Clear Lake, Iowa: Buddy Holly Crash Site
It's the spot where the beloved rocker with the geek glasses and hiccup-y voice met an early end. The site is often marked with items added by visitors.
Results 11 to 15 of 32...[Previous 5 items] Page of 7 [Next 5 items]
Visitor Tips and News About Buddy Holly Crash Site
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
The driving directions posted by Leanna D. in 2013 were spot on today. The farmer upon whose land we trod has mowed a nice path right to the memorial. He plows and plants right after the memorial, so take the path on the left and you'll end at the crash site.
[Kim Wheeler, 05/17/2016]
Walk past the glasses to the actual crash site. My first visit, I didn't realize you could walk down a path to the crash site, where the markers are for the four who died there.
[Lala, 07/14/2015]
Fun place to visit and only a short drive off the Interstate.
[Sam S., 08/21/2014]
Grouse Avenue is closed due to construction. Instead take 300th Street to Fir, make a right and go down to 320th Street, make another right, and then the immediate next right onto Gull. Park just opposite 315th Street and you will see the famed glasses. Follow the fence which will be on your right to the memorial. Beautifully moving.
[John L., 06/30/2013][Previous 5 items] Page of 7 [Next 5 items]
Buddy Holly Crash Site
- Address:
- Gull Ave., Clear Lake, IA
- Directions:
- From the Surf Ballroom in town, drive north on Buddy Holly Place. Turn right at the stoplight onto US Hwy 18. Drive a half-mile. Turn left at the stoplight onto N. 8th St. Drive north about five miles. As the road bends left, turn right onto gravel 310th St. Drive a quarter-mile, then turn left onto gravel Gull Ave. Drive a half-mile. You'll see the big eyeglasses on the left, at the intersection of 315th St. You can park on the shoulder.
- Admission:
- Free
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
Nearby Offbeat Places
Surf Ballroom: Buddy Holly's Last Gig, Clear Lake, IA - 6 mi.
Tiny Church: Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA - 6 mi.
Pyramid House, Clear Lake, IA - 6 mi.Latest Tips Across Roadside America
Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.
Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!
Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.
The cornfield where Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper went down in 1959 always strikes us as the cheeriest of fatal crash sites. Visitors continue to leave small offerings to the rock legends -- notes, sun glasses, a can of "Buddy" soda, a bouquet of flowers -- and celebrate their lasting impact.