18 Roadside Attractions in the U.S. Worth Every Detour

Road trips are as American as apple pie, and nothing spices up a long drive quite like quirky roadside attractions.

These roadside attractions, born from creativity, entrepreneurship, and sometimes sheer eccentricity, offer a unique glimpse into the nation’s cultural landscape.

Here are 18 of the oldest roadside attractions still welcoming visitors today. These enduring oddities span coast to coast, each with its own fascinating history and charm.

1. Lucy the Elephant (1881)

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Lucy the Elephant stands tall in Margate City, New Jersey, as America’s oldest surviving roadside attraction. This six-story wooden and tin elephant was originally built in 1881 to attract potential real estate buyers and tourists to the area.

Over the years, Lucy has served as a tavern, cottage, and even a hotel.

Today, visitors can climb inside Lucy for a unique view of the surrounding landscape. Despite facing threats of demolition and decay, Lucy has been lovingly restored multiple times thanks to dedicated preservation efforts.

She remains a beloved icon, drawing thousands of curious onlookers each year.

2. Wall Drug (1931)

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Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota, began as a small-town pharmacy during the Great Depression. The owners’ clever marketing strategy of offering free ice water to thirsty travelers transformed it into a sprawling tourist complex.

Now spanning 76,000 square feet, it’s a quintessential American roadside stop with up to 20,000 visitors stopping by each day during peak season.

Visitors can explore a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions within the complex. From a giant jackalope statue to a T-Rex that roars every 12 minutes, Wall Drug offers an eclectic mix of kitsch and commerce.

3. Corn Palace (1892)

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The Mitchell Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, is a unique tribute to the region’s agricultural heritage. Originally built in 1892 to showcase South Dakota’s corn-growing ability, it has been rebuilt several times, with the current structure dating to 1921.

The palace’s exterior is decorated annually with intricate murals made entirely of corn and other grains. Inside, visitors can explore exhibits on the region’s agricultural history and enjoy events in the auditorium.

The palace uses about 275,000 ears of corn each year for its exterior decorations. This corn-covered wonder attracts around 500,000 visitors annually.

4. Carhenge (1987)

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Carhenge, located near Alliance, Nebraska, is a whimsical homage to England’s Stonehenge.

Created in 1987 by Jim Reinders as a memorial to his father, this unique sculpture consists of 39 vintage American cars arranged in a circle. The cars are painted gray to mimic the appearance of stone.

Despite its relatively recent construction, Carhenge has quickly become a beloved roadside classic. The site now includes additional car-based sculptures and a visitor center.

It attracts around 60,000 visitors each year, proving that even newer attractions can quickly become iconic road trip stops.

5. Cabazon Dinosaurs (1975)

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The Cabazon Dinosaurs, located in Cabazon, California, have been delighting travelers since 1975. Originally created to attract customers to a nearby restaurant, these massive concrete dinosaurs – named Dinny and Mr. Rex – have become icons of American roadside kitsch.

Dinny, the 150-foot-long Apatosaurus, took eleven years to complete. Today, visitors can climb inside Mr. Rex’s mouth for a unique photo opportunity.

The attraction now includes a dinosaur-themed gift shop and a creationist museum. Despite controversy over the museum’s content, the dinosaurs themselves remain beloved landmarks visible from Interstate 10.

6. South of the Border (1950)

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South of the Border, straddling the North Carolina-South Carolina state line, has been a road trip staple since 1950. What began as a beer stand has grown into a sprawling complex featuring restaurants, shops, and amusements, all with a kitschy Mexican theme.

The attraction’s mascot, Pedro, appears on countless billboards leading up to the site. Visitors can climb to the top of the 200-foot Sombrero Tower for panoramic views or snap photos with numerous colorful statues.

While some find it tacky, others appreciate its unapologetic embrace of roadside Americana. The complex employs over 300 people and is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

7. Cadillac Ranch (1974)

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Cadillac Ranch, located just west of Amarillo, Texas, has been an iconic roadside attraction since 1974. Created by the art group Ant Farm, it features ten Cadillacs half-buried nose-first in the ground, their tail fins pointing skyward.

The installation was meant to represent the evolution of the Cadillac tail fin. Visitors are encouraged to add their own graffiti to the cars, making it an ever-changing interactive art piece.

Despite being moved from its original location in 1997, Cadillac Ranch continues to draw curious travelers. It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of people visit annually, leaving their colorful mark on this unique slice of Americana.

8. World’s Largest Ball of Twine (1953)

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The World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kansas, began as one man’s hobby in 1953. Francis A. Johnson started rolling twine four hours a day for four years, resulting in an 11-foot-wide ball weighing 5,000 pounds.

After Johnson’s death, the town took over the project, allowing visitors to add their own twine. An annual “Twine-a-thon” is held each August, where visitors can contribute to this ever-growing oddity.

Today, the ball measures over 40 feet in circumference and weighs more than 20,000 pounds. While other towns claim larger twine balls, Cawker City’s remains the largest ball made by a single person.

9. Dinosaur Land (1963)

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Dinosaur Land in White Post, Virginia, has been delighting visitors since 1963 with its collection of over 50 dinosaur statues. Created by Joseph Geraci, this prehistoric park spans five acres and features fiberglass replicas of various dinosaur species. Some of the statues reach heights of up to 70 feet.

Visitors can walk among the dinosaurs, learning about each species through informative plaques. The park also includes a gift shop filled with dinosaur-themed souvenirs.

Despite its vintage charm, Dinosaur Land continues to update its exhibits, ensuring its appeal to new generations of dinosaur enthusiasts.

10. Foamhenge (2004)

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Image Credit: Ben Schumin from Montgomery Village, Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Foamhenge, a full-scale styrofoam replica of Stonehenge, was originally erected in Natural Bridge, Virginia in 2004. Created by artist Mark Cline, this quirky attraction gained a cult following before being moved to its current location at Cox Farms in Centreville, Virginia in 2017.

Each of the ‘stones’ is made of styrofoam and weighs about 420 pounds, a fraction of the 40-ton original stones. Cline meticulously researched Stonehenge to ensure accuracy in the placement of the foam monoliths.

While not as ancient as some other attractions, Foamhenge’s charm and accessibility have made it a beloved roadside oddity.

11. The Thing? (1950s)

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“The Thing?” in Dragoon, Arizona, has been puzzling travelers since the 1950s. This mysterious roadside attraction is advertised by intriguing billboards along Interstate 10, building suspense for hundreds of miles.

Visitors pay a small fee to walk through a series of sheds filled with odd artifacts before finally encountering “The Thing.” While we won’t spoil the surprise, the attraction’s enduring appeal lies in its mystery and the build-up created by the numerous billboards.

The attraction was created by Thomas Binkley Prince and his wife Janet, who brought it from California. It’s estimated that around 100,000 people stop to see “The Thing?” each year.

12. Hole N” The Rock (1940s)

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Hole N” The Rock, located near Moab, Utah, is a 5,000-square-foot home carved into a rock face. Albert Christensen began excavating the space in the 1940s, working on it for over 12 years.

The attraction opened to the public in the 1950s, offering a unique glimpse into life inside a rock.

Visitors can tour the 14-room home, complete with original furnishings. The property also features a trading post, petting zoo, and collection of metal sculptures.

Despite its remote location, Hole N” The Rock attracts thousands of curious travelers each year, drawn by its unusual architecture and desert setting.

13. Paul Bunyan Statue (1937)

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The Paul Bunyan Statue in Bemidji, Minnesota, has been watching over the town since 1937.

Standing 18 feet tall, this concrete and iron statue of the legendary lumberjack was built for a winter carnival and became a permanent fixture. It’s accompanied by a statue of Babe the Blue Ox, added in 1939.

Recognized as a National Historic Landmark, the Paul Bunyan Statue is one of the oldest and most famous “big man” attractions in the U.S. Visitors can pose for photos with Paul and Babe, and explore the adjacent tourist center.

The statue has become synonymous with Bemidji, appearing on countless postcards and souvenirs.

14. Wigwam Village Motel #2 (1937)

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The Wigwam Village Motel #2 in Cave City, Kentucky, has been offering unique lodging since 1937. Part of a chain of seven such villages built across the country, it’s one of only three that remain.

The village consists of 15 concrete teepees arranged in a semicircle around a central office/museum building. Each wigwam is 52 feet high and 14 feet in diameter, offering basic but comfortable accommodations.

The motel’s proximity to Mammoth Cave National Park has helped ensure its longevity. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it offers travelers a chance to sleep in a slice of roadside history.

15. Enchanted Highway (1989)

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The Enchanted Highway in North Dakota is a 32-mile stretch of road featuring seven massive scrap metal sculptures. Created by retired schoolteacher Gary Greff, the project began in 1989 with the goal of attracting tourists to the small town of Regent.

Each sculpture depicts a scene related to North Dakota’s history or wildlife. The sculptures include “Geese in Flight,” recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest scrap metal sculpture in the world.

While relatively new compared to some attractions, the Enchanted Highway has quickly become a beloved road trip destination, drawing thousands of visitors annually to this otherwise quiet part of North Dakota.

16. Peachoid Water Tower (1981)

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The Peachoid, a water tower in Gaffney, South Carolina, has been turning heads since 1981. Standing 135 feet tall and holding one million gallons of water, this giant peach-shaped structure was built to honor the area’s peach-growing industry.

The Peachoid gained national attention after being featured in the TV series “House of Cards.” Its distinctive shape and color make it impossible to miss from nearby Interstate 85. It’s now one of the most photographed water towers in the country.

Despite occasional controversy over its shape, the Peachoid remains a point of pride for Gaffney residents and a popular stop for passing motorists.

17. Leaning Tower of Niles (1934)

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The Leaning Tower of Niles, located in Niles, Illinois, is a half-size replica of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Built in 1934 by industrialist Robert Ilg, it originally served as a water tower for an outdoor pool. Standing 94 feet tall and leaning 7.4 feet off-center, it’s been a local landmark for decades.

In 1991, Niles established a sister-city pact with Pisa, Italy, cementing the tower’s status as a beloved oddity. Recent renovations have ensured the tower will continue to delight visitors for years to come.

It’s now the centerpiece of a plaza that hosts community events, proving that even replicas can become cherished attractions in their own right.

18. World’s Largest Buffalo (1959)

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The World’s Largest Buffalo, located in Jamestown, North Dakota, has been a prairie sentinel since 1959.

Standing 26 feet tall and 46 feet long, this concrete colossus weighs an impressive 60 tons. It was created as part of a plan to draw travelers off the nearby interstate and into Jamestown.

Named “Dakota Thunder” in 2010, the buffalo overlooks the National Buffalo Museum and a herd of live bison. Visitors can climb stairs to view the statue up close or enjoy it from the ground.

The attraction draws over 100,000 visitors annually, proving that sometimes, bigger really is better when it comes to roadside Americana.

Whether you’re drawn to giant statues, peculiar museums, or architectural oddities, these enduring landmarks promise to add a touch of wonder to any road trip. As you plan your next adventure, consider veering off the beaten path to experience these time-honored attractions.

After all, in a world of GPS and fast travel, these quirky pit stops remind us that sometimes, the journey truly is the destination.

Nancy Maffia » nancy
Nancy Maffia
Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.