Unusual Stops Worth the Detour
If you’ve ever dreamed of a road trip filled with the odd, the oversized, and the unexpectedly charming, this guide is your perfect starting point. From giant balls of twine to mysterious desert installations, America is full of roadside gems waiting to be discovered.
Buckle up, pack snacks, and let this guide introduce you to some of the most delightfully strange sights on the American road.
The World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kansas
Some attractions are quirky simply because of their obsessive dedication, and this giant ball of twine is exactly that.
Started in 1953 by a man named Frank Stoeber, the ball now weighs over 20,000 pounds and continues to grow, with visitors allowed to add to it. It’s proudly displayed in a gazebo in the heart of tiny Cawker City.
Salvation Mountain in Niland, California
In the dusty desert outside Niland stands a bright and towering message of love. Salvation Mountain is the life’s work of Leonard Knight, who spent decades transforming a mound of adobe clay into a candy-colored spiritual artwork.
Covered in Bible verses, painted flowers, and heart symbols, it draws both believers and art lovers alike. It’s free to visit and often surrounded by curious travelers heading toward nearby Slab City.
The UFO Watchtower in Hooper, Colorado
Located in Colorado’s remote San Luis Valley, the UFO Watchtower offers a clear view of the skies, and maybe something a little stranger.
The site includes a raised viewing platform, quirky sculptures, and a garden filled with mementos left by past visitors. Its owner, Judy Messoline, transformed her ranch into a welcoming space for curious minds and UFO enthusiasts.
Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska
An unexpected fusion of Stonehenge and classic American automobiles, Carhenge is exactly what it sounds like. Built by artist Jim Reinders in 1987, this installation uses spray-painted vintage cars to replicate the ancient monument’s design. It’s quirky, bold, and surprisingly thought-provoking.
Set against the wide-open Nebraska sky, Carhenge invites you to look at both art and engineering in a new way.
The Paper House in Rockport, Massachusetts
At first glance, it looks like a charming little cottage on a quiet New England road. But look closer, this house is made almost entirely of newspaper, right down to the walls, furniture, and even the piano.
Built in the 1920s by mechanical engineer Elis F. Stenman, the Paper House began as an experiment in insulation and turned into a full-blown curiosity. Stenman used varnished newspapers for nearly everything, layering pages like bricks.
The Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama
Ever wonder what happens to luggage that never makes it home? In Scottsboro, it becomes part of a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
The Unclaimed Baggage Center is a retail store filled with items from lost luggage across the country. You’ll find everything from designer clothes to rare instruments, and even the occasional oddity like vintage typewriters or strange souvenirs.
The Enchanted Highway in Regent, North Dakota
Stretching across 32 miles of prairie land, the Enchanted Highway is lined with towering metal sculptures, some over 60 feet tall. From giant grasshoppers to massive pheasants, each piece is the work of local artist Gary Greff, who wanted to revitalize his hometown through public art.
The sculptures rise dramatically out of the landscape, making the otherwise quiet drive unforgettable.
The House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin
A maze-like mansion packed with strange collections, musical machines, and dizzying architecture, the House on the Rock is as mysterious as it is massive.
Designed by Alex Jordan Jr., this cliffside wonder blends fantasy with eccentricity. Inside, you’ll find a 200-foot sea creature, a carousel with 269 animals, and entire rooms dedicated to Victorian miniatures or coin-operated automata.
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
Cadillac Ranch isn’t just art, it’s interactive art. Ten Cadillacs are half-buried nose-first in the Texas desert, their colorful paint jobs constantly changing thanks to visiting spray-painters.
Started in 1974 by a group of artists known as the Ant Farm, this open installation encourages participation. Located just off Route 66, it’s both a symbol of automotive culture and creative freedom.
Lucy the Elephant in Margate, New Jersey
Lucy is a six-story elephant-shaped building that’s been standing since 1881. Originally created as a real estate gimmick, she’s now a National Historic Landmark and the world’s oldest surviving roadside attraction.
You can climb up into her belly and take in views of the Atlantic coastline from inside her howdah. Lucy’s survived hurricanes, neglect, and even Prohibition raids, all while charming generations of visitors.
The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, California
Hidden in the redwoods near Santa Cruz, the Mystery Spot has baffled visitors since 1940. It’s a tilted cabin where gravity seems to misbehave (people lean at odd angles, balls roll uphill), and nothing quite makes sense.
While scientists have explanations involving perspective and sloped floors, that doesn’t stop the fun. Part science lesson, part sideshow, it’s a lighthearted stop for families, skeptics, and those who just enjoy a bit of head-scratching magic.
The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota
Yes, it’s a palace made of corn. Or at least decorated with it. The Corn Palace has been a South Dakota staple since the 1890s, with its massive murals made entirely from corn, grains, and other local crops.
The designs change each year, and the building doubles as a community event space. Inside, you’ll find corn-themed exhibits, souvenirs, and a surprisingly deep dive into agricultural art.
The Dinosaur Park in Rapid City, South Dakota
Perched on a hilltop with sweeping views of Rapid City, Dinosaur Park features seven life-sized dinosaur sculptures, built in the 1930s to celebrate fossil discoveries in the region.
While the models are charmingly outdated, they’re packed with retro character and perfect for photo ops. You can climb on them (gently), enjoy the panoramic lookout, and visit the small gift shop. It’s free, fun, and steeped in local history.
Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo, California
It’s colorful, sticky, and oddly photogenic. Bubblegum Alley in downtown San Luis Obispo is exactly what it sounds like: a narrow walkway covered in thousands of chewed gum wads.
What started in the 1950s, no one’s quite sure how or why, has grown into a local legend and a must-see stop for curious travelers.
The alley stretches 70 feet long and 15 feet high, coated in layers of minty, fruity, and sometimes glittery gum graffiti. It’s part gross-out, part street art, and completely unforgettable. From sticky walls to surreal halls, see how whimsy takes shape on both coasts.
Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman’s Miniature Miracle
Tucked behind a Benedictine monastery in Cullman, Alabama, Ave Maria Grotto is a four-acre garden filled with over 125 miniature buildings, replicas of famous religious landmarks from around the world, all handcrafted by one monk.
Brother Joseph Zoettl used broken tiles, marbles, cement, and even cold cream jars to build this detailed world over 40 years. Discover how one man’s quiet devotion turned scrap into sacred art, then step inside America’s most iconic home.
Which one would you visit first, or have you already been to one?
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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
