Bradford, Pennsylvania Is Home to a Giant Zippo Lighter and It’s Even Better Up Close

One of my favorite things about a long road trip is discovering the strange, quirky, and unusual attractions along the way. It's surprising what you can find when taking a cross-country road trip. Whether it's a giant ball of yarn or an enormous baseball bat, I will pull over to gaze upon its grandeur and take a ton of pictures.

If you happen to be driving through the city of Bradford, Pennsylvania, one massive attraction may beg you to pull over—I absolutely would! The massive Zippo lighter atop the Zippo/Case Museum and Flagship Store is a sight to behold. Best of all, you can explore the museum at no cost.

You can see it in the distance as you drive to the Zippo/Case Museum—a 40-foot-tall Zippo lighter adorns the roof and even has a pulsating light akin to the flicker of a flame. There's no doubt that Zippo is iconic, and perhaps you have a Zippo lighter of your own, maybe a vintage one as I do. The brand has been around since 1932, producing its first lighter in 1933, and has maintained a spot in American culture since.

A Zippo's design is recognizable worldwide: it's made of metal, usually brass, with a hinged lid that, when flipped up, exposes flint and a wick, and it's filled with lighter fluid. A standard Zippo measures 2.25 inches tall by 1.5 inches wide, a far cry from the 40-foot lighter used as signage atop the building.

When visiting the Zippo/Case Museum & Flagship Store, you'll be taken on a self-guided history tour of both the Zippo and Case brands. For those who don't know, Case is another iconic American brand in Bedford, Pennsylvania, but instead of lighters, it manufactures knives. Both Zippo and Case have a history with the military, and you can see information about their contributions in the museum.

Among the most notable displays in the museum are the first Zippo lighter and a giant Case Zodiac knife that was once used as decor on a company vehicle. Additionally, a Zippo repair center is on-site, and there's a large display window for you to get a glimpse of workers repairing lighters.

Believe me, you'll want to make a pit stop at the Zippo/Case Museum, take photos of the 40-foot-tall Zippo lighter, and explore the displays inside. The museum is open seven days a week and is absolutely worth visiting.

Would you make a pit stop at the massive Zippo lighter in Pennsylvania? I think an attraction like this is always worth stopping for, both for the novelty and the photo ops. If you'd like to explore the museum during your pit stop, visit the Zippo / Case Museum & Flagship Store website for hours, special events, and location information.

If you need a bite to eat while in Bradford, make a stop at Beefeaters at the Carnegie Library. This historic restaurant in Pennsylvania serves lunch and dinner daily. For more roadside attractions, take a look at the essential Pennsylvania stops for any road trip.