25 Weird Ohio Roadside Attractions to Visit, From the World's Largest Basket of Apples to "Hug Me Jesus"
By Scene Staff on Sun, Apr 30, 2023 at 7:48 am
From the world's largest basket, drumsticks and horseshoe crab to a field of giant corn cobs and flying saucer houses, Ohio is full of bizarre roadside attractions that make you say, "Why?" But also, "Cool!" If you're looking for a roadtrip stop full of lasting (and weird) memories, these are the spots you won't want to miss to snap a memorable pic.
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World’s Tallest Our Lady of Guadalupe Statue
6601 Ireland Rd., WindsorLocated in Windsor, around 50 miles east of downtown, just before you get to Pennsylvania, stands this religious statue, measuring 33 feet tall.
Large Rocking Chair
1933 Highway 45, AustinburgA battle has waged for years over which large rocking chair is actually the biggest in the world. Many claim it, but only one holds the actual record. We’re just not sure which one it is. But this one, 50 miles east on I-90, is definitely large, standing 20 feet tall.
World’s Largest Basket of Apples
5563 Raiders Rd., FrazeysburgClose to the World’s Largest Basket but much lesser known stands the World’s Largest Basket of Apples. Also once owned by the basket company Longaberger, the basket stands close to 20 feet tall.
Pumpkin Water Tower
Logan St., CirclevilleCircleville, about 30 miles south of Columbus, is known for their annual Pumpkin Festival, which they bill as the “best free festival on Earth.” What better way to promote the biggest thing in town than painting the town water tower to look like a pumpkin!
Faux Ghost Town
10630 Hancock County Rd. 40, FindlayThis replica town was created to resemble a ghost town of the old west. At least this place helps Findlay be known for something besides Ben Roethlisberger.
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Hot Dog Bun Museum
1902 Front St., ToledoToledo’s Tony Packo’s is known for their delicious Hungarian food, hot dogs, chili and paprikash. Lesser known is their Hot Dog Bun Hall of Fame. The restaurant has been around since 1930, and celebrities that have stopped through over time sign a plastic hot dog bun that goes up on the wall. Burt Reynolds signed a real bun.
World’s Largest Washboard
14 Gallagher Ave., LoganLogan, Ohio, halfway between Columbus and Athens, is home to the Columbus Washboard Company, which has the world’s largest washboard on their building. In addition, the town hosts the annual Washboard Music, Arts and Crafts Festival for three days every Father’s Day weekend.
The Temple of Tolerance
203 South Wood St., WapakonetaThis small town south of Lima, known as the birthplace for Neil Armstrong, is an unlikely place to find a hippie/artistic enclave reminiscent of Taos, New Mexico or Sedona, Arizona. But that’s exactly what you’ll find at this rock sculpture temple that took 18 years to build.
The Troll Hole
228 East Main St., AllianceIf you’re into trolls, well, we have the perfect spot for you. The Troll Hole in Alliance is a museum dedicated to Troll Dolls and in fact has the largest collection of Troll dolls in the world according to the Guiness Book of World Records.
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Giant Tomato Soup Can
12772 State Route 110, NapoleonAs the weather starts to cool off, what could be better than a warm bowl of tomato soup. How about a massive can of tomato soup outside Campbell’s production facility near Toledo?
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