#5 Visit an American Original

From the World’s Largest Hercules Beetle, in Colorado Springs, to the Tallest Filing Cabinet, in Burlington, Vt., America’s roads are dotted with surprising—and hilarious—landmarks. If you’re not able to see them in person, take a virtual road trip to these and other can’t-miss sites at RoadsideAmerica.com.

1. Seattle, Wash.
   World’s Largest Cowboy Hat and Boots
2. Crescent, Ore.
   Giant Grizzly Bear With Salmon
3. Inglewood, Calif.
   Giant Donut
4. Blackfoot, Idaho
   World’s Largest Baked Potato
5. Amargosa Valley, Nev.
   World’s Largest Firecracker
6. Vernal, Utah
   Giant Pink Dinosaur
7. Carefree, Ariz.
   Giant Sundial
8. Libby, Mont.
   Giant Eagle Statues
9. Douglas, Wyo.
   World’s Largest Jackalope
10. Colorado Springs, Colo.
    World’s Largest Hercules Beetle
11. Alamogordo, N.M.
    World’s Largest Pistachio Nut
12. Jamestown, N.D.
    World’s Largest Buffalo
13. Huron, S.D.
    World’s Largest Pheasant
14. Hebron, Neb.
    World’s Largest Porch Swing
15. Goodland, Kan.
    Giant Reproduction of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers on an 80-ft. Easel
16. Foyil, Okla.
    World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole
17. Freer, Tex.
    World’s Largest Rattlesnake
18. Akeley, Minn.
    Paul Bunyan Statue
19. Hayward, Wis.
    World’s Largest Muskie
20. Strawberry Point, Iowa
    World’s Largest Strawberry
21. Kansas City, Mo.
    World’s Largest Shuttlecock
22. Eureka Springs, Ark.
    World’s Largest Tuned Wind Chimes
23. Rayne, La.
    Giant Frog Statue
24. Lincoln, Ill.
    World’s Largest Covered Wagon (featuring Giant Abe Lincoln)
25. Louisville, Ky.
    World’s Largest Baseball Bat
26. Knoxville, Tenn.
    World’s Largest Rubik’s Cube
27. Gulfport, Miss.
    World’s Largest Rocking Chair
28. Dothan, Ala.
    Giant Hog
29. Montague, Mich.
    World’s Largest Weathervane
30. Mentone, Ind.
    World’s Largest Egg
31. Dresden, Ohio
    World’s Largest Basket
32. Ashburn, Ga.
    World’s Largest Peanut
33. Tampa, Fla.
    Giant Bowling Pin
34. Chester, W.Va.
    World’s Largest Teapot
35. High Point, N.C.
    World’s Largest Chest of Drawers
36. Gaffney, S.C.
    World’s Largest Peach
37. Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
    Giant Cow
38. Richmond, Va.
    Giant Milk Bottles
39. Hancock, Maine
    Giant Lobster
40. Burlington, Vt.
    World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet
41. Hampton, N.H.
    Giant Pirate
42. Flanders, N.Y.
    The Big Duck
43. Wellesley, Mass.
    Giant Rotating Globe
44. Norwich, Ct.
    Giant Statue of a Man Holding an American Flag
45. Providence, R.I.
    Giant Rooftop Dragon Statue
46. Margate City, N.J.
    World’s Largest Elephant
47. Baltimore, Md.
    Giant Pineapple
48. Newark, Del.
    Giant Doctor’s Bag With Stethoscope
49. Anchorage, Alaska
    Giant Roller Skate
50. Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
    Life-size Whale Statue

[Parade Magazine, July 2010]