1. Albert the Bull (Audubon)
- The world’s largest bull stands 30 feet tall and weighs 45 tons. This massive Hereford bull, painted with 65 gallons of paint, has been a quirky Iowa icon since 1964 and is made from concrete and old windmill parts.
2. Spider Beetle (Avoca)
- A giant spider sculpture made from a vintage VW Beetle, perched on spindly legs about 10 feet in the air. Created as a family project in the 1980s, it’s a unique photo stop just off I-80.
3. Elwood, the World’s Largest Gnome (Ames)
- Located at Reiman Gardens, Elwood is a 15-foot-tall, 3,500-pound concrete garden gnome, one of the largest of its kind in the world, welcoming visitors since 2010.
4. Snake Alley (Burlington)
- Dubbed “Unbelievably Crooked” by Ripley’s Believe It or Not, this winding brick street features five half-curves and two quarter-curves, making it one of the most crooked streets in the world.
5. Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk (Riverside)
- A must-see for Star Trek fans, this roadside monument claims Riverside as the “future birthplace” of Captain Kirk, complete with a museum of Star Trek memorabilia.
6. Matchstick Marvels Museum (Gladbrook)
- This museum showcases astonishingly detailed sculptures and models made entirely from matchsticks by artist Patrick Acton. Highlights include famous landmarks and vehicles.
7. World’s Largest Truck Stop (Walcott)
- Located on I-80, this enormous truck stop offers everything from restaurants and a trucking museum to a movie theater, making it a destination in itself.
8. Pocahontas Princess Statue (Pocahontas)
- The world’s largest Indian maiden statue stands over 25 feet tall, crafted from steel, wood, and concrete, welcoming visitors to the town since 1956.
9. Brandon’s Largest Frying Pan (Brandon)
- Modeled after a cast iron pan, this 1,020-pound roadside oddity measures over 14 feet long and is just inches shy of the world record.
10. Grotto of the Redemption (West Bend)
- An elaborate religious shrine made from precious stones, minerals, and petrified wood. It features nine grottos depicting scenes from the life of Christ, attracting visitors from around the world.
These stops showcase Iowa’s playful, creative, and sometimes downright bizarre side—perfect for memorable road trip photos and stories.
Sources:
- https://iowastartingline.com/community/iowas-wackiest-roadside-attractions/
- https://www.travelingcheesehead.com/roadside-attractions-in-iowa/
- https://www.traveliowa.com/a-to-almost-z-iowas-roadside-attractions/
- https://leisuregrouptravel.com/quirky-roadside-attractions-of-iowa/
- https://k923.fm/iowas-weirdest-roadside-attraction-is/
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/iowa
- https://throughjuliaslens.com/iowa-road-trip/