Looking for something to visit that’s a little out there? Arizona is filled with plenty of places that are strange, eerie, absurd, and wonderful but here are a few of our favorite spots that make us stop and wonder.
1. Arcosanti
This small, experimental town resembles something you would expect to find in a science fiction movie. However, this brainchild of famed architect Paolo Soleri sits near the I-17 outside of Cordes Lake as an example of creating cities that are more environmentally responsible.
2. Bedrock City
While driving up 180 to get to the Grand Canyon, you may do a double take when you drive past this location. Built in the 1970s, it has been a popular location for families to stop at for decades. However, the site was put up for sale in June with a pricetag of $2 million.
3. Bucket of Blood Street
Don’t worry, this sight isn’t haunted! (At least, as far as we know…) The strange name for this street comes from the town’s Wild West roots: a gunfight at a saloon that ended with so horribly, both the saloon and the street earned this namesake.
4. Dinosaurs in Holbrook
After seeing the latest Jurassic Park movie, we’re not too upset some of these dinosaurs aren’t real. These long-necked creatures and their friends greet you as you drive north into Holbrook from I-40 and you will find plenty more scattered along the street and even on the highways.
5. Hi Jolly’s Tomb
Sorry, this is not pirate-related! This unusual sight in Quartzsite is both the tomb and monument to a Syrian man, Hadji Ali, who was the caretaker of a short-lived camel transportation plan.
6. Hunt’s Tomb
This is a bit of a strange sight at Papago Park in Phoenix. This is actually the final resting place for the first Arizona Governor, George W.P. Hunt, his wife, and some family members.
7. London Bridge
It’s not falling down anytime soon. If you’re looking to fulfill some of your Anglophilic love on a more local level, check out the current location in Lake Havasu City.
8. Nothing, Arizona
I'm sure that most people who think of Arizona tend to think of this place. Now an aptly named ghost town, it apparently received its name from "a bunch of drunks." Our favorite image of the site is the photo below.
Such true, pioneering spirit.
9. Santa Claus, AZ
Sitting outside the little town Chloride, this area lived a brief, full life as a tourist attraction in the 1940s. However, popularity declined over the years and it was closed by the 1970s. What remains are the Santa Claus Inn and the Land Sales Office.
10. The Thing?
Tourist trap or an actual noteworthy spectacle? When driving along I-10 near Benson, be prepared to be barraged with bright yellow signs advertising "The Thing." However, it’s up to you if you actually want to check out the exhibit.
Which places would you want to visit the next time you drive by? Let us know in the comments and if there were any we missed!
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