My obsession with roadside attractions didn’t begin with my quest to find free and low-cost attractions for my family to visit when we traveled.
No, my love of the odd and unusual began as a preschooler when I would pile in my grandparent’s trusty van with some of my cousins and journey along the Coastal Ohio Trail through Port Clinton.
Thirty-some years ago, it wasn’t so much Lake Erie that caught my attention, but the giant dinosaurs that marked the entrance to the Prehistoric Forest.
No amount of begging or pleading could entice my grandpa to pull over to explore.
Maybe that’s why my attraction to roadside Americana grew- because I longed to stop, just once.
The attraction is now defunct, but it didn’t close until after my husband and I could visit with our own children. The disappointing visit with my family did little to diminish my fondness for all things kitsch, which has only grown stronger with each passing road trip.
I now actively seek out roadside attractions when I travel with my family. And while my husband has learned to brake and pull over at a moment’s notice, my children have, for the most part, learned to tolerate my addiction.
They can’t-fool me, I know that secretly they have enjoyed most of the attractions we’ve stopped at, even if they are unwilling to verbalize that at the moment. I only imagine at some point in their lives, they’ll fully appreciate all the quirky roadside attractions I’ve forced them (their words) to visit over the years.
Join me tomorrow when I share my Top Ten Roadside Attractions.
In the meantime, can you name the roadside attractions in the photo at the top of the page?
© 2014 – 2019, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
Jennifer says
I’ve actually never really stopped at road side attractions. I am definitely missing out
Jennifer @ My Sweet Sanity says
I’ve never done roadside attractions but they do look fun! Maybe I need to try them,.
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
This would definitely make a long trip more interesting! I just want to stop near the “Welcome to…” signs, but even then my husband goes right on by.
Rachel says
I love roadside attractions. We used to live near the giant ketchup bottle in Illinois. But other than that I don’t think I have lived near any others.
HilLesha says
My love for roadside attractions started as a child, too. My parents did a lot of traveling. None of the attractions look familiar. However, they all look like fun and interesting places to check out. 🙂
LyndaS says
As much as I love to “go,” I am unable to name any of them. I think it’s fun to explore places that we are unfamiliar with. You never know what you will learn. Thanks for sharing your journeys with us.
Lynsey @MoscatoMom says
Trisha and I TOTALLY detoured on our way home from the Pigeon Forge Brandcation and went to Ruby Falls – it was BEAUTIFUL. Totally worth the extra time and money. I love finding stuff like that to explore – makes road trips MUCH more fun.
Shell Feis says
The only road trips we take are typically from Vegas {where I live} to San Diego or Anaheim- there’s a whole lot of nothing there thanks to the desert. I’d love to visit fun & quirky places like those!
Cheryl says
I’ve never seen any of these roadside attractions but I would love to one day. This just means my family needs to plan more road trips! The Van Gogh painting is one I’d like to see — my husband loves art and tried to do a similar painting when he was 12.
Tonya says
Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists so I really couldn’t pass up that roadside attraction. Hmmm…I wonder what the roadside attractions are like in Canada?
Ashley - Embracing Beauty says
I love stopping at places like this! My husband, not so much but I’m trying to convert him to my way of thinking. 🙂
Tonya says
Maybe you just haven’t ran across the right type of roadside attraction. I’m amazed by the things we see on the road. It’s kind of crazy. 🙂
trisha says
You are SO my husband! He is a road side stopper!
Michelle says
Im right there with you!!! We did all the silly roadside stuff when I was a kid and it was some of my most favorite memories!
Melissa says
Its amazing how many unique road side attractions you can find.
Cat Davis says
That’s really neat. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed any roadside attractions. We tend to stay on highways when we travel and just try to get from point a to b as quick as possible.
Melissa says
I think this is so awesome. I keep telling my husband we need to do a road trip to discover some of these.
Tonya says
Do you have an iPhone? If so, when you’re ready to take that trip, make sure you download the Roadside America app. It will show you were to find them. Have you looked near your home? You may be surprised by what you find.
Ty says
When my dad was alive he used to love taking us to random roadside attractions. I definitely miss those days, that’s for sure.
Tonya says
It sounds like those roadside attractions memories are fond ones. That’s what I want for my children- to think back on our stops and smile.
Kat B. says
My grandmother used to love to take us places like that. She loved those random, off the side of the road treasures.
Wendy says
Oh, I LOVE THEM TOO! I’ll plan trips around them! I’m lucky, though, my husband will always stop for me!
Jenn says
The one looks like a giant Van Gogh. I’ve never been a fan since I don’t like to ride in the car. My mom on the other hand…she would plan a vacation around roadside attractions! Got room for one more?
Tonya says
It is- a giant Van Gogh. You can actually catch a glimpse of it from the highway. But of course I had to get a closer look. Maybe we should swap- I’ll send my teens with you and I’ll take your mom? 🙂
Beth says
We love to see finds like these when we travel. We don’t always stop but I do try to look them up in case we are back in the area again!
Jennifer @ Mom Spotted says
I love stuff like that too but normally when we’re road tripping it Hubby is driving and he will never stop for me to take a photo!
Audrey at Barking Mad! says
I grew up in Southern California and my favorites were the unusual rock formations out at Mormon Rocks in San Bernardino county. Not particularly a roadside attraction per se, but unusual enough that you’d always see cars parked on the side of the road while people got out to photograph or try and climb the rocks. The really interesting roadside attractions for me have mostly been spotted while driving along Rt. 66. Although, probably my all-time favorite is in Maine, where I now call home, although we’re temporarily in NY . . . Maine has a ton of little cities that have the same names as countries: Poland, Peru, China, etc. There’s a sign that points in the direction of all of them and tells how many miles. It’s just funny because one would expect to see the miles number in the thousands, yet they’re really small. Here’s a link to the sign. It’s silly but I love it!
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10515
Tonya says
I wish I would have known of Mormon Rocks on our road trip to California. I had hoped to spend the night in San Bernardino at the Wig Wam Motel but the timing just didn’t work there (or in Holbrook). My husband and I are hoping to take a trip through the New England states this fall. I’m adding that sign to my list. That’s crazy. Just the type of attraction I love. Thanks for sharing!
Beth @ Musing Mainiac says
You should come to Maine and see the giant LL Bean boot or Paul Bunyon statue!
Tonya says
I hope to check those out this fall! I especially want to see the Paul Bunyon statue!
Heather @OurKidsMom says
My husband and I found an odd one on our road trip to North Dakota. It was a super sized COW with udders and all. We have some strange and funny pictures of us under Bessy. Let’s just say they are staying in the photo album LOL
Tonya says
Oh Heather, you would not believe what I began to imagine when you said giant cow with udders and all! Too funny!
Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug says
I’ve not seen any of those attractions. 🙁 I need to get out more!