Salem Sue: The World's Largest Holstein Cow in New Salem, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

The 10 Best North Dakota Roadside Attractions

Are you planning a North Dakota road trip and want to find all the best North Dakota roadside attractions along your route? Whether you’re driving across I-94 from Fargo to Bismarck or veering off the well-traveled paths, you won’t want to miss these ten must-see places to go in North Dakota. They’re fun road trip …

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Alley 5.5: Bismarck Art Alley in North Dakota - Street art and Murals in Bismarck, North Dakota

Alley 5.5: Bismarck Art Alley in North Dakota

Color, community…cows. If you’re looking for murals in Bismarck, North Dakota, you will find them at Alley 5.5: Bismarck Art Alley. Bismarck Art Alley is an actual alley in downtown Bismarck, North Dakota that features commissioned street art from a multitude local artists. The project brings life to what otherwise would be a boring, drab, …

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Bird Up Mural in Downtown Fargo, North Dakota | Street Art in Fargo, North Dakota

Bird Up Mural in Downtown Fargo, North Dakota

A little birdie told me that you might just love this Fargo, North Dakota mural. Titled Bird Up, this mural in Downtown Fargo covers a building at 409 Broadway N. The street art was completed in 2018 by local artist Hideuhs. The mural is the artist’s fifth and features a man’s face with a toothy …

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Salem Sue: The World's Largest Holstein Cow in New Salem, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

Salem Sue: The World’s Largest Holstein Cow in North Dakota

You can’t miss seeing Salem Sue, the World’s Largest Holstein Cow when traveling through New Salem on a North Dakota road trip. And I mean that in two ways. One, she is absolutely one of the best and biggest world’s largest things I have ever seen (and trust me, I’ve seen a lot of world’s …

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Butter the Octopus Mural in Fargo, North Dakota by artist Olivia Bain - Fargo street art in North Dakota

Butter the Octopus Mural in Fargo, North Dakota

As you walk around Fargo, North Dakota you’ll encounter a lot of interesting street art and murals. From the Fargo Mario Wall (a Super Mario Bros mural) to the Bird Up mural to an expressive art alley to a pair of angel wings, the city has been taken over with colorful, interactive walls. Walls like …

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Fargo Mario Wall | Super Mario Bros Mural in Fargo, North Dakota | Street Art in Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo Mario Wall: Super Mario Bros Mural in Fargo, North Dakota

Level up in Fargo, North Dakota at this fun, interactive Super Mario Bros Mural also known as the Fargo Mario Wall (or #FargoMarioWall). The Fargo Mario Wall was created in local artists Dark Elvis and Icky Hiccup (Lauren Starling) in 2018. It features the iconic blue-sky background of Mushroom Kingdom, a green warp pipe, an …

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Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

World’s Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota

The typical sandhill crane measures in at about 47.2 inches and weighs between 119.9 and 172.8 ounces. The World’s Largest Sandhill Crane measures in at 40 feet and weighs about 4.5 tons.

Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

Meet Sandy the Sandhill Crane, a giant Sandhill Crane who lives in Steele, North Dakota. She is the biggest crane in the world and is made out of rolled sheet metal and was built in 1998/99 by ironworker James Miller

Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

The North Dakota roadside attraction is located behind the Cobblestone Inn and Suites in Steele (formerly said to live at the now-closed Lone Steer Motel, Restaurant, Lounge, Casino & Campground) right off of I-94.

Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

Along with Salem Sue and the World’s Largest Buffalo, the biggest crane in the world is a must-see roadside attraction in North Dakota. Unfortunately, the day I was road tripping through the skies were overcast the air was pretty foggy, making for a pretty drab visit to a pretty cheerful bird (I mean, I guess you can’t win them all…).

Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

Still, I was impressed with the size of this big bird…and the fact that it came with a built in selfie spot in the form of a hole and a hill.

Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

If you like giant birds as much as I do, be sure to World’s Largest “Booming” Prairie Chicken in Minnesota and the World’s Largest Goose in Missouri!

More photos of Sandy the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane in North Dakota:

Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions
Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

From the Kiosk Sign:

The Coteau Rangleland is an area of glacial potholes located in the central flyway, which makes this a favorite spot for migratory nesting wildlife including the Sandhill Crane. The crane is the oldest living species of birds and has existed unchanged for 2 1/2 million years. In real life, the crane stands 3-4 ft. tall with a wingspan of 6-7 feet.

The US Game and Fish – Long Lake Refuge donated funds towards materials and the construction of three birding kiosks. They provide self guided tours of Long Lake Refuge, Dawson Slade Refuge, Horsehead Lake and Chase Lake and the different migratory and nesting birds in each area.

“Sandy” the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane was built in 1998-99 by James Miller of Arena. ND in his farm shop. James was a self-taught ironworker and farmer and used his talents to build many farm signs with themes like fishing, hunting, and farm animals.

When contacted about building this tall statue, James said he was “up” for the task. He proceeded with drawings, which were then transferred to a steel inner framework. Rolled sheet metal was welded into place and finally the crane was painted. The body was built in one section, the neck and head in another, and the legs were made of pipe. It was fully assembled at his shop, then transported to the site location on a lo-boy.

The statue is sponsored and maintained by the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane Foundation located in Steel, ND. It is a non-profit organization funded by private donations and the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane Gaming.

Sandy the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

World’s Largest Sandhill Crane

Location: 299 5th St NE, Steele, ND; behind Cobblestone Inn & Suites – Steele, 623 Mitchell Ave N, Steele, ND
Hours: Always Visible
Cost: Free to See

Pin this North Dakota Roadside Attraction:

Meet Sandy, a the World's Largest Sandhill Crane - this top 10 roadside attraction in Steele, North Dakota that measures in at 40 feet tall and weighs about 4.5 tons. This weird roadside attraction is a bucket list worthy road trip stop on a North Dakota road trip itinerary or vacation with kids, family, or friends.
#NorthDakotaRoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttractions #RoadTrip #NorthDakotaRoadTrip #NorthDakotaBucketList #ThingsToDoInNorthDakota #WeirdRoadsideAttractions #USA #America
Meet Sandy, a the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane – this top 10 roadside attraction in Steele, North Dakota that measures in at 40 feet tall and weighs about 4.5 tons. This weird roadside attraction is a bucket list worthy road trip stop on a North Dakota road trip itinerary or vacation with kids, family, or friends.
National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown, North Dakota

National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown, North Dakota

If you’re stopping in Jamestown, North Dakota to see the World’s Largest Buffalo Monument be sure to plan time to stay awhile to learn more about the magnificent American Bison behind the roadside attraction at the National Buffalo Museum. The National Buffalo Museum features informative displays and exhibits on the history of the bison (American …

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Frontier Village in Jamestown, North Dakota | Roadside Attractions in North Dakota

Frontier Village in Jamestown, North Dakota

You might come to visit Jamestown, North Dakota to see the World’s Largest Buffalo Monument, but you shouldn’t stop there. Surrounding the big bison is another roadside attraction worth your time: Frontier Village. Frontier Village consists of a block worth of old-timey buildings done up to resemble a historic row. They are filled with artifacts …

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World's Largest Buffalo Monument in Jamestown, North Dakota | North Dakota Roadside Attractions

World’s Largest Buffalo Monument in Jamestown, ND

The World’s Largest Buffalo Monument in Jamestown, North Dakota, is a must-see road trip stop for any roadside attraction lover! At 26 feet tall, 46 feet long, and weighing in at 60 tons, this big bison is certainly a site to behold! The World’s Largest Buffalo is modeled after a male American bison… just on …

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The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.