Overview
Darwin, Minnesota is home to the world's largest ball of twine.
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 9°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Minneapolis)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- STC Saint Cloud Regional Airport, Saint Cloud — 35 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 60 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Minneapolis, take I-394 west, it will become US-12. Take that for about 50 miles and turn left at Darwin.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
Two options: Country Saloon and Jack's Tavern. The former being much less seedy.
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
From Minneapolis, take I-394 west, it will become US-12. Take that for about 50 miles and turn left at Darwin.
See
- World's Largest Ball of Twine, 1st Street (County Road 14, off Highway 12). Open 24 hours. Actually the world's largest ball of twine rolled by one person, this stringy behemoth measures 12 feet (3.65 m) in diameter and weighs 8 tons. Created by Darwin's favorite son Francis A. Johnson, the ball is a quintessential roadside attraction. Free.
Do
- Twine Ball Days. Annually on the second Saturday in August.
Eat
Two options: Country Saloon and Jack's Tavern. The former being much less seedy.
Sleep
- Twine Ball Inn
Nearby
Litchfield
City / town · 10 listings · 6 mi away
Cold Spring
City / town · 10 listings · 25 mi away
Willmar
City / town · 2 listings · 31 mi away
Monticello
City / town · 3 listings · 33 mi away
Saint Cloud
City / town · 16 listings · 34 mi away
Rogers
City / town · 2 listings · 42 mi away
Elk River
City / town · 2 listings · 43 mi away
Excelsior
City / town · 33 listings · 43 mi away
My experience
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