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Here are 50+ unique and quirky roadside attractions across America that will make you hit the brakes on your next road trip. From a giant coffee pot building to a concrete field of corn to fire-breathing dragons.
Close your eyes and imagine that you’ve embarked on a cross country road trip with your family. You haven’t stopped the car in hours, everyone is hangry, the kids are fighting and you’re afraid if you drive one more mile you’re going to pee your pants. Sound familiar? Chances are, we’ve all been there.
I’m sure at some point in our lives we’ve all been on a road trip that we thought would never end.
But road trips don’t have to be that way. With regular stops to stretch, grab a bite to eat and yes, visit the facilities, a road trip can be enjoyable, and dare I say fun? Yes, I’ve actually used the “F” word to describe a road trip.
I don’t want to sugar coat the road trip experience. I’ve certainly traveled enough and road tripped enough with my husband, children and even by myself to know they aren’t always pleasant. Yet, if I have the time, road tripping continues to be my favorite mode of transportation. Why? Because of the unique and quirky things I can see along the way.
The things that make you scratch your head and say “What the – —?”, “That’s pretty cool!” or “I wish I would have thought of that!”
There are hundreds, if not thousands of unusual sites to see across the United States! Chances are you won’t have to travel far from home to see anything from a giant coffee pot building to a concrete field of corn to fire-breathing dragons.
To help you get started, we’re sharing some of the roadside attractions we’ve visited over the years. We hope you’re inspired to visit a few on your next road trip and maybe even slow down, stop your vehicle for a closer look.
I'm sure at some point we've all been on a road trip that we thought would never end. You haven't stopped the car in hours, the kids are fighting and you're afraid if you drive one more mile you're going to pee your pants. Sound familiar? Chances are, we've all been there. But road trips don't have to be that way. With regular stops to stretch, grab a bite to eat and yes, visit the facilities, a road trip can be enjoyable, and dare I say fun? You may believe in aliens or not, but one of these roadside attractions in Pennsylvania makes for a pretty good case for UFO's. The former headquarters of the Longaberger Company, this building was built in the shape of their best selling basket. You'll find plenty of orange groves in Florida so it makes sense to have a roadside attraction shaped like an orange, right? This giant cross can be seen from I-70 when traveling through Illinois, but a quick stop will allow you to stretch your legs and view the stations of the cross as well. No need to look twice! The horse and buggy replica really is a drive-up ATM in Oberlin, Ohio. This giant nest was modeled after a nearby eagle's nest that fell to the ground after the tree it had sat in for decades was destroyed. This turbine blade located in a city park in Weatherford may not be what you have in mind when you think of roadside attractions along Route 66. Gumby and his faithful sidekick, Pokey, can be seen when driving by this private residence in California. Now all they need are a couple Blockheads. These giant apple boulders sit just off the highway near Perris and if you look closely, you may see another piece of boulder art hopping along. Probably one of the most iconic of roadside attractions in Florida, Orange World has been the World's Largest Orange since 1984. You'll find plenty of parking near the giant quarter that sits along the historic Lincoln Highway so you can hop out of the vehicle and pose for a photo. The world's largest washboard, a pencil sharpener museum and sadly, an attraction that is no longer standing. This handless giant stands a few miles from the Lake Erie shores. No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. This water tower really is leaning. You won't miss this shoe-shaped building in Bakersfield. This gigantic chunk of cheese is a popular photo opp in Frankenmuth. This may be one of the things your dog dreams about. Johnny Kaw is a legend in Kansas click here to find out why! This piece of art can be viewed from afar but to truly experience it, you'll need to get a bit closer. Located two minutes from the Interstate, this stop is a must for horse lovers. This interesting piece represents each state to form the United States. You won't want to sink your teeth into these ears of corn but they are fun to see. This chicken is so large that planes used to use it to help them navigate. Small town boy to world-class drummer. This entire alley is dedicated to David Grohl of the Foo Fighters. If you though the Ohio State Reformatory looked imposing from the outside, wait until you peek inside. Arizona's not the only place where you can sleep in one of the original Wigwam Motels. The only memorial dedicated to honor military canines killed in the line of duty. Can you believe this was built to be a secret anniversary present? Once the world's largest rocker, the big Orange rocker is still world famous. This tiny chapel draws big crowds. The only topiary garden in the world modeled after a famous painting. How one man turned trash into art into an impressive art collection. This historic cathedral can be spotted on the way to Colorado along I-70 and is known as one of the 8 wonders of Kansas. This statue of Sevierville's favorite hometown hero sits outside the courthouse. View all that remains of what was once the world's largest dragline. Enough paint to paint the neighborhood in one can! This operational cuckoo clock can draw quite a crowd in Ohio's Amish Country. This is for the mornings when you have a hard time waking up. No one knows who built this stone fort or why. You won't be able to believe you're still in Kansas when you see these giant rocks rise from the ground. The original KFC in Corbin Kentucky is a fun and tasty stop! The famous Coon Dog Cemetery as seen in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Kind of. This iconic Chicago landmark is a must when visiting the city. And we share how to photograph it without the crowds. It's not difficult. Or is it? The grave of Johnny Appleseed can be found in Fort Wayne. Or is it? Hungry for a Naked dog? You can get it here. This is what happens when you have too much time on your hands. Visit this spooky attraction in Hocking Hills if you dare. Over 50 Weird Roadside Attractions to See in America
3 Flying Saucer Roadside Attractions to See in Pennsylvania
The World's Largest Basket (Building)
The Giant Orange of Melbourne, Florida
The Cross at the Crossroads of Effingham, Illinois
An Unusual Amish Horse and Buggy ATM
The World's Largest Eagle's Nest Replica in LaGrange, Ohio
Wind Turbine Blade in Weatherford, Oklahoma
Gumby and Pokey
Apple Boulders of Perris, California
5 Must See Kissimmee Roadside Attractions
Giant Quarter Roadside Attraction in Pennsylvania
Three Fun & Quirky Roadside Attractions in Hocking Hills
Handless Jacques a Roadside Attraction in Marblehead
The Leaning Water Tower Roadside Attraction along Route 66
The Big Shoe Repair Shop Roadside Attraction in Bakersfield California
Say Cheese! A Frankenmuth Roadside Attraction
The World's Largest Fire Hydrant Roadside Attraction
Johnny Kaw: Kansas Tall Tale and Roadside Attraction
The Giant Dancing Hares of Dublin Roadside Attraction
A Pet Cemetery for Horses? Why this Roadside Stop along I-75 in Kentucky is a Must!
Kissimmee, Florida Monument of the States Roadside Attraction
Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees), a Roadside Attraction in Dublin
Big Chicken- Marietta, Georgia- Legend, Landmark or Roadside Attraction?
Find the World's Largest Drumsticks in Ohio
A Glimpse at the Creepy Interior of the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio
An Overnight Stay in the Ultra-Retro Wigwam Motel in Kentucky
Constant Vigilance: The First Memorial to Honor K9's Killed in the Line of Duty
The Blue Whale of Catoosa on Route 66
Route 66 Rocker: Former World's Largest Rocking Chair along Historic Route 66
The Smallest Church in America has been Welcoming Motorists Since 1949
The Topiary Park in Columbus Ohio
Ave Maria Grotto- Cullman, Alabama
Peek inside the Cathedral of the Plains
Dolly Parton Statue in Sevierville Tennessee
Photos of the Big Muskie in Miners' Memorial Park Then and Now
The World’s Largest Paint Can in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
The World's Largest Cuckoo Clock
The Giant Coffee Pot of Bedford, Pennsylvania
This Old Stone Fort near Coshocton Ohio is Shrouded in Mystery
Monument Rocks: One of the 8 Wonders of Kansas
Visiting the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin Kentucky - The First KFC
Things to do in Alabama: Coon Dog Cemetery
The Chicago Bean
Photos of the Controversial Gravesite of Johnny Appleseed
The Varsity World's Largest Drive-in Restaurant- Atlanta, Georgia
The Hartman Rock Garden is Springfield Ohio’s Most Unique Tourist Attraction
The Moonville Tunnel is a Remote and Scary Tunnel Located in Southeastern Ohio
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Sandra
Saturday 19th of August 2023
Missed a few in Mi. You have Sea She’ll City that boast of the largest clam (along I75 up before you get to Mackinaw, and in the U.P. Along I75 in St. Ignes Paul Bunyan, and Babe, the blue ox. Which at this road side adventure it a huge rock size of a mountain to climb up. Back S i75 stop by Indian river and a little further out of Indian river is the Cross in the woods. I thought you might like to pass these sites along
Tonya Prater, Owner
Thursday 19th of October 2023
Hi Sandra! The post certainly isn't exhaustive. The list would never end. But I'd love to check out the ones you mentioned. Thanks so much for sharing!
Jeanne
Saturday 17th of June 2023
There’s a photo of a bust made from stacked stone…where is it?
Tonya Prater
Friday 14th of July 2023
Hi Jeanne, The attraction you're referring to is Leatherlips and is located in Dublin. It's cool to see anytime of year but is gorgeous in the spring when the daffodils bloom on the hill. Thanks for asking!