Highway Fun In Unexpected Places
Driving across Canada can feel endless, but the road hides plenty of reasons to pull over. Between long stretches of highway, you’ll find unexpected landmarks that demand a second look. These stops aren’t about polished attractions—they’re about fun, weird, and sometimes baffling displays that break up the monotony of travel. So, if you’re planning a trip, here are 20 Canadian roadside attractions, proving that the best memories aren’t always at your final stop.
Jadecolour at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
1. The Giant Nickel (Sudbury, Ontario)
When firefighter Ted Szilva's vision was rejected by the city's centennial committee, he refused to let his dream die. Through determined fundraising, he brought to life the world's largest coin replica: a spectacular nine-metre Canadian nickel, completed in 1964.
2. The World’s Largest Lobster (Shediac, New Brunswick)
Known as "The World's Largest Lobster," Shediac's colossal crustacean commands attention as New Brunswick's beloved roadside marvel. Surprisingly, this $170,000 tribute to local fishing heritage, commissioned by the Shediac Rotary Club, took three years to complete.
Jiaqian AirplaneFan on Wikimedia
3. Mac The Moose (Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan)
A favorite photo stop for road-tripping shutterbugs, Mac the Moose cuts an unforgettable silhouette against the Saskatchewan sky. This steel and concrete sentinel has watched over Moose Jaw since 1984. Its massive 10.36-metre frame and 10,000-kilogram bulk earned it recognition as the world's largest moose statue.
4. The Big Potato (O’leary, Prince Edward Island)
Prince Edward Island's potato farming legacy runs as deep as its rich soil, and nowhere is this agricultural pride more prominently displayed than in O'Leary. The community pays tribute with an eye-catching fiberglass spud sculpture, standing guard outside the Canadian Potato Museum.
5. The Big Fiddle (Sydney, Nova Scotia)
This colossal violin sculpture commands attention along Nova Scotia's Sydney waterfront. Complete with an imposing bow and recorded melodies, the Big Fiddle is a monumental tribute to Cape Breton Island's deep-rooted Celtic musical traditions.
The Big Fiddle - Sydney - Cape Breton Island - Nova Scotia by Canadian Attractions
6. The Diefenbunker (Carp, Ontario)
During the Cold War's darkest days, the Diefenbunker emerged as Canada's ultimate insurance policy: a four-story underground fortress engineered to shield government officials. Today, this concrete titan has traded classified briefings for cultural enrichment, welcoming visitors through its historic tunnels.
7. The World’s Largest Axe (Nackawic, New Brunswick)
Along the serene riverbanks of Nackawic, an extraordinary monument commands the backdrop: the World's Largest Axe, installed in 1991. This 55-tonne steel colossus rises 15 metres skyward, with its 7-metre blade gleaming above a scenic riverside park.
8. Husky The Muskie (Kenora, Ontario)
When Kenora's Chamber of Commerce dreamed up a Centennial project in 1967, they couldn't have imagined how Jules Horvath and Bob Selway's creation would transform McLeod Park. Their 40-foot muskellunge sculpture, rebuilt by Ross Kehl in 1995, acts as a national landmark.
9. The Giant Hockey Stick (Duncan, British Columbia)
Mounted proudly on the east wall of the Cowichan Community Centre, Duncan's giant wooden hockey stick and puck stretch an impressive 62 metres. Since its journey from Vancouver's Expo 86, this larger-than-life tribute has evolved into a cherished landmark.
Mykl Roventine from West Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States on Wikimedia
10. The Big Apple (Colborne, Ontario)
Sure, you might expect just another kitschy roadside photo stop when you spot the 40-foot apple-shaped building in Colborne, Ontario. But this giant fruit houses a pie factory churning out 2,000 weekly treats, plus a restaurant, petting zoo, mini-golf, and children's attractions.
Mariusz S. Cybulski on Wikimedia
11. Vergeville Pysanka (Vegreville, Alberta)
Ranking as the world's second-largest pysanka after Ukraine's Kolomyia Museum, Vegreville's colossal Ukrainian Easter egg commands attention at three-and-a-half stories tall and 2.5 tonnes. Plus, this Paul Maxym Sembaliuk's aluminum masterpiece features intricate triangular and hexagonal tiles.
12. The Giant Beaver (Beaverlodge, Alberta)
While beavers have symbolized Canadian identity for generations, it wasn't until 2004 that Beaverlodge, Alberta, gave this national icon a truly supersized salute. Standing proudly at 4.5 metres tall and weighing a remarkable 1,500 kilograms, their Giant Beaver statue converts wildlife heritage into a roadside view.
Giant Beaver Sculpture in Beaverlodge, Alberta by Steve Silva
13. The Wawa Goose (Wawa, Ontario)
When local citizens rallied behind Wawa's beloved goose statue in 2017, their donations joined federal and provincial funding to raise $300,000 for its replacement. This community-powered investment has paid off spectacularly, as the massive avian sentinel now ranks as Northern Ontario's most photographed landmark.
14. The World’s Largest Snowman (Beardmore, Ontario)
Unlike its ephemeral cousins crafted from actual snow, this 35-foot colossus of metal and fiberglass boldly faces every season. Plus, it draws thousands of visitors annually to marvel at Ontario's clever twist on winter tradition.
Beardmore Ontario by Mad English TV
15. The World’s Largest Dinosaur (Drumheller, Alberta)
Anchored by 65,000 pounds of precision-engineered steel, the Tyrannosaurus rex known as "Tyra" commands attention with her 145,000-pound frame. This structure invites adventurers to climb 106 stairs through its interior, reaching a spacious 60-square-foot viewing platform.
16. The Giant Polar Bear (Churchill, Manitoba)
When travelers journey to Churchill, Manitoba, the undisputed Polar Bear Capital of the World, the thrill of spotting wild polar bears draws them in. While awaiting glimpses of these creatures, visitors gather at the town's iconic Giant Polar Bear statue, a landmark that symbolizes Churchill's wildlife heritage.
(WT-en) Hey renee at English Wikivoyage on Wikimedia
17. Mr. PG (Prince George, British Columbia)
Standing proud as Prince George's forestry ambassador since 1960, Mr. PG has evolved from humble wooden beginnings into a metal-clad local legend. The eight-metre mascot, crowned with his signature septic tank head, transforms throughout the year as the community dresses him up for special occasions.
Brenden Van Stolk on Wikimedia
18. The Giant Muskoka Chair (Gravenhurst, Ontario)
Nothing says Ontario cottage life like the iconic Muskoka chair, a classic Adirondack design that evokes long, sun-soaked afternoons. In Gravenhurst, this symbol becomes a spectacle—a towering wooden chair by the waterfront that draws visitors eager to capture its oversized lakeside charm.
19. Watson Lake Sign Post Forest (Watson Lake, Yukon)
In 1942, a wounded GI marked his hometown distance—“Danville, Ill. 2835 miles”—and unknowingly sparked a tradition. That lone signpost grew into Watson Lake’s Sign Post Forest, a landmark along the Alaska Highway where more than 100,000 signs trace stories of travelers from around the globe.
Adam Jones, Ph.D. on Wikimedia
20. The Moose Statue (Dryden, Ontario)
Max the Moose towers 18 feet tall against the Ontario sky. This beloved landmark has watched over Dryden since 1962, celebrating the area's wildlife heritage. Conveniently positioned by the tourist center, it offers both perfect photo ops and local information.
Shane Trist. Original uploader was Dhscommtech at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
