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Quirky, Iconic, And Just Plain Weird: 18 Of The Midwest’s Must-See Roadside Attractions
Ever find yourself cruising down a never-ending stretch of highway, wondering if the Midwest is just flat fields and questionable gas station snacks? Think again. Scattered across this no-nonsense heartland are curiosities so baffling that they make you question humanity’s collective decision-making.
Giant concrete strawberries, towering folk heroes, bacon cutouts bigger than your car… because why not? It’s like someone looked at a map and thought, “You know what this country needs? More giant random objects.”
And these roadside oddities are equal parts bizarre and brilliant, proving the power of boredom and overzealous town pride.
Got a favorite roadside attraction or a quirky tale of your travels? Go ahead, spill the beans… unless, of course, it involves a 12-foot-tall coffee mug. Then we might be onto something extraordinary.
World’s Largest Basket – Newark, OH
You’ve seen fancy wicker baskets at craft stores, but have you seen one capable of housing a decently large family? Newark, Ohio, is where Longaberger turned office building design into a giant tribute to picnic enthusiasts everywhere.
Standing seven stories tall – complete with equally oversized handles – it’s a basket case in the best possible sense. Made with care, just like grandma’s casseroles, this architectural oddity once served as headquarters for the Longaberger Company.
Johnny Appleseed Gravesite – Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne, Indiana, honors the man who made apples wholesome marketing icons long before laptops. Johnny Appleseed’s gravesite is surrounded by – you guessed it – apple trees, although we can’t guarantee their fruit is historically accurate.
The site has an old-timey charm combined with an odd seriousness as visitors reflect on a guy who literally walked across states barefoot planting orchards. If nothing else, it’s an impressive reminder to wear better footwear for your travels.
Superman Statue – Metropolis, IL
The Man of Steel stands watch over Metropolis, Illinois, and he’s kind of a big deal (literally). Towering at 15 feet tall, this Superman statue is the closest thing we’ll get to seeing Caped Kryptonians land in America’s heartland.
Decked out in his heroic stance, this statue is so iconic it attracted an annual fan festival. Who wouldn’t want a selfie with the ultimate superhero? And the surrounding Superman Museum adds a flair of nerdy nostalgia, though don’t expect him to fight off Midwest humidity… it’s his one true kryptonite.
World’s Largest Catsup Bottle – Collinsville, IL
Is your burger missing something? Perhaps a giant 170-foot catsup bottle? Collinsville’s towering condiment is your answer to dinner table dreams and arterial blockages everywhere. Originally a water tower for a ketchup company (yes, ketchup, not catsup – don’t argue), this landmark brings tangy vibes to your road trip.
It’s shiny, red, and as weirdly charming as it sounds. Drove past it without noticing? Unlikely. Locals will happily tell you it’s “kind of a big deal,” and we can’t entirely disagree.
Gemini Giant – Wilmington, IL
If aliens stopped by Illinois looking for a landing spot, this would probably be it. The Gemini Giant, an oversized space suit-wearing folk art statue, stands awkwardly but lovingly at the Launching Pad drive-in.
This Route 66 relic feels like the Midwest’s answer to intergalactic tourism. And you can’t miss his strange look and fishbowl-style helmet, which screams “retro astronaut vibes” louder than a sci-fi B movie. Whether you’re posing for a photo or just grabbing a burger inside, this stop will leave you starry-eyed (or scratching your head).
Uranus Fudge Factory – Uranus, MO
The jokes practically write themselves at Uranus Fudge Factory, a roadside attraction where subtlety is a foreign concept. Located in Missouri and fully leaning into low-hanging humor, this stop dishes out some seriously rich fudge and more puns than you can handle.
Lights glimmer from cheeky signs while employees proudly proclaim, “The best fudge comes from Uranus!” Yes, it’s absurd, but you’re lying if you say you won’t at least stop to see what’s going on. Don’t forget to grab a souvenir – you know, so you can prove Uranus actually does exist.
World’s Largest Rocking Chair – Fanning, MO
Fanning has gifted the world the largest rocking chair in existence, and trust us, it’s not meant for relaxing. This colossal chair towers over passing vehicles, looking like a piece of furniture that got caught in a growth spurt.
Where’s the giant to match it, you ask? Who knows, but the chair itself is equal parts impressive and slightly terrifying. Don’t expect it to actually rock – it’s more symbolic than functional (safety first).
The Precious Moments Chapel – Carthage, MO
Think Thomas Kinkade painting meets a porcelain figurine collection that’s come to life. The Precious Moments Chapel is less of a “chapel” and more of a pastel fever dream created by artist Sam Butcher in the late 1980s.
The walls are covered with murals that somehow teeter between sweet and slightly unsettling, featuring those infamous teardrop-eyed characters in heavenly bliss. And every corner tells a story, blending faith and whimsy in a way that’s oddly endearing. Carthage isn’t quite the Holy Land, but this kitschy gem might just make you pause… and squint.
Big Brutus – West Mineral, KS
Move over Transformers – Big Brutus is the real-deal, non-robotic big guy you came to see. This 160-foot-tall electric shovel (imagine a skyscraper crossed with a Tonka toy) stopped working back in 1974, but it still stands proud in West Mineral.
Mining coal was its jam, digging deeper than your ex’s shady TikTok follows, until the industry decided Brutus wasn’t quite nimble enough for the job. Now, it’s a museum piece, a monument to an era where “bigger was better.”
World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Cawker City, KS
Some people collect stamps, some build model airplanes, and others? Well, they make world-record balls of twine. For decades, Cawker City has coaxed visitors to its tangled monstrosity – think yarn stash gone rogue. And, plot twist, this bad boy isn’t stagnant.
Locals actually have an annual “Twine-A-Thon” to keep it growing. Why settle for just big when you can go for ludicrously gigantic? Standing before it, you’ll find yourself both amused and wondering why exactly you feel compelled to keep looking… and maybe touch it, just to say you did.
Carhenge – Alliance, NE
It’s Stonehenge, but instead of mystical ancient stones, it’s old cars spray-painted gray and artfully stacked. Positioned in Alliance, Carhenge is surreal, hilarious, and oddly beautiful. And it’s the kind of place where you half expect aliens to swing by in their spaceships and sarcastically slow clap.
Created by Jim Reinders in 1987 as a tribute to his late father (yes, this had sentimental roots), the installation hits the sweet spot between weird and wonderful. It’s Nebraska’s loud, unapologetic love letter to both creativity and absurdity… and it absolutely works.
The World’s Largest Porch Swing – Hebron, NE
Porch swings? Lovely. The world’s largest porch swing? Delightfully unnecessary and located in Hebron, Nebraska. Spanning an impressive length, this swing can hold about 16 adults comfortably – or more if you feel like testing small-town physics.
And don’t worry, it is functional and actually swings. It’s the kind of attraction that invites you to pause, sway lazily for a minute, and maybe even swap small-town gossip with the locals. But, fair warning, anything larger than this, and you’re basically on a slow-moving amusement ride.
Albert the Bull – Audubon, IA
Audubon’s claim to fame is Albert the Bull, a 45-ton concrete bovine statue that stares at you like you owe it money. Built in 1964, Albert is part tribute to Iowa’s agriculture and part “Did we really need to make it this big?”
His enormous horns and friendly face (depending on how you feel about lifelike cement animals) make him an odd yet endearing roadside stop. Snag a selfie… because where else can you say you met a gargantuan bull who doesn’t even charge?
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox – Bemidji, MN
Who needs subtlety when you can build statues of folklore’s favorite lumberjack and his oversized pet ox? Paul and Babe stand proudly in Bemidji as a testament to Minnesota’s logging history – and possibly their love for exaggerated storytelling.
Built in 1937, these two are selfie royalty, standing there like they’ve been cut and pasted from a tall tale. Paul’s grin says, “Do your worst,” while Babe’s massive horns suggest she’s tired of everyone asking if Tim Burton was involved in her design.
Salem Sue – New Salem, ND
Towering over New Salem is Salem Sue, a fiberglass Holstein cow that’s the goddess of dairy country. Built in 1974, she was commissioned to honor the region’s dairy production and makes all other cows (real or otherwise) look insignificant.
Standing 38 feet tall and looking more lifelike than you’re comfortable admitting, Salem Sue demands attention – even if you really weren’t in the mood to stare at an enormous cow under the North Dakota sky. She’s majestic, slightly over-the-top, and undeniable proof that rural charm comes in all shapes and sizes.
Porter Sculpture Park – Montrose, SD
Quirky doesn’t even begin to cover this roadside attraction near Montrose. The Porter Sculpture Park is a sprawling assembly of bizarre, towering metal sculptures – a hammerhead horse here, a spooky skeletal head there – all created by artist Wayne Porter.
Think Picasso meets a welding torch, with a dash of “Did I just wander into someone’s unusual dreamscape?” It’s eccentric, a little unsettling in the best way, and impossible not to respect. Sure, it’s art, but it also feels like a scavenger hunt on steroids.
Mitchell Corn Palace – Mitchell, SD
If you’ve ever thought, “My life needs a palace made of corn,” Mitchell has you covered. The Mitchell Corn Palace, proudly the “World’s Only Corn Palace,” has been a local icon since 1892. Part tourist trap, part architectural marvel, it’s completely covered in… you know it, corn.
Every year, artists decorate its exterior with thousands of colorful corn kernels arranged into themed murals. Think crop art on a grand scale. The air smells like popcorn and Midwest charm, while inside, events range from basketball games to concerts.
Wall Drug – Wall, SD
At the end of every cheesy billboard promising free ice water, pie, and existential curiosity, you’ll find Wall Drug. This South Dakota institution started as a humble pharmacy in 1931 but has since spiraled into a massive shopping, eating, and entertainment complex.
Wooden dinosaurs, slapdash photo ops, cowboy boots, and the scent of frying donuts in the air create a carnival-meets-Western-retail vibe. Is it a tourist trap? Absolutely. Will you love every absurd, over-the-top second of it? You bet your “I stopped at Wall Drug” bumper sticker you will.
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