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I Thought I’d Seen It All, Then Came These Unusual Road Trip Attractions

By Kelsey Waddell November 5, 2023
I Thought I’d Seen It All, Then Came These Unusual Road Trip Attractions

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You have probably seen a lot of strange places to visit and fun attractions to stop at on a road trip, but I am sure you haven’t seen some of the places on this list!

I am sure your family will appreciate all of the weird and fun places you visited on your trip. Doll parts scattered around the trail, a massive cuckoo clock, and more will make even the longest trip fun.

Doll’s Head Trail, Atlanta, Georgia

Doll head on ground

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Atlanta’s Doll’s Head Trail is one of the Top Weird Road Trip Stops. They have a haunted trail with od doll parts, sculptures, and random art from odd materials. Walking through this trail feels like walking in a weird dream. This is the place you want to go to if you like the strange stuff!

World’s Biggest Ball of Paint, Alexandria, Indiana

Puppy with Paint

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The World’s Largest Ball of Paint started out as a humble baseball. However, for the past 45 years, owners Mike and Glenda have given thousands of visitors the chance to add their own coat of paint to the ball. It weighs over 8000 pounds!! It would be a seriously missed opportunity not to add your own layer to this massive paintball.

Carhenge, Alliance, Nebraska

Carhenge 1

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Have you heard of the now world-famous UNESCO site Stonehenge? Well this isn’t it! This is Carhenge, one of the USA’s wackier attractions! Located just north of Alliance, Nebraska, Carhenge was built by Jim Reinders, an Alliance native, as a tribute to the original. What makes Carhenge so special is that it is made of cars! There are 38 of them, arranged in the same way as Stonehenge. Carhenge allows visitors to walk the site, take pictures, and learn about the history of the monument. This is one of the most unique attractions in the USA and is definitely worth a stop if you are passing through the area!

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas

Cadillac Ranch Amarillo

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While looking at car attractions, don’t miss Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. As an offbeat roadside attraction, it features 10 Cadillacs stuck in the ground nose-first. Covered in graffiti and spray paint, it draws visitors from all over to one of the unique and colorful sights that have become an iconic sight of the American West. There, visitors can leave their own artistic contributions to the cars by bringing spray paint, making it a fun interactive stop. Bonus (and a major photo op)!

The World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Cawker City, Kansas

Cawker City Worlds largest ball of twine

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In Cawker City, Kansas, you can find a giant ball of twine hay weighing 20,000 pounds and measuring over 40 feet in circumference. The ball started with one local farmer in 1953 and has been a community effort to grow ever since as visitors can add in twine of their own. It’s a quirky fun photo op and a good stop to stretch your legs on a long drive.

The Corn Palace, Mitchell, South Dakota

Mitchell Corn Palace

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It’s great if you love corn, but even if you don’t, this attraction is one-of-a-kind and really fun! The Corn Palace was built in 1892 from local Mitchell corn and showcases amazing murals and designs. The designs change every year! As a result, the attraction celebrates the agricultural history of the corn producing region. It remains a popular attraction for Mitchell locals and tourists alike. Customers can dine on local corn-based culinary delights, watch live performances, and of course explore the amazing murals. It is a really educational and fun stop for everyone!

The Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz, California

Mystery Spot

Depositphotos.

An additional attraction to add to your list is the Santa Cruz Mystery Spot. Founded in 1941, this gravitational phenomenon became part of the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. This location has been baffling visitors ever since. The circular area of effect is approximately 150 feet, or 46 meters, in diameter, which causes gravity and the laws of physics to go crazy. Visitors can experience mind-blowing optical illusions and odd sensations like standing on walls, walking upstairs that go nowhere, and feeling like they are spinning while they are just standing still.

The Beer Can House, Houston, Texas

The Beer Can House

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The Beer Can House is a landmark dedicated to the art of folk expression. Located in Houston, Texas, it is a house covered in beer cans and bottles along with all kinds of beer related items. The Guinness World Record holder for the most beer cans used in a construction project, the Beer Can House has over 50,000 beer cans. Legend has it that the creator of the house, John Milkovisch, never liked wasting anything, so when he finished drinking for the day, he would not return any of the empty beer cans to the store and both his garage and attic filled up with beer cans. Now people can come visit the house and view the massive collection of beer can memorabilia as well as the other beer related items in the house.

The World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, Sugarcreek, Ohio

Worlds Largest Cuckoo Clock

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Giant clocks claim to be the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, however this one, in Sugarcreek, Ohio, being the first to be featured as a World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock as of 1977 in the Guinness Book of World Records, makes it a bit different. Located in Sugarcreek’s Swiss Village, the clock measures over 23 feet tall and 24 feet wide. Every 30 minutes, a cuckoo bird pops out of the clock. Then, the band that is built into the clock starts to play Swiss polka music and a couple who dances. The most exciting part about this is that you can go inside the clock and witness the show, which makes it one of the most interesting stops in the area!

International Banana Museum, Mecca, California

International Banana Museum

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Located along the roadside, the International Banana Museum, situated in Mecca, CA, is a one-of-a-kind attraction that is worth a visit if you are in the area. The museum is a single-room museum that has over 20,000 different types of items, with all of them being banana-related. These items include: artworks, memorabilia, and even a guitar that is shaped like a banana! Guests can shop at the museums gift shop and buy some merchandise that is banana related, along with banana flavored soda. The museum has a number of displays that highlight the social and historical significance of bananas, along with more exhibits that guests can visit.

The Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard, Waterbury, Vermont

Ben and Jerrys

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If ice cream isn’t enough to catch your interest, what about the Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard? Yes, it’s a cemetery — for discontinued Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors. The Flavor Graveyard has headstones and epitaphs, just like a real cemetery. Visitors can learn about the history and inspiration of the flavors and pay their respects to the grave sites of “Wavy Gravy” and “Peanuts! Popcorn!” The graveyard is a fun and more lighthearted side of the legacy of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and all the creativity that goes into each flavor. (And, of course, ice cream!)

Bubblegum Alley, San Luis Obispo, California

Bubblegum Alley

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Bubblegum Alley is one of the most unusual (and slightly disgusting) places to visit in the city of San Luis Obispo, California. This 70-foot-long alley located off Higuera Street is covered in millions of pieces of chewed gum. Visitors add to the collection by sticking their own gum to the wall, and that makes this a great place to take the family. Experience the creative and quirky vibe of San Luis Obispo while visiting Bubblegum Alley. Just don’t forget to bring gum!

9 Day Trips From Virginia Beach Full of Rich History

Luray Caverns

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Top day trips from Virginia Beach will let you disconnect from the fast pace of city life and enjoy some peace and quiet in beautiful Virginia. You can see the historical attractions at Colonial Williamsburg, look for the wild ponies at Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, and explore the many other amazing places this article has to offer. Start planning your mini vacation today!

16 Aesthetic Beach View Day Trips From Santa Barbara

Malibu CA

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Santa Barbara has so much to offer, but there are even more attractions close by. Besides our favorite day trip from Santa Barbara wine country, there are exciting day trips, including Los Padres National Forest for hiking and Avila Beach for sandy relaxation. Film lovers and others will appreciate exciting day trips from Santa Barbara!

10 Day Trips From Gainesville

Daytona

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Traveling to Gainesville, Florida? Be sure to check out our guide on the best day trips from Gainesville! Discover Florida history in St. Augustine and enjoy the sandy shores at Cedar Key and Daytona beach. We made this guide with the nature-loving thrill-seekers and Florida history buffs in mind. Adventure awaits, so book your trip and explore the best of Florida’s hidden gems.

Best 16 Day Trip Spots From Myrtle Beach

Murrells Inlet

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As you prepare your trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, why not check out those incredible places nearby? This article showcases the best day trips from Myrtle Beach. Provide a chance to show the gorgeous fishing village of Murrells Inlet and distinguished historical town Charleston. Be a lover of beach, or find historic places exciting, there are a lot of adventure awaiting you here. So don’t hesitate to set a little holiday and enjoy the beauty of South Carolina!

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