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2 days ago · Find fun, odd, and quirky attractions around a town or state with Roadside America's web map and app. Explore special research targets, photo galleries, and tips for road trips and graveyards.
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For your convenience, this list is organized by regions of Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and West. Use the links within this table of contents if you would like to jump ahead to a specific region or state. Enjoy!
Superman Square
Did you know that the hometown of Superman is located in southern Illinois? If you make the drive into the small town of Metropolis, be sure to stop in the center of town at Superman Square. You are going to want a picture with the giant 15-foot Superman statue there.
Leaning Tower of Niles
What a surprise to discover this leaning tower in Chicago! This half-sized replica of the infamous Leaning Tower of Pisa can be found at 6300 Touhy Avenue in Niles, Illinois.
World’s Largest Catsup Bottle
Roadside attraction submitted by Val at Silly America “The World’s Largest Catsup Bottlestands at 170 feet tall in Collinsville, Illinois. Unfortunately, this roadside attraction isn’t actually filled with ketchup. Instead, the giant condiment once served as an operation water tower for Brooks Tomato Products Company.”
World’s Largest Ball of Paint
Roadside Attraction submitted by Amy at Visit Indiana “Along a gravel road in Alexandria, Indiana, I became a part of history. I painted a layer of theWorld’s Largest Ball of Paint.In a shelter built exclusively for the ball the paint, I added a layer to the growing mass, which hung by a large chain from the ceiling. The enormous ball actually started as a baseball that Mike Carmichael and his son painted. And now, almost 40 years later, people from all over the world head to this rural part...
New Harmony Labyrinths
The small utopian town of New Harmonyis home to two distinctly different labyrinths. Both of these quiet, beautiful areas meant to encourage mindful contemplation are located roadside and open for public use. The Harmonist Labyrinth is made of hedges and is located at 1239 Main Street. The New Harmony Cathedral Labyrinth is made of granite and can be found at 309 North Street.
Heritage Trail Quilt Gardens
A lovely roadside attraction for the spring and summer months is a tour ofIndiana’s Quilt Gardens. The Indiana Heritage Trail weaves through several communities throughout northern Indiana including Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, Wakarusa, Middlebury and Bristol. Along with the 15+ gorgeous quilt gardens, the Heritage Trail also features over 20 hand-painted large wall murals. Return to Table of Contents
Albert the World’s Largest Bull
Roadside Attraction submitted by Megan at Olio in Iowa “Albert the Bull is not only Iowa’s hugest Hereford, but he’s also sure to steal your heart. Located in Audubon, Iowa, Albert weighs in at 45 tons and towers 30 feet above the rolling cornfields. This beautiful bull was built in 1963, and even had his own cameo in a 2018 Super Bowl commercial.” READ MORE: Albert the Bull – Olio in Iowa
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a full city block of impressive sculptures in the heart of Des Moines. Located at 1330 Grand Avenue, this free attraction is open to the general public from sunrise until sunset. It features more than 30 large sculptures by world famous artists such as Keith Haring, Ai Weiwei, and more. READ MORE: Your Family Will Love Pappajohn Sculpture Park!
Giant Wind Turbine Blade
Travelers along Westbound I-80 can examine a wind turbine close up close when they stop at the rest area between Adair and Casey (near mile marker 80) in Iowa. This rest area offers educational displays about alternative and renewable energy sources including a wind turbine blade on display outside of the building. It’s hard to wrap your mind around just how big these blades are until you are standing next to one. The blade is 148 feet tall. That’s almost the height of a 15-story building!!
Cars on the Route
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas has an interesting connection with the animated Cars movie. This renovated Kan-O-Tex service station is home to Tow Tater, a 1951 International Boom truck that inspired the beloved Tow Mater character in the movie. Cars on the Route has restored vehicles displayed that resemble other favorite characters from the Cars movie as well. The entire family will enjoy stopping here for a bit. RELATED ARTICLE: Cars the Movie and Route 66 Return to Table of Contents
Eiffel Tower
Did you know there is a small city named Paris in Michigan? It even has its own replica of the Eiffel Tower! You can find the 20-foot Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Park (22090 Northland Drive). The tower was built in the 1980s by high school students, and the material used was leftover steel from the bed frames of an old CCC bunkhouse. The grounds were used as a state fish hatchery from 1881 until 1964. Bring some quarters with you so you can feed the trout still on site. Also, look around fo...
Giant Adirondack Chair
Few things better represent life by the great lakes in the summertime better than an Adirondack chair, and in Michigan’s upper peninsula city of Munising, you can find a giant one of these chairs in front of the AmericInn Lodge and Suites. Stop by, have a seat, and snap a picture!
Santa’s Workshop
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to a host of fun family-friendly stops including a gift shop called Santa’s Workshopin a merry little town named Christmas. While you are there, pick up some souvenirs and holiday décor. Then, pose for a few pictures with the roadside attractions found on the grounds – the World’s Largest Santa, the World’s Largest Concrete Snowman, and the Old Lady Who Lives in a Shoe.
A huge list of nearly 100 unique roadside attractions from all across the United States, organized by regions of Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and West. Find out the quirky and fun things to see and do along the way, from Superman Square to the World's Largest Catsup Bottle.
- World's Largest Kokopelli. This oversized flute-playing Ancestral Puebloan deity is also a landmark of Southwestern kitsch.
- The World's Largest Penny. In 1953, a group of Wisconsin high school students helped build a hospital by collecting over a million pennies.
- Apple Boy. This cheery fruit farmer welcomes visitors to a classic roadside emporium.
- World’s Largest Paper Cup. A tribute to the disposable cups that were once manufactured here, this 68-foot-tall statue would be difficult to throw away.
- Lydia Schrandt
- Mermaids, martians and mysterious lights. America’s highways and interstates are dotted with kitschy theme parks, bizarre curiosities, larger-than-life fiberglass animals and "world’s largest" objects.
- Alabama - Lady in the Lake. According to local lore, this giant fiberglass sculpture, created by Mark Cline, started off as an elaborate April Fools' joke on the owner of Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham.
- Alaska - Hammer Museum. This four-room museum claims to be the first in the world dedicated to preserving the history of the hammer, and we believe them.
- Arizona - The Thing. Drive between Phoenix and El Paso, and you’re sure to see billboards enticing you toward The Thing. But what is The Thing? You may or may not get an answer by visiting this roadside stop in Texas Canyon, an oddities museum covering all sorts of conspiracy theories (many aliens are involved).
Jul 3, 2020 · What do you see on a road trip? Find the best roadside attractions in each state – from Alabama to Wyoming, visit these weird tourist attractions and strange and unique locations on your road trip across the United States. They’re fun road trip stops for kids or adults!
Aug 17, 2021 · 1. Alabama // Self-Flushing Latrine. Michael McCarthy via Flickr // CC BY-ND 2.0. Location: Dauphin Island, Alabama.
Dec 16, 2022 · Find the best landmarks and attractions in all 50 states for your perfect road trip map. Learn the top times to visit, where to stay nearby, and how to plan your trip with this guide.
