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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Red and Blue in Your Rearview? 15 Driving Slip-Ups Cops Can’t Ignore
Red and Blue in Your Rearview? 15 Driving Slip-Ups Cops Can’t Ignore
16 Most Reliable Cars Ever Built—And Why They Last
16 Most Reliable Cars Ever Built—And Why They Last