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Flanders, New York: The Big Duck

Built in 1931, the Big Duck originally sold ducks, now sells duck souvenirs to summertime city weekenders.

Visitor Tips and News About The Big Duck

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Big Duck refurbished

Hampton Inns is refurbishing The Big Duck in Long Island, part of their grass roots PR campaign to restore select roadside attractions and monuments. Hampton completed refurbishment earlier this year of the "Rain of Arrows" in Mancos, CO, and the restoration of one of Tennessee's famous "See Rock City" highway barns in Sevierville.

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[08/20/2000] Complete News Story

Big Duck.

The Big Duck

In your description of the Big Duck at Hampton Bays, your information was incorrect regarding its construction. It is NOT stucco but ferrocement. Its eyes are the taillights from a Model T Ford. The Big Duck is one of the finest examples of roadside architecture In fact, when discussing similar types of buildings (hot dog stand shaped like a hot dog), they are referred to as a "duck". No kidding.

[Peter, 04/03/1999]

A recent photo by Chris Kelly (ever so slightly manipulated by us).

The Big Duck

There's a really "corny" piece of local history here on Long Island, NY -- The Big Duck. It's a 20 foot high stucco building shaped like a duck. It was constructed in the 30's as a roadside-stand selling fresh-killed local ducks. Duck business aside, tourists on the road loved it because it was a landmark signalling they'd almost reached their summer beach houses. Anyway, the duck business pretty much dried up on Long Island, and the land where the Big Duck stood was sold. We've destroyed plenty of historic sites around here -- Dutch water mills, old Indian land, etc. But people rallied to save this duck!

[Robert Szel, 03/29/1997]

The Big Duck

Address:
1012 Flanders Rd, Flanders, NY
Directions:
I-495/Long Island Expy exit 71. Turn right at NY-94/Edwards Ave. for a little over four miles. At the traffic circle, take the third exit onto NY-24/Flanders Rd. Drive 2.5 miles. Duck is on the left.
Hours:
Daily 10-5 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
631-852-3377
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Musketeers and CastleMusketeers and Castle, Westhampton, NY - 6 mi.
World War I Monument: Globe Strutting DoughboyWorld War I Monument: Globe Strutting Doughboy, Eastport, NY - 8 mi.
Grumman Memorial ParkGrumman Memorial Park, Calverton, NY - 9 mi.
In the region:
Knights of Columbus Museum, New Haven, CT - 31 mi.

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