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 nonsense! Here at Only in Your State, we love exploring unique things to see in Iowa. Check out some of this creative art that Iowans have bestowed upon their countryside:
1. The World's Largest Strawberry: 111 Commercial St, Strawberry Point, IA, 52076
World's Largest Strawberry, 111 Commercial St, Strawberry Point, IA 52076, USA
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 in the aptly-named Strawberry Point.
2. The World's Largest Popcorn Ball: 1300 W Main St, Sac City, IA, 50583
World's Largest Popcorn Ball, 1300 W Main St, Sac City, IA 50583, USA
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: W Iowa 80 Rd, Walcott, IA, 52773
World's Largest Truck Stop, W Iowa 80 Rd, Walcott, IA 52773, USA
This I-80 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. Check out their trucking history museum, it's really neat!
4. World's Largest Bull ("Albert"): 115 Circle Dr, Audubon, IA, 50025
Albert the Bull Park: World's Largest Bull, 115 Circle Dr, Audubon, IA 50025, USA
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.
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"): 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA, 50011
World's Largest Concrete Gnome, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Elwood lives in the peaceful paradise that is the beautiful Reiman Gardens. If you visit the gardens in winter, you'll get to see their 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!
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 and say "cheese!"
Address: World's Largest Strawberry, 111 Commercial St, Strawberry Point, IA 52076, USA
Address: World's Largest Popcorn Ball, 1300 W Main St, Sac City, IA 50583, USA
Address: World's Largest Truck Stop, W Iowa 80 Rd, Walcott, IA 52773, USA
Address: Stanton, IA 51573, USA
Address: Brandon, IA 52210, USA
Address: World's Largest Concrete Gnome, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Address: Coon Rapids, IA 50058, USA
Address: Crystal Lake, IA 50432, USA
Address: Albert the Bull Park: World's Largest Bull, 115 Circle Dr, Audubon, IA 50025, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unique Things To See In Iowa
December 22, 2021
Lisa Sammons
What are some weird places in Iowa?
There are a lot of really weird places in Iowa! For example, did you know we have a little Statue of Liberty? It’s right in front of the Iowa State Capitol. And, Riverside is the future birthplace of Captain Kirk from Star Trek! There’s even a little plaque dedicated to him.
What are some unique restaurants in Iowa?
Many people are surprised by how many great restaurants in Iowa there are. We have an unfair reputation as a boring state, but we’ve got some fantastic restaurants from many different categories. Some of the most unique restaurants here are our many themed restaurants. Fong’s Pizza is quite unique: it’s designed to look like a traditional Chinese restaurant, but it serves pizza!
What are some of the best roadside attractions in Iowa?
Here are a few of our favorite roadside attractions in Iowa. Did you know we’ve got a giant spider made of a Volkswagen Beetle? And we’ve got a gas station Jesus… what other state can say that?
Address: World's Largest Strawberry, 111 Commercial St, Strawberry Point, IA 52076, USA
Address: World's Largest Popcorn Ball, 1300 W Main St, Sac City, IA 50583, USA
Address: World's Largest Truck Stop, W Iowa 80 Rd, Walcott, IA 52773, USA
Address: Stanton, IA 51573, USA
Address: Brandon, IA 52210, USA
Address: World's Largest Concrete Gnome, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Address: Coon Rapids, IA 50058, USA
Address: Crystal Lake, IA 50432, USA
Address: Albert the Bull Park: World's Largest Bull, 115 Circle Dr, Audubon, IA 50025, USA
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Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
