In movies and television we have seen families take trips to find the world’s largest: yarn ball, rocking chair, gummy bear, etc. Until now, I had no idea where to find these or if they were even real. Lo and behold, they can be found very close to home. Orlando is home to the world’s largest McDonald’s and Tampa is home to the world’s largest bowling pin.
Now, those may be exciting if you are a pro bowler or junk food addict, but here is my top 10 list of the most interesting, wacky and all around strange world’s largest roadside attractions in the United States and United Kingdom (just in case you’re across the pond).
Top 10
1. World’s largest chocolate waterfall (Anchorage, Ala.)
For all the Willy Wonka fanatics out there, visit Alaska Wildberry Products for their sweetshop and waterfall, but don’t fall in.
2. World’s largest hamster wheel (Point Loma, Calif.)
This started out as a Point Loma High School prank and landed them on the list of world’s largest…future engineers right there
3. World’s largest Santa Claus (North Pole, Ala.)
Ho! Ho! Ho-w big did you say?! This Santa Claus statue is 42 feet and 900 pounds. I think the poor guy ate too many cookies.
4. World's largest collection of world's smallest versions of world's largest things (Lucas, Kan.)
I’m sorry, what? This is a van full of miniature versions of the world’s largest roadside attractions. This is very wacky indeed.
5. World’s largest basket (Longaberger headquarters Newark, Ohio)
Longaberger is a manufacturer of wooden baskets, so naturally they built their headquarters disguised as a Longaberger basket. Pshh, showoffs.
6. World's largest Tire (Allen Park, Mich.)
The tire was originally fashioned as a Ferris wheel for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, now it sits as a reminder that we Americans love big cars. Sorry, Ozone layer.
7. World’s largest whoopee cushion (London, UK)
Ok, every kid in the world would love to run and jump on top of this...heck, even I would, you know if I could afford to fly to England.
8. World’s largest King Kong statue (Beaver, Ark.)
This statue is four stories high and features a screaming woman in the hands Kong.
9. World’s largest ballerina clown (Venice, Calif.)
In Venice you can find some strange things, but this creepy ballerina clown tops the list. It stands above a main street and slowly kicks its leg. Stay away if you fear clowns or if your dream of being a ballerina failed.
10. World’s largest Rubber band ball (Lauderhill, Fla.)
Many have attempted this feat and many have been beaten out by the man Joel Waul who is recognized by Guinness for this 9,400-pound ball of rubber bands that sat in his driveway. It is now owned by Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
