There are many interesting roadside attractions when travelling in Ontario. Some are advertising of sorts, and some may be a tribute to a community, or some as simple as commemorating history. However, “they all have a story to tell.“
Here’s an interesting roadside sculpture that I’ve passed many times and sadly paid little attention to, “” until today.””
It’s a 15-foot-tall metal dinosaur sitting quietly alongside Highway 7 near Breslau.
To be perfectly honest, I probably would have driven right past this unique piece of roadside art again if it hadn’t been for the sun suddenly peeking through the dark clouds.
For just a moment, the sunlight hit the dinosaur and lit it up as if it were Christmas in August.
As a novice photographer, I know you only have seconds to catch the mood, the shadows or the lighting. I was compelled to stop and take the photo opportunity.
And that’s when this Daytrippen adventure began.
Now, I’ve seen plenty of roadside attractions during my travels. From the “Big Nickel in Sudbury” to the 38-foot-diameter “Big Apple.” But one of the coolest and latest attractions is the commemorative Avro Arrow securely placed on a pedestal at Paul Coffey Park in Malton. For those who don’t know, that’s where the Canadian Avro Arrow Interceptor story all began many years ago.
What exactly is a roadside attraction?
Simply put, it’s an interesting or unusual object, sculpture, monument or display that catches your attention while you’re travelling.
Take, for example, this subject matter stirred up a childhood memory of an interesting roadside attraction that would appeal to just about any kid looking for adventure.
I remember a retired Vanguard passenger propeller airplane sitting beside a small gas station during a road trip west toward Alberta.
For a small amount of money, you could climb inside, touch the controls, knobs and switches. For a kid, that was all it took to start daydreaming about being a pilot flying off to some wild destination over the horizon.
When you’re travelling, and you spot a roadside sculpture or unusual attraction, make no mistake, there is often more behind it than meets the eye.
Remember, Daytrippen Adventures could start in your own backyard.
As the introduction mentions, my articles are about “short, inexpensive daytrip fun adventures” and still being home for supper.
But silly me, that bright orange dinosaur was practically in my backyard, and I had driven past it countless times.
So now, folks, I’m on a mission to find more roadside attractions. So my story does not end here.
How Many Roadside Attractions Are There in Ontario? This is an educated guess, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ontario has hundreds of roadside attractions scattered across the province.
Doing research, there don’t seem to be any statistics or a private company or government agency keeping track of these unique attractions, and I think Tourism Canada should.
My estimate is just that, an educated guess. but given that,
I remember seeing many interesting roadside attractions during my short drives around the Kitchener-Waterloo area and many more that I haven’t seen — yet. “” But I will.””
Take, for example, these lesser-known 4 pillars with pictures scribbled on the top as you go through the underpass on Weber and Victoria Street, Kitchener.
** If you look closely, you’ll notice markings on top of the cornerstone pillars. One has a simple chair engraved into it, while another has a silhouette representing textiles.
These four pillars represent different industries such as Furniture, button manufacturing, footwear, metal stamping, and textiles that were once an important part of the area.
Krug Furniture is one such company that still exists, and it’s been around since 1880. And if you’re not familiar, it sits across from the GO-Transit station. This area was Kitchener’s industrial heartland, and at one time, it was a powerhouse in its own right.
Not far from that point, history tells us that entrepreneurs once built bicycles, then carriages, and eventually automobiles in Halls Lane. Although the automobile industry there was relatively short-lived
Most people pass by that area and never realize the significance or the cornerstone pillars commemorating the industry now gone.
And that’s exactly what makes all roadside attractions interesting. They make you stop. They make you look.
And sometimes, they make you wonder what happened here.
BUT THE ROADSIDE STORY DOESN’T STOP HERE.
Now that I’ve got this roadside-attraction bug, I started thinking about some of the other unusual things I’ve seen around Ontario.
Here are a few that come to mind:
- Eight monkeys sculpture in Waterloo.
The big orange on Frederick Street, “and I’m not sure what to call that orange twisted tube.”
A round globe made of bricks representing “Past, Present and Future.
A retired Russian Army Tank from battles it once fought at “KW Surplus Store.” Where at one time, the store sold decommissioned military odds and ends. They once had a replica Spitfire on the roof of the store that was now donated to a museum. That plane and Army tank were a landmark for many out-of-towners.
A full-size moose statue represents Moosonee, Ontario. Of course that’s a little further north than a two-hour daytripping adventure.
- If you travel to the pretty town of Elora, they too have an interesting piece called “The Tall Man.” However, the official title is, “It’s a Question of Who’s in Charge” by artist Scott A. McNichol. It is situated at the “Green Space, downtown Elora.” I thought it was pretty cool.
Now, this website is dedicated to Daytrippen adventures, so in most cases, my articles are about a two-hour radius
This is why you should get out and check out your communities for interesting day adventures. There is no such thing as being bored in Ontario. Even a Daytrippen adventure hunting down roadside attractions in Ontario and taking lots of photos is a fun thing to do on a lazy afternoon.
And chances are, “you’ll still be home for supper.”
18 Roadside Attractions in the Area
Here’s a list of some of the roadside attractions and unusual landmarks I’ve discovered or photographed.
** Dinosaur L&L van Bodegom Breslau, Ontario
** Mennonite Boy, Cambridge, Ontario
** Rocket Hotel, Cambridge, Ontario
** Tube (Orange) in Kitchener, Frederick St.
** Globe representing our future, on Frederick St.
** Pirate Skull Attraction Wasaga Beach
** Banana Munkies looking at a Blackberry cell phone Waterloo
** Train (Locomotive 6167) Display in Guelph
** Mal Brown bench and sculpture. Queen St. Kit.
** Four Towers (cornerstones) on Weber and Victoria
** Tall Man Elora
** 1953 Oldsmobile sitting on a pedestal, London
** Green men in Barrie
** Muskoka Chair Gravenhurst
** Planet Earth Globe Hamilton
** Ship mast Hamilton
** Globes on Queen St.
There’s No Shortage of Daytrippen Adventures
Remember, you don’t need to book a flight to take a vacation. Explore the small towns or your own backyard. Get lost in the local lore, take in the sights, walk the main street, & find your new favourite getaway.
For you daytrippers looking for something unusual, there is no shortage of roadside attractions in Ontario. Do a little research or go for a drive some sunny afternoon; you might even find yourself saying, “When did they put that there?”
*CLICK HERE for more roadside attractions in Ontario.
As the introduction mentions, my articles are about “short, inexpensive daytrip adventures,” and still being home for supper.
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