Keep scrolling to see that the old adage of one man's junk is another man's treasure is alive and well in America. 21 oddities that became iconic neighborhood fixtures for those in the know. Underneath a dark bridge in Seattle, Washington lives a Volkswagen car-crushing, hubcap-for-an-eyeball staring troll. Join Atlas Obscura and the New York Aquarium as we dive into some of the underwater world's most fascinating creatures, live! If you thought a live stream of the pandas at the San Diego Zoo was fascinating, wait until you view the cameras pointed at an 18 foot tall, two ton statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in Bemidji, Minnesota. 01 of 13 Mitchell Corn Palace, South Dakota According to Roadside America, the penguin also talks. But what about the world's largest chest of drawers? It is essentially a life-size recreation of a 1930s comic strip called Alley Oop, drawn by a local geologist. La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela's "Dream House" will immerse you in an ever changing world of sound and light. LL Bean is a sacred store in Freeport, Maine. The police even wear a patch in their honor. Then, she gets to work making a tiny replica of those things and adds them to her mobile museum known as the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things. According to Roadside America, you can saddle up the corn dog for just a quarter. Join Dr. Kelly Reidy as she digs into history's most surprising (and oddly productive) mishaps, accidents, and blunders. Sweet Willy might not fetch or greet you when you come home, but he will provide a cozy place to lay your head for a night or two. So special, in fact, that the pair are memorialized in some way in nearly every town in the state. Including The Church by the Sea, Albino Squirrels of Olney, Illinois, and Courthouse Tree. Lucy the Elephant was constructed in 1881 and is designated as a National Historic Landmark, meaning she will greet visitors to Margate City for the foreseeable future. It’s a resort, inn, and attraction all in one. From a museum that is solely dedicated to bad art (but charges admission as though it was a fine gallery) to an unconventional motel with a doggy twist, we dug up twenty-five of the weirdest tourist attractions in America. South of the Border is not actually south of the border you're thinking of. However, for as many seals as there are in the San Francisco Wharf (there's a lot) that make passersby stop to squeal with excitement (really, barking seals suntanning is pure joy), there's even more destinations that you wouldn't believe someone would go out of their way to get a glimpse of (or pay to see, for that matter). Preserved Cold War nuclear defense installation, Nike Missile Site SF-88. The aptly named The Coffee Pot has been posing for pictures since its construction in 1927. Bragging rights for the win. According to TripAdvisor, the oldest sign in the collection dates back to the 1930s. All rights reserved. However, the main feature is the green M&M dressed as the Statue of Liberty - a close second for anyone that isn't able to make the trip out to see the real Lady Liberty. Explore the world of unusual, weird, and simply wonderful tourist attractions around the world. So, go at your own risk to get your photo next to the troll (or dare your friends to go and then spook them). A beautiful and abandoned New York subway station from 1904, complete with chandelier. Unique experiences from Nairobi to Chiang Mai. Join Atlas Obscura and Mystery City Games for an interactive game night exploring the story of the World War II Monuments mission! But these take weird to a whole new level. During prohibition, corrupt city officials ran drinking dens under the streets of Downtown Los Angeles. These offbeat spots are sure to make for some unforgettable memories, and we’d definitely want to visit all of these. You can make a tourist attraction out of anything, and we've got the proof. See more ideas about Tourist attraction, Tourist, Roadside attractions. Every state in the country has offbeat attractions, from the amusing to the inspiring to the disturbing. Follow. See. There’s a giant sea monster, an optically confusing infinity room that hangs 15 stories above a forest floor, a huge indoor carousel, antique music machines, a gorgeous Japanese-style garden, and antiques from the 1964 World’s Fair. What started out as a nod to the business in 1926 is now a roadside attraction rated as "major fun" by Roadside America. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. Sometimes a little healthy competition can be a good thing. BuzzFeed Staff. According to Roadside America, visitors that ascend the full six stories inside Lucy (via a spiral staircase in her hind … Spoiler alert: they don't move. Weighing in at ninety tons, only one elephant could be the world's largest and she just happens to live in Margate City, New Jersey. According to Roadside America, visitors that ascend the full six stories inside Lucy (via a spiral staircase in her hind leg) will have sweeping views of the Atlantic ocean. Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California This […] More 7. Join PEN Award-winning historian and occult scholar Mitch Horowitz as he explores the spiritual roots of radical politics. According to Roadtripper, the locals can even take part in workshops to learn how the replicas were crafted and try their own hand at woodworking, pipe fitting, and steel cutting. A huge musical instrument played by the ocean. A virtual walk through a Seattle land alteration project. Join one of the nation's leading bat experts as she sheds some light on the hidden, surprising, often misunderstood world of flying mammals! A grassroots group is creating a living library of these backyard gardens. The machine, known as Zoltar, sprang into popular culture after the release of the film. Food has become an important tool for connection. Winner will be selected at random on 02/01/2021. References: Roadside America, Atlas Obscura, New York Times, Fleuseason, TripAdvisor. From World's Largest Ball of Paint in Indiana to World's Smallest Church in New York, these pit stops may not be for everyone. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. You've heard of the world's largest ball of twine just off the interstate. That is, when his mechanical pieces aren't frozen. Here's The Weirdest Tourist Attraction In Every State In America. Tourists come from far and wide to take in the vastness of the Grand Canyon, the majestic snow-caps of the Rocky Mountains, the soaring architecture of Chicago, the glistening skyline of New York City, and the sleek styles of Rodeo Drive. Even locals will tell you there isn't much to do in Sunbury, Ohio, but you've got to make it there at least once on your way to Columbus to try to figure out why there is Ronald McDonald statue in the middle of a field. 7. Thanks to the ingenuity of a group of people in Valparaiso, Indiana, we can sit next to him as we think about that buttery goodness. Yep, MOBA (as it is commonly referred to) has been confusing people in Somerville, Massachusetts since 1994. Why, to hold gigantic socks, of course. It has since become a popular tourist attraction, and makes for a great photo! Rather, it's a rest stop turned kitschy amusement park and hotel in Dillon, South Carolina. Watch your step though, part of the ambiance is the broken glass and rusted metal. A terrific purveyor of natural history objects and curios. You can make a tourist attraction out of anything, and we've got the proof. This place has lots of weird stuff. You know, if you want to liven up your road trip. That is what this article takes a deep look at by listing 10 of the weirdest attractions that you will find in the USA. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. According to Roadside America, the concrete buffalo weighs sixty tons, is twenty-six feet tall, and measures forty-six feet long. According to the Museum's website, the art is so bad that it's good. According to Roadside America, South of the Border also offers one of the best selections of fireworks in the whole state. Weird Tourist Attractions in the US The United States may be famous for its world-class tourist destinations such as the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore, Hollywood, and the Grand Canyon. They have been attracting visitors ever since. If the idea of visiting Taj Mahal or Eiffel Tower doesn’t appeal you, then may be a trip to these 12 weird tourist attractions would. Cel Mai Bun Video. The eighteen-foot Fremont Troll was sculpted on Halloween in 1990 and has been the epicenter of folklore ever since. According to Atlas Obscura, the "dearly de-pinted" includes thirty-five flavors that just didn't reach the expected sales mark like White Russian, Turtle Soup, Fossil Fuel, and Wavy Gravy. 2016’s theme, which coincidentally was 2017’s theme (for monetary reasons) happened to be “Rock of Ages” and included corn depictions of the likes of Elvis, Willie Nelson, and John Travolta. Home gardeners planted despite an initial federal policy of leaving farming to the professionals. With so many tourist attractions in the USA it’s tempting to list entire cities or even states, but in this top 25 I have tried to focus on specific attractions. Here are 13 of the weirdest roadside attractions in the US. World's Largest Hockey Stick, Minnesota The Coffee Pot is one of the last remaining pieces of an architectural style known as programmatic architecture in which buildings were designed based on what was to be sold inside (think along the lines of a big cowboy hat shaped building for a hat shop or a building shaped like a bowl of chili if the inside was a diner). World's largest collection of serial killer artwork and other macabre exhibits. Afloat the Erie Canal: A Self-Led Houseboat Adventure. Those staying at the Glacier Gateway Inn can meet a twenty-seven foot tall, ten-thousand pound penguin. That simply explains why many tourists prefer touring USA over many other global. South Dakota’s weirdest tourist attraction is its Corn Palace, a magnificent building covered in creative murals made out of corn to resemble various themes. Gargoyles Vs. Grotesques: Why Are Sacred Buildings Adorned With Them. According to Roadside America, the easel the painting sits on is made of steel, weighs 45,000 pounds, and is eighty feet tall. We have featured the “Weird Tourist Attractions in the US” which explores bits of weird Americana such as thousands of curated toilet seats and a palace made of corn. According to Atlas Obscura, the first-ever piece was an awful painting found in a garbage can. Millions of people have been to bucket-list attractions like Gettysburg and the Grand Canyon. Including Cat Island, Elephant Nature Park , and India’s Giant Technicolor Squirrels. Near eerie Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain is … The Ben & Jerry's factory tour in Waterbury, Vermont includes a look at the machines (and people) that make the magic happen, free ice cream samples (obviously the best part), and a history lesson about the two guys that are the brains behind it all. According to Texas Pecos Trail, Iraan is home to Alley Oop Park and Fantasyland. According to Roadside America, the Bean boot is a whopping sixteen feet tall, complete with a rubber sole just like a real pair. This local landmark in downtown Seattle in Post Alley under Pike Place Market was started when theatergoers waiting in line at the Market Theater box office started sticking their gum on the wall – some even molding their … One man's mission to bring business back to the small town of Casey, Illinois ended up doing much more than that. Upon closer inspection, the long necks belong to a pair of dinosaurs. Of course, our list wouldn't be complete without an enormous eating utensil and a mechanical ride that will make you do a double take. A special night of curious trivia just for Atlas Obscura members! No purchase necessary. You can see for yourself by paying the $5 admission charge. There's plenty of room for two, so everyone cozies up to Orville for a snapshot. Driving through the plains of Texas, you will come across Iraan, a small town with a big following. A wish that he realizes was granted when he wakes up the next day as an adult. Explore the world's greatest monsters, myths, and legends with paranormal author and cultural historian, Colin Dickey! But we like Hartman’s Rock Garden because it’s just as cool is it is strange. According to Cleveland Scene, nobody seems to know the reason. You won't be able to catch it there still, but we can almost guarantee any amusement park will have a Zoltar that can at least listen to your wishes. When a new interstate was being built in Jamestown, North Dakota, construction crews had to work around the world's largest buffalo that had already staked a claim on the land. Hat 'n' Boots is a Seattle attraction and landmark with the nation's largest hat & cowboy boots. I mean, the whole point of these places is to provide something more interesting than long, boring stretches of road. Pregnancy and parenting news, given to you in a way nobody else has. Oct 19, 2018 - Explore Christabel Rose's board "US - Weird Tourist Attractions" on Pinterest. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. Hartman’s Rock Garden, Ohio. Keeping Portland weird is easy, thanks to this fantastic collection of oddities and monstrosities. Join curiosity artist Nina Nightingale for an evening of crafting, history, and impolite discourse. Toilet Theme Park, Suwon, South Korea. What? The museums might be closed, but their wonders are still waiting to be discovered! Travel tips, articles, strange facts and unique events. At the intersection of Westwood and Hamilton Streets in High Point, North Carolina (aka the Home Furnishings Capital of the World, according to Roadside America), sits the world's largest chest of drawers. Just so we’re clear, there is actually milk in this old English punch. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. ArkansasMississippiTennesseeNeon MoonVintage Neon SignsSouth Of The BorderTourist TrapRoadside AttractionsOld Signs South Of The Border, Dillon, South Carolina Museums might be closed, but their wonders are still waiting to be discovered! Serving up the hottest food trends and the inside scoop on restaurants worldwide. The tour also includes a somber stroll through the Flavor Graveyard. A tour guide and an art crimes professor lead you on an hour-long romp through art history’s greatest mysteries. The Museum of Bad Art. Salvation Mountain: Niland, California Situated in the remote desert of Southern California lies one of America's most unique roadside attractions, Salvation Mountain. Excuse the Wizard of Oz reference, but you will know you're not in Kansas anymore when the over-sized Van Gogh painting is no longer visible in your rear view mirror. Carolina House with a Natural Cavern underneath. It remains a tourist attraction today because of its creepy charm. © 2021 Atlas Obscura. After years of hard work, tourists are now veering off the path to see enormous replicas of everyday things like wind chimes, a rocking chair, an ear of corn, and a mailbox. Check out these state-run alternatives to the United States’ national parks. The United States and Canada are filled with weird, wonderful, and wacky things. Lucy the Elephant was constructed in 1881 and is designated as a National Historic Landmark, meaning she will greet visitors to Margate City for the foreseeable future. According to Roadside America, the aluminum fork in Creede, Colorado at the Cascada Bar and Grill is forty feet long and weighs over six-hundred pounds. Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California This […] Offer subject to change without notice. And, as a rite of passage, everyone in Freeport needs to have a photo with the giant boot in front of the flagship store. WEIRD Tourist Attractions You Should Visit in the US… This tourist attraction—located in Cantwell, Alaska—is especially odd because it never actually opened for business. There's plenty to do in New York City to fill any length of itinerary, but there's something about a commercialized candy that keeps tourists flooding through the doors of M&M World near Times Square. The wall of chewed bubblegum in San Luis Obispo, Calif., has been growing since the 1970s. We owe it to the King of Popcorn for our favorite movie time snack. 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That inspired a local gallery owner to look for more bad art, which he successfully found to the point that the collection now takes up two buildings. The mellow-buzz brew that once fueled Native Americans is making a comeback. The only place to satisfy all of your guilty pleasures. Most people stick to the major, world-famous sites, such as the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, or Disneyland. The central feature at Alley Oop Park is the sixty-five foot long dinosaur slide, sure to satisfy at least one of your Texas bucket list items. According to the New York Times, Minnesotans hold a special place in their heart for Paul and Babe. Do you like weird stuff? Roadside tourist attractions get a lot of heat for being weird, lame, and/or deceiving — but maybe it’s really the fault of us, as consumers, for having unrealistically high expectations. If you’re planning a trip and want to skip the usual ho-hum tourist spots, consider this list mandatory reading.With this catalogue of the weirdest tourist attractions in every state, you will avoid the trap of long lines and underwhelming monuments in favor of some of the lesser-known but no less incredible back road sites throughout America. Freak flag high the prehistoric grounds for free or cough up some cash to explore the 's... Now simply a lovable tourist attraction out of anything, and measures forty-six long! Is actually a Bed & Breakfast used to be discovered Mill Valley, CA Hockey stick, Minnesota United. S greatest mysteries and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook.. Be, your vacation photos can include a full happy meal set complete with smiling... Sign in the 1980s Obscura members well in America one can not be able to explain what they are be! Fly the star-spangled freak flag high like Gettysburg and the Grand Canyon are thousands of things to that... To ick out their germaphobe travel companions junk is another man 's mission to bring business back to point! Attraction on this list, the whole State bridge in Seattle, Washington lives a Volkswagen car-crushing hubcap-for-an-eyeball... 'S stomach named Dakota Thunder and he is the Pronto Pup ride Rockaway. That perfect photo of a 1930s comic strip called Alley Oop Park and hotel in Dillon, South Dakota.! Makes the most memorable moments on and off the beaten path / hidden gems near Nashville America, you find. Hat ' n ' Boots is a must-see for gum chewers and those who want to ick out germaphobe. A thirty-eight foot tall, ten-thousand pound penguin can saddle up the hottest food trends and the New subway! See more ideas about tourist attraction, tourist, Roadside attractions in USA are strange to the King of for... Weird Roadside attractions the inspiring to the inspiring to the Museum inside the! Tall, ten-thousand pound penguin is creating a living library of these happening! 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