Olio in Iowa

Plan Your Big Adventure to the World’s Largest Things in North Dakota

Graphic reading "World's Largest Things in North Dakota" with blue cloudy sky and brown bison known as Dakota Thunder, the World's Largest Buffalo, in Jamestown, North Dakota

It’s no secret that I love “world’s largest” things. So it should come as no surprise that North Dakota quickly stole my heart with all of its quirky attractions. I had visited this northern Midwest state a number of times but it wasn’t until earlier this summer that I discovered the large number of world’s largest things in North Dakota.

From massive mammals to enormous avians, there are all sorts of world’s largest things in North Dakota. I love the giddy excitement and sense of wonder that these large-scale attractions inspire. But behind each of them is an interesting story—stories that I’m excited to be able to share with you.

Looking for something to liven up your drive across the Roughrider state? You won’t want to miss experiencing the unique attractions that make up the “world’s largest” things in North Dakota.Continue Reading…

Meet Otto the World’s Largest Otter

Statue of Otter the World's Largest Otter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota

One of my favorite things about Minnesota is its large number of, well, large attractions. Lucky for me, one of Iowa’s neighboring states is home to dozens of “world’s largest” things just waiting to be explored. Recently got to know Otto the World’s Largest Otter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.Continue Reading…

Snap a Photo with the World’s Largest Booming Prairie Chicken

World's Largest Booming Prairie Chicken in Rothsay, Minnesota

I’m always up for visiting a new “world’s largest” thing. Even if it happens to be a prairie chicken. A booming prairie chicken, to be precise. Located in Rothsay, Minnesota, the World’s Largest Booming Prairie Chicken towers 13 feet tall over the rolling plains.Continue Reading…

Meet Elwood the World’s Largest Concrete Garden Gnome

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

It’s been a long time coming, but last weekend I ventured up to Ames to explore Reiman Gardens. But more than anything, I was excited to meet Elwood the World’s Largest Concrete Garden Gnome.Continue Reading…

A Sticky Saga: A History of Sac City’s World’s Largest Popcorn Ball

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

When I compiled my list of Iowa’s “world’s largest” things, I strongly considered highlighting Sac City’s World’s Largest Popcorn Ball. But then I learned that the Iowa version lost its gigantic title to the Indiana State Fair in 2013, and while the reigning “world’s largest” ball no longer exists, I decided to go in a different direction.Continue Reading…

World’s Largest Ball of Stamps

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

It’s been awhile since I first visited the World’s Largest Ball of Stamps in Boys Town, Nebraska, but that doesn’t make it any less cool. Tucked away in the Village of Boys Town  Visitors Center, you’ll find a roadside attraction with more than Nebraska’s stamp of approval.

The World’s Largest Ball of Stamps weighs in at 600 pounds and was constructed over the course of three years, beginning in 1953, by the Boys Town Stamp Collecting Club. With a golfball as its core, the Ball is comprised of an estimated 4.65 million canceled stamps.Continue Reading…

World’s Largest Swedish Coffee Pot & Cup

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

You’ve probably never heard for Virginia Christine. But you might recognize her as Mrs. Olson from Folgers’ retro TV commercials. Christine was a Stanton, Iowa native and in 1971, the southwest Iowa town’s water tower was transformed into a Swedish coffee pot—complete with handle, spout and top knob—in honor of Stanton’s famous daughter.

A symbol of Swedish hospitality, the World’s Largest Swedish Coffee Pot stands at 125 feet and holds about 50,000 gallons (or 800,000 cups of coffee). Nearby you’ll find the World’s Largest Swedish Coffee Cup, erected in 2000. Continue Reading…

World’s Largest Wooden Nickel

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Recently a friend of mine mentioned that she was surprised I’d never seen one of Iowa’s most well-known world’s largest seen: the wooden nickel. I’ve been to Iowa City enough times for work or to visit friends but I never tracked down the 18-foot diameter wooden nickel, located outside of Iowa City along NE Dubuque Street, just north of the Iowa River.

According to a KCRG 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.

World’s Largest Wooden Nickel, on Dubuque Street NE just after the Iowa River in Iowa City, IA

The World’s Largest Loon

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

This past weekend I spent some time up north (near Dent, Minnesota) with some friends. Naturally once I heard that we were within miles of the Vergas—home of the World’s Largest Loon—we planned a quick stop on our way back to Minneapolis.

The state bird of Minnesota—which is apparently home to a lot of “World’s Largest” things—is consequently the loon. Hence Vergas’ 20-foot sculpture as well as its summer festival, Loony Days, which we just happened to show up in the middle of. A bit of parade traffic, an ice cream cone and much more walking than we’d anticipated, we happened across the loon.

World’s Largest Loon, Vergas, MN (Travel tip: continue on HWY 228 toward Long Lake, sculpture is located in Vergas Park)