Alamogordo

Alamogordo, NM
pistachioland.com

Located at the intersection of Highway 54 and Dog Ranch Road, Tim Mc Ginn’s PistachioLand is home to the world’s largest pistachio. This 30-foot monolith towers over the surrounding desert and attracts visitors from around the world. It was built by Tim McGinn to honor the memory of his father Tom McGinn. The elder McGinn founded the original pistachio and grape farm which grew into PistachioLand. Tim felt a “world’s largest” monument would be fitting, as his dad loved to stop at unique roadside attractions on their many road trips. Erected in 2007, this giant nut is constructed from five yards of concrete and is covered with 35 gallons of paint.

There’s accessible parking near the giant pistachio, and ramp access over to the perfect photo op spot. Next door there’s level access to the Country Store, which has plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair inside. It stocks everything pistachio — from brittle and nuts, to t-shirts and souvenirs. They even have salt-free and sugar-free products. And if you’d like to sample a little vino, the Arena Blanca tasting room is in back. The World’s Largest Pistachio is fun photo stop, and the country store has plenty of free samples.