Visit Indian Heights Howard Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Indian Heights, Indiana: Discover the beautiful nature of Hoosier National Forest and the Indian Caverns. Exciting hiking trails and underground treasures await you!
If you're looking for Indian Height's attractions, you're right here because I know the neighborhood better than my own living room. Indian Heights was born in the late 1950s as a suburb for the growing working class of Indianapolis and was officially convened in the city in 2008 – a bureaucratic step that barely touched the local identity but made the taxpayers happy.
I like to drive the old U.S.-31, which borders directly through the heart of Washington Township, and then a short trip to I-65 to reach the quiet residential area. The IndyGo Bus Line 31 practically stops at every corner, so no reason to torture the car if you want to feel like a real insider.
A walk through the small parks here is almost already therapeutic – not because they are spectacular, but because they convey the rare feeling that someone still believes in the neighborhood. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the huge shopping malls in Indianapolis, but the small family-run cafés along 84th Street are really great and give the place a little soul.
If you are looking for a day full of “Indian Heights Sights”, I recommend sitting on one of the many street corners, sneaking a cool beer and enjoying the quiet sum of the suburbs – this is the real highlight that no one mentions in guides.
So, next time you're gonna climb over Highway 31 and think you've already seen everything, let me get the Indian Heights Community Center put to the heart – this is my personal favorite place, and I say not only because I have my weekly Badminton round there. The place is a bit like the heartbeat thermostat of the district: a huge indoor swimming pool that looks almost like a small lake in the summer, and a gym that makes more noise than a building structure. Parking? Mostly a Klack, as long as you don’t arrive on Friday night after the “Senioren-Disco-Abend” – then parking becomes a small adventure, because suddenly every neighbor leaves his car where you wanted to leave your car.
A short walk (or a quick sprint, depending on the mood) leads you to Indian Heights Park. I don't understand the hype about huge city parks, but here you have the perfect balance: a well-maintained playground, a basketball court that is always occupied (I once tried to make a free kick there, and was promptly laughed by a 12-year-old who then gave me the ball back), and a small lake where you can dive your toes into the water in the summer. Practical: There are some benches that are not occupied by birds, and the toilet is clean enough that I would even show it to my little nephew – no joke.
If you are looking for a bit of spiritual food, look at these Indian Heights Library an inconspicuous brick box, which is a real treasure box. I found an old photo album there that documents the history of the neighborhood up to the 70s – a real find for anyone who wants to inhale a bit of nostalgia. The library has free Wi-Fi (a blessing if you want to live your Instagram story) and the staff is so friendly that they even recommend you a book that you would never have considered because you are too old-fashioned. And yes, parking here is always a Klack, because the road in front of the building is rarely traveled.
A bit away from the usual tourist paths (if you can call it that at all) Indian Heights Fire Station Museum – yes, that's not a joke. The old fire station was reworked to a mini-museum that shows the history of the local fire brigade, including old helmets, hose reels and a really banging siren that you can accidentally activate on a visit if you don't watch. I remember how I was there with my father when I was a child and we accidentally triggered the alarm – that was the loudest “Hello” of my life, and the neighbors came immediately to see what was going on. Practical: There is no entrance fee, and parking is right in front of the door, but be warned that the siren can short-term agitate your ears.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is the Indian Heights Farmers Marketthat take place every second Saturday in the summer. Here there are fresh strawberries, homemade jam and the best corn flask I've ever eaten – crispy, sweet and with a pinch of salt that immediately reminds you of childhood. I once met an old acquaintance that I had not seen since primary school; we talked about the weather and the rising prices for avocados, while we slept through the stands. The market has limited parking space, so come on foot or by bike, otherwise you have to decide between a crowded parking lot and an oblique parking lot behind the supermarket.
And because I don't just want to list the usual spots, here's a little secret tip: Access to White River Trail at Indian Heights is a short walk from the Community Center. The path is well marked, leads through a piece of forest and offers a view of the river, which provides a great colour play especially in autumn. I have often set up my headphones there and just walked through nature with the rhythm of my steps – this is the best antidote for me against everyday stress. Note: The trail is not illuminated, so bring a flashlight when you are on the go after sunset.
So these are my Indian Heights AttractionsI would recommend to anyone who wants to experience something away from the great tourist flows. I could go for hours, but I don't want to overwhelm you with too many details – you know, I'm a little cynical when it comes to excessive advertising. Pack your stuff, take some curiosity and let you surprise what this little part of Indiana has to offer. And if you're in the area next time, let me know – I'd like to show you where the best coffee is to be found while we're philosophical about life.
I must confess that I was never a big fan of exaggerated city leaders – they always talk about “must-see” and forget that the true life pulsates between the concrete blocks. So the other day I was standing with my folding bike at the edge of Indian Heights, grabbed me a coffee from the kiosk around the corner and left me from my mood to the first Beberling Mansion drive a bit like a dusty shop window from the 1910s. The house is technically in the heart of Kokomo, but the ride there is a short sprint over the US‐31, and parking is almost always a children's game – unless you arrive there with the whole family circus on Saturday night, then parking becomes a small Survival game.
Inside the manor house you will meet a collection of furniture that has more charm than a whole quarter of Instagram influencers. I almost felt like a time traveler there until an elderly gentleman told me that the “Gister Tour Program” was just a marketing gag. No joke, the leadership was still exciting because the history of the Seiberling family – from the rubber industry to the local charity activities – remains alive here. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about “historical villas”, but this is a real jewel you shouldn't miss.
A short detour leads me to Kokomo Museumhidden in a former bank building. The exhibition is a colorful mix of local inventions (such as the first automatic bottle opener) and personal stories of people born here and never moved away again. I discovered an old photo of my great-grandfather that was in a showcase – a moment that reminded me that history has not only dusty books but real faces. Practical: The museum is located directly on the main road, so parking is almost always free, except when a local school ball takes place.
If you're looking for something that the adrenaline sends a little into the limbs, then the Kokomo Speedway That's right. The dirt track is a few miles south of Indian Heights, and I have experienced a nightly race night there for the first time – the moaning of the engines, the bright light of the floodlight system and the occasional bulging of the crowd, which is almost like a rock concert, only with more rubber smell. I met there with an old friend who told me that parking at the Speedway is always a bit messy because the places are not numbered – you just have to bring some patience and hope you don't come too late, otherwise you're stuck in the traffic jam of the racing fans.
A bit further east, almost like a small trip to the neighboring country, is this Hoosier Park in Anderson. I saw a horse race there for the first time, and that was a bit like a movie from the 80s, only that the horses were real and not plastic. The atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed, and the food – especially the hot dogs – is better than you would expect. The way there leads over the I‐69, and parking is free at the main parking lot of the track, as long as you are not at the big Derby day, that will be a bit more expensive.
For those who prefer the water and nature is Lake Kokomo a real secret tip. The lake is just a few minutes away from Indian Heights, and I made a small picnic with my neighbor on a warm summer afternoon. The lake is not only suitable for fishing, but also for canoeing – the docks are well maintained, and parking is right on the shore, where you can easily park your car next to the boat ridge. A little hint: on weekends it can be quite crowded, so it's better to come early if you want to enjoy the peace.
Last but not least, Street-Art-Mauer in downtown Kokomo not forgotten. The colourful Murals, designed by local artists, give the city a little more soul than one would expect from a typical Mittwest city. I discovered a huge graffiti that turns an old tractor into a futuristic spaceship – a real eye-catcher that makes me smile every time I walk past. Parking in the city center is a bit tricky, but there are enough free parking on the edge when you are ready to walk a few minutes.
Whether you're a history fan, an adrenaline junkie or a nature lover – the environment of Indian Heights has something to offer for everyone. From magnificent villas to fast racing trails to quiet lakes and colourful murals – here you will find a mixture that is rarely found in travel guides. And that's exactly what makes Indian Heights Attractions to an incomparable experience that you should not just unleash, but really experience.
Find more vacation destinations near Indian Heights Howard Indiana using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
