Looking for an end-of-summer road trip to take? We’ve got a whole list of quirky landmarks and small-town attractions that we’re working through, because there’s nothing like pulling over to check out something weird before continuing on your journey. If you ask us, the fun is in the detours, so here are some of the most interesting pit stop opportunities we’ve found so far in B.C.
We could all use a little change, but a big change? Well, that’s what the small town of Salmo did when they erected this giant penny to commemorate 1995’s Penny Power campaign. Salmo residents collected pennies to help pay off Canada’s national debt, leading to the donation of one of the world’s largest pennies. We say “one of” because there’s technically a giant penny in Wisconsin that beats this one out as the largest, but Salmo’s is worth the visit nonetheless!
Where: 301 Railway Ave., Salmo
It turns out Salmo has another record-holding item that’s worth a pit stop: the world’s oldest phone booth. The phone booth itself dates back to 1977, but the hallowed-out cedar tree it’s built from has been calculated to be a whopping 465 years old.
Fun fact: the tree originated from the Trout Lake area!
Where: 110 Motel Ave., Salmo
Located in the “Bavaria of the Rockies,” this cuckoo clock is the largest free-standing one out there, constructed by Bill Spence and Dick Bova in the 1970s. It stands at about 22 feet high and 12 feet wide and “cuckoos” every hour. However, instead of a bird, the cute little “Happy Hans” pops out and yodels if you feed the clock a loonie. This is, as the Germans say, “Sehr Gut!”
Where: Kimberley Avenue, Kimberley
You don’t have to venture outside of the city for this quirky attraction. The East Van Vodville is Canada’s smallest movie theatre, situated on Venables Street and viewable from the fourth window in the alley. The tiny, free theatre screens all kinds of short films, projects by local creators, and great film scenes out of context.
Where: 1601 Venables St.
If you don’t know what a tree burl is, that’s okay. Neither did we. They are an excess of growth that you can find on trees, and Canada’s got the biggest one. The burl weighs roughly 30 tonnes and is many feet across. It was carved off a Sitka spruce tree in 2005, and it really is something you won’t see anywhere else.
Where: Broughton Boulevard, Port McNeill
Did you know that there’s a house made entirely out of cement and glass jars? Constructed from over half a million embalming fluid bottles, this roadside landmark was created by David H. Brown in the 1950s. Situated between Creston and Crawford Bay, the remarkable house boasts spectacular views of Kootenay Lake and a thriving garden. You can stop by for a paid tour seven days a week from May through October.
Where: 11341 BC-3A, Sanca
Looking for a spot to pull over near Golden and enjoy a picnic? Why not kill two birds with one stone and check out the world’s largest paddle? Nestled between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains, Golden is already a bucket list-worthy destination, but this paddle definitely deserves a spot on your trip itinerary. At 5,300 pounds, the paddle even made it to the Guinness Book of World Records, yet it’s somehow made from just one Western Red Cedar log. It really puts into perspective how giant these trees are!
Where: 26 km south of Golden on Highway 95
Everyone nearby should check out this giant Smokey Bear statue. Standing at nearly 30 feet high and constructed in 1967, this statue is a shining beacon reminding you to be aware of forest fires. Also, did you know that Smokey was a real bear?
Where: Pole Yard Road, Revelstoke
At 60 feet tall and 800 pounds heavy, Canada’s largest fishing rod stands as a beacon of Houston’s history. The Town’s website explains that it all started as a napkin sketch by a local fly fisherman named Warner Jarvis. The community then came together to donate hundreds of equipment and volunteer hours to turn his idea into a reality.
On May 5, 1990, the giant rod was carried by volunteers through the town to the spot it now resides in, beside the Visitor Centre. Residents even bought $5 “shares” of the landmark, owning a centimetre of the rod.
Where: Steelhead Park, Houston
Bookmark this for your next road trip!
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