Indiana’s highways are dotted with quirky, unusual, and sometimes downright bizarre roadside attractions. Here are ten of the weirdest and most memorable stops to add to your Hoosier State road trip:
1. Martini-Drinking Pink Elephant (Fortville) A 12-foot-tall, bubblegum-pink elephant wearing oversized glasses and holding a martini stands outside Elite Beverages in Fortville. This whimsical statue is a favorite for selfies and is often dressed up for holidays, making it a must-see oddity.
2. World’s Largest Ball of Paint (Alexandria) What began as a baseball with a single coat of paint in 1977 has grown into a massive ball with over 25,000 layers of paint, weighing more than 2.5 tons. Visitors can even add their own layer, making this interactive stop both weird and wonderful.
3. Warm Glow Giant Candle (Centerville) A giant, lumpy candle marks the Warm Glow Candle Outlet, serving as a scented beacon for travelers. The massive candle-shaped building is hard to miss and is a favorite for those seeking something out of the ordinary.
4. Grave in the Middle of the Road (Franklin) Nancy Kerlin Barnett’s grave sits in the median of County Road 400, protected by law after her descendants refused to let her resting place be moved for road construction. It’s a unique and slightly eerie sight for passersby.
5. World’s Largest Steer and Sycamore Stump (Kokomo) Kokomo is home to “Old Ben,” the world’s largest steer, preserved and on display, as well as the world’s largest sycamore tree stump, which once held a phone booth inside and could fit up to 24 people.
6. Monster Turtle of Fulk Lake (Churubusco) A 12-foot statue commemorates the legend of “Oscar,” the giant snapping turtle said to inhabit Fulk Lake. The town embraces the legend with pride, dubbing itself Turtle Town, USA.
7. Rotary Jail Museum (Crawfordsville) One of only a handful of operational rotary jails left in the country, this museum lets visitors experience the bizarre rotating cell block design once used to house prisoners.
8. Flick Statue: A Christmas Story (Hammond) Fans of the holiday classic A Christmas Story can visit a statue of Flick with his tongue stuck to a flagpole, capturing the film’s iconic moment in Hammond, the hometown of author Jean Shepherd.
9. The Big Peach (Bruceville) A giant peach stands as a tribute to Indiana’s fruit-growing heritage. This oversized fruit is a sweet stop for photos and a taste of local flavor.
10. Mentone Egg (Mentone) A massive concrete egg celebrates Mentone’s status as the “Egg Basket of the Midwest.” It’s an odd but fitting symbol for a town proud of its egg production.
These attractions showcase Indiana’s playful spirit and love for the offbeat. Whether you’re after a selfie with a pink elephant or want to marvel at a giant ball of paint, these roadside stops are sure to make your journey unforgettable.
Sources:
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/indiana/roadside-attractions
- https://www.visitindiana.com/blog/post/2020-roadside-attractions-in-indiana/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avfqcfhczSc
- https://www.travelingcheesehead.com/roadside-attractions-in-indiana/