Roadside attractions are a staple of Americana, from giant balls of twine to palaces made of corn. But do such tourist traps deserve their bad rap? There’s a beauty and earnestness in kitsch that endears these landmarks to me, none more so than the Big Duck.
@aaa_northeast Get ready to meet the iconic Big Duck in Flanders, New York! This larger-than-life architectural marvel will quack you up and leave you in awe!🐥 😎🚘 . . #thebigduck #thebigducklongisland #roadsideattraction #flandersny #newyork #aaanortheast #aaatravel #roadsideattractions #roadtrip #roadtrips #newyorkcheck #aaaroadtrips #longisland #longislandnewyork ♬ original sound – AAA Northeast
The Big Duck in Flanders, N.Y., is a Long Island landmark. At 20 feet tall and 30 feet long, it’s about a zillion times bigger than a normal duck, give or take. Originally built in 1931 by farmer Martin Maurer, the duck advertised the eggs and ducks that were for sale within. The Big Duck is so iconic that the word “duck” is commonly used to describe novelty architecture that resembles the item it’s advertising.
You can’t buy ducks inside the Big Duck anymore, but you can buy souvenirs. I bought a mug and a button before I had to stop myself. The duck is also filled with memorabilia that tracks its journey over the past century. Duck docents within can give you a history of the duck, plus recommendations on what to do nearby.
“Where are you headed?” the friendly docent asked when I arrived.
“Here,” I replied.
“What?” the docent said. “Why?”
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Learn MoreThe Big Duck is not usually a destination itself, more like a stop on a long road trip. But I was just happy to finally see this icon of Long Island up close and personal. It’s so beloved by the community that there’s even an annual “duck lighting” in which the duck is draped in lights to celebrate the holiday season. It’s a festive compliment to the duck’s eyes, which emit a red glow every night.
When they dig the duck up in 1,000 years, future humans will probably think we worshipped it. And in many ways, they’d be right.
Have you ever been to the Big Duck? What is your favorite quirky regional landmark? Share it in the comments below!
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Another interesting fact: In the ‘90s Christie Brinkley recorded promotional spots for the landmark and became the “voice of the Big Duck.”
From the western end of LI (Brooklyn), any time I am on Route 24, I always stop at the Duck
In a similar vein, there is the Big Chicken in Marietta, GA (https://www.marietta.com/attractions/the-big-chicken).
I First saw the Big Duck in the early 60s while visiting my grandparents in the Flanders neighborhood where I live now. In the 70s and 80s, while it was still a farm, I would call the big duck in the morning and order a chicken or duck that was rotisserie cooked right inside the building to be picked up on my way home from work. So nice to see so many people enjoying it today along with its legacy.
I moved from Boston to Long Island in 1962 and traveled Rt, 24 each day. There wasn’t much else along the road in those days. Over the years I watched the duck fall into serious disrepair. After many years of observing the deterioration, the duck appeared to be beyond repair. However, some determined folks brought the landmark back to it’s original appearance and moved it to it’s present location, where it continues to delight visitors of all ages.
No day trip from our home on the North Fork to take visiting friends or family to experience the South Fork is ever complete without a stop at the Big Duck. When I was a child, my mother often bought some eggs or duck to cook a special meal for our guests. Fun to see our local landmark included here with AAA!
I have been to see the big Duck a few times. Once a year a large group of folks from all over who own VW Busses, Vanagons and Westfalia models gather at a local campground for a weekend of fun and trading It is called “Busses by the Big Duck, the highlight of which is a caravan out to see, hang out at and take pictures at the Big Duck.
It’s great fun.
If you go out of your way to visit the Big Duck, wear comfortable shoes because you will be kicking yourself afterwards.
I grew up on Long Island and my father loved to ramble around on weekends, we drove past the big Duck frequently. As a young child, when I realized that we were in the area I always begged him to drive past, I loved the big Duck. Now 70 some odd years later I visited the big Duck on a recent trip back to LI. I was overjoyed to find it in pristine condition and still nesting on a lovely field. A belove icon of my youth. It was Memorial Day weekend and the interior was closed, I guess I will have to make another trip, I really want to go inside. The drive down from the Hudson Valley is a small price to pay for such a treat.
The Big Duck is the key feature of any tour that I give visitors to Long Island. It is happily situated right next to Peconic Bay, where it keeps an eye on all the folks driving past. It was a big hit with my college roomies from William and Mary last fall, and my Cornell colleagues have all posed for photos there.
Living on Long Island it’s nice to see the Big Duck get more exposure. Quaint and fun to visit. The gift shop is a must. I’ve gotten mugs and Xmas ornaments to remember by. When anyone visits, I always recommend a quick stop there.
Been by there many times. There used to be many duck farms on the east end and Long Island was known for their duck. Many restaurants had Long Island Duck on their menu. Sadly that time passed many decades ago
I grew up on Long Island and my mom used to go to The Big Duck to shop. Last year – many years later – I took a trip to Long Island to visit The Big Duck. It’s in great shape and brought back many memories!
Family members from out of town recently visited the North Fork. The highlight of their trip….seeing the Big Duck!
Wow! National coverage of The Big Duck in AARP. After all, he is well over 55! I work at our beloved duck, and no one leaves without a smile. You should see it now with the native garden in full bloom.
This article was in AAA. Seeing how i spent a lot of time visiting relatives less than 1/2 mile away from the Duck, where my mom spent her childhood and where my uncle was at one point Chief of he Flanders Fire Dept. I knew your age for the duck was incorrect. The Duck was built and opened in 1931, that makes it(gender unknown!) 93 years old. It is in its original spot, where it belongs although it was moved a few times starting in the 70’s. One of these days i’m gonna bring my grandkids out to see it!!!
Yes, the garden was lovely, a real photo op!!