If I had a nickel for every roadside attraction I’d made a detour for I’d have quite the collection at this point. But none of them would be as big as the World’s Largest Wooden Nickel in Iowa City, Iowa.
This offbeat attraction is just one of the many “world’s largest” things in Iowa. But its unique design and backstory make it well worth a visit. The 18-foot diameter wooden nickel is located in Iowa City along NE Dubuque Street, just north of the Iowa River.
According to a local news report, the wooden nickel was erected in 2006 as a protest against county officials’ decision to raise speed limits in the area. Iowa resident Jim Glasgow spent more than six months creating the giant wooden nickel, which weighs in around 4,000 pounds.
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Fast Facts: World’s Largest Wooden Nickel
Visit the World’s Largest Wooden Nickel
If you’re passing through Iowa City, a visit to the World’s Largest Wooden Nickel is a great detour. While this roadside attraction is a great photo opp, it can be difficult to access safely. The nickel is on a fairly busy road so you’ll need to be mindful of traffic.
If you’re wanting to take a photo with the wooden nickel, I recommend parking just south at Waterworks Prairie Park. Then you can safely walk along the trail to take photos of this larger-than-life chunk of change.
3246-3248 Iowa River Corridor Trail in Iowa City, Iowa
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I would love to hear from you! Have you visited the World’s Largest Wooden Nickel? What are your favorite offbeat attractions in Iowa City?
