May 16, 2022 • 9 mins
This episode dives into Michigan's oddest and most photo-worthy roadside stops.
From a giant cherry pie battle and a leaning tower built by Domino’s Pizza to dinosaur statues in the woods and the famously strange Mystery Spot, this guide covers seven attractions that are as bizarre as they are fun. Perfect for road-trippers and curious travelers, these stops are sure to make your Michigan visit unforgettable and your Instagram feed more interesting.
To find more attractions across Michigan's Thumb check out, We Found These 15 Quirky Michigan Roadside Attractions in the Thumb
From a giant cherry pie battle and a leaning tower built by Domino’s Pizza to dinosaur statues in the woods and the famously strange Mystery Spot, this guide covers seven attractions that are as bizarre as they are fun. Perfect for road-trippers and curious travelers, these stops are sure to make your Michigan visit unforgettable and your Instagram feed more interesting.
To find more attractions across Michigan's Thumb check out, We Found These 15 Quirky Michigan Roadside Attractions in the Thumb
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Let's face it, hunger hits hard.
(00:03):
But at Charlie's G-Stakes and Wings, we're here to keep your appetite in check.
With sizzle and hot cheese steaks fresh off the grill, crispy saucy wings that pack
a punch, and fries that are, let's be honest, downright delicious.
Charlies will crush your cravings in style.
Stop in Charlie's or order on the Charlie's Rewards app to score rewards while you feast.
(00:25):
Cheese cheese steaks and wings, always fresh and packed full of flavor.
Hello and welcome to Thumbwins End of the Road in Michigan Podcast.
(00:54):
Each week, we select one of our amazing stories about the Great Lakes region and the tip
of Michigan's Thumb.
These are taken from Thumbwins.com and present it here so that you can listen to them anytime,
anywhere.
Michigan is known for being full of many activities for tourists.
We found some weird Michigan attractions that may raise eyebrows, but they are weird in
a good way.
(01:15):
So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's tale from the end of the road.
Today's story.
Michigan attractions, seven little known and uniquely weird tourist traps worth taking a selfie
with.
Michigan is known for being an exciting place full of many activities for tourists to try.
(01:36):
Families, single travelers, friend groups, and couples can all find attractions that appeal
to them.
While some of the tourist attractions in Michigan may be a little odd, they are weird in a
good way.
Here are seven unique Michigan attractions you can visit on your next visit to the Great
Lakes State.
Number one.
Traverse city's world's largest cherry pie battle.
(02:01):
Calling all pie lovers, Michigan is home to two cherry pie roadside memorials.
The first pie structure is located in Charloboy, Michigan.
In 1976, they Phillips asked bakers and businesses in Michigan for a favor.
He asked them to create the world's largest cherry pie.
Other Charloboy locals were able to break a world record with their creation.
(02:23):
Their combined efforts resulted in an extraordinary pie weighing in at 17,420 pounds.
This accomplishment led to years of recognition and made Charloboy a popular tourist destination.
Over ten years later, in 1987, a town 50 miles away called Traverse City was inspired
to make its own cherry pie.
(02:45):
Traverse and Traverse City were able to break Charloboy's record with their pie weighing in at
a half to 28,350 pounds.
Forverse beat Charloboy and received a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records for
their work.
In addition, the two towns have displayed their pie tins as proof of their ability to make
the world's largest cherry pie.
(03:07):
Number two.
Ann Arbor's, leaning tower of pizza.
Not to be confused with the leaning tower of pizza, located in Italy, the leaning tower
of pizza and Michigan is also a leaning structure.
This tower can be found in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The leaning tower of pizza was created because Ann Arbor is home to the first ever Domino's
(03:28):
pizza and sub shop.
The CEO of Domino's Pizza, Tom Monahan, intended for the structure to be used for business needs.
This idea never came to fruition because only a 50-foot high building was built.
He wanted a 30-story skyscraper to be the headquarters for Domino's.
Now the leaning tower of pizza is just a reminder of Tom Monahan's idea for his company.
(03:53):
Number three.
Hamtraumx weird version of Disneyland.
This art piece is a popular part of Hamtraumx, Michigan.
It's a mixture of random items combined into an abstract art piece.
The creator of Hamtraumx Disneyland was a man named Demetro C-Lac.
He began working on the piece in 1992.
(04:14):
Demetro was from Europe and lived in both Ukraine and Germany.
His Ukrainian heritage and influence from the United States gave him inspiration for this
art piece.
He took ideas from American pop culture and Ukrainian folk music when working on his creation
at Hamtraumx Disneyland.
Demetro took nearly 30 years to finish this carefully crafted masterpiece.
(04:37):
Sadly in 2015, Demetro C-Lac passed away.
The Hatch Foundation now has ownership of Hamtraumx Disneyland and they work on maintaining
and protecting his creation.
Number four.
dinosaur gardens.
The history of the establishment of dinosaur gardens is exceptionally intriguing.
(05:00):
The founder of dinosaur gardens was Paul Nathan Dahlk.
He was born in 1886 to crush an immigrant parents.
By 1906, Paul joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned medical and hospital related responsibilities.
Through his years in the Navy, Paul got to work in hospitals and ships all across the globe.
He returned home to Michigan by 1910 and began settling down in areas of his life.
(05:24):
He married, ran a standard oil service and eventually moved to Detroit.
Paul had also created a church decorating business, but once the Great Depression hit, he had
to try something else.
Paul had been interested in fossils, natural history, and dinosaurs for quite some time.
Paul moved back to northern Michigan and purchased a new property with his wife.
(05:48):
This property was meant to resemble the habitat dinosaurs once lived in.
It was clear to see why Paul chose to build a dinosaur garden on this piece of land in
Austin, Michigan.
It's full of luscious plants and ferns and has a beautiful running stream.
During the summer of 1935, Paul hired a team to complete construction on the land.
(06:09):
He also hired a cement company to develop long-lasting animal sculptures.
Through careful research, Paul and his team were able to build life-sized dinosaur structures.
Today dinosaur gardens is now a popular tourist destination in Michigan, perfect for families
and children to explore.
Number 5 Detroit's Grand Ballroom, Urban Decay at its finest
(06:35):
This abandoned rock concert venue was an attraction in Detroit, Michigan.
In the 1920s the Grand Ballroom was initially used as a jazz dance hall.
Once the 1960s hit, the Grand Ballroom became a show-stopping concert venue.
The designer of this building was Charles Annegree, inspired by Art Deco architecture.
(06:57):
Between 1966 to 1971, the Grand Ballroom was a center for rock legends and music lovers.
Huge names including Pink Floyd, The Hoo and the Stooges, performed at the Grand Ballroom.
Due to destruction and other damage to the building, the Grand Ballroom was closed in 1972.
There are currently no efforts to restore this part of Michigan's musical history.
(07:23):
Number 6 St. Ignis's Mystery Spot
There happened to be multiple areas in the United States where mystery spots are located.
The St. Ignis Mystery Spot in St. Ignis, Michigan is a unique tourist destination.
The gist of a mystery spot is an area where weird, unwirably things occur.
(07:43):
It seems not to be as effective, and other optical illusions are said to happen at the St. Ignis
Mystery Spot.
Though it could just be all in your head in a result of well-conducted marketing, these
spots are exciting to encounter.
Visitors acclaimed to feel "quizy" if they stay too long.
The thrill and adventure of mystery spots make them, unlike any other tourist attractions.
(08:05):
Along with engaging in the mystery spots in St. Ignis, visitors can also enjoy other activities.
There is a mini golf course of Forest Maze, a guided tour, and zip lines.
Number 7 Port Austin's Weird Shape Turnip Rock
In Port Austin, Michigan, there is a turnip shape rock just on the shore of Lake Huron.
(08:29):
The turnip shape of the rock results from thousands of years of wear from strong waves.
Paltries reaching 20 feet and other plants had grown on top of this unique limestone outcropping.
Tourists can only see this sight if they are on a kayak, boat or walking on the lake ice during
winter.
This is because turnip rock is on private property.
(08:51):
Our final thoughts on weird Michigan attractions
There's so much to see on the great lakes, it's hard to pick just one spot to visit.
These are some of the best spots though, so make sure you include them in your plans you
can see from this list, Michigan is full of wacky new and unique tourist attractions.
Seeking out these activities and sights can be a fantastic way to make long-lasting memories.
(09:15):
Michigan is a great state to visit and offers ample versatility and options for your traveling
needs.
This podcast was brought to you by George Newton who works at Right My Coursework and
PhD Kingdom.
George has been with his wife for 10 years and has learned to maintain a healthy relationship.
(09:37):
This concludes this week's story.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to Thumbwins End of the Road Podcast.
If you like this kind of tale, you are invited to subscribe to our podcast.
Just search for the End of the Road in Michigan, from wherever you're listening from.
Please watch for and download next week's podcast and take a moment to give us a review.
(09:59):
Have a great day!
(10:25):
Back in on your health without the hassle of that annual checkup.
(10:52):
That's QuestHealth.com.
Join your degree from the nation's most innovative university.
Let's face it, hunger hits hard.
(00:03):
But at Charlie's G-Stakes and Wings, we're here to keep your appetite in check.
With sizzle and hot cheese steaks fresh off the grill, crispy saucy wings that pack
a punch, and fries that are, let's be honest, downright delicious.
Charlies will crush your cravings in style.
Stop in Charlie's or order on the Charlie's Rewards app to score rewards while you feast.
(00:25):
Cheese cheese steaks and wings, always fresh and packed full of flavor.
Hello and welcome to Thumbwins End of the Road in Michigan Podcast.
(00:54):
Each week, we select one of our amazing stories about the Great Lakes region and the tip
of Michigan's Thumb.
These are taken from Thumbwins.com and present it here so that you can listen to them anytime,
anywhere.
Michigan is known for being full of many activities for tourists.
We found some weird Michigan attractions that may raise eyebrows, but they are weird in
a good way.
(01:15):
So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's tale from the end of the road.
Today's story.
Michigan attractions, seven little known and uniquely weird tourist traps worth taking a selfie
with.
Michigan is known for being an exciting place full of many activities for tourists to try.
(01:36):
Families, single travelers, friend groups, and couples can all find attractions that appeal
to them.
While some of the tourist attractions in Michigan may be a little odd, they are weird in a
good way.
Here are seven unique Michigan attractions you can visit on your next visit to the Great
Lakes State.
Number one.
Traverse city's world's largest cherry pie battle.
(02:01):
Calling all pie lovers, Michigan is home to two cherry pie roadside memorials.
The first pie structure is located in Charloboy, Michigan.
In 1976, they Phillips asked bakers and businesses in Michigan for a favor.
He asked them to create the world's largest cherry pie.
Other Charloboy locals were able to break a world record with their creation.
(02:23):
Their combined efforts resulted in an extraordinary pie weighing in at 17,420 pounds.
This accomplishment led to years of recognition and made Charloboy a popular tourist destination.
Over ten years later, in 1987, a town 50 miles away called Traverse City was inspired
to make its own cherry pie.
(02:45):
Traverse and Traverse City were able to break Charloboy's record with their pie weighing in at
a half to 28,350 pounds.
Forverse beat Charloboy and received a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records for
their work.
In addition, the two towns have displayed their pie tins as proof of their ability to make
the world's largest cherry pie.
(03:07):
Number two.
Ann Arbor's, leaning tower of pizza.
Not to be confused with the leaning tower of pizza, located in Italy, the leaning tower
of pizza and Michigan is also a leaning structure.
This tower can be found in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The leaning tower of pizza was created because Ann Arbor is home to the first ever Domino's
(03:28):
pizza and sub shop.
The CEO of Domino's Pizza, Tom Monahan, intended for the structure to be used for business needs.
This idea never came to fruition because only a 50-foot high building was built.
He wanted a 30-story skyscraper to be the headquarters for Domino's.
Now the leaning tower of pizza is just a reminder of Tom Monahan's idea for his company.
(03:53):
Number three.
Hamtraumx weird version of Disneyland.
This art piece is a popular part of Hamtraumx, Michigan.
It's a mixture of random items combined into an abstract art piece.
The creator of Hamtraumx Disneyland was a man named Demetro C-Lac.
He began working on the piece in 1992.
(04:14):
Demetro was from Europe and lived in both Ukraine and Germany.
His Ukrainian heritage and influence from the United States gave him inspiration for this
art piece.
He took ideas from American pop culture and Ukrainian folk music when working on his creation
at Hamtraumx Disneyland.
Demetro took nearly 30 years to finish this carefully crafted masterpiece.
(04:37):
Sadly in 2015, Demetro C-Lac passed away.
The Hatch Foundation now has ownership of Hamtraumx Disneyland and they work on maintaining
and protecting his creation.
Number four.
dinosaur gardens.
The history of the establishment of dinosaur gardens is exceptionally intriguing.
(05:00):
The founder of dinosaur gardens was Paul Nathan Dahlk.
He was born in 1886 to crush an immigrant parents.
By 1906, Paul joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned medical and hospital related responsibilities.
Through his years in the Navy, Paul got to work in hospitals and ships all across the globe.
He returned home to Michigan by 1910 and began settling down in areas of his life.
(05:24):
He married, ran a standard oil service and eventually moved to Detroit.
Paul had also created a church decorating business, but once the Great Depression hit, he had
to try something else.
Paul had been interested in fossils, natural history, and dinosaurs for quite some time.
Paul moved back to northern Michigan and purchased a new property with his wife.
(05:48):
This property was meant to resemble the habitat dinosaurs once lived in.
It was clear to see why Paul chose to build a dinosaur garden on this piece of land in
Austin, Michigan.
It's full of luscious plants and ferns and has a beautiful running stream.
During the summer of 1935, Paul hired a team to complete construction on the land.
(06:09):
He also hired a cement company to develop long-lasting animal sculptures.
Through careful research, Paul and his team were able to build life-sized dinosaur structures.
Today dinosaur gardens is now a popular tourist destination in Michigan, perfect for families
and children to explore.
Number 5 Detroit's Grand Ballroom, Urban Decay at its finest
(06:35):
This abandoned rock concert venue was an attraction in Detroit, Michigan.
In the 1920s the Grand Ballroom was initially used as a jazz dance hall.
Once the 1960s hit, the Grand Ballroom became a show-stopping concert venue.
The designer of this building was Charles Annegree, inspired by Art Deco architecture.
(06:57):
Between 1966 to 1971, the Grand Ballroom was a center for rock legends and music lovers.
Huge names including Pink Floyd, The Hoo and the Stooges, performed at the Grand Ballroom.
Due to destruction and other damage to the building, the Grand Ballroom was closed in 1972.
There are currently no efforts to restore this part of Michigan's musical history.
(07:23):
Number 6 St. Ignis's Mystery Spot
There happened to be multiple areas in the United States where mystery spots are located.
The St. Ignis Mystery Spot in St. Ignis, Michigan is a unique tourist destination.
The gist of a mystery spot is an area where weird, unwirably things occur.
(07:43):
It seems not to be as effective, and other optical illusions are said to happen at the St. Ignis
Mystery Spot.
Though it could just be all in your head in a result of well-conducted marketing, these
spots are exciting to encounter.
Visitors acclaimed to feel "quizy" if they stay too long.
The thrill and adventure of mystery spots make them, unlike any other tourist attractions.
(08:05):
Along with engaging in the mystery spots in St. Ignis, visitors can also enjoy other activities.
There is a mini golf course of Forest Maze, a guided tour, and zip lines.
Number 7 Port Austin's Weird Shape Turnip Rock
In Port Austin, Michigan, there is a turnip shape rock just on the shore of Lake Huron.
(08:29):
The turnip shape of the rock results from thousands of years of wear from strong waves.
Paltries reaching 20 feet and other plants had grown on top of this unique limestone outcropping.
Tourists can only see this sight if they are on a kayak, boat or walking on the lake ice during
winter.
This is because turnip rock is on private property.
(08:51):
Our final thoughts on weird Michigan attractions
There's so much to see on the great lakes, it's hard to pick just one spot to visit.
These are some of the best spots though, so make sure you include them in your plans you
can see from this list, Michigan is full of wacky new and unique tourist attractions.
Seeking out these activities and sights can be a fantastic way to make long-lasting memories.
(09:15):
Michigan is a great state to visit and offers ample versatility and options for your traveling
needs.
This podcast was brought to you by George Newton who works at Right My Coursework and
PhD Kingdom.
George has been with his wife for 10 years and has learned to maintain a healthy relationship.
(09:37):
This concludes this week's story.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to Thumbwins End of the Road Podcast.
If you like this kind of tale, you are invited to subscribe to our podcast.
Just search for the End of the Road in Michigan, from wherever you're listening from.
Please watch for and download next week's podcast and take a moment to give us a review.
(09:59):
Have a great day!
(10:25):
Back in on your health without the hassle of that annual checkup.
(10:52):
That's QuestHealth.com.
Join your degree from the nation's most innovative university.
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