Written by Lee. He went exploring on one of my work days and this was a solo trip. Generally when we go to a new area we make a list of places we might like to see. I’ll look at the list and decided which ones don’t matter to me much (Lee wants to see everything) and then Lee can do those on my work days. Occasionally if its really awesome he will even make a second trip so I can see it! – Trace
This post is going to be almost all pictures. I was poking around in the Roadside America app one day and saw this place Hot Sam’s was just a few miles away so I jumped in the truck and headed over. It was worth every minute and and every penny!
It’s part photo park, theme park, artist’s haven, junkyard, antique shop. It is undeniably unique. And how you perceive this place depends on your individual preferences. If you like the odd, unusual and quirky, you’ll appreciate Hot Sam’s.
There are quite a few great stories online about this place, but I think the pictures tell it all! I happily spent a few hours there and met with the owner and the resident sculpture artist, and just had a great time. There isn’t room to park an RV there, but there IS a restaurant just across the street with ample parking, so if you grab some lunch there I bet they wouldn’t mind if you left your rig there while you spent some time at Hot Sam’s. In the picture below you can see Hot Sam’s is just off Interstate 35, and just across the street from the Red Fox Tavern. This is what the entrance looks like, so it’s not hard to find at all.
Right when you pull in you are greeted by the “shutter bug”, a massive (like bigger than a car) sculpture.
From that point I decided to drive all the way in and park and then walk back down to the entrance because there was just so much to take pictures of and I didn’t want to block the road.

Off to the side of the parking area is a long low building that houses a lot of antiques. Looks and feels like a normal antique or “junk” shop.

I am seeing these pics for the first time as I proof read the post and that is just weird and creepy. Looks like she is going to jump down on you. YIKES – Trace
The back entrance of the main building is closest to the parking area. When I spoke to the owner he explained to me that this was originally a sales model of a log cabin company.

I loved this two story sunflower, and you can also see the side of the log cabin and the back of a kid’s playhouse/treehouse built and painted to look like a giant birdhouse.
Working my way down the driveway from the parking and house area to the “lower grotto”.
This might be one of the coolest things on the property. It’s an old boat that someone rebuilt to look like a land speeder from Star Wars. It was unclear by the way it was surrounded by dirt if it was retrofitted to drive on the ground like a car, or if it was meant to stay a boat, but it was well done, if a bit weathered. Ok that’s cool – Trace

Featuring state of the art navigation via a label maker, and steering via a video game joystick. Again very cool – Trace

If you are willing to walk a little farther, you can see whatever the owner currently is displaying to the Interstate to entice folks off the highway, like this Finding Nemo car, and a rocket ship. The ingenuity is impressive – Trace

Loved this sculpture. Everything on the property is for sale except the three buildings, and rumor has it that all prices are negotiable, and that the final price is based largely on what Jake thinks of the buyer.

Unfortunately there was nothing to use for scale, but the handlebars on this oversized motorcycle were WAY over my head.
I also for some reason really got a kick out of this elaborate display of Avon perfume and cologne bottles.

At the end of the driveway, or the beginning, depending on your perspective, there is a phone. Not plugged into anything, just hanging there. In case someone wants to buy it. (Again you gotta wonder what was going on in this guys mind- Trace)

The entrance/exit is guarded by another one of those GIANT metal sunflowers. Those things are easily 10 feet across.
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That was cool. There is a similar type artsy junk place in the UP . Sorry can’t remember the name.
I used to live just down the road from this place! New owner has made it more interesting. He should buy your great photos for use as promotional material. If you liked Hot Sam’s, you should visit House on the Rock in WI. Look it up. Full of incredible whimsy.
Thanks !