21 Guinness World Records Arizona holds
If you love trivia, add to your arsenal these 21 stand-out Guinness World Records of Arizona, ranging from scientific to appetizing to just plain weird.
Are you a lover of trivia? So was Sir Hugh Beaver, who ultimately created the Guinness Book of Superlatives to settle a debate between himself and other pub-goers while hunting in Ireland. He was the managing director of Guinness Brewery, hence the name of the book, and didn’t know how iconic his idea would quickly become. Since its inception in the 50s, Guinness World Records has inspired competitive spirits to set records, assisted in marketing campaigns, and ended heated debates worldwide.
Arizona happens to be home to over one percent of the total records set, and the records can be so bizarre, we double-dog dare you to use them for nonsensical-sounding bar bets. Maybe you can set the record for the most bar bets won.
1. Largest Serving of Salsa
Something about the sun and desert makes salsa the perfect year-round snack. Made to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Nana’s best tasting salsa challenge in Gilbert, the largest serving of salsa weighed 7,308 pounds and was prepared by El Sol Foods and Arizona Hemophilia on March 7, 2014. If we’re being honest, 7,000 pounds of salsa sounds like the average annual intake for an Arizonian.
2. Longest Chimichunga
If you live in Phoenix or the surrounding cities of Maricopa County, chances are that you’ve eaten at a Macayo’s Mexican Food restaurant. The claimed birthplace of the chimichanga in the 50s, this restaurant put its chimichanga-making skills to the test when the company set the record for the largest chimichanga at 25 feet, 7 inches long, by 20 inches wide. The deliciousness was built with 432 flour tortillas, 537 pounds of shredded chicken, 220 pounds of refried beans, 365 pounds of Mexican rice, 21 gallons of relleno sauce, 25 pounds of sour cream, 30 pounds of mixed cheese, 7 pounds of pico de gallo, and was fried in 700 gallons of soybean oil. Just a light meal.
3. Largest pair of scissors
For a while, the Arizona Science Center had an exhibit of the “Science of Guinness World Records.” To celebrate the exhibit in meta form, the Center broke its own record when it customized a pair of scissors for the ribbon-cutting ceremony in May 2023. These were not ordinary scissors, though. The scissors were 10 feet long and weighed 93 pounds. Not the most convenient for cutting ribbons.
4. World’s largest UFO convention
In 2014, Scottsdale gained notoriety for something out of this world. Around 1,500 people attended the 23rd International UFO Congress. It is now officially noted by the Guinness World Records as the largest convention dedicated to unidentified flying objects. Maybe more people want to believe than we knew.
5. Largest thong sandal race
Do people in Phoenix even own close-toed shoes? On September 21, 2019, UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix organized an event to raise awareness and funds for people experiencing homelessness. The thong sandal—AKA flip flops—race saw 1,942 participants, marking it as the largest thong sandal race on record. Kind of sounds like an average day in Phoenix, though.
6. Sunniest place on Earth
Large cities like Denver and San Diego might try to claim more sunny days than Phoenix, but no city can outshine Yuma. Yuma is officially the sunniest place on Earth, according to the Guinness World Records. It receives sunshine for 91 percent of the possible daylight hours annually, which equates to over 4,000 hours. Too bad the snow birds haven’t quite picked up on this fact (we see you, Phoenix).
7. Largest collection of petrified poop
Within the tiny and charming town of Williams is the Poozeum. Though this town is known more for having close proximity to the Grand Canyon, the Poozeum has set the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of petrified poop, or coprolites. Currently, there are over 8,000 coprolites to admire at this free museum, which is positioned next to a gas station on a main road in town. Stop at the station for a fill-up, use the restroom, and see what other animals of the past have also used the restroom around these parts.
8. Largest binocular telescope
Head on over to Safford, more specifically to the grand Mt. Graham, and explore the sky using the world’s largest binocular telescope. It has two 27.6-foot mirrors and a light-gathering power equivalent to a single 38.7-foot telescope. The two mirrors can work together to produce sharper images or observe different parts of the spectrum, making this both impressive in a record sense and impressive in a clarity sense.
9. Fastest electron microscope
A testament to the science department at the University of Arizona in Tucson, the fastest electron microscope was developed by a student team led by Mohammed Hassan. The technology allows for the observation of electrons in motion, in real-time, achieving an attosecond temporal resolution of 625 attoseconds. Developed only a year ago as of writing, this kind of technology paves the path for the future of scientific research in our state.
10. Most consecutive backflips on a jet ski
Getting out on the water is a pastime of choice in Arizona, with the many beautiful lakes to choose from. Lake Havasu is home to not only a large and refreshing lake, but also an annual jet ski competition that draws international participation. It was here that Lee Stone of the UK set the record for the most consecutive backflips on a jet ski with 36 consecutive flips. He must have been pretty dizzy after that competition.
11. Oldest personal trainer
The best advice comes from someone who is where you want to be. At 86 years old, Chuck Goad chooses to work as a personal trainer at an LA Fitness in Scottsdale. He loves hitting the gym and, as a personal trainer, offers the best fitness advice around. If you are looking to remain active well into your golden years, he is the trainer to seek out.
12. Largest rose bush
At what point does a bush become a tree? Lady Banks, a rose bush in Tombstone, has a trunk that is over 13 feet in circumference and stands over 9 feet tall. Taking up around 8,000 square feet, a trip to Tombstone is truly the best excuse to stop and smell the roses.
13. Most expensive Batman memorabilia sold at auction
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale draws in quite the crowd to bid on quite the collection. The 2013 auction entered the Guinness World Records when the most expensive Batman memorabilia sold for $4,620,000. This 1955 Lincoln Futura was actually used in the Batman television series that aired in the 60s.
14. Largest object drop inertia experiment
Much like the largest scissors, this record-breaking inertia experiment was met by the Arizona Science Center. The Arizona Science Center gathered 250 eggs, along with 6-foot-long tables and 250 glasses filled with water. When dropped from a determined distance, 155 eggs remained unbroken, surpassing the previous record.
15. Farthest distance to move a bridge
Lake Havasu is not only a fun way to get on the water, but it is also a record-breaking town that is home to the London Bridge. Yes, the London Bridge—luckily it is NOT falling down. It was dismantled and moved from London, 5,300 miles to Lake Havasu City, where it was then rebuilt in 1971. The bridge was bought in 1962 at an auction for over $2 million and still holds the record for the farthest distance to move a bridge.
16. Largest tattoo machine
Arizonians love tattoos—probably because it’s so hot, and skin is exposed year-round. In fact, Phoenix is home to not only 150-plus shops, but also a world-renowned tattoo convention known as Hell City Tattoo Festival. In 2015, artists and engineers got together to create the world’s largest tattoo machine, which is still functional. Designed and created by Ray Webb of NeoTat, Burnaby Q., and Sweet Pepper Klopek of the Monsters of Schlock, this machine is 51 inches tall and very heavy to hold. Did we mention it is functional? In fact, at Hell City 2025, on the 10th anniversary of its construction, engineer Ray Webb received a tattoo from it—a shaky and almost unrecognizable NeoTat logo. Did we mention it is 51 inches tall and requires multiple people to hold it? Novelty is the aim, not precision.
17. Longest journey in Minecraft
Long before Jack Black helped adults understand the craze of the kids, Minecraft had been a sandbox game full of creativity and unlimited gameplay. That is, until Kurt J Mac of Phoenix set out to find the far lands in 2011. After three years of continuous playing, Mac entered the threshold of an older version of Minecraft, where the terrain in the game began to see glitches.
18. Most money raised in 24 hours by the sale of packaged cakes
Girl Scouts can be competitive, and everyone certainly loves some Samoas and Thin Mints. In 2015, this was put to the test when the Arizona Girl Scouts troop Arizona Cactus Pine Council sold a total of 88,756 boxes during a 24-hour period. This ended in a grand total of $389,738.26 in sales, which is the most money raised in 24 hours by the sale of packaged cakes. These girls are likely some top-tier salespeople on the job market today.
19. Most likes for a cat on Facebook
Everyone and their grandma has heard of internet icon Grumpy Cat. This sweet kitty is known for its ultra-sour puss face paired with poignantly phrased memes. Many don’t realize that this cat was a real pet named Tartar Sauce who lived in Morristown, Arizona, until passing away in 2019. She certainly left a legacy.
20. Most candles extinguished by a whip in one minute
Did you know that candles can be extinguished by a whip? Adam Winrich certainly knew this when he whipped out 102 candles at the Arizona Renaissance Faire in 2014. Hopefully, Adam has had more rich wins since then.
21. Oldest living mandrill in captivity
The life expectancy of a mandrill is 18.3 years, but Nikki has outlived all expectations. Currently at home in the Phoenix Zoo, this lady was born in the Oregon Zoo and moved to Phoenix shortly after her 30th birthday. She is now 37 years old, double the age of a mandrill’s life expectancy. Her remarkable age alone is worthy of a visit. Maybe she’ll share some tips and tricks with you, though her age may be due to genetics. She even had a half-sister who made it to the age of 35. Unfortunately, Nikki has never experienced the likes of motherhood and has not been able to pass along these extraordinary genes.
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