Americans love their road trips. From one corner of the country to the other, every road trip promises adventure with historic towns and diverse landscapes. Yet, the country boasts of some peculiar roadside attractions you will encounter on every road trip.
We have researched various online forums to create a list of the weirdest road trip attractions in America that you can explore.
Carhenge, Alliance, Nebraska
A replica of the historic Stonehenge structures, Carhenge was erected in 1987 by English artist Jim Reinders. Situated in Alliance in rural Nebraska, the Carhenge features 38 American-made automobiles arranged in a formation that mimics the Stonehenge. While on a road trip, you can take some time off to appreciate the dedication with which Reinders built Carhenge.
World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Cawker City, Kansas
The hype around Kansas is not restricted to the Wizard of Oz and various museums. The state is also home to the undeniably strange World’s Largest Ball of Twine. The 17,320-pound ball made of sisal twine is located at the Cawker City Community Club. Every year, it participates in a competition for twine balls, where the ball is woven even bigger. Frank Stoebe started weaving it in 1953, and the ball is still being added with new twine.
Lucy The Elephant, Margate City, New Jersey
The need to visit zoos in New Jersey is hardly felt due to the presence of Lucy The Elephant. A six-story tall elephant structure built in 1881 to lure potential land buyers could never become commercially successful. However, over the years, it did turn out to be a beloved local landmark. You can climb inside the elephant for tours, browse the gift shop, or marvel at the sheer oddity of a giant pachyderm overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz, California
Discovered in 1939 by a group surveying the place, the Mystery Spot has amazed the public for over eight decades with its apparent defiance of gravity. This redwood forest attraction claims unusual gravitational anomalies. Visitors usually experience tilted buildings, people appearing taller or shorter, and even balls rolling uphill. Whether it is an optical illusion or something more, the Mystery Spot offers a fun and confusing experience to the tourists passing by.
The SPAM Museum, Austin, Minnesota
Either you love the ‘Spam’ canned pork produced by Hormel Foods Company, or you do not. Globally, about 8 billion cans of Spam have been sold in 44 countries. Yet, in Austin, Minnesota, Spam gets the royal treatment. The SPAM Museum chronicles the history of this iconic canned meat, from its humble beginnings to its global popularity. Tourists can learn about the process of producing Spam, see vintage advertising memorabilia, and even sample different Spam flavors.
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
Cadillac Ranch is a roadside art installation featuring ten vintage Cadillacs, nose-down, seemingly burrowing into the Texas Panhandle. Artist Stanley Marsh created the ranch in 1974. Since then, the Cadillacs have become an iconic symbol of the American road trip. When you pass the ranch, you can climb on it, take pictures, or admire the artistic expression amid the vast landscape along Route 66.
World’s Largest Ball of Paint, Alexandria, Indiana
Undoubtedly one of the weirdest attractions on a road trip in America, the world’s largest ball of paint began in 1977 with a single can of white paint. Created by Michael Carmichael, it is surrounded by latex paint buckets. Since then almost five decades have passed, and the ball now weighs over 3,000 pounds.
Longaberger Basket Building, Newark, Ohio
Longaberger Baskets may not be the first thing that comes to mind on a road trip. However, you can not miss their basket-shaped headquarters in Newark, Ohio. Built in 1997, this seven-story office building resembles a giant picnic basket. It even has a handle and a lid. Though the company filed for bankruptcy in 2018, the Basket Building remains a quirky landmark on the American roadside.
National Mustard Museum, Middleton, Wisconsin
Mustard is more than just a ketchup substitute for Americans. With a projected 293.4 million Americans using mustard in their food in 2024, it is a part of their lives. The National Mustard Museum houses a collection of over 6,000 mustard jars from over 70 countries. Visitors can explore exhibits on mustard history and production, sample an array of flavors, and even purchase unique mustard souvenirs.
Roswell International UFO Museum, Roswell, New Mexico
For those fascinated by the possibility of alien life forms, Roswell, New Mexico, beckons. This small town is synonymous with UFO sightings, notably the alleged crash of an extraterrestrial spacecraft in 1947. The Roswell International UFO Museum explores the Roswell incident, showcasing artifacts, historical accounts, and exhibits on alien life. Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, the museum will give you a unique perspective on a controversial event that continues to capture your imagination.
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California
A world of architectural eccentricity awaits at the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. Built by Sarah Winchester between 1886 and 1922, the house is a 24,000-sqft marvel of Victorian architecture. It is riddled with odd features like staircases leading nowhere and doors opening onto blank walls. Fueled by her belief in the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles, Sarah’s unconventional construction methods resulted in a house as bizarre as it is fascinating.
Wall Drug Store, Wall, South Dakota
What began as a drugstore to supply weary travelers with water has slowly evolved into a roadside attraction in America. The 76,000-sqft store is famous for its outlandish advertising slogans plastered across the surrounding countryside for miles. Once there, you will find a sprawling complex offering everything from souvenirs to ice cream, all capitalizing on the power of quirky roadside marketing.
