Minnesota's Largest Ball Of Twine
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Overview
There are multiple claims to the world's biggest ball of twine record, all within the United States. As of 2014, the ball of twine with the largest circumference is located in Cawker City, Kansas, measured at 8.06 feet (2.46 m) in diameter and 10.83 feet (3.30 m) in height.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration0.5-1 hour
Best TimeA classic all-season American roadside attraction made by a single man. The most photogenic slot is between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM on a clear summer afternoon; late daylight streams beautifully through the protective glass gazebo rotunda, giving you pristine, well-lit conditions to capture iconic road trip photos next to the giant twine ball.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned in Darwin along US Highway 12 (300 1st St). A car is essential: cruise along US-12 directly into the town center, and the prominent covered gazebo housing the massive twine ball will appear directly on the north side of the highway within a pocket park, featuring dedicated roadside free parking lines.
Travel Tips
- The twine ball is housed in a glass gazebo accessible for external viewing 24/7, but to access the indoor museum/gift shop, timing must be aligned strictly between Tuesday and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Only 3 parallel parking spots sit directly in front of the gazebo; RVs or trailers must bypass these and park in the open gravel lot behind the museum building to avoid blocking busy Highway 12 traffic lanes.
- During the annual Twine Ball Day on the last Saturday of July, downtown Darwin implements full road closures; drivers must use designated peripheral grass parking lots and travel to the gazebo on foot.
Reviews
Positive
- As an iconic road-trip roadside attraction, this gigantic twine ball created entirely by one man is full of eccentric personality and historical whimsy.
- It is completely free to visit; the twine ball is beautifully preserved in a glass-enclosed gazebo, complemented by a charming mini-museum chronicling the creator's story.
- It serves as a fantastic pitstop for travelers driving across Minnesota; it is highly photogenic for a quick check-in photo, and there is ample roadside space for free parking.
- The local community is remarkably welcoming; volunteers or town residents often strike up conversations to share its history, and the uncommercialized, peaceful vibe is heartwarming.
Heads up
- The attraction is micro-sized, essentially consisting of just a large glass case; 10 to 15 minutes is plenty for photos and reading, making it unworthy of a dedicated long trip.
- The surrounding amenities are bare-bones; there are no permanent public restrooms on-site and few trash cans, and finding decent dining nearby is tough if you don't pack food.
- Tucked away in the remote town of Darwin, there are no public transit links whatsoever to get here, meaning it has zero accessibility unless you are on a self-drive road trip.
- During winter or inclement weather, the integrated mini-park and outdoor benches are unusable, and the glass case fogs up, significantly degrading the viewing and photo experience.