It could just be us, but we always like a quick pitstop to see something weird. And, there’s no better way to do it than with some of the best roadside attractions you can find in BC. Whether you’re swinging by on your next adventure, or making a special trip just for a photo opp (which we’ve done more than once), these are some great options.
Here are some of the craziest roadside attractions in BC.
The Great Hog of Freedom
Get your motor running, and get out on the highway to see this massive motorcycle. Created by local artist Kenny Glasgow, the hog is 24 feet long is a sight to behold. If Easy Rider isn’t really your thing, Glasgow has a whole compound of interesting and esoteric art for you to check out.
Where: Botanie Creek Road, Lytton
The Giant Penny
We could all use a little change, but a big change? Well, that’s what the small town of Salmo did when they erected this giant penny to commemorate 1995’s Penny Power campaign. The campaign saw Salmo residence collecting pennies to help pay off Canada’s national debt. Sounds like a WHOLE lot of pennies to us.
Where: 301 Railway Avenue, Salmo
Giant Smokey Bear Statue
Only you can stop forest fires, but a whole lot of people should check out this giant Smokey Bear statue. Standing at around 30 feet high, this statue is a shining beacon reminding you to be aware of forest fires. Also, did you know that Smokey was a real bear? We didn’t until today.
Where: Pole Yard Road, Revelstoke
The World’s Largest Hockey Stick and Puck
Hockey is Canada’s game. This means that Canada needs to have the largest hockey stick and puck. Located on Vancouver Island, the hockey stick is 205 feet long and is attached to the Cowichan Community Centre. While yes, when we were kids our parents got us stuff we could grow into, we don’t see anyone growing into this stick and puck anytime soon.
Where: 2687 James Street, Duncan
The World’s Largest Paddle
Somebody call Matthew Lillard, Seth Green, and Dax Shepard because we have found a paddle. The world’s largest one at that. This paddle is 60 feet long and made out of one massive western red cedar tree. Now we just need to find the world’s largest canoe, and we’ll be all set for this weekend.
Where: 2627 BC-95, Parson
Canada’s Largest Fly Fishing Rod
We once saw a fly fishing rod that was thiiiiiiisssss big. No, really, we did. And you can check it out as well if you go to Houston, BC. The rod is 60 feet long and, we’re pretty sure, it’s not operational. Granted, it’s good to know that there’s finally a rod for that friend who’s always exaggerating their catches.
Where: Steelhead Park, Houston
World’s Largest Tree Burl
If you don’t know what a tree burl is, that’s okay. Neither did we. They are an excess of growth that you can find on trees and Canada’s got the biggest one. The burl weighs roughly 30 tonnes and is many feet across. It was carved off a sitka spruce tree in 2005 and it really is something you won’t see anywhere else.
Where: Broughton Boulevard, Port McNeill
The Glass House
Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought about making a house out of embalming fluid jars. Oh. Just us? Well, us and David H. Brown, the man who made a house completely out of cement and glass jars. Constructed in the 1950s, this is not only in a beautiful place, but it’s really not like any other house out there.
Where: 11341 BC-3A, Sanca
The World’s Largest Non-Motorized Lawn Mower
In need of an arm workout? Well, this giant push lawn mower would definitely do the trick. If you’re old enough to remember, before gas or electric lawn mowers were a thing, you had to use a good ol’ fashioned push lawn mower. And, to commemorate that wonderful old tool, Herb Higginbottom created a 20-25 foot replica of one. We think we’ll opt for our ride-on lawnmower though.
Where: 91 Deep Creek Road, Enderby
The World’s Largest Standing Cuckoo Clock
Located in the “Bavaria of the Rockies,” this cuckoo clock is the biggest standing one out there. It stands at about 22 feet high and 12 feet wide and “cuckoos” every hour. However, instead of a bird, the cute little “Happy Hans” pops out and yodels. This is, as the Germans say, “Sehr Gut!”
Where: Kimberley Avenue, Kimberley
Now that you have some of the best, and weirdest, roadside attractions in BC, you can really start planning your next road trip. We’re sure that as soon as regional travel starts opening up again, we’ll be checking these out as soon as we can.
