Roadside Attractions on the Lake Superior Circle Tour!
The Lake Superior Circle Tour is full of wonderful and creative roadside attractions! Some stem from memorable stories and community figures while others were built simply for fun. No trip around Lake Superior would be complete without visiting at least some of these awe inspiring attractions. You won’t want to forget your camera as these roadside wonders are the perfect opportunity to capture some memories that will last a life time!
Pickle Barrel
The Pickle Barrel House Museum is located in Grand Marais, MI. Resembling two barrels, this quirky museum was originally built in 1926 as a summer home for William Donahey, the cartoonist of the Chicago Tribune’s “Teenie Weenie” cartoon strip. The larger barrel is 16 feet tall (4.9m) and had two stories. The interior contains a 1920s era living area, pantry, kitchen and bedroom.
Santa’s Workshop Cut-Outs
Santa’s Workshop is a gift shop in Christmas, Michigan. Standing in front of the store is a large Santa with finger guns pointed up in the air. Behind the shop travelers will find a large cut out of the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe!
Casino Santa
Another Santa Roadside attraction in Christmas, Michigan! This one is Casino Santa beckoning travelers to visit Kewadin Casino.
Lakenenland Sculpture Park
The Lakenenland Sculpture Park just east of Marquette, Michigan can be explored by vehicle or by foot. It contains over 80 sculptures made from recycled iron.
Phil the Window Washer
Phil the Window Washer is a sculpture in Marquette, Michigan. This sculpture was erected in memory of a local community member who would clean the windows of local businesses. He never accepted compensation.
Jilbert’s Dairy Cows
Jilbert’s Dairy Cows can be found in Marquette, Michigan at Jilbert’s Dairy. Stop to see them and enjoy an ice cream!
Old Ish
Old Ish is in Ishpeming, Michigan. The statue originally stood over three drinking fountains. There used to be similar fountains in the area but Old Ish is one of the last remaining.
Da Yoopers Tourist Trap
Da Yoopers Tourist Trap is a goods shop located in Ishpeming, Michigan. It boasts six different roadside attractions including Gravel Gertie, Big Gus, Big Ernie, Da Man Camp, Christine on Steroids, and Eddy Da Wood Burning Tractor.
Shrine of Bishop Baraga
The Shrine of Bishop Baraga is in L’Anse, Michigan in Baraga County. It is also known as the Snowshoe Priest. The copper statue stands overlooking Keweenaw Bay on Lake Superior.
Snow Stick
The Snow Stick can be found just north of Mohawk, Michigan and is over 30 feet high which makes sense as the record high snowfall for the area is 32.5 feet!
Kearsarge Ship of Stones
The Kearsarge Ship of Stones is approximately two miles North of Calumet, Michigan. It was erected to commemorate the U.S.S. Kearsarge.
Nee-Gaw-Nee-Gaw-Bow
The Nee-Gaw-Nee-Gaw-Bow is a carved Chippewa Indian head. It’s name translates to Leading Man. It is one of the sculptures that make up the Trail of Whispering Giants.
Big Powderhorn Mountain Skier
Big Powderhorn Mountain Skier is a large fiberglass statue located east of Ironwood, Michigan.
Big Stormy Kromer Cap
Found in Ironwood, Michigan the Big Stormy Kromer Cap can be found at the Stormy Kromer Store. This roadside attraction has been fashioned after a cap George “Stormy” Kromer had his wife alter so it wouldn’t blow off while working in the wind.
Hiawatha, World’s Largest Native American Statue
Another roadside attraction located in Ironwood, Michigan is Hiawatha – The Word’s Largest Native American Statue. This is a 52 foot tall attraction that was erected in 1964.
Vietnam Memorial Tank & Helicopter
The Vietnam Memorial Tank and Helicopter can be found in Hurley, Wisconsin. This is a veterans memorial dedicated to those who served in the Vietnam War.
World’s Largest Corkscrew
In Hurley, Wisconsin lives the World’s Largest Corkscrew! It is 24 feet tall and stands in front of the Corkscrew Liquor Store.
Giant Smallmouth Bass
The Giant Smallmouth Bass Roadside Attraction can be found in Ashland, Wisconsin. It is 20 feet in length and sits atop an old green motorboat.
Apple Statue
Bayfield, Wisconsin houses the Apple Statue and it is the home of Weber Orchards. The Bayfield area is well known for its great apples and now it is also known for this gigantic Apple Statue!
Junk Football Player
The Junk Football player represents a Green Bay Packer Quarterback and lives 9 miles west of Ashland, Wisconsin, outside of the Pagac’s Bar. It is completely made up of scrap metal.
Statue of Viking Leif Erikson
At the entrance of Leif Erikson Park in Duluth, Minnesota lives the Statue of Viking Leif Erikson. It stands 13 feet and welcomes visitors to the park where Duluth’s Rose Garden can be found!
Pierre the Voyageur
Pierre the Voyageur sits outside the Earthwood Inn in Two Harbors, Minnesota. He is a 20 foot tall French-Canadian Fur Trapper. Definitely a great spot to take a photo!
Large Rooster
The Large Rooster of Two Harbors, Minnesota’s Weldon’s Gift Shop greets travelers as they travel North into the town.
Native American by Peter Toth
The Native American at the Visitor Centre in Two Harbors, Minnesota is the second of Peter Toth’s Whispering Giants that can be seen on the Lake Superior Circle Tour.
Rocky Taconite
The Rocky Taconite Roadside Attraction lives in Silver Bay, Minnesota. He stands on top of a large rock of taconite.
The Beaver House Fish
The Beaver House Fish calls the town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, in Cook County, home. This is a giant walleye going through the roof of the Beaver House and coming out the side.
Thunder Bay Marina Sculptures
The Thunder Bay Marina Sculptures can be found along Ontario’s Superior Country Region of the Circle Tour in Thunder Bay, Ontario. There are over twelve to see.
Terry Fox Memorial Statue
The Terry Fox Memorial Statue is one of the most famous roadside attractions along the Circle Tour and in all of Canada. It can be found at the Thunder Bay Visitor Information Centre overlooking Lake Superior and the Sleeping Giant.
Pinecrest Totem Pole
The Pine Crest Totem Pole can be found in Nipigon, Ontario at the Pinecrest Motel beside the local Tim Hortons on the highway. It showcases 9 different people/animals and has become an iconic attraction in Nipigon.
Paddle-to-the-Sea
The Paddle-to-the-Sea park, including the paddle-to-the-sea statue and waterfall, can be found in downtown Nipigon in Ontario’s Superior Country Region. The park also has a splash pad making it a great spot to take photos and cool off!
Schreiber Railway Museum
Climb aboard the Schreiber Railway Museum, a refurbished 1953 train car and learn about this towns history. Schreiber was founded in the 1880s as a railway construction camp so the train car museum it is quite fitting as a tribute to its history.
Terrace Bay Lighthouse
The Terrace Bay Lighthouse is a 50 foot (15.2 m) tall replica of the lighthouse on the Slate Islands Provincial Park. Visitors are able to go inside and climb the stairs to the top where there is an observation deck equipped with a coin operated telescope.
Winnie the Pooh
White River, in Ontario’s Algoma Country Region of the Circle Tour is home to Winnie the Pooh. White River is the birthplace of the original bear cub that become the beloved Winnie the Pooh Character that we all know and love today! The statue is located in the Winnie the Pooh Park.
White River Thermometer
The White River Thermometer is located on the highway traveling through White River in Ontario’s Algoma Country Region.
Wawa Goose
Another of the most famous Lake Superior Roadside Attractions is the Wawa Goose. It sits in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Wawa, Ontario. The Goose has recently been replaced with an all new model. This is definitely a place you will want to stop on your Lake Superior Circle Tour to take a photo!
Standing outside Young’s General Store you’ll find what was once the Original Wawa Goose until it was replaced and surpassed by an even larger goose in 1963. It was replaced a third time as the latest Goose at the Wawa Visitor Centre. Wawa is Ojibwa for “wild goose” and the goose has long been a beloved mascot of the town.
Sault Minor Baseball
2,000 times larger than a regular baseball, the Sault Minor Baseball is located at the Sinclair Yards Baseball Field in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. It is the worlds largest baseball!
Three Bears Fishing
Along the Saint Mary’s River boardwalk in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario you will find Three Bears Fishing.
Beardmore’s Snowman
Beardmore’s Snowman can be found just off of Lake Superior on the Lake Superior Circle Tour alternate Greenstone Route in Ontario’s Superior Country Region. In the summer he can be seen holding a fishing rod while in the winter he switches things up and holds his curling broom. At 35 feet this is one snowman you won’t want to miss!
Birch Bark Canoe Monument
The Birch Bark Canoe Monument is located on the Circle Tour’s alternate Greenstone Route in Longlac.
Horse Pulling Logs
At the Longlac Tourist Information Centre, on the Lake Superior Circle Tour’s alternate Greenstone Route, in Ontario’s Superior Country Region you will find a Horse Pulling Logs. It is a life sized roadside attraction that makes for a great photo opportunity!
There you have it. These Lake Superior Roadside attractions can all be found on the Lake Superior Circle Tour! To start planning your trip around Lake Superior try our online Trip Planner and order a copy of the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide!
