Sycamore Stump & Old Ben — Attraction in Kokomo

As someone who enjoys being in nature and particularly likes trees, I was initially excited to see the sycamore stump. The stump, however, is hidden behind glass that's very reflective and hard to see thru on sunny days. I suppose it was neat to see such a big stump, but even with all my squinting and moving around trying to get a good view, it was hard to fully appreciate its size. I wish there was a way for tourists to go into the building the stump is housed in, but still remain separated from it so they can't add their own graffiti to the already carved-into stump (the history and carvings are admittedly cool to see). Overall pretty anticlimactic.

Also there's a big cow, and I guess that would be cool, but I had the same issues with it as I did for the stump.

The park in the surrounding area is nice, tho. I saw some ducks....

Highland Park hands down is 5 stars. This little nook is a novelty. Giant steer, giant stump, and a cannon...that we never used. Right behind it is a sad playground that no one ever plays at....well....except my kids. We use it for nerf battles because it is always empty. Need to update the playground....of course there is the good plaground just a hop, skip, and a jump away. And the fact it is no good gives us a place to have nerf battles. If you go there...you can probably find nerf bullets my kids failed to retrieve. But the stump and the steer Big Ben....once you have seen them...you have little interest in seeing them again. They are historic and I get it. I don't know...I'll change my rating to 4 stars...

No visit to Kokomo is complete without a trip to Highland Park! And going to see a GIANT Sycamore Stump & the World's Largest Steer is a must. I mean, how can you pass up such an opportunity- they're side-by-side & FREE 🙂. A better view in the evening when lit up, but available anytime to walk up to their glass-encased homes. Conveniently there are restrooms also available, picnic tables & charcoal grills scattered about this area of the park, a small playground behind the building (the big one is down the hill), plenty of squirrels to watch & feed, & beautiful trees anytime of year. If you're lucky you'll see us out walking Mr Biggs as we visit several...