{"center":{"lat":"47.523101","lng":"-92.541054"},"id":27411,"visited":false,"current_place":{"icon":"https:\/\/theplacesihavebeen.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/themes\/tpihb\/markers\/marker.site_ao.2.off.png","name":"The World’s Largest Floating Loon"}}

Atlas Obscura The World’s Largest Floating Loon

You don’t have to look hard in Minnesota to spot the loon, its state bird. But only one small city boasts the honor of being the nesting grounds for the world’s largest floating loon.

The 20-foot-long loon was devised in 1982 as an attraction to draw visitors to the annual Land of the Loon Ethnic Arts and Crafts Festival. The fiberglass and metal statue was built by local artist William Martin and is launched into Silver Lake every spring.

Since 2018 animals birds festivals statues world's largest
Direct me
Keep track of the places you have been, log in.
Atlas Obscura 2016
31.39km
Greyhound Bus Museum

Discover Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing, Minnesota: An abandoned bus station transformed into a museum dedicated to the history of Greyhound Lines, in the place where it all began.

Audio Guide
92.54km
Audio Guide
Lake Superior Zoo
en
Atlas Obscura 2018
86.17km
3M Birthplace Museum

Discover 3M Birthplace Museum in Two Harbors, Minnesota: This institution celebrates the happy accidents of uncommon sticktoitiveness.

Atlas Obscura 2019
82.37km
Judy Garland Museum

Discover Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota: Home to a vast collection of The Wizard of Oz memorabilia and the site of an infamous theft.

Atlas Obscura 2019
103.57km
Free Range Film Barn

Discover Free Range Film Barn in Wrenshall, Minnesota: This century-old barn is home to a homey, eclectic film festival.

Atlas Obscura 2019
96.42km
Ely’s Peak and DWP Railroad Tunnel

Discover Ely's Peak and DWP Railroad Tunnel in Duluth, Minnesota: A spooky defunct railroad tunnel now part of a sprawling trail.

Atlas Obscura 2019
113.12km
Ellsworth Rock Gardens

Discover Ellsworth Rock Gardens in Kabetogama Township, Minnesota: Terraced flowerbeds and rock sculptures in the midst of the Minnesota wilderness.

Atlas Obscura 2019
72.89km
Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary

Discover Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr, Minnesota: Where you can photograph wild black bears without worrying about becoming dinner.

Atlas Obscura 2017
95.28km
A World of Accordions Museum

Discover A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wisconsin: A collection of 1,300 accordions of all shapes and sizes displayed in chronological order.

Atlas Obscura 2020
68.6km
Marcell Experimental Forest

Discover Marcell Experimental Forest in Bovey, Minnesota: A futuristic climate change study is nestled deep within this public land.

Atlas Obscura 2017
88.86km
A Mausoleum To An Impractical Idea

Harvey Whitney of Duluth expected to make a lot of money, but instead he ended up with a useless pile of concrete.

Atlas Obscura 2017
87.81km
A Massive Library Museum of Original Manuscripts

Discover Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Duluth, Minnesota: Home to part of the world’s largest private collection of original manuscripts and documents.

Audio Guide
97.44km
Audio Guide
Jay Cooke State Park: A Bridge to Freedom of the Mind
en
Atlas Obscura 2022
84.23km
Grave of the Last Surviving Union Soldier

Discover Grave of the Last Surviving Union Soldier in Duluth, Minnesota: It's believed the soldier was 109 years old when he passed away.

Atlas Obscura 2017
93.37km
Grassy Point Railroad Bridge

Discover Grassy Point Railroad Bridge in Minnesota: A haunting army of decomposing, moss-covered stuffed animals and dolls guard this swinging truss.

Atlas Obscura 2020
85.12km
Tom’s Logging Camp

Discover Tom's Logging Camp in Duluth, Minnesota: This quirky roadside attraction provides insight into Minnesota's logging history.