1. Blue Earth, Minnesota – The Giant of Giant Statues
Blue Earth, Minnesota, proudly calls itself the “Giant Statue Capital of the World” thanks to its towering 55-foot statue of the Jolly Green Giant, according to John Lauritsen from CBS News. The statue was built in 1979 to honor the town’s connection to the Green Giant food brand, which had a canning plant nearby. It stands at the edge of Interstate 90, drawing thousands of curious visitors each year. For a town of around 3,000 people, that’s a pretty big deal—literally.
But it’s not just about height; the town leaned into the quirky marketing with full force. You can buy Green Giant-themed souvenirs, and there’s even a Giant Museum downtown. This blend of corporate nostalgia and small-town pride earned Blue Earth its self-declared title. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t stop for a selfie with a 55-foot vegetable man?
2. Liberal, Kansas – Pancake Capital of the U.S.
Liberal, Kansas claims the title of Pancake Capital thanks to its odd but charming tradition: an annual International Pancake Day race. Every Shrove Tuesday since 1950, women in Liberal race while flipping pancakes in frying pans, competing against women in Olney, England. The event is part of a transatlantic competition complete with parades, a pancake breakfast, and a whole lot of community spirit. The town even has a Pancake Day Hall of Fame.
The race is quirky, but it’s deeply woven into the identity of Liberal, according to Rene Bennett from Islands. Participants wear aprons and headscarves, mimicking the tradition’s origin in 15th-century England. The race is timed to the second, and the towns compare results after it’s done. It’s bizarre, wholesome, and wonderfully specific—everything you’d want in a self-proclaimed capital.
3. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania – Weather Forecasting Capital
Punxsutawney is practically synonymous with Groundhog Day, which makes it the self-proclaimed Weather Forecasting Capital of the World, according to Bill Chappell from NPR. Every February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil—yes, the groundhog—emerges from his burrow to predict six more weeks of winter or an early spring. This tradition dates back to 1887 and has grown into a national spectacle. Thanks to the 1993 film Groundhog Day, the town has embraced its odd fame with gusto.
With thousands of visitors and live TV coverage each year, it’s clear the town’s branding worked. There’s a Groundhog Club, Phil has his own burrow at the local library, and you can even buy weather-predicting merchandise. Other places may have meteorologists, but Punxsutawney has a rodent. It’s weird, it’s charming, and it’s earned them their title.
4. Casey, Illinois – Big Things Capital of the World
Casey, Illinois took “go big or go home” literally and built a tourism industry around supersized everyday objects, according to Alexandra Charitan from Roadtrippers. The town features dozens of massive installations, including the world’s largest mailbox, rocking chair, and knitting needles. The Guinness Book of World Records has certified many of them, and they’re scattered around this tiny town of about 2,500 people. The goal was to revitalize the local economy—and it worked.
Started by local businessman Jim Bolin, the project began with just a few big items and expanded into a full-blown identity. The town now markets itself as the “Big Things Small Town” and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. It’s kitschy in the best way, and the oversized charm is hard to resist. When your mailbox is big enough to walk inside, you deserve some kind of title.
5. Roswell, New Mexico – UFO Capital of the World
Roswell earned its title after the infamous 1947 incident where an unidentified object crashed nearby, sparking decades of alien conspiracy theories. Though the U.S. military claimed it was a weather balloon, many still believe it was something extraterrestrial. The town has leaned hard into the mystery, branding itself as a hub for UFO tourism and alien lore. You can even visit the International UFO Museum and Research Center.
Every summer, Roswell hosts a UFO Festival complete with cosplay contests, alien parades, and lectures from UFOlogists. Shops are filled with little green men and glow-in-the-dark souvenirs. Locals have embraced the strange history as part of their cultural DNA. Whether you believe or not, Roswell owns its title like no other.
6. Le Mars, Iowa – Ice Cream Capital of the World
Le Mars, Iowa, churned its way into this title thanks to being home to Wells Enterprises, the maker of Blue Bunny ice cream. The plant produces more ice cream than any other single location in the world. The town celebrates this delicious fact with a giant ice cream cone sculpture and an annual “Ice Cream Days” festival. It’s a sugary sweet identity, but one that’s backed by serious output.
The town’s connection to ice cream isn’t just industrial—it’s cultural. You’ll find ice cream served year-round, even in the dead of winter. Locals take pride in the creamy legacy, and visitors often leave with a freezer bag of pints. With production numbers to back it up, Le Mars has every reason to claim the title.
7. Dalton, Georgia – Carpet Capital of the World
Dalton earned its carpet crown because it’s where more than 80% of the world’s tufted carpet is produced. The carpet industry took root here in the early 20th century and grew into a global powerhouse. With dozens of mills and thousands employed in carpet manufacturing, it’s not just a catchy title—it’s economic reality. Even the local high school mascot is the “Catamount,” a nod to the strength and speed of the industry.
The town hosts trade shows, carpet design expos, and even educational programs tied to the flooring industry. You won’t find shaggy retro vibes here—Dalton is focused on innovation and industry. It might sound mundane at first, but the scale and specialization are impressive. If any town deserves to be the capital of carpet, this is it.
8. Luling, Texas – Watermelon Capital of Texas
Luling is all about watermelons, and every June the town hosts the Watermelon Thump, a quirky celebration that’s been running since 1954. The event features a seed-spitting contest, a melon auction, and of course, all the watermelon you can eat. The local high school even uses a watermelon mascot. It’s a juicy title, but one the town proudly claims.
What makes it extra charming is how seriously Luling takes it. The downtown area has watermelon-themed street art and painted water towers. Tourists come not just for fruit but for the feel-good vibe of a small town doing something weird and wonderful. In the heart of Texas, it’s the kind of title that sticks.
9. Sandwich, Massachusetts – Glass Capital of the U.S.
Sandwich, one of the oldest towns in Cape Cod, became known for its glass production in the 19th century. The Boston & Sandwich Glass Company made this sleepy town a hotbed for beautifully crafted glassware. Today, the Sandwich Glass Museum preserves this legacy with exhibits and live demonstrations. It’s more delicate than most claims to fame, but it’s rich in history.
The title might not sound flashy, but it reflects a significant contribution to American craftsmanship. Glass from Sandwich was once considered among the finest in the country. While production isn’t what it used to be, the pride still shines through. Visitors leave with blown-glass trinkets and a deeper appreciation for the town’s artistry.
10. Battle Creek, Michigan – Cereal Capital of the World
Battle Creek became the cereal capital thanks to the Kellogg brothers, who started experimenting with cornflakes at the local sanitarium. Their company eventually became the giant we now know as Kellogg’s, and Post Cereals followed soon after. The city still houses cereal plants and celebrates its breakfast legacy with events and museums. Even the air sometimes smells faintly sweet from cereal production.
The town fully embraces this identity with the annual National Cereal Festival, complete with a giant breakfast table. Locals have grown up with cereal pride, and tourists come for the nostalgic hit. For a place built on breakfast, Battle Creek has carved out a surprisingly lasting niche. It’s a crunchy, quirky claim that sticks.
11. Gilroy, California – Garlic Capital of the World
Gilroy’s status comes from the vast quantities of garlic grown and processed in and around the town. The annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, first held in 1979, helped cement its title. From garlic ice cream to garlic cook-offs, it’s a pungent but beloved tradition. Even the town’s air carries a faint garlicky aroma during harvest season.
This isn’t just marketing—the numbers are legit, and the region supplies garlic to much of the country. The festival attracts over 80,000 visitors annually (in its prime years), making it a garlic mecca. Local businesses embrace the theme with garlic-themed menus and merchandise. You might need breath mints, but Gilroy owns its title with pride.
12. Metropolis, Illinois – Superman Capital of the World
Metropolis declared itself the official hometown of Superman, with a giant statue of the hero standing in its downtown square. DC Comics even acknowledged the claim, partnering with the town for events. The annual Superman Celebration brings fans from across the country for cosplay, panels, and photo ops. It’s part comic-con, part small-town fair.
The town doesn’t just coast on a name—it leans in hard. There’s a Superman museum, themed street names, and even a phone booth for dramatic costume changes. It’s a niche identity, but one that’s brought life and tourism to a small town. For comic fans, Metropolis is a real-world destination.
13. Yellville, Arkansas – Turkey Capital of the World
Yellville has hosted the Turkey Trot festival since 1946, and it’s not your average bird celebration. In the past, live turkeys were (controversially) tossed from airplanes as part of the event. That tradition has mostly faded, but the festival remains a huge draw with a parade, pageants, and turkey calling contests. The whole thing is a mix of strange, nostalgic, and deeply local.
Despite criticism over the years, the town hasn’t let go of its turkey ties. They’ve rebranded parts of the festival to be more animal-friendly while keeping the quirky traditions alive. It’s a uniquely rural celebration with a title that fits its offbeat energy. You won’t forget a visit to Yellville anytime soon.
14. Eureka Springs, Arkansas – Stair-Step Capital of the Ozarks
Eureka Springs sits on a steep, hilly terrain that required an unusual solution: hundreds of staircases built directly into the landscape. Because of its topography, the town has embraced its identity as the “Stair-Step Capital,” even hosting walking tours that focus on its vertical history. With Victorian architecture and hidden paths, climbing stairs here feels like exploring a fairytale. It’s a physically demanding but visually stunning experience.
This odd title reflects how the town turned a geographic challenge into a quirky brand. The stairs aren’t just functional—they’re part of the town’s charm. Artists and historians alike have celebrated Eureka Springs for its unique layout. It’s proof that even a staircase can become a symbol of pride.
