Come to Casey and see the World's Largest Things. They're all over town and it's only a couple of…read moremiles off I-70 as you're passing between Terre Haute and Saint Louis. On the the big ones in the downtown core is this, the World's Largest Wind Chime. It is accessed through the patio area of what looks like a cute restaurant, Whitling Whimsy Cafe, which was closed on Sunday when I was here. In fact, most of the town was closed on Sunday. Still, the Things are accessible. The Wind Chime is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records and are 49 feet tall with the largest chime being 42 feet long. There is a center rope pull so that you can make the chimes sound if it's not a windy day. I like that this one is interactive. [Review 19676 overall - 131 in Illinois - 648 of 2023.]

The World's Largest Wind Chime is located right in the heart of downtown CAsey, IL, (a quaint…read morelittle town with a population of 3,000). The Wind Chime, Rocking Chair and tetter totter are all located right outside or across the street from the Whitling Whimsy Cafe. This is one of a dozen "things" offically recognized as the World's Largest: World's Largest Wind Chime World's Largest Golf Tee World's Largest Pitchfork World's Largest Rocking Chair World's Largest Wooden Shoes World's Largest Mailbox World's Largest Gavel World's Largest Truck Key World's Largest Barbershop Pole World's Largest Teeter Totter World's Largest Golf Driver World's Largest Swizzle Spoon Well worth a detour off of I-70.

This is a small quiet winery a few miles off of Interstate 70. I have been visiting for a decade,…read moreand appreciate the quiet atmosphere. They have flights, so you can sample before you buy a bottle. There are snacks like cheese, nuts and meat, to purchase in a cooler if you are hungry. There are also plenty of beverage choices if you do not wish to have wine, and milk and juice for kiddos if you are visiting with your family. I have always felt comfortable walking in with my kids. We often stopped here on our way from Indianapolis to St. Louis and stretched our legs. It is also close to a beautiful covered bridge, so i t makes pulling off the interstate a nice experience to pair the winery and bridge together. I feel like the wines are a combination of excellent flavor and yet affordable for yourself or as a gift. This year they has a wine called "Let it Snow" with edible glitter that made a beautiful swirl.

Lovely vineyard nestled in Cumberland County close to the interstate…read more We really enjoyed the ambiance sitting on the porch overlooking flowers, grapevines, and nature. The owners were very friendly and helpful. I tried a flight of wine and a slushy, my husband had the Canoe. We left. with a bottle of Canoe and cherry wine. If you want food you can bring your own or they had cheese and crackers for sale.

It was only a matter of time. The Mug Tree was an old tree. Mugs were placed with it and that…read morebrought it alive again in our hearts. Many, many mugs. Travelers along the highway admired that old tree, adorned with mugs. It offered a silent respite in our daily lives. It offered hope, that no matter what pains we carried, there was the Mug Tree. The Mug Tree, which was created out of the generosity of hundreds of people, most likely strangers to each other, but friends with a common goal of taking an old, dead tree along a country highway and giving it purpose, once more. The Mug Tree. A local landmark, never to be recognized as a national monument. Unlike the more famous curiosities just a few miles north in Casey, this oddity stood outside of the door to fame. Yet, to those of us who passed by, it stood for years alongside that country highway, day and night. Like an old trusted friend. So, to those who read these words and never knew the Mug Tree, I am sorry for your loss. And to those thousands of travelers that passed by and noticed, if you grieve, you grieve not alone. Dear Mug Tree: So long, my friend. Thanks for all the smiles you brought to our hearts.

So... It was fun to see this tree in passing on the way to Effingham but I felt like the house on…read moretop could've been utilized for birds or something.

THE BIG ANTLERS The Antlers are the only big item in Casey…read morethat was not constructed locally. ALL ACCESS Staging & Productions donated the antlers. They said they wanted to support Casey and the Big Things, where art strengthens community and community inspires art.

a hunters dream to see a rack that large... it's the quirky things that make us stop and take a…read morelook. Not everyday you can say you touched or stood by some large Antlers if you're a hunting family it's a great photo op for the Christmas cards

Still in Parke County but outside Rockville, this is another Joseph A. Britton covered bridge that…read morehe completed in 1913. It is a single-span Burr Arch structure. This is originally the site of two other bridges that had been washed away before this one, the State Sanatorium Covered Bridge, was moved to here. It is open to traffic But I opted to take the bypass with the Sprinter van. The road to the east is hard packed dirt and not a great run. Total length of 170 feed with a clearance of 12.5 feet, it would have been fine for my heavy van but I thought, let's not today. [Review 1297 of 2024 - 174 in Indiana - 22320 overall]

This Single Span Burr Arch Truss originally crossed Little Raccoon Creek on State Sanatorium…read moreproperty, about a mile downstream from its current location. It was moved in 2008 to carry County Road 100N across Little Raccoon Creek. #1 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, the bridge was built by J.A. Britton in 1913-- one of the twelve covered bridges that he constructed in the county.

In a small town full of the World's Largest Things, this is the World's Largest Pitchfork. It's…read morenext to a farm and a farm-to-table restaurant so like the other World's Largest Things in Casey, the location makes perfect sense. There is a walking path and some landscaping nearby so you can absolutely get the perfect photo opportunity with the pitchfork. I pulled up the van to get a picture for scale and then found a better parking space so that people who didn't want to see my Sprinter van could get their shots. I would encourage you to do the same and think of the other visitors who don't want you in their photos. Other than the restaurant, there isn't much else here. Maybe get a meal and then check out the other World's Largest Things nearby. [Review 19673 overall - 128 in Illinois - 645 of 2023.]

Not the most exciting largest item in town. Located on the side of Richard's Farmhouse Restaurant,…read moreit's very easy to find.

This museum has been open for many years now, and sadly not many people know that this even exists!…read moreOf course, if you're into deep local history...then this is for you. History as in the National Historic Road. The road that was envisioned by our Founding Fathers (mainly George Washington and Thomas Jefferson) as a way from settlers to move from the East to the West...or at least the Midwest, in this case. The road, originally known as the Cumberland Road, started in Cumberland, Maryland, and ended right in Vandalia, Illinois. There has been a lot of debate over historical accuracy, based on the road actually ending in East St. Louis. The museum is open every day except Sunday, during the daytime. There is an attendant usually present. Museum is kind of small, with a couple rooms to go in (such as a theater), but you get a lot of cool information while you're there. You can also chat with the attendant on duty and they'll give you plenty of travel information. It goes without saying, if you're into the history of America's National Road, this is definitely for you. Kind of like how several people are into Route 66, but not really. It's a must-stop when you are traveling on the road.

Local artist, Michael McAuley, created this bronze statue of local music legend, Hoagy Carmichael…read more Hoagy sits at his bronze piano just outside the IU Auditorium on the IU campus. The patio is surrounded by a lush serene garden. There is no parking close to the statue and you have to walk to see the statue. It took me some time to find, as it is tucked in near a wall just outside the doors of the Auditorium. I recommend visiting when classes are not in session. IU has a lot of interesting and beautiful art scattered around the campus.

Beautiful tribute to one of America's best composers. It captures his image well and it's so…read morerefreshing to see this be a fixture at IU, given his legacy and time there. I love that the pose is of him at work with "Stardust" at his fingertips, as he penned that just a few blocks away. It's easy for me to conjure up the image of what his style of work may have been like and I can totally hear the song in my head as I go by. I'm so happy that this tribute to him exists.

The World's Largest Wooden Shoes are found in a candy shop in the quaint little town (population…read more3,000) of Casey, IL. This is one of a dozen "things" offically recognized as the World's Largest: World's Largest Wind Chime World's Largest Golf Tee World's Largest Pitchfork World's Largest Rocking Chair World's Largest Wooden Shoes World's Largest Mailbox World's Largest Gavel World's Largest Truck Key World's Largest Barbershop Pole World's Largest Teeter Totter World's Largest Golf Driver World's Largest Swizzle Spoon Well worth a detour off of I-70.

The Wooden Shoes are housed in a historic downtown building that dates back to the late 1800s. Once…read morelocated along the Doty Railroad, the building is now home to Wildflour Bakery and Candy Company. The Wooden Shoes gained the World's Largest title on October 20, 2015. Each Shoe weighs approximately 2500 pounds. To give an example of the size of the clogs, as part of a photoshoot, 15 people were able to stand inside one shoe. ​Coins thrown into the Shoes are donated to the Big Things Small Town Funds to continue to promote Casey and keep tourist areas looking beautiful.