If you ask most people who aren't from Iowa what Iowa is known for, they’ll tell you that Iowa is known for corn, farms, and more corn. Iowa is also known as a "drive-through state" meaning a lot of people only pass through, so it makes sense that we would have a large number of "roadside attractions." Some of these attractions are absolutely wild, however. Have you seen all these attractions?

World's Largest Truckstop

Let's start with one almost all of us QC residents have been to. The Iowa 80 Truckstop. It is now considered the World’s Largest Truckstop. It was established in 1964. This is one of my favorites, also known as "A place where people want to stop." I've been here a solid amount of times.

Some say Iowa 80 Truckstop is like a small city, others have likened it to a Trucker’s Disneyland, all can agree it is a place not to be missed.

World's Largest Bull

A major favorite for many. This bull is located in Audubon Iowa, this bull stands 30-feet tall! He was built in 1963 and weighs 45 tons! They gave him the name Albert the Bull. This Bull was also in a Super Bowl ad in 2018!

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World’s Largest Concrete Gnome

This one always makes me laugh. It's so specific. Ames, Iowa is home to Elwood, the 15-foot tall concrete gnome. Elwood was almost beaten by an 18-foot gnome sculpture in Poland, but luckily the European competitor was constructed of fiberglass while Elwood was made of concrete. Therefore, Elwood was still able to be named the world’s largest CONCRETE gnome. Elwood was made by artists Andy and Connie Kautza to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2010.

World’s Largest Popcorn Ball

Sac City is home to the world’s largest popcorn ball which weighs in at nearly 10,000 pounds which is an insane amount of buttery goodness. Sac City definitely gets bragging rights in corn country. Inspired by Noble Popcorn Plant, an infamous company that helped Sac County gain a reputation as the “Popcorn Capital of the World”, this attraction draws crowds from all over. I still need to see this one!

World’s Largest Swedish Coffee Pot

Located in Stanton, Iowa, this humongous coffee pot was once the town’s water tower. Holding over 50,000 gallons of water, this would be a caffeine addict's paradise if it were full of coffee. It was created as a tribute to local Virginia Christine who portrayed “Mrs. Olson”, the kind-hearted Swedish mother from Folgers Coffee commercials.

World’s Largest Strawberry

Located in the appropriately named Strawberry Point, Iowa, this fiberglass strawberry sculpture was created in the 1960s and measures 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide! Strawberry Point was founded in 1853 and according to their official website, was “named by the soldiers, traders, and railroad workers who enjoyed the bountiful wild strawberries found along the area’s trails and hillsides.”

World's Largest Cheeto

This weird-looking Cheeto is in the farming town of Algona, Iowa. They reportedly made a bid of $180 in an auction for this Cheeto. And well that's how they became the owners of giant Cheeto.

Some other notable "world's largest include, "WORLD’S LARGEST MANMADE GROTTO," "WORLD’S LARGEST WOODEN NICKEL," and "WORLD’S LARGEST POCAHONTAS."

Wow, those are some random large things to be the home of! Have you been to any of these spots? Which one is your favorite?

This Iowa Home Has A Lego City In It!

Many of us had Lego Growing up, but this house takes it to the next level!

Over 500 sets help make up this entire city. Now let's take a closer look at this Iowa home's Lego city.

Keep Looking At The Quad Cities Biggest, Best and Craziest Bloody Marys

Bloody Marys have transformed from a simple glass of tomato juice, vodka, and some spices to an art form that can include everything from flavored salts to a full-on breakfast in the glass. Or in some cases, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Check out what you told me were some of the best around the Quad Cities. Do you know of a location missing from our biggest and best list, send a picture and the location to ryan.mccredden@townsquaremedia.com

 

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