When it comes to world records, Nebraska is an old pro. Our incredible state is full of famous record holders—including many of the “World’s Largest Things”. We have everything from the world’s largest ball of stamps to the largest time capsule, each with their own interesting story.
We rounded up some of our favorite quirky “Biggest Things” in the Cornhusker State. If you’re looking for interesting stops for your next cross-state road trip or you just want to learn a little more about Nebraska’s interesting history, we promise you’ll find something worth seeing on this list!
NOTE: Click the city link accompanying each destination to see its location and photos taken by intrigued visitors.
The World’s Largest Ball of Stamps | Boys Town
From 1953-1955, the Boys Town Stamp Collecting Club embarked on an adventure: to create the world’s largest ball of stamps. We are happy to report that they succeeded, creating a 600-pound ball measuring 32 inches in diameter and made up of over 4.6 million stamps. This magnificent sight is located in the Leon Myers Stamp Center in the Boy’s Town Visitors Center—just a short drive from the center of Omaha.
The World’s Largest Collection of Clowns | Plainview
The Klown Kapital of Nebraska, Plainview, is home to its very own Klown Doll Museum, which displays the largest collection of clowns in the world. The museum currently houses more than 7,000 clowns, creating an interesting, albeit slightly creepy, roadside attraction that draws thousands of visitors to the area every year.
The World’s Largest Collection of Marbles | York
Photo courtesy of Lee’s Legendary Marbles & Collectables
If you’ve ever lost your marbles, they probably wound up in York at Lee’s Legendary Marbles & Collectables. This museum houses the largest collection of marbles in the world, from unique, pre-WWI marbles that contain uranium to more modern, glass marbles. The museum’s namesake and owner, Lee, started his collection in 1954 and has been sharing it with curious travelers since 2001. You can visit any day of the week to explore this massive collection, along with other extraordinary antiques and furniture pieces.
The World’s Largest Covered Porch Swing | Hebron
Coming it at a staggering 32 feet long, the World’s Largest Porch Swing may not fit on a normal porch, but it’s still a sight to behold! The swing can hold up to 18 adults or 24 children and is a fun activity for the whole family. In 2016, the town of Hebron built a gazebo enclosure over the roadside attraction to give off the illusion that this swing is actually on a porch, even if it’s not attached to a giant house.
The World’s Largest Covered Wagon | Milford
Many cities say that they are home to the “World’s Largest Covered Wagon” but coming in at 50 feet tall and 50 feet long, Milford has taken home the title. While this retired gas station isn’t the most glorious sight anymore, it’s easy to picture it in its heyday with 24-foot wheels and a cowboy muffler man wearing a bright red hat. We recommend checking this one off your bucket list as soon as possible—it isn’t clear how much longer it is going to survive.
The World’s Largest Fork with Pasta | Omaha
If you’re ever wandering through the streets of Omaha and find yourself at a fork in the road, don’t worry about turning left or right, just stop for a tasty meal! This 13-foot-tall fork wrapped in metal noodles, donned “Stile di Famiglia”, announces to visitors that you’re in Omaha’s Little Italy, a neighborhood packed full of cute houses and spectacular restaurants.
The World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand | Hastings
Did you know that Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska? Edwin Perkins invented the popular sweet drink, which comes in many exciting colors and flavors, while living in this quiet Nebraskan town. Hastings has truly embraced their claim to fame with an informational plaque outside the former Perkins Products Company, footprints from the Kool-Aid Man in cement, and an exhibit on display at the Hastings Museum. Where does the World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand come in? It is a part of a massive event put on by the town every year—Kool-Aid Days. The 17-foot-long stand is only set up for one day a year and features more than 14 flavors of the drink for you to try. While they were forced to cancel Kool-Aid Days for 2020, we can’t wait to participate in the future!
The World’s Largest Plow | Gothenburg
Right outside the Sod House Museum in Gothenburg, Nebraska, you’ll find the World’s Largest Plow! This massive sculpture is made of welded metal tubing and angle iron, with two wooden handles. The roadside attraction is located next to an authentic early settler sod house and a life-size bison made out of 4.5 miles of barbed wire. While the museum closed in 2019, the owners hope to reopen soon. In the meantime, you can still stop by to see the outdoor exhibits from afar.
The World’s Largest Shamrock | O’Neill
Photo courtesy of Mike Peterson of O’Neill, NE via the O’Neill Chamber of Commerce
If you’ve never been to O’Neill, Nebraska on St. Patrick’s Day—you’re missing out! This small town goes all out for the holiday with a massive festival. They are so well known for their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, they even painted a large shamrock on the pavement of the busiest intersection in town. While it wasn’t exactly intentional, this giant green mural turned out to be the World’s Largest Shamrock and has become the centerpiece of the annual festival.
The World’s Largest Steam Engine Train | Omaha
Omaha isn’t a stranger to locomotive history, especially since we are the headquarters of the Union Pacific Railroad, which was founded in part by our very own Grenville Dodge! So it’s no surprise that we would also be home to one of the world’s largest steam engine trains: the Union Pacific Big Boy. Manufactured between 1941-1944, only eight of these huge trains exist today. And one of them is located in Kenefick Park right here in Omaha!
The World’s Largest Time Capsule | Seward
While exploring Seward, Nebraska, you may find yourself passing a huge pyramid in the middle of town. This is more than just a unique sculpture—it’s actually the World’s Largest Time Capsule! It came about as a way for businessman, writer and historian Harold Davisson to preserve a snapshot of his life in 1975 for his grandchildren. It includes two different rooms and a massive underground portion, which holds two cars, a motorcycle and a ton of ‘70s memorabilia. It was sealed and dedicated on July 4, 1975 and is set to be opened 50 years later on July 4, 2025.
We’re thinking BIG!
What do you think of all these interesting roadside attractions in Nebraska? Let us know in the comments below!