If you’re driving along a quiet road and suddenly spot a giant white bird staring back at you, don’t worry—you’re not imagining things.
This bird isn’t just big.
It’s massive.
And the best part?
You can actually go inside it!
This one-of-a-kind roadside stop has been around for decades, and it actually has a pretty interesting backstory.
If you love weird roadside attractions, this is definitely one you’ll want to check out.
Where Is It?
The Big Duck is in Flanders, New York, a small hamlet on Long Island’s East End.
You’ll find it right off Route 24 (Flanders Road), about halfway between Riverhead and Hampton Bays.
If you’re coming from NYC, the easiest way to get there is by car which takes around 1.5 hours.
If you’re not driving, you can take the Long Island Rail Road to Riverhead or Hampton Bays and grab a taxi from there.
What To Expect
The Big Duck is exactly what it sounds like—a massive, 20-foot-tall duck-shaped building sitting right on the side of the road.
It’s bright white, with round, beady eyes made from Model T taillights and a beak that sticks out over the entrance.
Yes, the door is right in the duck’s chest, so you literally walk inside a giant duck to check it out.
Inside, you’ll find a small but quirky gift shop packed with duck-themed souvenirs.
You’ll find rubber duckies, duck-shaped magnets, postcards, T-shirts, and all sorts of other interesting duck-related trinkets.
It won’t take long to look around, but it’s worth stepping inside just to say you’ve been inside a huge duck-shaped building.
Outside, there’s a small lawn where you can snap some fun pictures, and if you’re there in December, you might catch the Big Duck all lit up for the holidays.
It’s a quick stop, but definitely a unique one, and if you’re exploring Long Island’s East End, it’s an easy and fun roadside attraction to add to your trip.
Where Did It Come From?
The Big Duck was actually built way back in 1931, and yes, it was built for exactly the reason you’re thinking—to sell ducks.
Back in the early 20th century, Long Island was a major hub for duck farming.
In the 1930s, a duck farmer named Martin Maurer wanted a way to grab people’s attention and boost sales for his duck farm.
Instead of just putting up a regular sign, he went all in and built a 20-foot-tall, 30-foot-long duck-shaped building to serve as his farm’s shop.
The idea was inspired by roadside architecture that was becoming popular at the time—where buildings were designed to look like the products they sold.
Maurer hired a team to construct the duck using a wooden frame covered in wire mesh and cement.
The eyes, which still shine today, were made from old Model T Ford taillights.
When it first opened, customers could walk right up and buy fresh Long Island ducklings for dinner.
By the 1980s, Long Island’s duck farming industry had mostly disappeared, and the land where the Big Duck stood was being sold off for development.
Instead of letting the duck be demolished, locals rallied to save it, and Suffolk County ended up buying it to preserve it as a historic landmark.
Even though it no longer sells ducks, it’s become an iconic piece of roadside Americana, and it’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Know Before You Go
The Big Duck is free to visit, and you can stop by anytime to check it out from the outside.
If you want to go inside the gift shop, it’s open most days from 10AM – 5PM, but hours and days of operation do change seasonally, so it’s a good idea to check before you go.
Parking is easy—there’s a small lot right next to the duck, and since it’s a quick stop, you won’t have trouble finding a spot.
If you’re visiting in December, the Big Duck gets decked out in holiday lights, and there’s even an annual “Big Duck Lighting” event that locals come out for.
The whole stop won’t take more than 15 or 20 minutes unless you really love duck-themed souvenirs, but it’s a fun and quirky piece of Long Island history that’s worth checking out if you’re in the area.
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