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The Land of 10,000 Lakes is popularly known for its fishing and recreation, but Minnesota has many more unique, diverse, or strange attractions to offer. You don't have to go fishing to see the biggest fish in the state; just take a quick detour to Willie. Just like you don鈥檛 have to go wildlife spotting to find a 40-foot otter, Otto will be waiting for you in Fergus Falls. Some of these landmarks are actual historical artifacts or sites, and others are just quirky roadside attractions. But no matter what you鈥檙e in the mood for, Minnesota will have something to show you. You just have to veer off the main road a little bit to enjoy it.

麻豆AV鈥檚 Largest Ball of Twine

It took 29 years and two tons of twine, but in 1979, Francis A. Johnson completed the 17,400-pound Ball of Twine. Strangely enough, scraps of twine were not Francis's only unique collection. At one point in his life, he owned 7,000 pencils and 1,700 nail aprons. However, it鈥檚 the twine that put him and the town of Darwin on the map. The twine ball currently sits inside a glassed-off gazebo in downtown Darwin, where visitors can stop and take pictures. It spans 8 feet in diameter and 10.8 feet in height, creating a unique sight rarely seen elsewhere. Thus, the unique structure is a staple in Darwin and attracts about 150 visitors daily during summer. The attraction is so big it inspired 鈥淲eird Al鈥� Yankovic to write a song about it. People have also hitchhiked to the attractions using signs that read 鈥淭wine Ball or Bust.鈥� Those signs are now on display in the Twine Ball Museum.

The Jolly Green Giant

Minnesota is home to many 鈥溌槎笰V鈥檚 Largest鈥� roadside attractions, so it鈥檚 safe to assume their food marketing would go just as big. The Jolly Green Giant statue was developed in 1979 for the Minnesota Valley Canning Company as their mascot for advertising. Eventually, the company鈥檚 name was changed to Green Giant, and thus, the icon was born. This Jolly Green Giant stands 55 feet high and tops all the other statues in Minnesota. It is also one of the top ten largest statues in the U.S.

The giant is located in the city of Blue Earth and attracts over 10,000 visitors a year. He stands upon a platform that reads, 鈥淲elcome to Blue Earth Minnesota,鈥� so make sure to get a photo with the Jolly Green Giant and remember your trip to this small Minnesota town. Even with all the tourists coming and going, the Jolly Green Giant has one constant companion year-round: a statue of Little Sprout, a miniature version of the Green Giant.

Spoonbridge and Cherry

Possibly one of Minnesota鈥檚 more notorious structures just happens to be a giant spoon. The appropriately named 7,000-pound Spoonbridge and Cherry statue at the Walker Art Center has attracted tourists since 1988. The spoon extends over the length of a small pond at the arts center and has a cherry resting in it. The structure doubles as a fountain, with water spraying from the cherry stem into the bowl of the spoon before dripping into the pond. The idea came from artist Claes Oldenburg, who had a habit of doodling spoons for over 20 years before coming up with the design. Although this might be his most well-known, this certainly isn鈥檛 Claes鈥檚 first food statue. He also had his visions of giant ice cream, cake, and cheeseburgers come to life in the biggest way possible. Unfortunately, the statue was vandalized in 2012, but it has since been cleaned up and returned to its original appearance.

Split Rock Lighthouse

Found in the state park with the same name, Split Rock Lighthouse can be visited during a trip to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. A storm in November of 1905 prompted the U.S. Steel company president to lobby for a lighthouse. The single storm damaged 29 boats in one night, warranting action. Thus, the request was granted in 1907, and the lighthouse was finally completed in 1910. For almost 15 years, the only way to access the lighthouse was by water. This was until 1924 when the Lake Superior International Highway was built, and any car could reach the structure. Today, it is considered one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the country. The tower only stands at 54 feet, but it sits atop a 130-foot cliff, so if you climb to the top, you can overlook quite a bit of beautiful landscape. Take a tour to the top of the lighthouse and take in the views of the Lake Superior shoreline.

Pipestone National Monument

Declared a U.S. National Monument, Pipestone is a historical site that 23 tribal nations have used for centuries to quarry the red pipestone for making pipes and effigies (sculptures or models of a person). The quarry pits are still active to this day. However, you can鈥檛 just walk in and start collecting pipestone. An excavation permit is required, and permits are only granted to federally recognized tribes. The monument was declared a National Park Service site to protect the rights to quarry for the tribal nations. When visiting the Pipestone National Monument, make sure to stop at the active pits, walk the circle trail, and view the historical markers and tallgrass prairie and quartzite formations. From the monument, you can also visit Winnewissa Falls, a waterfall that is less than a mile away from the park鈥檚 visitor center.

Historic Fort Snelling

Fort Snelling was originally used to establish trade relationships with the local Native Americans. It was later used during the Civil War to train volunteers wanting to join the Union Army. At the end of 麻豆AV War II, the fort was decommissioned and, in 1960, was declared Minnesota鈥檚 first National Historical Landmark. The fort is currently open for guided tours, which take visitors along the trails that surround the fort, which were formed over 10,000 years ago. These aren鈥檛 any regular trails, though. They are deep valleys that were carved out by glaciers retreating. Re-enactors are available to answer any questions and make you feel like you鈥檝e returned in time. When visiting, make sure to stay and hear the thunder of the cannon! After the tour, stop at the Plank Museum and Visitor Center to view the displays and pick up a souvenir or two.

麻豆AV鈥檚 Largest Loon

If you鈥檙e traveling to the state that claims the loon as its state bird, you can鈥檛 leave without making a stop at the 麻豆AV鈥檚 Largest Loon. Located in Vergas Park, overlooking Long Lake, this bird statue stands 20 feet tall and has attracted tourists since the 1960s. The loon was built as a dedication to a local postmaster who had passed and was commissioned by the Vergas Fire Department. Other towns in Minnesota and even other states have tried to dethrone the loon at Long Lake but have continued to come up short, literally! The town hosts the Looney Days Festival every August to celebrate this feat of having the 麻豆AV鈥檚 Largest Loon, with a parade, live music, water ski shows, and even a boat parade. Minnesota is also home to the 麻豆AV鈥檚 Largest Floating Loon, which rests in Silver Lake. Like his standing counterpart, the floating loon is 20 feet long.

Willie the Walleye

It seems fitting that Lake of the Woods, known as Walleye Capitol of the 麻豆AV, is represented by Willie Walleye. A 40-foot, 2.5-ton fish located at Baudette Bay, Willie, was constructed in 1959, with Arnold F. Lund and Al Anderson being the masterminds behind the project. Willie got his name after a vote took place in the town. It won over multiple other W names. The original Willie proved to be too difficult to maintain, and eventually, the concrete fish was replaced with a lower-maintenance fiberglass one. Concrete Willie was demolished, and the new Willie was brought in by a semi-truck (imagine seeing a 40-foot fishing driving down the highway) and had a crowd gathered when he was put together with large cranes. Residents and tourists alike love this Willie just as much as the original. Baudette Bay hosts multiple events and festivals at Willy Walleye Hill, including their annual Fourth of July fireworks show.

Endless Strange Landmarks in Minnesota

Come for the lakes, and stay for the roadside attractions; the bigger the better! Whether you prefer oversized, somewhat silly, Guinness record-holding attractions or historical monuments, Minnesota offers something for everyone to enjoy. If you want to take a photograph in front of a giant ball of twine or climb to the top of one of the country鈥檚 most beautiful lighthouses, you won鈥檛 be disappointed with any stop you make. When looking for roadside attractions, just remember, nothing is too strange not to stop!