Roadside America
- Homeward Bound - Roadside America -
Visiting the World’s Largest Holstein Cow in New Salem, North Dakota
May 8, 2025
After leaving North Dakota’s Enchanted Highway, we continued our road trip in search of classic roadside Americana. We found it in the form of record-breaking attractions. Our first stop was the World’s Largest Holstein Cow, a must-see roadside icon near New Salem, North Dakota.
This towering cow statue, affectionately named Salem Sue, was built in 1974 as a tribute to the region’s dairy industry. Perched atop a hill overlooking the prairie, Sue is an unforgettable sight for anyone driving along I-94. Sponsored by the local Lions Club, she proudly represents New Salem’s rich agricultural heritage.
We couldn’t resist the detour up the hill to get a closer look and take some fun photos with this larger-than-life bovine beauty.
World’s Largest Holstein Cow
Located off I-94 at Exit 127 near Route 31
New Salem, North Dakota 58563
World's Largest Sandhill Crane
While not as towering as the World’s Largest Holstein Cow or as prominently perched, the small town of Steele, North Dakota is home to a unique roadside attraction the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane, affectionately named Sandy. Standing approximately 40 feet tall, Sandy was built to honor the region’s connection to birdwatching and the migratory patterns of sandhill cranes that pass through the area.
World's Largest Sandhill Crane
615 Mitchell Ave.
Steele, ND
World's Largest Buffalo
After checking into our hotel in Jamestown, North Dakota, we capped off the day with a visit to one of the state’s most iconic roadside attractions, the World’s Largest Buffalo, affectionately known as Dakota Thunder.
This massive concrete sculpture has stood tall since 1959, proudly overlooking Interstate 94. Measuring an impressive 26 feet tall, 46 feet long, and weighing in at 60 tons, Dakota Thunder is a must-see landmark (and hard to miss) for anyone road-tripping through North Dakota.
World's Largest Buffalo
404 Louis L’Amour Lane
Jamestown, ND 58401
World's Largest Prairie Chicken
May 9, 2025
On Friday we continued our theme of visiting "The World's Largest" as we entered back into Minnesota where we previously saw the Jolly Green Giant. First up was the World's Largest Prairie Chicken in Rothsay, Minnesota, the prairie chicken capital of Minnesota. The prairie chicken statue reaches 13 feet high, 18 feet long and weighs 9,000 pounds.
In Rothsay we visited the World’s Largest Prairie Chicken, a towering tribute to the region’s wildlife and prairie heritage. The statue stands an impressive 13 feet tall, stretches 18 feet long, and weighs in at 9,000 pounds.
World's Largest Prairie Chicken
544 Center Street
Rothsay, MN 56579
World's Largest Otter - Otto
Sometimes the best roadside stops are the ones you didn’t plan. While driving along I-94, we saw a sign for the World's Largest Otter and decided to make a quick detour to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Just ten minutes off the interstate, we found Otto the Otter standing tall in Grotto Park, overlooking a peaceful lake where geese floated by. The spontaneous stop was well worth it and added another fun entry to our list of giant roadside attractions.
World's Largest Otter – Otto
Grotto Park
S. Burlington Ave.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
World's Largest Bicyclist
May 10, 2025
As we began the final stretch of our road trip on Saturday afternoon, Wisconsin made sure it wasn’t left out of our “World’s Largest” theme. In the town of Sparta, Wisconsin which is proudly known as the Bicycling Capital of America, we stumbled upon the World’s Largest Bicyclist.
Nicknamed Ben, this towering cyclist sculpture sits atop a giant 1890s-era bicycle and stands an impressive 32 feet tall. Dressed in a colorful outfit, Ben greets visitors entering Sparta. If you're traveling through western Wisconsin or following I-90, this massive tribute to biking culture is a must-see stop.
World's Largest Bicyclist
101 E Wisconsin St
Sparta, WI 54656
