America is famous for many things: Hollywood movies, towering skyscrapers, and vast national parks. But there’s another side to the U.S. that’s often overlooked—roadside attractions. Iconic and fun, they’re spread across the nation’s highways, offering travelers a surprise at every turn.
The Facebook group ‘Roadside America - Offbeat Quirky Tourist Attractions’ is where people share these unusual landmarks—everything from a giant buffalo statue to a whimsical Dr. Seuss museum. We’ve sifted through their posts to bring you some of the best and most eccentric tourist spots. Check them out below and don’t forget to upvote your favorites!
#1 South Main Plaza Fountain In Mt Vernon, Oh. Some Of The Dogs Have Been Sponsored And Each One Has A Plaque That Tells What It Is. There's One Cat And 3 Birds Also
Image credits: Sunny L. Skaggs
#2 Mr Rogers Museum Latrobe, PA
Image credits: Ashley Hutchinson
A roadside attraction is just what it says on the tin: an interesting spot built alongside the road to catch the attention of travelers. Generally speaking, they’re meant to be places one might stop on the way to somewhere rather than being a destination. But to the followers of ‘Roadside America,’ they might as well be the main event—the page has almost 500K members who are dedicated to capturing the country’s weirdest landmarks.
In fact, “the weirder the better,” the group insists. A UFO-shaped house? Brilliant. A miniature Taco Bell? Absolutely. The world’s tallest barber pole? What could be more fitting? Perhaps an enormous rubber duck—you’ll find it in Indiana, by the way. It seems the imagination of Americans knows no limits when it comes to these curious roadside attractions.
#3 A Replica Of The Up House In The Up Movie. Built In Herriman, Utah
Image credits: Linda Cook Schoss
#4 Vashon Island, Washington
Image credits: Taylor Burroughs
Roadside attractions first appeared in America in the late 19th century, but they really took off in the 1920s and 1930s when more people started owning cars and long-distance road travel became easier.
As the number of passenger cars in the U.S. grew—between 1919 and 1929 it jumped from 6.5 million to 23 million—the existing infrastructure became overwhelmed. To accommodate this boom, the government undertook massive road construction projects, completing over 10,000 miles of roadway improvements in 1922 alone.
Highways spread across the country, including the famous Route 66 built in 1929, and small towns needed a way to catch the eyes of passing motorists. They responded by building restaurants, motels, coffee shops, and unique attractions to stand out and draw travelers in.
#5 We Did A Scavenger Hunt For The 22 Goose Statues In Goose Creek Sc Today. Fun Time And We Found Them All!!!
Image credits: Tracy Hoffman Kratzer
#6 Bronze Statue Of Albert Einstein In Washington DC…. They Welcome You To Come Sit On His Lap… In Fact, There Is A Worn Off Area On His Lap From All The Sitters… He Is Awesome!
Image credits: Robin Borden Luberski
#7 Outside The Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield, Massachusetts
Image credits: Emilie Vardaman
In many instances, people relied on mimetic architecture—buildings designed to look like the products they were selling—to promote their roadside businesses. In California, vendors sold oranges out of orange-shaped buildings. In Washington and Pennsylvania, coffee was served in coffee pot-shaped buildings. And on Long Island, eggs were sold out of a building famously known as the Big Duck (not to be confused with Indiana’s Giant Rubber Ducky).
#8 When I Had Visited Over 10 Years Ago, Little Did I Know That The Official Mascot Of Seattle & Its Pike Market Is The Pig. There Are Over 90 Pigs Scattered Around Town. Here's A Few
Image credits: Mike Oleskie
#9 The Rock Garden’s Version Of The Colosseum, In Calhoun, GA
Image credits: Alan Vickers
#10 Cadillac Ranch Near Amarillo, Texas. I Shot This At Sunrise On Christmas Day, 2019
Image credits: Bush Bernard
Some of these attractions were named “the world’s largest” and became renowned just for that ambitious title alone. For example, West Virginia boasted the World’s Largest Teapot, built in the 1930s, while Alabama had the World’s Largest Bottle, built in 1924, although it sadly burnt down in 1936.
In the 1950s, the Guinness World Records began publishing its books, sparking a wave of competition among towns to create the largest ball-shaped attractions. Nebraskans built the world’s largest ball of stamps, while Kansans and Minnesotans engaged in a decades-long battle over who could create the world’s largest ball of twine. In later years, similar competitions emerged over the world’s largest ball of rubber bands, tape, and even barbed wire.
#11 Largest Cowboy Boots In San Antonio TX
Image credits: Kevin Waterhouse
#12 Coffee Pot In Bedford PA. Built In 1925 As Part Of A Gas Station
Image credits: Lisa Johnson
#13 Has Anyone Been To The Whale Statue In The 9th And 9th District In Salt Lake City, Utah. Very Colorful
Image credits: Linda Cook Schoss
However, one of the most famous “largest” attractions in America is Lucy the Elephant, considered to be the oldest roadside landmark. Constructed in 1882 by James V. Lafferty in Margate City, New Jersey, Lucy is a six-story elephant-shaped building that has captivated travelers for over a century.
Initially named Elephant Bazaar, the structure was built to attract real estate customers who could view the city’s skyline from the elephant’s carriage, which now serves as an observation deck for modern-day visitors during tours.
Lucy supposedly got her name in 1902. The structure was sold to Anton Gertzen of Philadelphia in 1887 and remained in his family until 1970. It is believed that Anton’s daughter-in-law, Sophia Gertzen, renamed it Lucy.
#14 Jerome, Missouri On Rt. 66. Found This As We Were Out Driving Around
Image credits: Sherry Johnson
#15 Wigwam Teepee Motel Along Route 66 In San Bernardino, CA
Image credits: Jaime Rubalcaba
#16 Underground Kayaking In Red River Gorge, Ky
Image credits: Shannon Sims Grogan
Over the years, Lucy the Elephant served various purposes, including a restaurant, business office, cottage, and tavern. She was even depicted on many souvenir postcards, often referred to as “The Elephant Hotel of Atlantic City.” (The actual hotel was in a nearby building, not inside the elephant.)
By the 1960s, Lucy was in a very poor state and was scheduled for demolition. However, the local community rallied to save her, and she was renovated in the 1970s. Lucy’s birthday is celebrated each year on July 20 with a fundraising event, keeping this beloved roadside attraction alive.
#17 Just Went This Awesome House In York, PA
Image credits: Robin Borden Luberski
#18 Giant Grasshopper, On The Enchanted Highway North Dakota. Near Gladstone Nd
Image credits: Fred Kleindenst
#19 Ladybirds On The Side Of An Office Building In Milwaukee Wi
Image credits: Alan Vickers
Even though roadside attractions are often seen as relics of the past and symbols of America’s transformation into a car-loving country, the tradition of building them continues, especially those aiming to be the largest in their category. In Alabama, you can find the World’s Largest Office Chair, standing around 33 feet tall (about 10 meters), built in 2008. Traveling further north to Illinois, you’ll discover a 42-foot (12.8 meters) long Windchime, which made its way into the Guinness World Records in 2012 as, you guessed it, the world’s largest windchime.
#20 A Giant Pencil On An Office Supply Store In Wytheville, VA
Image credits: Kevin Findlay
#21 W.C. Handy “Singing River” Sculpture In Florence, Alabama
Image credits: Monica Barker
#22 The Big Rubber Stamp With The Word "Free" On It Is A Creation Of Artist Claes Oldenburg (1929-2022), Who Sculpted Giant Versions Of Everyday Objects That Turn Up In Public Parks And On City Sidewalks. Located In Cleveland, OH
Image credits: Tony Reynolds
While considered originally American, the trend of building the world’s largest roadside attractions made its way to other countries like Australia and New Zealand in the 1960s. However, they refer to them with the slightly humbler term “big things.” Australia, for example, is home to the Big Pineapple, the Big Lobster, and the Big Prawn. Meanwhile, New Zealand celebrates its national identity with the Big Kiwis and the Big Kiwifruit.
#23 A Decommissioned Military Plane On The Front Lawn Of The Don Q Inn
Image credits: Ronald Crouch is at Don Q Inn.
#24 Cruising Down I-70 In Colby, Kansas, You Pass By The Wheat Jesus Billboard. No Words ... Just Jesus In A Wheat Field
Image credits: Scott Winikow
#25 World’s Largest Buffalo ? Jamestown, North Dakota At The Frontier Village
Image credits: Dyana Watkins- Geddie
Of course, not all attractions claiming to be the world’s largest live up to the name. In 2010, six different frying pans in the United States competed for the title. At one point, there was even a dispute over who had the world’s largest rocking chair. As Forrest Wickman aptly put it, “It seems that, while many countries erect big things, only Americans dare to claim that theirs are the biggest.”
#26 If You Schlepped All Of The Way To Mora, MN To See The World's Largest Dala Horse, You Might As Well Head Out 17 Minutes West To Ogilvie And Say Hello To Rusty The Dragon
He's on private property so be respectful of parking but he's definitely worth a stop. They say he can occasionally be talked into breathing fire!
Image credits: Bryan Thao Worra
#27 Peter "Wolf" Toth Carving In Las Cruces, N.m. Part Of The "Trail Of The Whispering Giants" He Did In The 70's, Put One In Every State
Image credits: Bob Stout
#28 My. Airy N.C. "Mayberry"
Image credits: Norm Schaaf
#29 The Great Elephant Migration Traveling Exhibit In Newport, Rhode Island
Image credits: Erin Kochanek
#30 Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens… In The Heart Of Center City Philadelphia … A Virtual “Trash Made Into Art” “Garden”
A very unusual winding road of art created from discarded glass, tile and other unusual pieces…here is just a sample… it’s not a big place, but lots of punch packed in. Like something you’ve never seen before… definitely worth a look
Image credits: Robin Borden Luberski
#31 Dog Bark Park In Cottonwood, Idaho
My in-laws just got back from a trip to this unique roadside attraction, which is owned by my father-in-law's cousin Frances and husband Dennis. Its creator, Dennis Sullivan, is a former builder and when he changed careers, became an expert chainsaw carver. We have a chainsaw carving from him of our dog Shelby. The large dog, Sweet Willy, accommodates a family of 4. The head is a loft where kids can stay on bunks and a queen size bed is in the belly of the dog. The full size bath is in (where else?) the tail. My in-laws spent a couple nights in the dog. They're about to stop operating this as an inn and just leave it open as a roadside attraction
Image credits: Abby Goldstein
#32 Mr. Trash Wheel Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD
Image credits: Joe Pascullo
#33 JC Penney House And Museum, As Well As The First (But Technically 3rd) JC Penney Store Down The Block. Kemmerer, WY
Image credits: Haylen LaTorre Radford
#34 We Didn't Realize That We Were Driving Through The Longest Covered Bridge In America. One Side Is New Hampshire While The Other Side Is Vermont. Don't Forget To Walk Your Horses Across
Image credits: Mark Wolongevicz
#35 Worlds Tallest Barber Pole. Forest Grove, OR
Image credits: Rob Keller
#36 Junkman Statue In Buena Vista, Virginia
Image credits: Sherry Johnson
#37 Massive Ring At Tri State Pawn And Jewelry In Ashland, KY
Image credits: Brooke Tolber
#38 Geographic Center Of North America In Rugby, Nd
Image credits: Wayne Wienke
#39 A Few Photos Of The Enchanted Highway In Regent Nd
Image credits: Tara Oakley
#40 Laclede’s Landing St Louis, Mo
Image credits: Marsha Valentine Banasiewicz
#41 Billed As The Most Photographed House In Maine. The Wedding Cake House In Kennebunk Maine And It’s Currently For Sale If You Have A Spare $2.65 Million Laying Around
Image credits: Mark York
#42 Spoonbridge In Minneapolis Minnesota. Am I The Only One That Calls This “The Mini Apple” Yes I Know It Is A Cherry
Image credits: Christel Schulz Rudlaff
#43 Latrobe PA Home Of The Banana Split
Image credits: Ashley Hutchinson
#44 Second Smallest Operating Post Office In The Us. Bridal Veil, Or
Image credits: Taylor Burroughs
#45 Prada Marfa Is A Permanent Sculptural Art Installation By Artists Elmgreen & Dragset, Located Along U.S. Route 90 In Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States, 1.4 Miles (2.3 Km) Northwest Of Valentine, And About 26 Miles (42 Km) Northwest Of Marfa
Image credits: Roscoe Fairbanks
#46 US Steel Edgar Thompson Plant 1329 Braddock Ave Braddock PA 15104
Image credits: Scott Snyder
#47 UFO House On Signal Mountain, TN
Image credits: Nate Chasteen
#48 Worlds Largest Penny In Woodruff, Wisconsin
Image credits: Melissa Klement
#49 The Ever So Popular Paul Bunyan And His Blue Ox Off Highway 101 In Klamath, California
Image credits: Rhonda Wollmuth Tucker
#50 The Coal House (Made From 65 Tonnes Of Coal ) In Williamson, West Virginia
Image credits: Alan Vickers
#51 Presidents Heads Park, Williamsburg, Virginia
Image credits: Jenn Mitchell Bennie
#52 The World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, Made Out Of An Old, Converted, Grain Silo, Is Located In Upstate NY, In A Small Town Named Mount Tremper, Which Is Near Woodstock, NY
It is 56 feet high, and opened in 1996. You walk into the Kaleidoscope, and can sit on the floor or lean against a wall to watch a colorful show accompanied by music. And of course, there’s a gift shop full of Kaleidoscopes. It’s “far out, man”! When I first visited the giant kaleidoscope, there wasn’t much around it. But now it is part of a complex. There are stores and there’s a resort hotel & spa surrounding the kaleidoscope
Image credits: Barbara Greenwald Issak
#53 Dover Downs Speedway "The Monster Mile" Dover Delaware
Image credits: Elaine Radovich Cowan
#54 I Went To The Enchanted Forest In Turner, Oregon, In June. Here Are A Few Of The Pictures I Took. They Have A Small Alpine Roller Coaster, A Dark Ride, Several Kiddie Rides, A Fountain Show And Other Neat Attractions
Image credits: Allen Sandquist
#55 Tornado Memorial In Belvidere, IL
Image credits: Chris Cammack
#56 A Huge Basket, 20 Feet Tall, Filled To Overflowing With Large, Apples. Located On Longaberger Homestead Frazeysburg, OH
Image credits: Tony Reynolds
#57 Salem Sue - Worlds Largesr Holstein Cow - New Salem, North Dakota
Image credits: Peggy Burger Schlosser
#58 Silly But Cute. Haha. Dice On Shawnee Mission Parkway In Shawnee, KS
Image credits: May Gibbons
#59 40 Foot Tall Jack-A-Lope. Wall, SD. It Took 5 Chainsaw Artists 5 Weeks To Build
Image credits: Debbie Gilbert
#60 Dinosaur State Park, Glen Rose, Texas. These Dinos Were Originally Made For The 1964 Worlds Fair In NYC. Which I Attended!
Image credits: Bob Stout
#61 Seguin, TX. World’s Largest Pecan
Image credits: Wayne Wienke
#62 Get Whisked Away In Nashville, ? On Broadway And 21st Ave
Image credits: Tara Ash
#63 3 Large Conch Shells In Key West
Image credits: Michelle Morgante
#64 Saw This New Structural Display In Steelville, MO. Steelville Is Known As, 'The Floating Capital Of The World.'
Image credits: Lynn Brown
#65 Giant Rocking Chair! Located On 385...between Hill City And Deadwood, SD!
Image credits: Kimberly Schoonveld Liston
#66 Largest Class Ring Citadel Class Ring In Charleston SC
Image credits: Tracy Hoffman Kratzer
#67 Chester, Illinois.... Home Of Popeye
Image credits: Sherry Johnson
#68 The Hoodah Statue In The Granary District Of Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s 15 Feet X 15 Feet
Image credits: Linda Cook Schoss
#69 The Big Fish Supper Club In Bena, Minnesota
Image credits: Kathy Wieskamp Haake
#70 Arkansas Alligator Farm And Petting Zoo
Image credits: Shellie Berg
#71 Worlds Tallest Filing Cabinet. Located In Burlington, Vt
Image credits: Kristy Rippey
#72 Transformer Displays In The Wisconsin Dells
These are actually outside of the Top Secret Upside Down White House (which is an absolute JOKE of an attraction) but these displays are free in the parking lot! Two huge displays - Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, and some other random transformers that are a bit smaller
Image credits: Kaitlin M Costello
#73 El Paso TX, A Door For Very Big People
Image credits: Alan Vickers
#74 Miniature Taco Bell Reproduction In San Diego
Image credits: Jen Boynton
#75 Tallest Thermometer! Record Was 134 Degrees! - Baker, CA
Image credits: Crystal Lynn Vargas
#76 Shreveport, LA
Image credits: Jenna Dawn Shaff
#77 Random Aliens Alongside The Road In Mount Gilead, Ohio
Image credits: Katherine Burnside
#78 Summerville, Sc Claims The World's Largest Sweet Tea
Image credits: Crystal-Brian Maslow
#79 S.P. Dinsmoor's Garden Of Eden Location: Lucas, Kansas - Home Of The "2nd Best Small Town Art Scene!" Est. 1907
S.P Dinsmoor started building the cabin home in 1904 at 64 yrs young, intending it to be a residence and a source of income from tourism. The cabin is made to look like a log cabin, but is entirely constructed of rock and cement, as are the yard sculptures. Inside the cabin, no two windows or doors are alike. In the garden, there are 15 cement trees from 30 to 40 feet tall. There are 150 life size cement and stone sculptures in the garden
Image credits: Alaina Robin
#80 Montrose, SD
Image credits: Judy Danielson
#81 Soloman’s Castle Near Arcadia FL
Image credits: Teresa Bush Teagardin
#82 Paul Bunyan's Brother... Earl Bunyan! Located In New Town, North Dakota
Image credits: Kimberly Schoonveld Liston
#83 Ha Ha Tonka Ruins In Camdenton, Missouri
Image credits: Sherry Johnson
#84 Peggy Sue‘S Diner-Saur Park, Yermo CA
Image credits: Steffen Anton
#85 Giganticus Headicus On Route 66 A Little Pass Kingman Arizona
Image credits: Kenny Rager
#86 Intersection Of Montana Rte 83 And Montana Rte 200
Image credits: Chester McQuillen
#87 A Giant Pyramid On The Border Of Arkansas And Tennessee As You Are Crossing The Bridge Into Memphis. It's A Bass Pro Shop!!!! ? And You Can Go Up To The Top
Image credits: Meredith Kateri
