This Indiana Town Is Home to the World’s Largest Ball of Paint
Indiana is home to some world wonders, from the world’s largest children’s museum to the world’s largest full-day sporting event (the Indy 500). Of course, Indiana has some much quirkier attractions worth checking out, such as the unique and incredible world’s largest ball of paint hiding in Alexandria.
Mike Carmichael of Alexandria developed a unique hobby of covering a baseball in layers of paint during his high school years. Fascinated by the unique shape the ball took after numerous coats of paint, he vowed to make another one, to see just how large it could become.
When his son was three, Carmichael decided to try again, running a rod through the baseball so it could be suspended in the air. He let his son paint the first layer (blue), and he and his wife took over adding layers, as often as a few times a day.
Today, this giant ball of paint is no longer perfectly round, thanks mostly to gravity. This now oblong-shaped ball has formed imperfections and unique textures, looking more like a creepy science experiment than a baseball layered in paint. It currently has over 26,000 layers of paint and weighs over 5,000 pounds!
Visitors can not only come and investigate this unique roadside attraction in Indiana, but they can also actually add to the paint ball’s size by adding another layer of paint in the color of their choice. They’ll receive a certificate after painting their layer, giving them an official record of their participation in Hoosier history.
Call +1 765 724 4088 to schedule an appointment to visit this fascinating attraction and play a part in continuing to create the world’s largest ball of paint.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
