The 20 Weirdest Roadside Attractions You'll Actually Want To Pull Over For
Strange Stops You Won't Want To Drive By
Road trips aren't just about the final destination; they're about the journey. The US, being the ultimate road trip destination with much of it built around cars and highways, is full of bizarre and quirky stops that will surely make your trip memorable, no matter which direction you're going. Here are 20 of the weirdest roadside attractions worth pulling over for.
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1. Carhenge, Nebraska
Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska, pays homage to England's Stonehenge, but is made with vintage American cars. Created by artist Jim Reinders in 1987, it's a beautiful, albeit bizarre monument worth pulling over for.
2. International Banana Museum, California
The International Banana Museum in Mecca, California, is the world's largest collection of banana memorabilia and the largest museum dedicated to a single fruit. It holds over 20,000 banana-related items.
3. The World's Largest Ball Of Twine, Kansas
The world's largest ball of twine in Cawker City, Kansas, is exactly what it sounds like: a ball of twine 40 feet in diameter, weighing 17,000 pounds. It was started by an eccentric local in the 1950s who spent four hours a day wrapping it.
4. The Enchanted Highway, North Dakota
The Enchanted Highway in Regent, North Dakota, is a 30-mile stretch of road adorned by whimsical metal sculptures. It was created by local artist Gary Greff, who wanted to turn his hometown into a tourist destination.
5. Salvation Mountain, California
Salvation Mountain in Niland, California, is a man-made, technicolor mountain covered in Bible verses and folk art. Made with adobe, straw, and tons of paint, it was created by artist Leonard Knight, who worked on it for over three decades.
6. The World's Largest Cuckoo Clock, Ohio
Sugarcreek, Ohio, is home to the world's largest cuckoo clock, which is over 23 feet tall and 24 feet wide. It was commissioned by the Alpine Alpa restaurant,t who wanted to attract visitors. It cost $50,000 to build and was featured on the cover of the Guinness Book of World Records.
7. The World's Largest Pistachio, New Mexico
The world's largest pistachio stands in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The 30-foot-tall nut is a tribute to Tom McGinn, founder of the pistachio farm on which it stands.
8. The Paper House, Massachusetts
The Paper House in Rockport, Massachusetts, is an entire house (including furniture) made out of newspaper. It was constructed by a mechanical engineer in the 1920s who built it as an experiment. It's safe to say it has stood the test of time.
9. The Corn Palace, South Dakota
The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, is an ornate corn-themed building. It was constructed in 1892 to attract settlers and business people, emphasising the area's abundant soil and plentiful harvests. It's redecorated each year with new murals of corn and other grains.
10. The World's Largest Crayon, Pennsylvania
Easton, Pennsylvania, is home to the world's largest crayon, dubbed the "Bluetiful" crayon. Created by Crayola, it measures 15 feet tall and weighs 1,500 pounds.
11. Lucy The Elephant, New Jersey
Lucy the Elephant is a six-story wooden elephant in Margate City, New Jersey, that you can climb inside. It was constructed in 1882 to attract tourists and promote real estate sales.
12. Cadillac Ranch, Texas
One of the most iconic stops along Route 66, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, is an art installation consisting of old Cadillacs with their noses in the ground. The cars are covered in graffiti, and visitors are invited to bring spray paint to add to the art.
13. Dog Bark Park Inn, Idaho
Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho, is a bed and breakfast in the shape of a 30-foot-tall beagle. It was created by a chainsaw artist in 2003, and yes, dogs are welcome.
14. The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, Montana
The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Jocko Valley, Montana, is a serene roadside stop filled with rows of Buddha statues. Founded by a Tibetan Buddhist Master, it was created to promote peace, compassion, and tranquility.
15. The House On The Rock, Wisconsin
The House On The Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin, is a quirky mansion filled with eclectic collections, including the world's largest indoor carousel. It was created by an architect who used it to showcase his more outlandish ideas.
16. Prada Marfa, Texas
Prada Marfa is a fake Prada store located in the middle of the Texas desert. It was built by artists Elmgreen & Dragset as a critique of consumerism.
17. The World’s Largest Frying Pan, North Carolina
The World’s Largest Frying Pan is an actual usable frying pan located in Rose Hill, North Carolina. It was built in 1963 to celebrate local poultry farmers and can cook 365 chickens at once. It is still used today for community events.
18. The World's Largest Wicker Basket, Ohio
The world's largest wicker basket in Newark, Ohio, is a seven-story building designed to look like a wicker basket. It served as the headquarters of Longaberger, a home collectibles company, until 2016, but it now sits empty.
19. The Gum Wall, Washington
Paris has its love locks bridge, and the US has its chewing gum wall. The sticky, colorful structure located in Seattle, Washington, was created organically in the 1990s when people waiting in line for shows outside a theater began sticking their gum on the wall.
20. The World's Largest Fire Hydrant, South Carolina
The world's largest fire hydrant in Columbia, South Carolina, in front of the Columbia Fire Department’s museum is a 40-foot-tall fire hydrant built by local artist Blue Sky. Unfortunately, it doesn't really function, but it's a neat and whimsical roadside attraction.
