The sign read “Welcome to Jamestown, ND, home of the World’s Largest Buffalo.” At 26 feet tall and 60 tons, the concrete buffalo statue is unquestionably big. But world’s largest? Certainly humanity possesses the engineering capability to build an even larger buffalo. I know the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai rises 2,717 feet in height. With all that’s at stake, I worried for a moment that civilization might be teetering on the precipice of a largest buffalo arms race; with town after town rushing to build ever larger bison for the purposes of, well, what exactly?
It turns out that there is a niche travel industry dedicated to various “world’s largest” roadside attractions. There are literally hundreds of them. I don’t really get it, but I imagine there are plenty of teetotalers who don’t understand why we’d want to visit brewery, after distillery, after vineyard, after brewery. To each their own, I guess.
In that spirit of comity and good will towards man, I’ve compiled an abbreviated list of “world’s largest” attractions for anyone who’s interested. For everyone else, I promise to never write about these kinds of things ever again.
World’s Largest:
Beaver – Alberta, Canada (it’s probably best to not search Google for this one)
Six Pack – La Crosse, WI
Boot – Minnesota, MN
Ball of Twine – Cawker City, KS
World’s Largest Douche – Summit, NJ
World – Wellesley, MA (not including the one you’re standing on, I guess)
Catsup Bottle – Collinsville, IL
Starship Enterprise – Vulcan, Alberta, Canada
Nose and Glasses – Michigan City, IN
Shuttlecock – Kansas City, MO
Everywhere Once 
If we are in the area we might stop by to check things out but we certainly wouldn’t plan a vacation around it. That sure is one big buffalo!
Kevin and Ruth
http://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
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Yeah, the whole “World’s Largest” thing isn’t really for us either. We drove past what was supposed to be the world’s largest cow, also in ND. Didn’t stop. Don’t feel like we missed anything.
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Fitting that the World’s Largest Douche would be in New Jersey.
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😉
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So I can have my picture taken there if I ever visit.
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Maybe it is because any reason to travel is a good reason? I agree to each his own.
I’ll admit that if I was traveling as you are, I’d be the 1/2 of our marriage that was saying “ohh a giant tepee – take my photo!” If size really matters, I’d be on the side of the miniature versions/replica’s. I thought the Cotswold’s in England where idillyic and would love to go back and walk more of the trails/paths. What I remember most about my time there was a very accurate model village. It was too fun. People with that kind of passion for their hobby can’t be all bad. I know people who have traveled all over to try golf courses or even mini golf courses. I have visited places because Nascar, wineries, rollercoasters, books read, railroads, beaches, marbles or bubble tea were interests of my fellow travelers. I just love to go and have the experience!
By the way, I grew up with the world’s largest pecan(www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2138) and my boss lived in Kansas with the largest ball of twine. I’m reading back through your blog and loving it!
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