Recently a friend of mine mentioned that she was surprised I’d never seen one of Iowa’s most well-known world’s largest things: the World’s Largest Wooden Nickel. I’ve been to Iowa City enough times for work or to visit friends. But I’d never tracked down this offbeat attraction.
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.
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, IA
Share Your Thoughts
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?
