Say what you want about Iowa, but we have some pretty interesting things to offer – many of them one-of-a-kind. From the world’s only Hobo Museum to the world’s largest truck stop, here are 12 things that you won’t find anywhere else but Iowa.
- The only Hobo Museum in the world
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr That’s right, a whole museum dedicated to hobos, and it’s right here in Britt, Iowa. Britt is also home to the National Hobo Convention and the only Hobo Memorial in the world.
- The Ice Cream Capital of the World
loonyhiker/Flickr Iowa is also home to the ice cream capital of the world: Le Mars. If you want the best ice cream in the world, you don’t have to go far.
- The largest man-made grotto in the world
Laura Bernhardt/Flickr The Grotto of Redemption in West Bend is the largest man-made Grotto in the world, and contains the largest collection of precious stones and gems found anywhere in one location.
- The largest Danish settlement in the U.S.
Ali Eminov/Flickr Elk Horn, population 664, is home to the largest Danish settlement in the U.S., and is also home to the only authentic, working Danish windmill in the United States.
- The largest concentration of Effigy Mounds in the U.S.
Lance and Erin/Flickr Effigy Mounds National Monument, located in Allamakee and Clayton Counties, contains 191 prehistoric Indian mounds, making Effigy Mounds National Monument the largest known concentration of mounds remaining in the United States.
- The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
Jason Mrachina/Flickr The World Food Prize is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world. The Hall of Laureates is located in Des Moines.
- The world’s largest popcorn ball
VideoVik/Flickr The world’s largest popcorn ball can be found in Sac City, Iowa, and weighs a whopping 3,100 lbs.
- The world’s largest strawberry
Al/Flickr Located in Strawberry Point, this giant strawberry is 15 ft. tall and weighs 1,430 lbs.
- The world’s largest wooden nickel
Alan Light/Flickr The world’s largest wooden nickel, in Iowa City, is 18 feet across, and weighs 4,000 lbs.
- The world’s largest garden gnome
Scott McLeod/Flickr The world’s largest concrete gnome is located at Reiman Gardens in Ames. It weighs 3,500 pounds and is 15 feet tall.
- The world’s largest frying pan
Neil Conway/Flickr The worlds largest frying pan, in Brandon, weighs half a ton and can hold 44 dozen eggs.
- The world’s largest truck stop
Todd Quinn/Flickr The world’s largest truckstop, Iowa 80, is located in Walcott, Iowa. The truckstop sprawls over 220 acres, and their 450 employees serve 5,000 customers a day.
And the only truck stop with a movie theater, dentist, and chiropractor
Jasperdo/Flickr There’s also a museum, food court, 300-seat restaurant, workout room, and pet wash. You could probably just live here.
Just like the things listed, Iowa is truly one-of-a-kind, and it’s completely OK to be proud of that.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
That’s right, a whole museum dedicated to hobos, and it’s right here in Britt, Iowa. Britt is also home to the National Hobo Convention and the only Hobo Memorial in the world.
loonyhiker/Flickr
Iowa is also home to the ice cream capital of the world: Le Mars. If you want the best ice cream in the world, you don’t have to go far.
Laura Bernhardt/Flickr
The Grotto of Redemption in West Bend is the largest man-made Grotto in the world, and contains the largest collection of precious stones and gems found anywhere in one location.
Ali Eminov/Flickr
Elk Horn, population 664, is home to the largest Danish settlement in the U.S., and is also home to the only authentic, working Danish windmill in the United States.
Lance and Erin/Flickr
Effigy Mounds National Monument, located in Allamakee and Clayton Counties, contains 191 prehistoric Indian mounds, making Effigy Mounds National Monument the largest known concentration of mounds remaining in the United States.
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
The World Food Prize is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world. The Hall of Laureates is located in Des Moines.
VideoVik/Flickr
The world’s largest popcorn ball can be found in Sac City, Iowa, and weighs a whopping 3,100 lbs.
Al/Flickr
Located in Strawberry Point, this giant strawberry is 15 ft. tall and weighs 1,430 lbs.
Alan Light/Flickr
The world’s largest wooden nickel, in Iowa City, is 18 feet across, and weighs 4,000 lbs.
Scott McLeod/Flickr
The world’s largest concrete gnome is located at Reiman Gardens in Ames. It weighs 3,500 pounds and is 15 feet tall.
Neil Conway/Flickr
The worlds largest frying pan, in Brandon, weighs half a ton and can hold 44 dozen eggs.
Todd Quinn/Flickr
The world’s largest truckstop, Iowa 80, is located in Walcott, Iowa. The truckstop sprawls over 220 acres, and their 450 employees serve 5,000 customers a day.
Jasperdo/Flickr
There’s also a museum, food court, 300-seat restaurant, workout room, and pet wash. You could probably just live here.
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