9 Oddly Gigantic Items You Can Only Find in Iowa and Can’t Stop Staring at

If you've ever driven across Iowa, you know that there's a LOT of empty space here. While many of us live in urban areas, and the state is getting less and less rural with each passing year, that doesn't change the fact that this is rolling farmland. We're in big sky country. When you've got that much space, there is only one thing to do: fill it up with the world's largest things in Iowa! Here at Only in Your State, we love exploring unique things, hidden gems in the Hawkeys State, and finding quirky novelties, such as the largest attractions in Iowa. Check out some of this creative art that Iowans have bestowed upon their countryside:

1. The World's Largest Strawberry - Strawberry Point

We like to joke that this one would be the main ingredient in a strawberry longcake. This 15-foot-tall statue was designed by an ad agency in the 1960s. Today, you can visit the aptly named Strawberry Point.

2. The World's Largest Popcorn Ball - Sac City

This 12-foot tall, 9,370-pound popcorn ball would certainly give you a stomachache! Luckily, it's behind glass at a special museum in Sac City. You won't be tempted to chow down. It was crafted in 2016 at Noble Popcorn.

3. The World's Largest Truck Stop - Walcott

The Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Walcott truck stop is absolutely ridiculous. It's bigger than some small towns! There are restaurants, cafeterias, a barber shop, dentist, library, and even a movie theater here. When you visit, be sure to check out the trucking history museum at the world's largest truck stop in Iowa.

4. World's Largest Bull ("Albert") - Audubon

Audubon's famous bull, Albert, once starred in a Super Bowl commercial! He weighs 45 tons and is one of the most unique things to see in Iowa. We're pretty sure no other state has a 28-foot bull!

5. The World's Largest Swedish Coffee Cup - Stanton

Stanton's giant coffee cup water tower could have held over 800,000 cups of the stuff! Stanton was home to the famous "Mrs. Olsen" from the long-running Folgers commercials.

6. The World's Largest Frying Pan - Brandon

Surprisingly, there's actually some contention as to whether this is actually the world's largest frying pan or not. Washington and North Carolina also claim to house the most gigantic of pans. This one in the tiny town of Brandon could fry up 44 dozen eggs... if only you could ever find a big enough stove!

7. The World's Largest Concrete Gnome ("Elwood") - Ames

Elwood lives in the peaceful paradise that is the beautiful Reiman Gardens in Ames. If you visit the gardens in winter, you'll get to see the garden's gorgeous holiday train village. Elwood watches over the gardens from his 15-foot vantage point.

8. The World's Largest Rotating Ear Of Corn - Coon Rapids

Coon Rapids is a strange place. After all, what town would decide that their most famous roadside attraction should be the world's largest rotating ear of corn? They're certainly commemorating Iowa's agriculture with this 10-foot behemoth!

9. The World's Largest Bullhead - Crystal Lake

Everyone likes to brag about the giant fish they catch in Crystal Lake, but we're betting none are as big as this 12-foot-long monster! Everybody can take home a trophy photo from their trip out to the lake. Step in front of this massive bullhead in Iowa, and say "Cheese!"

Each of these biggest attractions in Iowa deserves a visit. How many of these attractions have you seen for yourself? Are there others that you think should make the list? Be sure to tell us all about them on our nomination page — we would love to hear from you!

Among the best roadside attractions in Iowa listed here, perhaps none will impress you as much as the Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Walcott. It's so truly massive that you could actually make it a travel destination unto itself! And when exploring all these world records in Iowa, you're certainly going to want to rock your state pride by showing off your Iowa roots as you go. And you can do just that with Iowa-themed apparel from our friends at Wear Your Roots.