90+ Alberta Roadside Attractions: The Ultimate Landmarks List

Updated September 10, 2024

There is almost nothing better than a family road trip – except the incredible number of stops you have to take. Turn those pit stops into sightseeing with points of interest like the world’s largest sausage, fishing lure, and teepee, or a real-life UFO landing pad – talk about must-see roadside attractions!

In honour of all things weird, here’s our ultimate list of all things roadside in Alberta. Not all of these “big things” are truly “giant” or “World’s Largest”, but they certainly make great roadside attractions in Alberta.

This land has welcomed First Nations from across Turtle Island, and settlers and visitors from around the world. Alberta lands are part of Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, and the homeland of the Métis. Alberta Mamas respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit nations. We are all Treaty people.

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“World’s Largest” Trip Plans

Feeling overwhelmed by this list? We know there are so many roadside stops to make across Alberta. We’re working on creating specific road trips for different parts of the province. Check out what we’ve got:

• “World’s Largest” in North East Alberta
• “Big Things” Day Trip in East-Central Alberta

Giant Alberta Attractions Map

As we try to do with all our “All Alberta” content, we’ve split up the roadside attractions into regions.

• North: anything outside of the Capital (Edmonton) Region north of Highway 16
• Capital Region: the greater Edmonton Area
• Central: South of Highway 16, north of Highway 9 to the east and Highway 1 to the west
• Calgary Region: the greater Calgary area
• South: anything south of Highway 1 to the west or Highway 9 to the east
• Rocky Mountains: In general, west of Highway 22 up to Highway 11, where Highway 40 becomes the cutoff to Grande Cache – but, like geology, it’s hard to draw a straight line.

Use this map to help find giant Alberta monuments along your next road trip.

Northern Alberta Landmarks

Going roughly from west to east, these roadside attractions are located north of Highway 16 in Alberta. Be sure to check out our North East Alberta Road Side Attractions day trip plan.

1. Mozzy the Mosquito – Rainbow Lake

Made of an old pump jack we wouldn’t drive an hour and a half west of High River to Rainbow Lake just to see this, but if you ever get a photo of it and want to share, we’d love to post it here!

2. World’s Biggest Beaver – Beaverlodge

Worth a detour just to get photos of your kids climbing a giant beaver, head an hour west of Grande Prairie to Beaverlodge to see the 15 foot tall giant beaver.

3. Sundial & 4. Trumpeter Swan – Grande Prairie

Snap a photo of the 40 foot sundial at Centre 2000 (catch it lit up at night!) and the Trumpeter Swan statue in Grande Prairie.

5. World’s Largest Railroad Spike – Hines Creek

Located at the historical northwest end of the rail line, this village built the World’s Largest Spike in 1992.

6. Bull and Rider – Brownvale

The 15 foot tall statue outside the Brownvale North Peace Agricultural Museum was original built for the Alberta Pavilion at Expo 86.

7. 12 Foot Davis Statue – Peace River

The name says it all – this wooden statue of “12 Foot Davis” who struck it rich on gold found on a 12 foot land claim.

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor!

8. World’s Largest Bee – Fahler

Built in 1990 by a local welder, Fahler lays claim to the world’s largest bee statue.

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor!

9. Syncrude Giants of Mining – Mildred Lake

30 minutes north of Fort McMurray, be awestruck by exactly how massive the machines they use at site are (and these ones were retired for being too small!).

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor!

10. Wilderness Sculpture – Swan Hills

The metal sculpture of a mother swan protecting her nest of five eggs from a grizzly bear is located by the Tourism Information Centre as you enter the village of Swan Hills from the south.

11. World’s Largest Wagon Wheel and Pick Axe – Fort Assiniboine

The 7m tall wagon wheel and 6m pick axe are located next to the Fort Assiniboine Museum in the middle of the hamlet.

12. Aaron the Giant Blue Heron – Barrhead

Created in 1984 and the official mascot of Barrhead, Aaron the 8 foot tall Blue Heron either sits at corner of 50 Street and 49 Street or in “Gazebo Park” after he received some maintenance in 2022.

13. Grain Elevator Sundial – Sangudo

Also serving as the “Welcome to” sign for the hamlet, the Sangudo sundial is shaped like a grain elevator and would make a nice stop to stretch your legs on the drive from Grande Prairie to Edmonton.

14. World’s Largest Working Weathervane – Westlock

Stop by the Alberta Tractor Museum in Westlock and see the world’s largest working weathervane with a real tractor on the top! The museum is open year round, but always double check the hours and their social media (they’re active!) before heading out.

15. Sunflower – Thorhild

Located in the Sunflower Memorial Park, this flower on a stick let’s you check off another “random landmark”, but I don’t think I’d make a side trip just to see it.

16. World’s Largest Oil Derrick – Redwater

This red tower is impressively massive. Read up on it and the town’s history at the covered picnic shelter next to it, known as the Legacy Interpretive Centre.

17. Record Setting Pumpkins – Smoky Lake

A half dozen giant pumpkins are on the edge of the parking lot for the haunted CN Museum (free admission). Stop by around 11am to hear the ghost flush the toilet!

18. World’s Largest Mallard Duck – Andrew

Nestled in the small town of Andrew, this 23 foot wing-span Mallard Duck sits in the town square next to the local campground.

The World’s Largest Mallard Duck is part of our North East Alberta Road Side Attractions day trip which starts in Edmonton.

19. World’s Largest Ukrainian Sausage – Mundare

Go ahead, make the joke. But make sure to grab a photo to prove you’ve visited the 42 foot tall giant ring of meat. While you’re in town stop in at Stawnichy’s for the real deal kielbasa.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor!

The World’s Largest Sausage in Mundare is part of our North East Alberta Road Side Attractions day trip which starts in Edmonton.

20. World’s Largest Mushrooms – Vilna

Over 20 feet tall, these mushrooms are in the Historic Village of Vilna (be sure to check out main street, which has had a big makeover in recent years).

These giant mushrooms are part of our North East Alberta Road Side Attractions day trip which starts in Edmonton.

Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor.

21. David Thompson Monument – Lac la Biche

Placed on the lakeshore to mark the town’s bicentenial (200 years!) is the David Thompson Monument. Be sure to visit the Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park while you’re in the area.

22. UFO Landing Pad – St Paul

Built to mark the Canadian centennial, the UFO Landing Pad and visitor centre in St Paul is a great spot to stretch your legs. If you’re a fan of small town museums the St Paul Museum is one of the best we’ve visited – be sure to get a copy of the scavenger hunt for the kids.

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor!

23. World’s Largest Pyrogy – Glendon

Spell it perogy, pyrogy, pyrohy, or varenyky that dough wrapped mashed potato dumpling is a staple of Ukrainian cooking. Grab a photo with the World’s Largest Perogy and burn off some energy at the playground in Glendon. There’s also public toilets at the end of the parking lot.

The giant perogy is part of our North East Alberta Road Side Attractions day trip which starts in Edmonton.

Be sure to read the TripAdvisor reviews!

24. Angus Shaw Statue – Bonnyville

Made of local cedar, the Angus Shaw statue is located next to the 13 building Bonnyville & District Museum (family admission is only $10 in 2023).

25. Can Duck – Ardmore

The next time you’re driving along Highway 28 between Bonnyville and Cold Lake take a brief detour to see the Can Duck outside the Ardmore community hall. It’s sure to make you smile!

26. Peter Fidler Statue – Elk Point

The chainsaw-carved 32-foot tall Peter Fidler statue, a Hudson Bay fur trader and surveyor, commemorates the bi-centennial of Elk Point in 1992. It is located at the north end of town next to the Elk Point Welcome sign.

27. World’s Largest Chuckwagon – Dewberry

It’s hard to find details on this Chuckwagon, and none of the Mamas have made it out for a visit yet. Please share your experience with us! It looks like the best time to visit would be during the Chuckwagon races in June.

Capital Region (Edmonton and Area) Roadside Attractions

The Edmonton Region has a good share of “really big things” to visit in Alberta, with a number of record holders.

28. 737 Airplane – Villeneuve

Located on the north side of Highway 633, the old Bowing 737 plane sits in a field next to the Villeneuve Airport.

29. Airplane Weathervane – Morinville

Find this unusual weathervane on the west side of Highway 2 a couple kilometres south of Morinville.

30. World’s Largest Badminton Racket – St Albert

Just down the road from the Fire Hall and RCMP Station (don’t speed! – but serious, don’t, St Albert loves their photo radar), the big red racket marks the entrance to the Red Willow Badminton Centre.

31. Giant (Geese) Wheat – St Albert

Part of the city’s Art in Public Places program, “Migration” was installed in 2018 and is something to behold! Check it out during the Saturday Farmer’s Market (the largest outdoor farmers’ market in Western Canada) in the summer, or drive right up to it almost any other time.

32. West Edmonton Mall – Edmonton

Dethroned from “World’s Largest Shopping Mall” in 2004, WEM still holds the records for world’s largest indoor lake, indoor wave pool, and parking lot. If you just want a photo of the mall it’s most photographic from the west, but we suggest you head indoors to see everything it has to offer.

33. World’s Largest Cowboy Boot – Edmonton

Built in 1989 for Western Boot Factory, One Stop Biker Shop is now home to the almost 40 foot tall boot.

34. Giant Baseball Bat – Edmonton

Dethroned in 2014 after holding the “world’s largest” title for only ten years, the giant metal bat stands 14.9 meters tall at a the northeast corner of a busy intersection. Look closely and maybe Street View where you’re going to park before heading to take photos here.

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor.

35. Giant Milk Bottle – Edmonton

The story behind the milk bottle is worth a read! Once you know the history, go visit it the next time you’re at an event at the EXPO Centre.

This is a great spot to stop for a rest while you’re attending K-Days.

36. Muttart Conservatory – Edmonton

While it doesn’t hold any records, the four glass pyramids are pretty unique! Be sure to go inside to check out the three permanent biomes and fourth rotating exhibit, or cross the street and walk across the Tawatina pedestrian bridge.

37. Dove of Peace – Edmonton

Located in Gallagher Park behind the Muttart Conservatory, the Dove of Peace was commissioned for the 1984 visit by Pope John Paul II, and was refurbished in 2022 for Pop Francis’ visit.

38. World’s Largest Replica Stanley Cup – Edmonton

Built to celebrate Hockey Alberta’s centennial and United Cycle’s 80th birthday, this massive monument to hockey stands in the parking lot of United Cycle and Old Strathcona Antique Mall.

If you have a big hockey fan in the family we have some tips on getting Oilers wear for less!

Bonus: Giant Pile of Shiny Balls – ahem – Talus Dome – Edmonton

Installed after major renovations to the Quesnell Bridge were complete, the Talus Dome is made up of nearly 900 stainless steel balls with a mirror finish.

The easiest way to access the $600,000 piece of art is by parking at the east end of Fort Edmonton’s parking lot and walking under the bridge.

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor!

Central Alberta Attractions

We’re calling the area south of Highway 16, north of Highway 9 to the east and Highway 1 to the west “Central Alberta”. With over 25 photo stop worthy landmarks, there are plenty of way points to stretch your legs at on your next road trip in the area!

39. Eddie the Squirrel – Edson

Across the street from the skate park, Eddie the Squirrel Jr. lives in the center of the park – as a good squirrel should. I love how this “nutty” little town embraced the rodent!

40. Paul Bunyan’s Bowling Ball – Drayton Valley

While it looks like concrete in photos, the “bowling ball” is natural! This boulder was dug out of from Anderson’s Sand & Gravel. It was a product of nature and it was this spherical when they pulled it out! It weighs 36, 650 Ibs (16, 583 Kg).

41. Giant Dragonfly – Wabamun

Made from aircraft wings, a light pole, and propane tanks, the nearly 10m Giant Dragonfly at the entrance to Wabamun is a sight to behold. It has been beautifully painted and is mounted high in the sky facing north – which can make photos tricky. Best to come early or late in the day if it’s sunny, or you’ll just get a dragonfly silhouette.

Wabamun Lake is a great camping destination just west of Edmonton!

42. World’s Largest Pysanka (Easter) Egg – Vegreville

I feel like this is one of the most famous landmarks in Alberta. At least for anyone in Edmonton, when you mention giant roadside attractions, one of the first things mentioned is Vegreville’s Giant Easter Egg. If you visit in the summer, check out the “borrow a boat” program!

Read reviews on TripAdvisor!

43. Ernie the Cut Bank Penguin – Innisfree

Gifted to the town after filming “Cut Bank” there, this 27 foot tall penguin is a reproduction of the one in Cut Bank, Montana.

44. World’s Largest Sundial – Lloydminster

While Guinness gives the record to a sundial in Italy, this 197 diameter sundial in Bud Miller All Season Park looks best from above, but play a round of disc golf with it in the background.

Read reviews of Bud Miller Park on TripAdvisor.

45. Suzie, the World’s Largest Softball – Chauvin

Suzie the Softball is on the side of the highway, nestled in with some trees. If you drive down 53 Street a little there is a playground on one side and a skate park on the other.

46. World’s Largest Buffalo – Wainwright

Located just off the highway, the giant buffalo statue was erected in 1965 in honour of Buffalo National Park. Yes, we know they’re bison. You tell that to Wainwright!

47. Brown Eyed Susan – Hughenden

There isn’t much to be found online about this lovely large flower, but the next time you’re driving on Highway 13 just west of Highway 41, stop in the tiny town of Hughenden to see “Susan.”

48. Giant Mosquito – Galahad

About 5km south of the Hamlet of Galahad this mosquito embodies the “random things found on the side of the road” of rural Alberta.

49. Canada’s Largest Baseball Glove – Heisler

Just off the highway and near a playground, the 13.5 foot tall baseball glove is a fun photo stop and chance to stretch your legs.

Canada’s Largest Baseball Glove is part of our NE-Central Alberta Roadside Attractions Driving Tour which starts in Edmonton or Red Deer.

50. World’s Largest Lamp – Donalda

How do you bring people to your lamp museum? Build the World’s Largest Oil Lamp! At 42 feet high it’s eye catching, and the museum it sits across the road from is a fun stop, too (make sure to do the scavenger hunt!).

The World’s Largest Oil Lamp is part of our NE-Central Alberta Roadside Attractions Driving Tour which starts in Edmonton or Red Deer.

51. Alberta’s Largest Northern Pike – Rochan Sands

The quaint Summer Village of Rochan Sands has one of my favourite pages dedicated to their “Largest” object, be sure to go read it when you head out to visit Alberta’s Largest Northern Pike. (We highly recommend a quiet retreat to this village for a summer getaway, too!)

Alberta’s Largest Northern Pike is part of our NE-Central Alberta Roadside Attractions Driving Tour which starts in Edmonton or Red Deer.

52. “The Legacy” – World’s Largest Bucking Saddle Bronc and Rider – Ponoka

Surprisingly large up close, “The Legacy” bronze statue in Ponoka is in an incredible park with a playground and water park close by. Washrooms are also available.

“The Legacy”is part of our NE-Central Alberta Roadside Attractions Driving Tour which starts in Edmonton or Red Deer.

53. World’s Largest Fishing Lure – Lacombe

The World’s Largest Fishing Lure is part of our NE-Central Alberta Roadside Attractions Driving Tour which starts in Edmonton or Red Deer.

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor.

54. Giant Cream Can – Markerville

Across the road from the Fensala Hall and the local playground, the Markerville Cream Can is 15 feet tall one of several attractions in the historic Scandinavian town.

55. World’s Largest Animated Grizzly Bear – Innisfail

Located at Discovery Wildlife Park, this 23-foot tall steel grizzly bear is mounted on an old pumpjack. Be sure to visit the zoo while you’re there!

56. Giant Gopher (Clem T. Gofur) – Torrington

Be sure to stop in at the Torrington Gopher Museum when you grab your photo with Clem T. Gofur, the 12 foot tall gopher built in 1991. He had a small tumble in 2013, but was back on the block a year later, welcoming visitors at the corner of Highway 27 and 1st Avenue (two blocks north and one block west of the museum, next to the campground).

57. Giant Golf Tee – Trochu

The town of Trochu won their 40 foot golf tee in a contest! It’s located at the town’s golf course and visible from Highway 21.

Trochu has a beautiful arboretum to check out as well.

58. Squirt the Skunk – Beiseker

Located in the community’s campground, Squirt the Skunk is Beiseker’s 13 foot tall memorable mascot. There is a playground at the school across the field, and the town museum is open year-round a couple blocks over.

59. World’s Largest Dinosaur – Drumheller

25 meter tall “Tyra”, the World’s Largest Dinosaur, is at the center of Drumheller, beside the bridge that takes you from the town to the museum. There’s a small gift shop and visitor information centre at Tyra’s feet, where you can pay $5 per person to climb to Tyra’s mouth for a view of the valley.

The Drumheller rec centre is behind the landmark (with a fun waterslide and both indoor and outdoor pools), and there is a free waterpark in front of it. My family also love the “Fossil World” gift shop across the street.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor!

60. Miner – Rosedale

Located at the intersection of Highway 56 and Highway 10X, the 23 foot tall miner is dedicated to the memory of men who passed away in the mines. This makes a good photo stop on your way to Wayne, East Coulee School, or Atlas Coal Mine.

61. Last Wooden Tipple in Canada – Atlas Coal Mine

While you can see the tipple from the roadway, I recommend visiting Atlas Coal Mine to learn about the history of mining in the Red Deer River valley.

Take the Processing Plant Tour to go inside the tipple, or go on a self-guided tour of the grounds (lots of interpretive signs).

62. World’s Largest Geese – Hanna

Hanna’s giant geese are bigger than Nickelback (Hanna’s other claim to fame)! Be sure to check all three off your list:

• Hanna’s Largest Goose (Palliser Trail and 2nd Ave W)
• Hanna’s Second Goose (Pioneer Trail south of Railway Ave E)
• Airport (SE of town off Hwy 9)

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor.

63. Giant Cactus – Hanna

10km southeast of Hanna the giant 50-foot steel cactus is located at the intersection of Hwy 36 and Hwy 9 in the Shell parking lot. Besides the usual gas station amenities (washroom, convenience store, gift shop) there isn’t much to do here beyond grabbing a photo.

64. Giant Crown – Coronation

Located in the same parking lot as the Coronation Caboose and down a footpath from the Roadmaster’s House Museum, this big metal crown really leans into the town’s name!

65. Centennial Clock Tower – Oyen

Located at the corner of Main Street and Railway Ave, this big metal clock is in a small green space with plenty of parking and a few picnic tables.

Calgary Area Points of Interest

Calgary is a town of statues and art, but not a lot of “really big stuff” – and some of the big things have long since lost their title. They still make good points of interest, a way to spend the day around town with kids, or a place to stretch your legs.

66. “Man of Vision” cowboy statue – Cochrane

Located in the Historic Cochrane Ranche site, the “Man of Vision” bronze statue has been overlooking the town famous for it’s ice cream since 1979. If you get up close with the statue consider stopping in at the town museum, which shares a parking lot.

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor!

67. World’s Largest Black Diamond – Diamond Valley

The towns of Turner Valley and Black Diamond merged in 2023 to become Diamond Valley. The Black Diamond is located in front of the Black Diamond Municipal Offices on the south side of Hwy 22 and 2nd Street NW.

Things to See in Southern Alberta

74. Saamis Tepee (World’s Largest Tepee) – Medicine Hat

The 215 foot tall, 160 foot wide Saamis Tepee was built for the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Located next to the Medicine Hat Visitor’s Centre on Highway 1 each post features a large storyboard depicting aspects of native culture and history.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor!

81. Giant T-Rex – Milk River

This dinosaur is listed on many of the most complete “Giant Alberta” lists, but it isn’t really that large (we drove past it barely noticing it!). It makes for a place to stop en-route to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, which is definitely worth the visit!

83. The Largest Pincher – Pincher Creek

Pincher Creek is an adorable small town on the “back road” to Waterton Lakes National Park (also along this route is the best Mexican restaurant in the province in Twin Butte General Store).

There’s plenty to see in and around the town besides the Giant Blue Pincers (it’s more of a drive by attraction along Main Street at Bev McLachlan Drive). If you have time, be sure to pop into Kootanai Brown Pioneer Village.

84. Replica of the Starship Enterprise (FX-1995-A) – Vulcan

Vulcan has embraced their name and themed the town around Star Trek. From the spaceship shaped visitor info centre, to the Enterprise-styled street lights, the bust of Spock, and the half dozen murals around town Vulcan is THE destination for Star Trek fans in Canada.

Landmarks in the Alberta Rocky Mountains

An eastern border for the Rocky Mountains is hard to define, but in general we say this area is west of Highway 22 until you reach Highway 11, where Highway 40 becomes the cutoff until Grande Cache – but, like geology, it’s hard to draw a straight line.

85. World’s (Former) Largest Piggy Bank – Coleman

While it lost the title in 2015 to a pig in Germany, this retired “gauge air driven thermos bottle mine locomotive” is located in Flumerfelt Park in historic Coleman. Enjoy the playground in the park or explore The Miner’s Path. Pick up an interpretive pamphlet that describes the old mine site from the Crowsnest Museum before hitting the trail.

Read the reviews on TripAdvisor!

86 & 87. Giant Crows Guarding their Nest – Blairmore and Bellevue

Twin sculptures in Blairmore and Bellevue, living up to the “Crowsnest Pass” name. Public bathrooms are available across the street from the one in Bellevue.

88. Frank Slide – Crowsnest Pass

The haunting, grey boulder field is an incredible sight to see and a testament to the power of man and nature. Visit the Frank Slide Interpretive Site where you can use your Alberta History Pass for admission.

Tip: Take 217 Street in Bellevue to 152 Street in the town of Frank for an even more haunting drive through the rockslide field.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor.

89. The Caen More (“Big Head”) Sculpture – Canmore

Across the street from Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk, this sculpture of a head is a great starting point to stretch your legs. What kid doesn’t love climbing on a random concrete blog before wandering down a boardwalk?

Read up on Day Tripping in Canmore like a Local before you go!

90. Rocky the Big Horn Ram – Grande Cache

A block down the road from A&W, Rocky shares his park with the cenotaph and a picnic bench. If you’re looking to stretch your legs head a bit deeper into town and check out Labyrinth Park.

More Unique Alberta Destinations to Explore

If this list wasn’t long enough for you, be sure to check out some of these other Don’t Miss Attractions in Alberta:

1. The roaming Cheeto. It’s first home was in Cheetle, Alberta, but there are now two Cheeto statues making their way around the world. Keep an eye on Cheetos Canada’s social media to find where they’re going next!
2. Drumheller’s dinosaurs: these colourful cartoonish dinosaurs are all over town!
3. 37 murals in the Village of Legal
4. Grain Elevators
5. Alberta places with fabulous names
6. The Most Haunted Places in Alberta
7. Little Churches (post coming soon!)
8. Fabulously Creative Museums of Alberta (post coming soon!)

Thanks for checking out our massive guide to roadside attractions in Alberta! Please be sure to follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest) for more.