North Dakota's "Big Things" lure tourists from the highway

Some states are not so lucky when it comes to tourist attractions.

Take North Dakota, where I happen to be now. There aren't any famous National Parks. There aren't any cities that anyone more than a state away would ever need to visit unless there was a relative present. Yes, there is a lot of farmland and rolling prairie. But those don't bring in tourists and their dollars. Nobody visits a wheat field on purpose except a farmer or tractor salesman.

So what do you do to provide something interesting for tourists? Simple, you create things. One excellent way is to come up with something that's bigger than anything else like it in the world. For example, in Washington where I live, we have the world's largest egg and the world's largest frying pan. Last week in East Glacier, Mont., I visited the World's Largest Purple Spoon."

In North Dakota, in a span of about two to three hours driving time along I-94, you can visit three such attractions, which based on "big things per mile" is quite remarkable.

West of Bismarck in New Salem, you have the World's Largest Holstein Cow, then farther east in Steele you have the World's Largest Sandhill Crane, and finally in Jamestown — about 100 miles west of Fargo, you have the World's Largest Buffalo.

There's usually a reason for a big thing. For example, there's a lot of milk cows around New Salem, so Salem Sue, the giant cow up on the  hill overlooking I-94, is a local "big thing" to attract attention. A few of the tourists who pull off the highway to snap a photo may even wander into town for a sandwich or to fill up on gas, so some extra tax dollars.

In Steele, which has a mere 800 residents and a far from robust economy, the huge Sandhill Crane right along I-94 serves as a reminder of the great birdwatching in the area. A colorful brochure "Let's Go Birdwatching along the Steele Birding Drive" is dispensed at the site.

The giant buffalo in Jamestown, also visible from the Interstate, advertises the town as the home of the National Buffalo Museum and its nickname, "Buffalo City." Jamestown is the hometown of legendary western author, Louis L'Amour.

All these attractions are free. The Buffalo Museum charges to get in, but you can browse the gift shop for free. Its selection of buffalo tee-shirts, refrigerator magnets, post cards and stuffed animals is impressive. And don't miss White Cloud, the only certified albino bison in the world. It's right outside in the pasture.