Top 10 Strangest American Roadside Attractions You Should Visit

#10: The Cathedral of Junk

Austin, Texas

Hidden in a backyard, this sprawling, multi-level sculpture fuses an avalanche of castoffs like bikes, TVs, hubcaps, and lawn ornaments. You might assume this climbable sanctuary of scrap was built by trinket collector Ariel. But it was Vince Hannemann who started construction in the ‘80s. It’s equal parts playground, folk art, and urban myth. Dr. Evermor’s Forevertron in Wisconsin is a similar personalized property that reminds us of those demented rides from Spy Kids. Meanwhile, North Dakota’s enchanted highway boasts 32 miles of recycled art all created by one man!

#9: Bubblegum Alley

San Luis Obispo, California

Prepare for a sticky situation, where a narrow alleyway has been transformed into a living, hopefully not breathing, and rather unhygienic mirage of bubblegum. This is one art project you don’t want to touch. Since WWII, visitors have contributed their chewed gum to the walls, creating a vibrant tapestry of sugar. While it might sound incredibly gross, the sheer scale, stretching 70 feet long and reaching 15 feet high, is undeniably mesmerizing. Somehow it’s become a rebellious rite of passage: chew it up, stick it on, snap a pic, and… watch where you step.

#8: The Thing?

Dragoon, Arizona

Somewhere in the remote Arizona desert along route I-10 lies a bizarre artifact you have to see to believe. Relentless yellow billboards taunt you for miles: What is the thing? These cryptic messages build an almost unbearable suspense, drawing curious travelers into… an unassuming gift shop. But alas—behold the thing! It’s a… it’s… a papier-mâché mummy? The sideshow exhibit was supposedly created by Homer Tate, and sold to Thomas Binkley Price, who turned it into a permanent money grab in the ‘60s. This nod to kitschy carni gaffs might be underwhelming, but at least there’s a dinosaur/alien war museum attached.

#7: The SPAM Museum

Austin, Minnesota

This one is exactly what it sounds like, and yes, we’re just as curious how a museum about shelf-stable tubed meat stays open. For one, it’s free. For two, this official museum features interactive exhibits that celebrate SPAM’s place in culinary history. From wartime rations to assembly lines, you’ll learn about the many flavors as “SPAMbassadors” dish out samples. If walking the halls of a processed meat museum grosses you out, then imagine strolling through Leila's Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri—where all the art is made of human hair! And if that gives you the creeps, you might want to avoid Fort Mitchell, Kentucky’s Vent Haven Museum of ventriloquial dummies. Clearly, roadside USA has no shortage of oddly curated galleries, but our favorite concept might go to this one in Kansas: the World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things. Are we saying that right?

#6: Lucy the Elephant

Margate City, New Jersey

She’s revered as the oldest roadside attraction in America! Built in 1881 as an architectural gimmick to attract real estate buyers, this 6-story elephant has since become a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can actually climb inside Lucy, exploring her wooden interior and taking in panoramic views from her howdah. The 90-ton behemoth has served as a summer home and even a tavern. Today, Lucy’s a charming relic from an era when roadside attractions were popping up all across the country. She’s not the only massive elephant from the tri-state area though. Brooklyn’s Coney Island boardwalk was once home to the Elephantine Colossus hotel, which burned down in 1896. At least the Big Duck of Flanders, New York is still standing strong.

#5: Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo, Texas

Down the historic Route 66 is a classic slice of Americana. Ten vintage Cadillacs sit buried nose-down in a dusty field. This iconic installation, created in 1974 by the art collective Ant Farm, represents the evolution of the Cadillac tailfin from ‘49 to ‘63. What makes it truly unique, however, is its interactive nature: visitors are encouraged to bring their own spray paint and leave their mark, transforming the cars into a constantly evolving canvas of vibrant graffiti. Slightly less colorful but equally whimsical, Jim Reinders’ Carhenge sits in Alliance, Nebraska’s vast plains. It’s a tribute to the ancient wonder stonehenge, merging mysterious archaeology with trippy sculpture work.

#4: The Center of the World

Felicity, California

It looks kind of like the meeting place for the Illuminati. But is it truly the center of the world? Dreamed up by Jacques-André Istel in 1985, this tiny outpost features a granite pyramid and a petite chapel perched on a man-made hill. Surrounding the monument are sundials, stone markers, and quirky signs meant to convince visitors that this nondescript location is the real center of the world due to its precise coordinates. Really, there’s no agreeable “center of the world” according to science. So all this attraction proves is that you can find a lot of strange things in the California desert.

#3: Salvation Mountain

Niland, California

Speaking of the California desert, this beautiful, pastel landscape grew from the sand between 1984 and 2011. Artist Leonard Knight spent decades shaping adobe, straw, and thousands of gallons of paint into a sprawling hillside mural proclaiming “God Is Love.” The site ripples with rainbows, Bible verses, flowers, and winding paths that make the whole mountain feel like a walkable painting. By transforming a barren terrain into a living monument of hope, Knight intended to inspire tourists up until his passing in 2014. Today, his roadside wonder continues to draw crowds seeking a technicolor escape.

#2: The Clown Motel

Tonopah, Nevada

Would you stay in a creepy motel plastered with painted clowns ? What if we said there’s also an abandoned cemetery next door? Well, you might have to be paid to stay there, but there are plenty of travelers who’ve shelved out cash to spend a night in the infamous hotel! Whether they’re seeking the adrenaline rush of a fabled paranormal encounter or just really like clowns, this haunt has been handing out room keys since 1985. From the thousands of clown dolls and figurines in the lobby, to the portraits of sadistic clowns watching you as you sleep—this place leans into the campy charm. There’s a reason they’ve earned 4-stars on Yelp! So if you’re a horror fan, and they’ve got vacancy, consider checking in! If that’s a little too extreme, maybe you’ll find Boise, Idaho’s Big Potato Hotel to be a more comfortable stay.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are some honorable mentions!

This house made entirely of paper in Rockport, Massachusetts.

The four corners of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah (which happens to be in the wrong spot).

Seattle, Washington’s Fremont Troll who lurks under the Aurora bridge.

#1: The Mystery Spot

Santa Cruz, California

It’s only right to end this list back in Cali! Welcome to a place where gravity has left the chat. The Mystery Spot defies our everyday understanding of physics with an optical illusion-filled cabin. Balls roll uphill, people lean at impossible angles—and it’s all because it was built on a UFO burial sight! Since opening in 1940, its iconic yellow-and-black facade has become a calling card worthy of local lore. The secret to the magic is a devious blend of perspective tricks, slanted surfaces, and showmanship. But whether you believe the theories about magnetic anomalies or recognize it’s pure stagecraft, you’ll leave a little dizzy and plenty entertained.

Have you visited any of the spots on our list? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!