America is well-known for its Hollywood movies, towering skyscrapers, and expansive national parks. However, there’s another, often overlooked aspect of the U.S.—its quirky roadside attractions. These fun and iconic landmarks are scattered across the country’s highways, offering travelers unique and unexpected stops.
The Facebook group ‘Roadside America – Offbeat Quirky Tourist Attractions’ showcases these unusual spots, ranging from giant buffalo statues to whimsical Dr. Seuss museums. We’ve selected some of the most interesting and eccentric attractions from their posts. Take a look below and be sure 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
2 Outside The Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield, Massachusetts
3 We Did A Scavenger Hunt For The 22 Goose Statues In Goose Creek Sc Today. Fun Time And We Found Them All!!!
4 Mr Rogers Museum Latrobe, PA
5 A Replica Of The Up House In The Up Movie. Built In Herriman, Utah
6 Vashon Island, Washington
7 Coffee Pot In Bedford PA. Built In 1925 As Part Of A Gas Station
8 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!
9 The Rock Garden’s Version Of The Colosseum, In Calhoun, GA
10 Underground Kayaking In Red River Gorge, Ky
Some of these attractions earned fame as “the world’s largest” simply for their ambitious claims. For instance, West Virginia was home to the World’s Largest Teapot, constructed in the 1930s, and Alabama once boasted the World’s Largest Bottle, built in 1924, though it tragically burned down in 1936.
The publication of Guinness World Records in the 1950s ignited a competitive spirit 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 long-standing rivalry over the largest ball of twine. Over time, similar contests emerged for the largest ball of rubber bands, tape, and even barbed wire.