Quirky Sites and Stops

Recently I had to travel from my home base in Des Moines to Okoboji in one day. This is a nearly four hour drive (one way) which, for restless me, is an eternity. As I mapped out my course I realized that this was a great opportunity for me to see a couple of quirky Iowa attractions that I hadn’t seen before, but had always wanted to.

On my way up to Okoboji I went through Sac County. Sac County was neat to drive through because many of the barns have barn quilts on them. A barn quilt is a large colorful wooden block, typically eight feet square. They are all different and its fun seeing them scattered throughout the countryside. The county seat is, of course, Sac City, and home of the World’s Largest Ball of Popcorn. Built in 2009, the popcorn ball is 5,000 pounds and stands more than 8 feet tall. It’s located on Highway 20 across from the Casey’s General Store. I was amazed at its size and am glad that I earned the bragging rights to say that I have seen the world’s largest popcorn ball.  

CC Image courtesy of rocketjim54
on Flickr.




I took Highway 30 on my way back which is part of the Historic Lincoln Highway. The State of Iowa just put up new signage to help travelers follow this historic highway and travelers need the help. The Lincoln Highway was not designed like the highways and interstates we know today, it was a variety of paved, gravel and dirt roads only connected together by signage. Traveling on Highway 30, the highway would curve and the Lincoln Highway would go straight on a gravel road. I stayed on the paved road and stopped in Jefferson to check out the Mahanay Bell Tower. Those not afraid of heights will enjoy going up 14 stories to the 120-foot high observation deck. It offers amazing views of Jefferson and the surrounding countryside. It features 14 bronze bells that chime the time of day with concerts offered regularly.

What quirky things have you seen when you were on the road? Share them with me in the comments!

Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office