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The largest ball of twine built by one person is located in Darwin Minnesota and is a favorite stop of the offbeat tourist. Francis A. Johnson began his project in 1950 and wrapped four hours every day for 29 years. The result is a ball eleven feet in diameter that weighs 17,400 pounds! It is currently housed in a plexi-glass gazebo that offers views from all sides.
roadsideamerica.com: Twine Ball Museum
Only in Austin, Minnesota can you find a shrine dedicated to SPAM, the world-famous canned meat produced by the Hormel Food Corporation. A must for Spam lovers who can learn exactly what goes into it, the role it played in winning WW II, and how it became a pop culture icon.
spam.com
Into medical fraud, crazy cures and quackery? The Museum of Questionable Medical Devices might just be what the doctor ordered. As part of the Collections Gallery at the Minnesota Science Museum, it’s a testament to the many ways people have tried to make money off those gullible enough to fall for cure-all claims.
smm.org/collections
If you’re a huge fan of the legendary lumberjack known for his prowess with an axe, get ready for a larger-than-life experience in Minnesota. There are several Paul Bunyan statues and destinations to visit throughout the state including the original colossal Paul and Babe in Bemidji—which is also home to his axe, phone, toothpaste, razor and Zippo lighter.
Did Vikings from Scandinavia make it all the way to Minnesota in the mid 14th century? That question has boggled the minds of scholars for decades. At the center of the debate is the Kensington Runestone, a slab of rock discovered in 1898 on the Olaf Ohman farm near Kensington, Minnesota. The rock is inscribed with a runic message that supposedly proves a Viking existence in the area. It can be viewed at the Runestone Museum in nearby Alexandria where visitors can determine for themselves whether or not it is a hoax.
runestonemuseum.org
There’s no place like the home—especially when it comes to the birthplace of the star of The Wizard of Oz, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Guests can tour the restored house from the 1920s, and the adjacent museum displays thousands of items from Judy’s career.
judygarlandmuseum.com
The largest independent toy store in the country is fun for the whole family. Located in Kellogg, Minnesota, LARK stands for Lost Arts Revival by Kreofsky, a fitting name for a small family-oriented company dedicated to bringing back toys crafted of wood.
In this signature event of the annual Minneapolis Aquatennial celebration, people construct homemade boats out of empty milk cartons and race them on Lake Calhoun. The judges vote on creativity and speed. People often dress up for the occasion and lactose intolerant pirates are quite the sight.
aquatennial.com
The Marine Art Museum features four major art collections making it a regional and national attraction. The Burrichter-Kierlin Marine Art Collection (one of America’s largest private marine art collections), The Leo and Marilyn Smith Folk Art Collection, a rare collection of amazing photographs and maps by Henry Peter Bosse, and finally US Army Corps of Engineers' Dredge William A. Thompson will be docked adjacent to the museum once decommissioned in 2007. Additionally, it feature six acres of grounds and gardens.
www.minnesotamarineart.org |