We seem to have a fondness for odd, unusual, and weird roadside attractions in Wisconsin. For some reason, we’ve amassed quite the collection of “World’s Largest” things you can either stop by and visit or take a selfie in front of. No matter where you wander within “The Badger State,” you should be able to find one of the world’s largest things in Wisconsin. Listed below are 15 of the “World’s Largest” things that are right here in Wisconsin, and you’ll want to visit them all. Don’t forget your camera!

  1. World’s Largest Barber Pole - Elkhart Lake

wikimedia commons/Muske-go The painted silo is more than 115 years old, and the owner has been giving haircuts nearly as long. W6036 Badger Rd, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020, USA

  1. World’s Largest Letter M - Platteville

Wiki/Thatoneguy89

Flickr/quirkyjazz The large M is on a hill outside Platteville and sits 241 feet high and 214 feet wide. It can be seen from 30 miles away. The artwork is meant to memorialize the local mining industry. Two Platteville students outlined an M in snow in 1936. It took a long time to melt and by that time, folks were attached to it. So they used limestone to lay out an M on the hill and it’s been there ever since. Platte Mound, W Mound Rd, Platteville, WI 53818

  1. World’s Largest Grandfather Clock - Kewaunee

Flickr/Kim Scarborough The clock is 38 feet tall and was built for the American Bicentennial. For a long time it stood outside a shop in Kewaunee, but it has since been moved next to the Ahnapee State Trail, in sight of the Kewaunee Harbor. 322 Milwaukee St, Kewaunee, WI 54216, USA

  1. World’s Largest Round Barn - Marshfield

Flickr/Jim Built in 1916 to house purebred animals in 250 stanchions, it was made without the help of scaffolding. The barn is 150 feet in diameter and 70 feet high. It’s a part of the Marshfield County Fairgrounds. 513 E 17th St, Marshfield, WI 54449, USA

  1. World’s Largest Soup Kettle - Laona

Flickr/Bjorn Seven feet across and three feet deep, this soup kettle is the manifestation of a tradition that’s been around since the 1920s where folks from the community gather at Silver Lake Beach for a communal soup. They bring their own bowls and eat with friends. US Highway 8, Laona, WI 54541

  1. World’s Largest Mustard Collection - Middleton

Flickr/Ellen MacDonald The National Mustard Museum is a truly unique experience. Admission is free and so is tasting. The place has such a wonderful kitschy atmosphere. 7477 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI 53562, USA

  1. World’s Largest Talking Cow - Neillsville

Flickr/jpellgen Built for the 1964 World’s Fair, Chatty Belle is 16 feet wide and 20 feet long. Put a quarter in her and you’ll get a full story about who and what she is. 1201 E Division St, Neillsville, WI 54456, USA

  1. World’s Largest Corkscrew - Hurley

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM There’s not a lot of backstory for this one. It’s just meant to draw attention to the liquor store it stands in front of. The owner also collects corkscrews. 5619 US-2, Hurley, WI 54534, USA

  1. World’s Largest Bicyclist - Sparta

Flickr/Silly America Between the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and the hometown fiberglass company, it’s not difficult to understand how “Ben Bikin” came to be. He’s spawned a real-life version, “Little Ben,” who rides around Sparta as an ambassador. 101 E Wisconsin St, Sparta, WI 54656, USA

  1. World’s Largest Mechanical Globe Planetarium - Monico

Flickr/EdwardHBlake Frank Kovac wanted to build a planetarium immune to being blocked by a cloudy sky. This is a 22-foot-diameter, two-ton globe tipped at 45 degrees. He meticulously hand-painted 5,000 stars, paying attention to their relative brightness. It’s only the fourth such planetarium ever built, dating back to the 15th century. It truly is one of the most unique things to see in Wisconsin. 2392 Mud Creek Rd, Rhinelander, WI 54501, USA

  1. World’s Largest Six Pack - La Crosse

Flickr/EarlRShumaker

Flickr/EarlRShumaker These cans have gone through quite a few labels, as different breweries have used the building. Now, outside City Brewery, they are actually functional and store the brewery’s stock. 3rd Street South, 3rd St S, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA

  1. World’s Largest Muskie - Hayward

Flickr/BobbyLight Located at the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, this guy is 143 feet long and up to 20 people can fit in his mouth viewing area. 10360 Hall of Fame Dr, Hayward, WI 54843

  1. World’s Largest Talking Loon - Mercer

Flickr/BobbyLight “Claire d’ Loon” here sits outside the Mercer Chamber of Commerce. She’s 16 feet tall and will talk to you in loon voices. She’s one of the silliest roadside attractions in Wisconsin. 5150N US-51, Mercer, WI 54547, USA

  1. World’s Largest Penny - Woodruff

Flickr/BobbyLight The penny is a memorial to Dr. Kate Newcomb, who was a traveling physician in the area that hoped to build a hospital for the people of the Northwoods. Local schoolchildren started to collect pennies, and the story blew up from there. The 17,000- pound, 15-foot-tall penny commemorates her work and the kindness of the community. 923 Second Ave., Woodruff, WI

  1. World’s Largest Badger - Birnamwood

Flickr/BobbyLight In the 1970s and ’80s, this large badger was the mascot of Badger Country gas station. You literally drove into a large, hollowed out log to fuel up, beckoned there by this 40-foot Badger. The gas station eventually closed and then began a new life as a gentleman’s club, so part of this Badger has been relocated and is a memory of a different time. N11004 US-45, Birnamwood, WI 54414, USA

Here’s a video of the Badger in all of its former glory:

wikimedia commons/Muske-go

The painted silo is more than 115 years old, and the owner has been giving haircuts nearly as long.

W6036 Badger Rd, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020, USA

Wiki/Thatoneguy89

Flickr/quirkyjazz

The large M is on a hill outside Platteville and sits 241 feet high and 214 feet wide. It can be seen from 30 miles away. The artwork is meant to memorialize the local mining industry. Two Platteville students outlined an M in snow in 1936. It took a long time to melt and by that time, folks were attached to it. So they used limestone to lay out an M on the hill and it’s been there ever since.

Platte Mound, W Mound Rd, Platteville, WI 53818

Flickr/Kim Scarborough

The clock is 38 feet tall and was built for the American Bicentennial. For a long time it stood outside a shop in Kewaunee, but it has since been moved next to the Ahnapee State Trail, in sight of the Kewaunee Harbor.

322 Milwaukee St, Kewaunee, WI 54216, USA

Flickr/Jim

Built in 1916 to house purebred animals in 250 stanchions, it was made without the help of scaffolding. The barn is 150 feet in diameter and 70 feet high. It’s a part of the Marshfield County Fairgrounds.

513 E 17th St, Marshfield, WI 54449, USA

Flickr/Bjorn

Seven feet across and three feet deep, this soup kettle is the manifestation of a tradition that’s been around since the 1920s where folks from the community gather at Silver Lake Beach for a communal soup. They bring their own bowls and eat with friends.

US Highway 8, Laona, WI 54541

Flickr/Ellen MacDonald

The National Mustard Museum is a truly unique experience. Admission is free and so is tasting. The place has such a wonderful kitschy atmosphere.

7477 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI 53562, USA

Flickr/jpellgen

Built for the 1964 World’s Fair, Chatty Belle is 16 feet wide and 20 feet long. Put a quarter in her and you’ll get a full story about who and what she is.

1201 E Division St, Neillsville, WI 54456, USA

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM

There’s not a lot of backstory for this one. It’s just meant to draw attention to the liquor store it stands in front of. The owner also collects corkscrews.

5619 US-2, Hurley, WI 54534, USA

Flickr/Silly America

Between the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and the hometown fiberglass company, it’s not difficult to understand how “Ben Bikin” came to be. He’s spawned a real-life version, “Little Ben,” who rides around Sparta as an ambassador.

101 E Wisconsin St, Sparta, WI 54656, USA

Flickr/EdwardHBlake

Frank Kovac wanted to build a planetarium immune to being blocked by a cloudy sky. This is a 22-foot-diameter, two-ton globe tipped at 45 degrees. He meticulously hand-painted 5,000 stars, paying attention to their relative brightness. It’s only the fourth such planetarium ever built, dating back to the 15th century. It truly is one of the most unique things to see in Wisconsin.

2392 Mud Creek Rd, Rhinelander, WI 54501, USA

Flickr/EarlRShumaker

These cans have gone through quite a few labels, as different breweries have used the building. Now, outside City Brewery, they are actually functional and store the brewery’s stock.

3rd Street South, 3rd St S, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA

Flickr/BobbyLight

Located at the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, this guy is 143 feet long and up to 20 people can fit in his mouth viewing area.

10360 Hall of Fame Dr, Hayward, WI 54843

“Claire d’ Loon” here sits outside the Mercer Chamber of Commerce. She’s 16 feet tall and will talk to you in loon voices. She’s one of the silliest roadside attractions in Wisconsin.

5150N US-51, Mercer, WI 54547, USA

The penny is a memorial to Dr. Kate Newcomb, who was a traveling physician in the area that hoped to build a hospital for the people of the Northwoods. Local schoolchildren started to collect pennies, and the story blew up from there. The 17,000- pound, 15-foot-tall penny commemorates her work and the kindness of the community.

923 Second Ave., Woodruff, WI

In the 1970s and ’80s, this large badger was the mascot of Badger Country gas station. You literally drove into a large, hollowed out log to fuel up, beckoned there by this 40-foot Badger. The gas station eventually closed and then began a new life as a gentleman’s club, so part of this Badger has been relocated and is a memory of a different time.

N11004 US-45, Birnamwood, WI 54414, USA

Have you ever made the trek to one of these “World’s Largest” things? Are we missing any others around Wisconsin? If so, let us know in the comments. Also, share with us any other weird places in Wisconsin you’d recommend visiting, whether large or small.

Looking for more places to stop on a road trip? Check out 12 Bizarre Roadside Attractions In Wisconsin That Will Make You Do A Double Take.

 

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The OIYS Visitor Center

world’s largest things in Wisconsin January 27, 2022 Jennifer Young What are two other “World’s Largest” things you’ll find in Wisconsin?

  1. The World’s Largest Stuffed Black Bear This massive stuffed bear is located in Glidden, Wisconsin and is known as “Mr. Bear” by the locals. In 1963, when he was 12 years old, he was shot in the head by Otto Hedbany during hunting season. He is now stuffed and mounted. With a height of 7ft 10in, and a weight of 665 pounds, Mr. Bear is the largest stuffed black bear in the world. The city of Glidden has claimed to be the “Black Bear Capital of the World” ever since. The local high school also made the black bear its mascot. The stuffed black bear is currently on display at the Glidden Chamber of Commerce, and many people from near and far, including hunting enthusiasts of all ages, have come to see it in person.
  2. World’s Largest White Pine Log Also located in Glidden, Wisconsin is the world’s largest white pine log. This massive log weighs 7,000 pounds and measures approximately 20 feet long. It’s currently sitting on the same sleigh it was brought in on, and according to several lumberjacks, it could easily make nearly 2,000 feet worth of lumber. That alone proves how large this log truly is. In addition to the log being quite long, it’s also rather old. Experts have estimated it to be 500-600 years old. Incredible! This white pine log is located at the intersection of East First Street (County Highway N) and North Grant Street on East First Street. Other than the National Mustard Museum, which features the world’s largest collection of mustard, what’s another unique museum in Wisconsin? There are several unique museums in Wisconsin, including A World of Accordions Museum in Superior. This unique museum has a collection of more than 1,300 accordions, making it one of the largest accordion museums in the world. Each of the accordions are also placed in chronological order so visitors can easily see how they’ve evolved over the years. This museum also has two rooms filled with accordion music, accordion periodicals, and accordion history. Whether you’re a fan of accordions or not, you’ll want to visit this museum. There’s not another museum quite like it. For more information about A World of Accordions Museum, including hours, click here.

The OIYS Visitor Center

world’s largest things in Wisconsin

January 27, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are two other “World’s Largest” things you’ll find in Wisconsin?

  1. The World’s Largest Stuffed Black Bear This massive stuffed bear is located in Glidden, Wisconsin and is known as “Mr. Bear” by the locals. In 1963, when he was 12 years old, he was shot in the head by Otto Hedbany during hunting season. He is now stuffed and mounted. With a height of 7ft 10in, and a weight of 665 pounds, Mr. Bear is the largest stuffed black bear in the world. The city of Glidden has claimed to be the “Black Bear Capital of the World” ever since. The local high school also made the black bear its mascot. The stuffed black bear is currently on display at the Glidden Chamber of Commerce, and many people from near and far, including hunting enthusiasts of all ages, have come to see it in person.
  2. World’s Largest White Pine Log Also located in Glidden, Wisconsin is the world’s largest white pine log. This massive log weighs 7,000 pounds and measures approximately 20 feet long. It’s currently sitting on the same sleigh it was brought in on, and according to several lumberjacks, it could easily make nearly 2,000 feet worth of lumber. That alone proves how large this log truly is. In addition to the log being quite long, it’s also rather old. Experts have estimated it to be 500-600 years old. Incredible! This white pine log is located at the intersection of East First Street (County Highway N) and North Grant Street on East First Street. Other than the National Mustard Museum, which features the world’s largest collection of mustard, what’s another unique museum in Wisconsin? There are several unique museums in Wisconsin, including A World of Accordions Museum in Superior. This unique museum has a collection of more than 1,300 accordions, making it one of the largest accordion museums in the world. Each of the accordions are also placed in chronological order so visitors can easily see how they’ve evolved over the years. This museum also has two rooms filled with accordion music, accordion periodicals, and accordion history. Whether you’re a fan of accordions or not, you’ll want to visit this museum. There’s not another museum quite like it. For more information about A World of Accordions Museum, including hours, click here.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

  1. The World’s Largest Stuffed Black Bear

This massive stuffed bear is located in Glidden, Wisconsin and is known as “Mr. Bear” by the locals. In 1963, when he was 12 years old, he was shot in the head by Otto Hedbany during hunting season. He is now stuffed and mounted. With a height of 7ft 10in, and a weight of 665 pounds, Mr. Bear is the largest stuffed black bear in the world. The city of Glidden has claimed to be the “Black Bear Capital of the World” ever since. The local high school also made the black bear its mascot. The stuffed black bear is currently on display at the Glidden Chamber of Commerce, and many people from near and far, including hunting enthusiasts of all ages, have come to see it in person.

  1. World’s Largest White Pine Log

Also located in Glidden, Wisconsin is the world’s largest white pine log. This massive log weighs 7,000 pounds and measures approximately 20 feet long. It’s currently sitting on the same sleigh it was brought in on, and according to several lumberjacks, it could easily make nearly 2,000 feet worth of lumber. That alone proves how large this log truly is. In addition to the log being quite long, it’s also rather old. Experts have estimated it to be 500-600 years old. Incredible! This white pine log is located at the intersection of East First Street (County Highway N) and North Grant Street on East First Street.

Other than the National Mustard Museum, which features the world’s largest collection of mustard, what’s another unique museum in Wisconsin?

There are several unique museums in Wisconsin, including A World of Accordions Museum in Superior. This unique museum has a collection of more than 1,300 accordions, making it one of the largest accordion museums in the world. Each of the accordions are also placed in chronological order so visitors can easily see how they’ve evolved over the years. This museum also has two rooms filled with accordion music, accordion periodicals, and accordion history. Whether you’re a fan of accordions or not, you’ll want to visit this museum. There’s not another museum quite like it. For more information about A World of Accordions Museum, including hours, click here.