Why the Mickey Coffee Pot Winston Salem Landmark is a Must-See
📍 Location: 401 Old Salem Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
As certified coffee fanatics, we couldn’t skip this oversized roadside wonder! ☕ We drink coffee all day, every day, so when we saw a giant coffee pot sculpture in Winston Salem, we knew it belonged on our itinerary.
The History of the Mickey Coffee Pot Winston Salem
Our final stop in Winston-Salem was the Mickey Coffee Pot landmark, a fascinating piece of local history. In photos, it looks massive, but when we arrived, it was smaller than expected! (Not gonna lie—I was hoping for a full-service coffee shop!)
But this landmark is more than just a quirky sculpture. Originally crafted in 1858 by tin shop owners Samuel & Julius Mickey, this enormous coffee pot was their creative marketing strategy—proof that bold signage wasn’t invented by neon billboards. Standing tall along Plank Road, it served as a way to grab attention from passing traders.
The Mickey brothers were smart businessmen who understood that in the mid-1800s, you needed something BIG to catch the eye of wagon drivers and traders traveling the busy route. Their tin shop specialized in all kinds of metalwork, but that giant coffee pot? That was pure genius marketing that lasted over 160 years!
🚌 Big Rig & Pet Logistics
🚛 Big Rig Status: Not practical for on-site parking — (Nearest lot large enough for a big rig is Hanes Auditorium on SR4326, about 1.5 miles away. This is a tow-vehicle stop.)
🐾 Pet Policy: Outdoor location, bring your crew — (Local leash laws apply.)
🛠️ Driver’s Note: Plan to visit this one in your car. The on-site parking is small and the streets around it aren’t rig-friendly.
What to Expect When You Visit
Let me set your expectations: this isn’t a towering giant that you’ll spot from miles away. The Mickey Coffee Pot Winston Salem is more like a really enthusiastic coffee pot that’s been hitting the gym! It’s big enough to be impressive but not so huge that it dominates the landscape.
Perfect for photos though! And honestly, isn’t that what we’re all here for? The historical marker nearby gives you the full story, so you can impress your friends with coffee pot trivia. Plan about 15-20 minutes here—enough time for photos, reading the marker, and maybe wondering (like we did) why someone hasn’t turned this into an actual coffee shop!
Why the Mickey Coffee Pot Winston Salem Is Worth a Stop
Today, the Mickey Coffee Pot Winston Salem remains one of the city’s most unique roadside attractions—a perfect blend of whimsy and history. If you find yourself exploring quirky roadside attractions, this stop is definitely worth adding to your list.
The best part? It’s easy to find and there’s parking right there, so no hiking required! We pulled right up, snapped our photos, and were back on the road in no time. Perfect for a quick roadside attraction fix!
Make It a North Carolina Roadside Attraction Day Trip
While in North Carolina, we also visited Things to Do in North Carolina, uncovering even more fascinating landmarks. Not far from this spot, we came across The Last Shell-Shaped Shell Service Station, an architectural oddity that’s a must-see for vintage gas station fans.
And if oversized objects are your thing, don’t miss The World’s Largest Chest of Drawers and The World’s Largest Duncan Phyfe Chair—both unique landmarks that bring giant-scale fun to North Carolina’s roadside scene.
Pro tip: Hit all these Winston Salem area attractions in one day! They’re all within reasonable driving distance of each other, and you’ll have enough quirky roadside photos to fill your Instagram feed for months. We managed to see the Mickey Coffee Pot, the shell station, and the giant furniture all in one afternoon—with plenty of time left over for actual coffee breaks!