokomo

Sun King Kokomo is famous for its boozy slushies. They have many flavors that change with the seasons. These drinks are a fun way to stay cool in spring.

Snowshake from Kokomo Frozen Custard

The Snowshake at Kokomo Frozen Custard is a unique treat. It mixes slushie and frozen custard for a special spring or summer drink.

Frozen Lemonade from Black Wax Cafe

Black Wax Cafe offers frozen lemonade in classic lemon or with raspberry, blueberry, or orange flavors. It's a cool and pretty drink for spring or summer.

Lavender Lemonade from The Radish

The Radish's lavender lemonade is loved for its tasty and light flavor. It's also very pretty, making it the "official drink of spring" for the Kokomo Post staff.

"Kokomo's bars and eateries are serving up a delightful array of spring-inspired drinks to quench your thirst."

Unique Kokomo Drink Spots

Kokomo, Indiana, is known for its vibrant food scene, but it also has amazing drink spots. Each place offers a special drink experience. Let's explore some top spots for drinks in Kokomo.

Mocktails & More from Main Street Cafe

Main Street Cafe, now owned by Whyte Horse Winery's owners, will soon offer mocktails and more. They'll have non-alcoholic cocktails for those who want a classy drink without the alcohol.

Lemonade from Lexi's Drink Barn

Lexi's Drink Barn is famous for its lemonade and other cool drinks. Whether you want a classic lemon shake or something new, Lexi's has it.

Walt & Shirley's Wine Slush

Walt & Shirley's Bar & Grill is known for its tasty wine slushies. These frozen drinks are a hit in Kokomo for beating the heat.

Cold Brew Float from Sweet Peas Play Cafe

Sweet Peas Play Cafe has a special cold brew float. It's made with cold brew coffee and creamy ice cream from Sweet Retreat Homemade Ice Cream and More. It's perfect for coffee fans.

Happy Nutrition

Happy Nutrition is where you can find healthy drinks like shakes and teas. It's great for those who want tasty but guilt-free drinks. They offer a variety of unique drink spots that are good for you.

Historical Attractions in Kokomo

Kokomo, Indiana, has a deep history thanks to its industrialists. They played a big role in the early days of automotive technology. Visitors can dive into the city's history and learn about its big impact on American innovation.

One top spot is the Elwood Haynes Museum. It showcases the 1905 Model L horseless carriage, which cost $1,350 back then. Another gem is the Kokomo Opalescent Glass factory, which has been making glass since 1888 and sends its products all over the world.

Kokomo is also known for many "firsts" from 1894 to 1957. This includes the first commercially made car and the first All Transistor Car Radio. You can explore this history at the city's museums and historical sites.

For those into local farming, Heritage Farm Suri Alpacas is a must-see. It spans over 100 acres and is home to 70 alpacas. It's a great place to learn about these fascinating animals.

Kokomo's history and spirit draw visitors from everywhere. It's a top spot for those into historical attractions and American innovation.

Kokomo has a rich history and a lively culture. It offers a wide range of experiences for those interested in historical attractions and American innovation.

Conclusion

In Kokomo, Indiana, you've found a mix of modern fun and historic charm. The city has outdoor dining spots and unique drink places for everyone. It's a place full of experiences for all kinds of tastes and interests.

Kokomo is great for families, food lovers, or history buffs. The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library shows the city's effort to make things easier for everyone. They've stopped charging late fees, making books more accessible to the community.

When planning your next trip to Indiana, don't forget Kokomo. This lively city is full of top things to do, attractions, activities, tourist spots, sightseeing opportunities, and vacation ideas. You'll make memories that will last a lifetime and want to come back for more.