Upland Grant Indiana - Top Sights 

• Upland Attractions – Jefferson Township, Grant County
• Upland Sights & Attractions
• - Town Hall
• - Upland Public Library
• - Upland Community Park
• - Upland Historical Society Museum
• - Main road
• - Upland Water Tower
• Other special sights in the vicinity of Upland, Indiana
• Conclusion
• - Upland attractions

Upland Attractions – Jefferson Township, Grant County

Honestly, if you think Indiana is just corn fields and endless highways, you haven't experienced Upland yet. The city was founded in 1869, named after the same name place in Ohio, and has since then more than just a few corn fields to offer. Embedded in the Jefferson Township, Grant County, Upland grew thanks to the railway line that once formed the backbone of the local economy – a bit like the blood pumped through the veins of a small but proud community. I usually drive over the I‐69, which practically cuts past the city, and if you prefer to find the charm of the highway, take the US‐35; both take you to the heart of Upland without having to torment you through endless dams.

Now that you’re here, you don’t have to work the “Upland Sights” as a checklist, but as small discoveries that you’d almost overlook if you don’t look closely. For example, the old town hall, which has more stories to tell than some blog about big city trips – and this without admission. And then there’s the weekly farmer market meeting where you can taste real Hoosier hospitality while discussing the latest trends in maize production (no joke, this is a real topic of conversation). So, grab your car, let the GPS sprinkle a bit and enjoy the slightly cynical flair of a city that has more character than you would suspect at first glance.

Upland Sights & Attractions

I have to admit right at the beginning that what I love most about Upland, the old Town Hall is – a bright red brick building that looks like a film set designer from the 1920s was accidentally placed in the middle of the main road. I once organized a spontaneous picnic because the town hall has a small lawn behind the main entrance, and while I took my sandwiches, I heard the quiet squeaking of an old air conditioning system that breathes more history than most museums here in the state. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the local shaft tournament takes place in the side room and everyone tries to get a free space.

A short walk down the main road leads you to Upland Public LibraryI personally consider the best hiding place to be a good book – not only because the shelves are full, but because the librarian, Ms. Henderson, always throws an extra biscuit out of the kitchen when you snoop too long. I borrowed a book about Indiana stories there, just to find out that Upland's history is much more exciting when you browse through the old newspaper archives that store in a dusty corner. Parking behind the building is a narrow strip that leaves enough space for a car as long as you don't get to your friend's van.

If you're looking for a place where you can get rid of your energy without leaving the whole country, then the Upland Community Park That's right. I started an improvised football game there in the summer with a few locals – the high school boys almost ran over the lawn because they thought we were a new team. The playground is small, but the baseball fields are well maintained, and the barbecue on the edge is a popular meeting place for the neighborhood. On weekends there are always a couple of families that let their children swing on the swings, and this is the only time I feel the sound of squeaking rubber boots as soothing.

A bit further down the road, hidden behind an inconspicuous door, lies the Upland Historical Society Museum. I don't quite understand the hype about old school benches, but here next to an original 1900-century schoolbook is an antique wooden chair on which my great-grandfather once sat, and this is a real treasure for me. The exhibition is small, but every exhibit has a story that the leader, Mr. Miller, tells with a mix of dry humor and passionate enthusiasm. I found an old camera there that still worked – a short trip to the past that almost brought me to shoot an analog photo of myself, just to see how I look with a hat from the 30s.

You might think that's all Upland has to offer, but the Main road itself is a small museum. The old shops that still have open here – an antique shop that has more dusty chests than customers, and a small coffee shop that serves the best espresso outside Indianapolis – give the place a charm you don't find in guidebooks. I once discovered an old record player who still worked there, and spontaneously started a vinyl session with the owner while discussing the best burgers in the area. Parking along the street is a bit of a gambling, because the parking clocks here rarely work, but that only makes the spontaneous charm.

A short detour to Upland Water Tower – yes, this is actually a place I can recommend – offers a surprisingly good view over the entire township. I stood there once at sunset, while a tractor slowly crossed the fields, and that was the only time that I had the feeling that the whole world would stand still, only to be torn out of peace by a passing motorcycle driver from the neighborhood. Access is free, and parking is a small gravel path that leaves enough space for a few cars as long as you don't get to your sister's camper.

If you now think that this is just a bunch of small, inconspicuous places, let me give you one last word to the Upland attractions they are not the glittering attractions of a metropolis, but they have what I most appreciate about real travel – real people, real stories and a bit of dust that reminds you that life here is not just an Instagram filter.

Other special sights in the vicinity of Upland, Indiana

The first stop of my little Odyssey is the Mississinewa Lake area, which is just a few minutes east of Upland and, like a forgotten piece of nature, enters the shallow Indiana landscape. I rented an old kayak there, because the water is surprisingly clear in the summer, and was immediately thrilled by the countless fishing spots that hide along the shore – a real secret tip for those who want to escape the city's hustle and bustle. Parking is usually a children's game, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small parking lot turns into a mini-concert for sheet metal scrap trucks.

A short trip to Marion, the county capital, leads to the Marion County Historical Museum. There are old black and white photographs of farmers who tell more about the true Indiana than any Instagram story. I have to admit, I was skeptical about whether a museum in a small town has anything to offer – and then was thrilled by an exhibition about the local railway, which almost made me forget that I was just looking for a coffee. The entrance is free, and the staff is so friendly that they give you almost the feeling that you are a long-term visitor, even though you just crossed the door.

Only a few blocks further rises the Grant County Courthouse, an impressive brick building from the early 20th. Century, with its Romanesque façade almost looks like a set of films. I spent a few minutes there to admire the artistic stonework – a real eye-catcher for everyone who loves architecture, but don't want to stroll through museums for hours. Parking is possible directly in front of the building, but it is necessary to secure a place at an early stage when the weekly court proceedings run.

Kokomo, the next major city, attracts the Kokomo Speedway, a drag-strip that is brought to life by loud motors and cheerful spectators every weekend. I was there on a Friday night when a local driver set up a new record – the adrenaline was almost tangible, and the cheapest beer I ever drank suddenly tasted like luxury. The approach is straightforward over the US‐35, and parking is free at the edge of the terrain as long as you don't get too late and the whole terrain is already full.

Another highlight in Kokomo is the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory, a historic glass factory that has been producing handmade glass for over a century. I took part in a guided tour to see how a piece of raw glass is transformed into a shimmering work of art – a process that requires more patience than I would like to admit. The factory is located a bit away from the city center, but parking is available directly in front of the main entrance, and the staff lets you take a small piece of glass home when you ask nicely.

Conclusion

So, after Upland attractions looking to offer more than the usual small town flair, then you should definitely put these five places on the map – each of them has its own charm, and I promise you will have the feeling of finally knowing Indiana.