Raleigh, North Carolina: Big Acorn

"Nutzilla" is a mega-squirrel size tribute to Raleigh, "City of Oaks." Built in 1991; moved to new location in late 2016.

Address:: W. South St., Raleigh, NC
Directions:: At the southeast corner of the intersection of S. Salisbury and W. South Sts.

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Visitor Tips and News About Big Acorn

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Big Acorn

We tried to check it out on 12/28/22 and it was missing from the spot. There was a sign, but no acorn.

[Wendy, 12/30/2022]

The acorn is removed toward the end of December to be dropped on New Year's Eve like the ball in New York's Times Square. Then it's returned to its rest-of-the-year spot.

Big acorn.

Big Acorn

The Big Acorn. Very big.

[Christopher Elston, 11/04/2022]

Big Acorn.

Big Acorn

The Big Acorn is in a small park that is part of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

[Brynn S., 02/27/2020]

Giant acorn.

Big Acorn

The acorn is in the center of a park that is close to the bus station. I'd recommend going early in the day.

[Shannon Hiser, 08/27/2016]

Big Acorn.

Big Acorn

Across the street from the Vollis Simpson whirligigs in downtown Raleigh is the home of "the big nut." Is this the world's largest acorn?

[Dean Jeffrey, 03/14/2001]

According to Smiler Nate Etheridge, "every New Year's Eve, the acorn is moved to the roof of the Raleigh Civic Center and is "dropped" at midnight as the North Carolina equivalent to the big apple/ball that drops in Times Square at the same time. 'Why an acorn,' one may ask? Well, Raleigh is known as "The City of Oaks" ..." November 2003 - Tipster Ric Carter adds "You might enjoy the recent moniker attached to the big acorn by local columnist Dennis Rogers. He dubbed it Nutzilla."