This set of big things is inside the store. You can see them from the glass of the front of the…read morestore if it is closed. Another plus from the very nice small town.

The World's Largest Teeter Totter: A Giant Balancing Act…read more Casey, IL, adds another playful gem to its collection of oversized attractions with the World's Largest Teeter Totter. Perfect for thrill-seekers and photo lovers, this giant seesaw offers a fun experience for visitors of all ages. While the teetering motion is available only when an attendant is present--usually Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the sign--you can still climb to the top anytime for a unique view and photo op. It's a creative and interactive highlight in this charming small town's lineup of "big" surprises!

During the tourist season, the World's Largest Teeter Totter is more interactive than some of the…read moreother World's Largest Things. This one you can climb on and when it's operating, it actually balances. On a Sunday afternoon out of season, the totter was chained down and immovable. You can still walk along it from end to end to the top. At that point, it's imagination. [Review 19677 overall - 132 in Illinois - 649 of 2023.]

This mural is only 12 x 12 but features a local celebrity known for his loyalty and dedication…read more Stiffy Green was a British Bulldog who followed his owner everywhere. When the owner passed away Stiffy found his owner's mausoleum and stood guard . Eventually the loyal pet passed away on his own and to protect the loyal pet from damage/vandalism, he was stuffed and now resides in the Vigo County museum. I am sure there is a lot more to the story, but you can research that on your own. If you are driving north on 7th, you can easily spot his mural on the side of the building. I find it delightful that there was such a bond between a man and his pet. Whenever you are in the area, be aware of the multiple images of Stiffy hat can be found around town including having his own beer! Review #3972

Not far from several of the other World's Largest Things, the World's Largest Barber Pole is in…read moredowntown Casey across from the World's Largest Mailbox. This interesting and functional barber pole is 14 feet tall and just about 4 feet wide. Spinning like barber poles do. If you're driving on I-70 between Saint Louis and Terre Haute, this is an interesting and fun detour to stretch your legs instead of hitting up a rest area or truck stop. Most of the stuff is nearby this one. It is not actually the World's Largest. I spotted one in Oregon that is a whopping 72 feet tall though that one is not spinning or active. [Review 19678 overall - 133 in Illinois - 650 of 2023.]

The World's Largest Barbershop Pole is located in the heart of downtown Casey, IL, (a quaint little…read moretown with a population of 3,000). The Barberpole is located closed to the Largest Mailbox and Birdcage. 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.

One of my favorite muralists in Indiana is Becky Hochhalter. Hailing from the west side of the…read morestate, most of her murals are found in the west central part of Indiana. Her newest work (2019) is in the small town of Knightsville, IN, just a few miles east of Brazil. On the north wall of a building, she has recreated the image of a functional workshop including a pair of sliding barn doors painted as though they were real! The mural portrays a man hard at work inside a woodworking shop. But the man is not alone. There is a cat, three bats, and seven mice in the picture too. There is also a model airplane which has significance to the man who commissioned the mural. The next time you are traveling on US 40 on the west side of the state, make a point to check out this very cool new addition to the Clay County art scene. Review #3136

Located in Kiwanis Memorial Park, this is the Eiffel Tower for Paris ILLINOIS. I've recently been…read moreto the Eiffel Tower in Paris TEXAS and I've been to the Eiffel Tower at Paris in LAS VEGAS and the original Eiffel Tower in Paris FRANCE. This one is... well, they made one. It looks like the original in Paris if it went through the dryer and shrunk. Is it even 15 feet tall? I guess that kinda had to. I'd say, don't go out of your way. [Review 1289 of 2024 - 216 in Illinois - 22312 overall]

I was in Paris, Illinois for an overnight trip and thought I would see the Eiffel Tower. I had…read moresomething different in mine such as a 5 foot replica of the Eiffel Tower, but this is not bad. It's fun to see if you're in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

In the middle of the ISU campus is a collection of "bench people" on the east side of Reeve Hall…read more Artist Madeline Weiner created this collection in 2015 out of Dolomitic limestone. There are five pieces to the collection: two are stacks of books, two are people lounging back, and the final piece is someone reading a book. All five pieces may be used for seating for anyone wishing to take a break and relax. Review #1483

I'm a sucker for bright shiny objects. That said, I really like this sculpture completed in 2006…read moreby local art professor Bernard Hegedorn. He was inspired to create something after the tragedy of 9/11 in the hope that the worst of the century was behind us and a new beginning would offer promise. The large sculpture has two curved bronze columns that represent the twin towers in New York post impact. The stainless steel circle in the middle represents the rising and setting sun. The bright surface of the circle reflects the world around and seems to fill the open space as you move around the sculpture (it is located in a roundabout at the entrance to the Red Skelton Museum.) I also appreciate that the artist added a plaque with his insight into his motivation for creating the piece. Too many artist leave no clues to what they were thinking. It seems like leaving a plaque is a great way for the viewers to understand the artist and maybe gain an insight into art in general. Review #2966