What is a unique, “must-do” experience in North Dakota? Would you imagine it’s standing in the shadow of an enormous tin family or a school of massive leaping trout?
In my extensive research prior to embarking on an adventure to experience the best of all 50 states living in our RV, I honestly had a hard time identifying noteworthy attractions in North Dakota. My sad little list consisted of a Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center near Bismarck and what looked like an unusual roadside attraction called The Enchanted Highway.
Preparing to head north from the Badlands of South Dakota (which we loved), I debated whether it would be worth it to add an extra day of travel just to see a collection of scrap metal sculptures. I ultimately decided to go for it, hoping the family wouldn’t think it was super lame and make fun of my poor judgment forever, the way loving families do.
Shortly after arriving at the Enchanted Highway RV Park, I was surprised to find Gary trying on souvenir T-shirts in the gift shop. This was before we had even seen the sculptures! He said, “Everyone has T-shirts from Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore. Who has one from Regent, North Dakota?”
Only about 150 people live in this town, which lies quietly 32 miles from the highway. One resident, Gary Greff, decided to do something to prevent his home from becoming a ghost town like so many others. He knew people wouldn’t stop for normal, but they might stop for the World’s Largest. And so, even though he wasn’t a metalworker or an artist, Mr. Greff built the World’s Largest Tin Family. Then from 1991-2006 he created 7 massive (record-breaking) scrap metal sculptures along the theme of North Dakota’s culture and history. These mammoth works of art impressively lure tourists 32 miles from the interstate toward Regent’s quaint and historic Main Street.
We enjoyed taking fun pictures will all 7 enormous, kitschy sculptures. But it’s the sweet story of one man successfully saving his town from extinction that made it so fascinating and extraordinary. What a shame it would’ve been if we had skipped this – our highlight of North Dakota and among our favorite experiences from our first month on the road as an RV family!
World’s Largest Tin Family
(also pictured on Gary’s T-shirt!)Deer Crossing Pheasants on the Prairie Geese in Flight Fisherman’s Dream Teddy Rides Again
Main Street in Regent
(Enchanted Highway gift shop on left)Cool grocery co-op across the street $20 Full Hookup sites just behind the gift shop, register inside Info, souvenirs, and ice cream in here.
We even saw the artist himself come in!
