The Weirdest Things to See While Driving Across America

Road trips across America are full of surprises. As you cruise down highways and backroads, you’ll spot some truly odd sights that’ll make you do a double-take. From giant statues to quirky museums, there’s no shortage of weird and wonderful attractions waiting to be discovered.

I’ve put together a list of 23 of the strangest things you can see while driving across the USA. These roadside oddities will add some fun and excitement to your journey. Be prepared to pull over and snap some photos of these bizarre landmarks that dot the American landscape.

World’s Largest Ball of Twine

Image Credit: “World’s Largest Ball of Twine” by jimmywayne is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.

This massive ball of twine sits in Cawker City, Kansas. It weighs over 20,000 pounds and measures about 40 feet around. Visitors can add their own twine to help it grow even bigger. The ball started as one man’s hobby in 1953 and has become a quirky roadside attraction. It’s free to visit, and there’s even an annual twine-a-thon celebration.

Cadillac Ranch

Image Credit: “cadillac ranch in Texas” by scott1346 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Located in Amarillo, Texas, Cadillac Ranch features ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground. The cars are covered in ever-changing graffiti as visitors are encouraged to spray paint them. This unique art installation was created in 1974 by an art group called Ant Farm. It’s become an iconic symbol of Route 66 and American pop culture.

Foamhenge

Image Credit: “Foamhenge by Night” by Alun Salt is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

This full-size replica of Stonehenge is made entirely of styrofoam. Found in Natural Bridge, Virginia, it was created by artist Mark Cline as an April Fool’s Day joke. Each “stone” is painted to look like real rock. The attraction is free to visit and offers a surreal photo opportunity in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Corn Palace

Image Credit: “The Corn Palace” by jjandames is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

The Mitchell Corn Palace in South Dakota is a multi-purpose arena decorated with corn and other grains. Its exterior murals are redesigned each year using different colored corn. Inside, you’ll find a gift shop, museum, and arena where events are held. This unique building has been a tourist attraction since 1892 and celebrates the area’s agricultural heritage.

Cabazon Dinosaurs

Image Credit: “Cabazon Dinosaurs. The apatosaurus” by slworking2 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

These giant concrete dinosaurs loom over the desert landscape near Palm Springs, California. The 150-foot-long Brontosaurus and 65-foot-tall T-Rex were built in the 1960s to attract customers to a nearby restaurant. Today, visitors can climb inside the T-Rex for a great view and photo op. The site also includes a dinosaur-themed gift shop.

Carhenge

Image Credit: “Carhenge at dusk” by Whatknot is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

This replica of England’s Stonehenge is made entirely of old cars painted gray. Located in Alliance, Nebraska, it was built by artist Jim Reinders as a memorial to his father. The structure uses 39 vehicles arranged in the same pattern as the stones at Stonehenge. It’s become a popular roadside attraction and even hosts special events during the summer solstice.

The Thing

Image Credit: “The Thing, Arizona” by rscottjones is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

This mysterious roadside attraction in Arizona has been puzzling travelers since the 1950s. Billboards along I-10 build suspense for miles before you reach the site. For a small fee, visitors can tour a collection of odd exhibits before finally seeing “The Thing” itself. The true nature of this strange object is part of the fun, so I won’t spoil the surprise here.

World’s Largest Pistachio

Image Credit: “Worlds Largest Pistachio” by middle of nowhere is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

This 30-foot tall concrete pistachio nut stands outside PistachioLand in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It was built to honor the founder of the pistachio farm. Visitors can take photos with the giant nut and enjoy pistachio-flavored treats from the gift shop. The site also offers tours of the pistachio orchards and a wine-tasting room.

Lucy the Elephant

Image Credit: “Lucy the Elephant” by Jim, the Photographer is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Lucy is a six-story elephant-shaped building in Margate City, New Jersey. Built in 1881, she’s the oldest surviving roadside attraction in America. Visitors can climb stairs inside Lucy to reach a small museum and observation deck. This National Historic Landmark has become a beloved symbol of the Jersey Shore and American folk art.

Dinosaur World

Image Credit: “Dinosaur World” by thart2009 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

This outdoor museum in Cave City, Kentucky features over 150 life-size dinosaur statues. Visitors can walk trails through the woods to see the colorful prehistoric creatures. The park also has a fossil dig site where kids can search for real dinosaur bones. It’s a fun and educational stop for families on a road trip through the area.

Hole N” The Rock

Image Credit: “Hole N The Rock, Moab, Utah” by Ken Lund is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

This unique home is carved into a massive rock in the Utah desert. The 5,000-square-foot dwelling took 20 years to complete. Visitors can tour the 14-room home and see the eclectic decorations inside. Outside, you’ll find a small zoo, gift shop, and other quirky attractions. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind stop on any Southwest road trip.

World’s Largest Tire

Image Credit: “SE Detroit MI Advertising Postcard Worlds Largest Tire a Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company Royal Seal Tire Photo by Bruno Marino Card D241 Unsent2” by UpNorth Memories – Don Harrison is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

This giant tire stands 80 feet tall along I-94 near Detroit, Michigan. It was originally built as a Ferris wheel for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Now, it serves as a landmark and billboard for Uniroyal tires. While you can’t go inside, it’s an impressive sight from the highway and a popular photo spot for road trippers.

Fremont Troll

Image Credit: “Fremont Troll” by Baron Reznik is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

This massive concrete troll lurks under a bridge in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. The 18-foot tall sculpture crushes an actual Volkswagen Beetle in its hand. Created in 1990, the troll has become a beloved local landmark. Visitors can climb on the troll for fun photos. It’s a great example of public art bringing whimsy to an urban space.

Salvation Mountain

Image Credit: “exploration : Salvation Mountain – following the yellow brick road” by tofu_minx is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

This colorful art installation covers a hill in the California desert. Created by Leonard Knight, it’s a tribute to God made from adobe, straw, and thousands of gallons of paint. Visitors can climb the yellow brick road to the top for panoramic views. The mountain’s message of love has drawn pilgrims and artists for decades.

Avenue of the Giants

Image Credit: “Avenue of the Giants” by lovine is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

This scenic highway winds through towering redwood forests in Northern California. The road is lined with groves of ancient trees, some over 300 feet tall. Several trees have been hollowed out so cars can drive through them. It’s a magical experience to drive beneath the canopy of these giant trees and feel dwarfed by nature.

Winchester Mystery House

Image Credit: “Winchester Mystery House” by HarshLight is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

This sprawling mansion in San Jose, California was built by Sarah Winchester over 38 years. It’s full of odd architectural features like stairs that lead to nowhere and doors that open to blank walls. Legend says it was built to confuse ghosts. Tours of the 160-room house reveal its many secrets and spooky history.

Enchanted Highway

Image Credit: “Enchanted Highway” by Larry Myhre is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

This 32-mile stretch of road in North Dakota is lined with massive scrap metal sculptures. Created by artist Gary Greff, the sculptures include giant grasshoppers, fish, and even a family of tin men. Each piece celebrates the region’s culture and wildlife. It’s a unique way to liven up a drive through the prairie landscape.

Unclaimed Baggage Center

Image Credit: “Unclaimed Baggage Center” by dcwriterdawn is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

This store in Scottsboro, Alabama sells items from lost luggage that was never claimed. You can find all sorts of unusual treasures and bargains here. The 40,000-square-foot store gets over a million visitors each year. It’s a fun place to browse and maybe pick up a souvenir with a mysterious past.

Coral Castle

Image Credit: “Coral Castle Walk” by Barry haynes is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/?ref=openverse.

This stone sculpture garden in Florida was single-handedly built by Edward Leedskalnin. He carved over 1,100 tons of coral rock, creating walls, furniture, and a 9-ton gate that moves with just a touch. How he did it alone remains a mystery. Tours of the castle explore its many strange features and the story of its eccentric creator.

The Gum Wall

Image Credit: “Market Theater Gum Wall NO GUM” by loop_oh is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

This colorful wall in Seattle is covered in thousands of pieces of chewed gum. Located in an alley by Pike Place Market, it started in the 1990s as people stuck gum on the wall while waiting in line for a theater. Now, it’s a tourist attraction in its own right. Visitors are encouraged to add their own gum to the ever-growing display.

Petrified Forest National Park

Image Credit: “Petrified Forest National Park” by National Park Service is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

This park in Arizona is full of colorful petrified wood from trees that lived 225 million years ago. Visitors can see fossilized logs and even whole trees turned to stone. The park also has beautiful badlands and ancient petroglyphs. It’s a unique landscape that looks like something from another planet.

Nitt Witt Ridge

Image Credit: “Nitt Witt Ridge” by Ed Bierman is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

This strange house in Cambria, California was built from trash and found objects. Artist Arthur Beal spent 50 years creating his “poor man’s Hearst Castle” using things like car parts and beer cans. Tours of the ramshackle home reveal its creative construction and Beal’s eccentric vision. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind piece of folk art architecture.

Marfa Lights

Image Credit: “Backyard.Marfa” by Jack Parrott is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

These mysterious glowing orbs appear in the desert near Marfa, Texas. People have reported seeing the lights for over 100 years, but their source remains unknown. Some think they’re ghost lights or UFOs. An official viewing area lets visitors try to spot the elusive lights after dark. It’s a spooky experience that adds intrigue to any Texas road trip.

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Mary Apurong

Mary Apurong is an experienced editor and ghostwriter who enjoys writing and reading. She loves researching topics related to life and creating content on quotes, gardening, food, travel, crafts, and DIY. Mary spends her free time doing digital art and watching documentaries.

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