22 Quirky Roadside Attractions That Will Remind You How Weird America Is
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Sarah McCosham
Author
America is a patchwork of attractions and experiences, with each state and region home to its own unique color, culture, and roadside attractions. For proof of this, simply look at the various roadside attractions found across the U.S. of A. From larger-than-life landmarks and monoliths to staggering sculptures and showpieces, America’s roadside attractions are as varied as they are extraordinary. Here are 22 quirky roadside attractions that will remind you just how weird — and wonderful — America really is.
Salvation Mountain, Beal Rd, Calipatria, CA 92233, USA
Situated in the remote desert of Southern California lies one of America's most unique roadside attractions: Salvation Mountain. This colorful art installation was created by Leonard Knight to convey the message that "God Loves Everyone." The shrine, located off Highway 111 in Slab City, is made of adobe clay and covered in thousands of gallons of colorful paint and features Christian murals, messages, and imagery. This labor of love took Knight over 20 years to complete, and it's truly a fascinating art experience.
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Bubblegum Alley, 733 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
One of the most bizarre attractions in Southern California, Bubblegum Alley is exactly what it sounds like: an alley lined with bubble gum graffiti. The alley is 70 feet long, 15 feet high, and covered in a seemingly infinite amount of gum. The tradition of peppering this alley in masticated gum began in the early 1970s, and the current amount of gum covering the wall is unknown. You can find this unique spot by taking a detour from Highway 101; it's located in the alley down Higuera Street. Be sure to snap a photo and, if you feel so inclined, contribute to this dynamic (albeit, a bit disgusting) public art piece.
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Dog Bark Park, 2421 Business Loop 95, Cottonwood, ID 83522, USA
Dog lovers will appreciate this fun and functional roadside attraction in Cottonwood, Idaho. Located off Highway 95, the Dog Bark Park Inn is housed in the belly of Sweet Willy, the world's largest beagle. The rooms of this quirky B&B are appropriately adorned with dog-themed decor and literature, making for a doggone delightful experience. If you don’t want to stay the night, you should stop to merely admire the structure, which features a picturesque prairie backdrop. You'll also find an on-site gift shop with replicas of the beagle for sale, in true roadside attraction fashion.
World's Largest Elkhorn Arch, 458 Washington St, Afton, WY 83110, USA
Only in Wyoming would you find the world's largest elkhorn arch, mounted over the downtown like a work of taxidermy. In the small town of Afton, there's a big surprise awaiting visitors: a colossal, record-setting arch comprised entirely of antlers. The arch was built in 1958 using shed elk antlers collected by townspeople, a practice the locals still participate in to maintain the huge arch. Over 3,000 elk antlers were woven together to form the superlative showpiece, and there are two smaller arches flanking it on either side of the four-lane road it spans, all but guaranteeing that you'll long remember this Wyoming town.
Enchanted Highway, Enchanted Hwy, North Dakota, USA
Who would have guessed that a collection of postmodern art installations could be found along a highway in western North Dakota? Such is the case with the Enchanted Highway, which features metal sculptures depicting local culture, including "Teddy Roosevelt Rides Again" and the "World's Largest Tin Family" installations. This collection of the world's largest scrap metal sculptures is the vision of artist Gary Greff, who set out to do one thing: stop small towns like Regent from dying out. And given the crowds that flock to this attraction each year, we'd say that's a mission well accomplished. This journey starts at Exit 72 on Highway 94 at Gladstone and ends 32 miles south at Regent, where you'll find a gift shop that sells mini sculpture souvenirs of this wonderfully weird roadside attraction.
Mount Rushmore, Mt Rushmore, Mount Rushmore Unorganized Territory, SD 57751, USA
Majestic and mighty, full of pomp and circumstance, Mount Rushmore is an American treasure and is definitely one of South Dakota's proudest claims to fame. It's also arguably the biggest, most famous roadside attraction in the world. Featuring George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, Mount Rushmore is the world's largest sculpture, with each granite-carved bust roughly 60 feet tall. Originally created to entice tourists out to South Dakota; today, the iconic roadside attraction attracts three million visitors annually.
Wall Drug Store, 510 Main St, Wall, SD 57790, USA
While South Dakota is best known for its natural features (and its manmade monolith), the Wall Drug Store is pretty much an unofficial landmark. This drug store, which started off as a place to get free ice water in 1931, is now a popular roadside shopping destination. Here, you can grab a bite to eat and a cup of coffee for just five cents. You can also shop for the kitschiest souvenirs, such as jackalope statues, bumper stickers, shot glasses, and cowboy boots.
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Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Statues, 300 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA
Did you know the second most photographed national statue in the country (behind Mount Rushmore) is in Bemidji, Minnesota? It’s Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. While there are many Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox exhibits across the state, the main attraction is 18 feet tall and weighs in at seven and a half tons. Built in 1937, Bunyan stood alone for two years, until his 10-foot-tall, blue-hued sidekick was added in 1939. Once you've taken sufficient selfies in front of this iconic pair, stop into the nearby Visitor Center to see Bunyan's giant-sized flannel shirt, telephone, wallet, and toothbrush.
Jolly Green Giant, 1126 Green Giant Ln, Blue Earth, MN 56013, USA
Minnesota, it seems, has a thing for larger-than-life icons. In Blue Earth, the Jolly Green Giant commands attention. This 8,000-pound, 55-foot tall giant sports a Superman stance and verdant green garb, and it's the largest statue of the Jolly Green Giant in the world. You can admire this jovial green guy at the eponymous Jolly Green Giant Park in Blue Earth. The statue was built in 1979 with permission from the Green Giant company, headquartered about 70 miles away in Le Sueur. As with so many of America's quirky roadside attractions, this unique statue was built with money from local businesses in an effort to attract attention to the town. Decades later, the giant continues to do just that.
Hole-in-the-Rock, Hole-In-The-Rock, Utah, USA
Hole N’ The Rock is one of the weirdest spots you’ll ever visit, period. Hole N' The Rock is a 5,000-square-foot home that’s literally carved into a giant rock formation. It's also located on the outskirts of one of Utah's most acclaimed areas for outdoor recreation; an incredible surprise for folks traveling to Canyonlands National Park or Arches National Park. At one time, Hole N' The Rock was an actual family home; the cave-like dwelling belonged to the Christensen family. Over a period of 20 years, the family dug out a comfortable space for themselves within the living rock. The home opened for tours in the 1950s and has been drawing crowds ever since. It's unapologetically campy and undeniably awesome.
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Raptor Ranch, 332 AZ-64, Williams, AZ 86001, USA
Fans of the classic cartoon can experience a real-life Bedrock City in Coconino County, Arizona. Bedrock City first opened in the 1970s. Location in Valle near the intersection of State Route 64 and US-180, the park is a 30-acre attraction that celebrates all things Flintstones, complete with faux Stone Age buildings, cartoon decor, and a brontosaurus slide for kids. The attraction closed in 2015, but was purchased by Arizona's Raptor Ranch, which kept the tourist attraction in its entirety for folks to visit. This legendary prehistoric city has stood the test of time and is a celebration of classic American pop culture.
Rainbow Rock Shop, 101 Navajo Blvd, Holbrook, AZ 86025, USA
A sleepy little Route 66 town of just over 5,000 permanent residents, Holbrook is known for its historic Wigwam Village -- but that's not the only roadside attraction in this town. On the sidewalks of downtown Holbrook, prehistoric creatures stand en masse. The dinosaurs have been here since 2007, when the International Petrified Forest and Painted Desert display closed. These larger-than-life creatures were taken in by local rock shops and other area businesses, where they have remained ever since. However, some of the dinosaurs, such as the ones in front of Rainbow Rock Shop, didn't come from the exhibit; rather, they were built in order to (what else?) attract tourists. The plan clearly worked, as visitors hand over cash without hesitation to pose with the extinct herbivores.
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Cadillac Ranch, 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124, USA
One of America's proudest inventions is the automobile, and at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, the iconic Caddy is on full display in a wonderfully colorful art installation. The ranch was conceived by a local billionaire who sought to create an art installation that would shock (and attract) travelers, so he partnered with a group of San Francisco artists to create what's now known as Cadillac Ranch. Over time, this installation has become a collaborative, dynamic entity, with visitors adding colorful graffiti to the luxurious automobiles. It's a fusion of high-concept art and street art that's delightfully postmodern and makes for a fun stop on any Texas road trip.
Prada Marfa, 14880 US-90, Valentine, TX 79854, USA
There is an actual Prada store in the middle of the desert in Marfa, Texas. Located on a lonely stretch of U.S. 90, this is a roadside attraction that's as mysterious as it is intriguing, and just beckons road-weary travelers to stop and investigate. When you do, you'll discover that this store is little more than a desert mirage, with no inventory or staff -- and you can’t even walk inside. (It does actually display the Fall 2005 Prada collection, which was donated by Miuccia Prada herself.) The Prada Marfa Sculpture is a postmodern pop-up sculpture that's a statement about consumerism and the fashion industry, and it's really something you have to see and experience.
Carhenge, 2151 Co Rd 59, Alliance, NE 69301, USA
Here in the U.S., we might not have the clout that comes with historic icons like Stonehenge, but what we do have is our American ingenuity, which creates amazing artworks like Carhenge. A collection of vintage American automobiles painted gray to imitate the historic English landmark, Carhenge is truly a sight to behold. It's also one of the cheekiest roadside attractions ever; what could be more fitting for a roadside attraction than a collection of actual cars on the side of the road?
719 Wisconsin St, Cawker City, KS 67430, USA
There's debate about whether or not the gargantuan ball of twine in Cawker City, Kansas is, in fact, the world's largest (there's another enormous ball in Darwin, Minnesota). But really, that's beside the point. In 1974, Cawker City's Frank Stoeber created an 11-foot ball of twine using 1.6 million feet of the rugged material. After his passing, Cawker City built an open-air gazebo over Stoeber's ball where a "Twine-a-thon" is held every August and more twine is added. What makes this Cawker City attraction so amazing is that it's a living, breathing artwork that continues to grow and evolve over time.
Longaberger, 1500 E Main St, Newark, OH 43055, USA
Up in Newark, Ohio, sits a seven-story, 180,000-square-foot basket. It's the world's largest basket and the former headquarters for the Longaberger Company. This behemoth basket building along State Route 16 in Newark is a novelty piece of architecture you have to see to believe. After the company shut down, the future of the basket hung in the balance. It has since been purchased and there are plans to reuse the structure in a unique way; during select times, you can even tour this record-breaking basket.
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WonderWorks Pigeon Forge, 100 Music Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA
WonderWorks is a place that will cause you to do a double-take (hopefully not while driving). This upside-down building in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is askance and askew; a topsy-turvy trip that's reminiscent of something out of Alice in Wonderland. Its striking exterior aside, what's inside WonderWorks is, well, wondrous. This 35,000-square-foot, upside-down building houses an epic children's museum, an amazing indoor theme park, and countless opportunities for hands-on, STEM-tastic fun. In an area with no shortage of amazing activities, WonderWorks stands out. It's the very best kind of roadside attraction: a place with fabulous form and substance.
Dinosaur Kingdom II, 5781 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578, USA
Dinosaur Kingdom II is an attraction that's impossible to define as anything other than an experience. Combining history with science fiction, this offbeat attraction features a cast of life-like characters battling the dinosaurs, including Yankee soldiers, mad scientists, Stonewall Jackson, and even Abraham Lincoln. The park is set up as a wooded walking adventure, taking visitors through an action-packed exhibit of dinosaurs and soldiers in combat. The entire experience is uncanny, a little unsettling, and wholly delightful.
World's Largest Teapot, Co Hwy 30/6, Chester, WV 26034, USA
West Virginia is home to some truly bizarre roadside attractions, but nothing compares to the Chester Teapot. If you’re driving along West Virginia's Highway 30, you'll do a double-take as you come upon the world's largest teapot. Unlike some of the other roadside attractions on this list, there's actually a very reasonable explanation for this kitschy kettle: Chester is the former center of the world’s largest pottery industry, and the teapot was installed to represent that. After the pottery business was sold, the teapot faced demolition; however, the Chester community rallied together to successfully save this unique treasure. Today, this 14-foot-tall teapot makes for a fun and unique rest stop in West Virginia.
Lucy the Elephant, 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate City, NJ 08402, USA
Located along the beach in Josephine Harron Park in Margate, New Jersey, the world's greatest elephant stands strong, beautiful, and proud. This is Lucy the Elephant, and she is a New Jersey treasure. At six stories (65 feet) high and weighing 90 tons, Lucy is the largest elephant in the world. Visitors can climb a spiral staircase inside Lucy, and learn more about her and the rest of the park during the guided tours. Definitely opt to take a tour, because the history of this larger-than-life elephant is fascinating. Lucy the Elephant is America’s oldest surviving roadside attraction, draws in over 100,000 visitors annually, and is absolutely the most photogenic pachyderm in the world.
Wild Blueberry Land, 1067 US-1, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, USA
Maine's Wild Blueberry Land is definitely the most delicious roadside attraction in America, as it's both a tourist destination and a bakery. In terms of things to do, there's a blueberry-themed mini-golf course - a must for anyone visiting. Inside the behemoth blueberry, you'll find just about anything you could possibly want involving blueberries: pies, muffins, scones, jams, jellies, baking mixes, candy, teas and coffee, ice cream, dog treats, and more. A celebration of Maine's bluest bounty, there really is nowhere else in the world quite like Wild Blueberry Land.
Editor’s note: This Bucket List originally listed a Wigwam Village in Kentucky that doesn’t align with what we’re seeking to do at OnlyInYourState; that is, promote places and experiences for everyone, that are in no way offensive, exclusive, or alienating.
While all of these roadside attractions can be considered a bit quirky, there’s so much more beyond their initial shock value. Each of these attractions tells a story — some of American triumph and tragedy; others, fables passed down through generations; and some stand to represent big cultural moments and events in our county’s history. These roadside attractions are wholly, wonderfully American, and worth exploring on your next bucket list adventure!
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More to Explore
Roadside attractions
What are some of the most bizarre roadside attractions in the US?
Americans, it seems, have a thing for Paul Bunyan. We get it; the lumberjack is quite legendary, but in the U.S., he's a larger-than-life legend... quite literally! In addition to the Paul Bunyan statue in Minnesota (see above), there's a massive Paul Bunyan statue on the streets of Portland. At 31 feet tall, Mr. B most definitely stands out as one of the state's more bizarre roadside attractions; however, in a state known for keeping it weird, Portlanders happily accept this massive monolith as part of the town scenery. But that's not the only place in the West where you'll find him; standing tall and in full view of Highway 101 in Northern California, Paul Bunyan and his faithful blue ox, Babe, are the first thing visitors see when stopping at Trees of Mystery in Klamath. Standing 49-feet tall, the current Paul Bunyan statue was constructed all the way back in 1961! However, it took them a few tries to get it right. The first statue was made from papier mache and only lasted a year before Paul's head melted during a winter rain. And over on the East Coast, Paul Bunyan has been keeping a watchful eye over the good folks of Bangor, Maine, for decades. Gifted to the good people of Maine by a group of builders from NYC on the occasion of their 125th anniversary, the statue has been a prominent feature of Bass Park in Bangor since 1959.
What are some must-visit roadside attractions *and* road trips in America?
They don't call 'em "roadside attractions" for nothing; these unique sites are found along some of the country's most amazing road trips, giving beleaguered road warriors a fun reason to stop and enjoy the scenery. The American Discovery Trail is an epic coast-to-coast journey that absolutely belongs on any adventurer’s bucket list. It’s 6,800 miles of continuous, multi-use trails that stretch from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Pt. Reyes National Seashore in California, with numerous points of interest (and yes, roadside attractions) in between.