One of my absolute favorite things to do when I am out riding around is to find roadside oddities and attractions. I have been known to make many a U-turn while driving down the road. This page will be dedicated to any roadside attractions that I have found in the state of Missouri .
It will be a constant work in progress as I will add new oddities and attractions every time I find one. Make sure you check back often for new updates. Better yet, subscribe to my site so you will be informed each time content is added. Don’t worry, no spam here. I send just one email a month, on the final Friday. Subscribe Here
Giant Meatball & Fork
Location: 3129 W. 76 Country Blvd
City: Branson
Region of State Located: South/West
Google Maps Pin
Pasghetti’s in Branson is home to what is often cited as the world’s largest fork and meatball, a towering landmark that makes it impossible to miss this Italian eatery as you cruise down 76 Country Boulevard.
Themed Interior: The oddity doesn’t stop at the curb; the restaurant inside features elaborate themed rooms, including a 1930s-style streetscape and even an indoor Ferris wheel.
Enormous Scale: The sculpture features a giant silver fork standing roughly 15 feet tall, spearing a massive, deep-red meatball that looks like it weighs several tons.
Whimsical Gateway: The fork and meatball actually serve as a literal gateway; the restaurant’s entrance is positioned right alongside the sculpture, welcoming guests into its highly themed dining environment.
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (Park)–RT 66
Location: 10820 Riverview Dr (Missouri Side)
City: St Louis
Region of State Located: Central/East
Google Maps Pin
Spanning the mighty Mississippi River between St. Louis, Missouri, and Madison, Illinois, the historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is one of the most distinctive landmarks along historic Route 66. Opened in 1929, this mile-long pedestrian and bicycle bridge is famous for its iconic 30-degree bend right in the middle, a unique engineering design implemented to help river boat captains navigate the treacherous rocky rapids below. After carrying highway traffic for decades, it was bypassed in the late 1960s and eventually reopened as part of the Route 66 Bikeway, offering sweeping, elevated views of the river, riverboats, and the two historic water intake towers rising out of the water.
Visiting the bridge from the newly renovated Old Chain of Rocks Park on the Missouri side (that’s where I parked) is a fantastic, highly accessible experience. The park features flat, paved concrete pathways, beautiful native landscaping, picnic areas, and clear security improvements, including gated parking and regular park ranger monitoring. Walking out onto the bridge itself is completely level with smooth pavement and zero stairs, allowing you to stroll as far across as you feel comfortable before turning back. Clean, fully accessible public restrooms, drinking fountains, and shaded seating benches are available right at the Missouri trailhead park before you head onto the span.
Tri State Corner– RT 66
Location: 1183 SE 118th Street (Stateline Rd)
City: Joplin
Region of State Located: South/West
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Situated tucked away near the edge of Joplin, Missouri, the OK-KS-MO Tri-State Marker is a charming, quirky roadside monument that lets you stand in three states Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma, at the exact same time! The survey line was originally established back in 1857 during a grueling six-month expedition, but a permanent native stone marker was erected in 1938 by the WPA. Funnily enough, modern GPS technology later revealed that the 1938 stone pillar was actually built about 50 feet off from the true geographical intersection! To fix the blunder, a flat metal ground plaque was embedded directly into the pavement at the precise tri-point in 2004, allowing visitors to strike their best twister pose with one foot in Missouri, one foot in Kansas, and a hand in Oklahoma.
This historic border spot is a low-stress, quick photo stop right off Interstate 44. The marker sits at the end of a dead-end paved road with flat, level terrain, making walking and standing for photos exceptionally easy without any steps, hills, or uneven trails to navigate. While there are no dedicated restrooms or picnic amenities directly at the outdoor monument plaque itself, it sits just down the road from the Downstream Casino Resort complex and travel plazas, where you can find fully accessible restrooms, dining, and climate-controlled indoor spaces.
Worlds Largest Gift Store– RT 66
Location: 332 Pine St
City: Phillipsburg
Region of State Located: Central/Slightly West
Google Maps Pin
Sprawling across a massive 60,000-square-foot complex along Interstate 44 in Phillipsburg, Missouri, the World’s Largest Gift Store (also in the same parking lot as Redmon’s Candy Factory…yummy!!!) is a legendary pit stop for road-trippers and Route 66 explorers. Originally built to offer travelers an overwhelming variety of souvenirs, retro candies, fudge, and Ozark crafts, this giant retail paradise features endless aisles of collectibles, hot sauces, clothing, and Route 66 memorabilia. It’s essentially a air-conditioned bazaar right off the highway where you can easily lose track of time picking up nostalgic gifts and homemade sweet treats.
For active seniors looking to break up a long drive across Missouri, this destination offers a very comfortable, climate-controlled environment with smooth, flat concrete flooring throughout the entire building. There are no steps or steep ramps to navigate inside or out, making it exceptionally easy to walk at a relaxed pace with a shopping cart or mobility aid. Clean, fully accessible restrooms are located inside the facility, along with plenty of spacious, paved parking outdoors (including designated accessible spots and pull-through spaces for larger vehicles).
World’s Largest (Former Largest) Rocking Chair–RT 66
Location: 5957 Route ZZ
City: Cuba
Region of State Located: Central/Slightly East
Google Maps Pin
Standing proudly alongside historic Route 66 in Cuba, Missouri, the giant Route 66 Rocker (formerly known as the World’s Largest Rocking Chair and also known as The Red Rocker) is an unforgettable piece of roadside oddity treasure. Towering over 42 feet tall and weighing more than 27,000 pounds, this steel behemoth was erected in 2008 to break the Guinness World Record for the largest rocking chair. Though it surrendered its world-record title to a rival chair in Casey, Illinois, in 2015, it remains an iconic landmark along “Route 66 Mural City.” Originally painted red and perched outside the Fanning 66 Outpost, the chair was repainted a bright orange in 2024, giving it a fresh, vibrant pop against the Missouri skyline.
Visiting the rocker is as hassle-free as it gets. Located at 5957 State Highway ZZ, the giant chair sits right beside a spacious, level parking lot with no steep inclines or rugged terrain to navigate. You can walk right up to the base on flat, paved ground to snap photos that make you look tiny by comparison. Accessible public restrooms, air conditioning, and drinks are available right next door inside the general store, making it a comfortable stop to stretch your legs.