Climb aboard as we cross the state border into Utah in search of more of America’s weird and wonderful attractions.
As always America, your penchant for the strange, failed to let us down.
1.World’s Largest Watermelon: Green River, Utah
For years, several U.S towns and cities have battled for the honour of being named “America’s Watermelon Capital (Green River, Utah being amongst the foremost contenders). While this prestigious title is in constant dispute, there’s no disputing that Green River is home to the World’s Largest Watermelon (eatable or otherwise).
This massive fruit on wheels, originally built in celebration of Green River’s “Watermelon Days Festival” spans a full 25 feet from end to end. Once a fully motorized vehicle, 50 years on the road have left it over ripe and unable to start.
That said, it remains an important town attraction, and as you’ll discover, it’s nothing to spit (seeds) at.
2. The Bingham Canyon Mine: Copperton, Utah
Forget the Grand Canyon; this is truly America’s best great open space.
Once a sizeable mountain, copper mining has transformed the landscape into an epically large trench, half a mile deep and 2.5 miles wide. And with 250,000 tons of rock being unearthed daily, it’s only getting bigger.
The Bingham crater is so massive in fact that a stadium of its size could hold a staggering, 9 million people. That’s three times the population of Utah!
3. Landlocked Lighthouse: Cedar City, Utah
No sailor has ever been guided, nor any sea disaster averted by the aid of this Cedar City lighthouse. Ironically this landlocked lighthouse was built in celebration of Utah’s non existent maritime location.
Sure you may not be able to see its light beaming from the mighty Pacific or the powerful Atlantic, but you can see it free and clear from Interstate 15.
4. Hildale, Utah
Not so much an attraction as it is a strange experience, a drive through Hildale Utah will take you back to a different era.
As the headquarters of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints, Hildale is home to one of America’s best known polygamous communities. In fact, some of the town’s prominent church members may have up to 12 wives or more. Impressive, given the fact that most of us can’t even handle one.
While exploring the town may be a fascinating anthropological experience, outsiders are not always welcome. For that reason, we recommend you don’t bring your wifes (err…wife) and kids along.
5. Undisputed World’s Largest Fishing Fly: Logan, Utah
Weighing 3 tons, and measuring 32 feet long, Logan’s behemoth fishing fly on steroids is definitely not something you’d want buzzing over you at night.
Erected in celebration of the town’s fly fishing heritage, we somehow hoped that we could use the giant fly, to catch some supersized fish. Alas, we were disappointed, coming back to shore with only with a pair of two pounders.
-Sam
Sam Zivot is a blogger and Marketing Manager for Jurnii Car Rentals, America’s new travel focused online rental car company. He writes frequently for the Jurnii USA Car Rental, blog and enjoys travel in the U.S and abroad.
