New York State isn’t just about Broadway shows, the Statue of Liberty, or scenic mountain views—it also hides a fun, eccentric side filled with oddball roadside attractions. Scattered across the state are giant sculptures, strange statues, and tiny architectural wonders that add surprise and laughter to any road trip. If you love the unusual, here are 10 of the weirdest roadside attractions in New York that are definitely worth a stop.
1. Cross Island Chapel (Oneida)
Known as the world’s smallest church, Cross Island Chapel is only 28 square feet and sits alone on a man-made island in Mason’s Pond. This non-denominational chapel fits just two people and is accessible only by rowboat. Despite its size, it has hosted real weddings—while guests watched from the shore.
2. Painted Pig Rock (Speculator, Adirondacks)
Located along Route 30, Painted Pig Rock looks uncannily like a pig’s snout. After a 1950s road project exposed the rock, locals decided to paint it with white eyes and a snout to enhance its pig-like appearance. Since then, it has become a beloved, quirky landmark that continues to amuse travelers.
3. Nipper Dog Statue (Capital-Saratoga)
Towering 28 feet above an Albany warehouse, the Nipper Dog statue represents the dog made famous in the RCA logo. Made of steel and fiberglass, Nipper has been watching over the city for decades, attracting both audio history buffs and roadside oddity hunters.
4. Giant Garden Gnome (Catskills)
Standing 13.5 feet tall, this massive garden gnome—cheekily named “Gnome Chomsky”—is impossible to miss along Route 209 in Kerhonkson. Originally created for a New York City exhibit, the gnome now calls the Catskills home, bringing joy and weirdness to everyone who passes by.
5. The “Scary Lucy” Statue (Celoron)
In Lucille Ball Memorial Park, fans can visit two statues of the comedy icon. One is a lovely modern tribute, and the other—the infamous “Scary Lucy”—is a famously odd and exaggerated version that sparked online outrage when it was unveiled. Though replaced, the original still remains in the park for curious fans of peculiar public art.
6. World’s Largest Pancake Griddle (Finger Lakes)
Penn Yan is home to an enormous pancake griddle mounted on a building, created by Birkett Mills in 1987 during a buckwheat festival. While it never flipped a real pancake, this giant griddle is a fun symbol of the area’s rich grain and pancake-making history.
7. Volkswagen on a Smokestack (Amsterdam)
A surreal sight greets visitors at Dudka’s Garage in Amsterdam: a red Volkswagen Beetle perched atop a tall smokestack. Originally a marketing gimmick, the car remains in place years after the business closed, confusing and delighting everyone who sees it.
8. Secret Caverns (Howes Cave)
Located near the more popular Howe Caverns, Secret Caverns has built a name for itself with hand-painted signs and an unusual underground waterfall. The natural wonder inside is impressive, but it’s the funky, offbeat atmosphere above ground that makes this stop unforgettable.
9. Lucille Ball’s Bottle Statue (Celoron)
Not far from “Scary Lucy,” another statue of Lucille Ball stands with a bottle of “Vitameatavegamin,” commemorating one of her most iconic comedy sketches. It’s a humorous blend of pop culture and public art that adds character to this lakeside park.
10. World’s Smallest Church Wedding Venue
While the Cross Island Chapel is already listed as a roadside oddity, it’s worth spotlighting again as a wedding venue. Couples who choose to marry here are rowed out to the chapel while their guests remain on shore—a truly unique and intimate way to say “I do.”
These strange and wonderful stops remind travelers that New York State has much more to offer than the obvious. From quirky sculptures to comically tiny chapels, these roadside gems add charm, surprise, and storytelling power to any road trip through the Empire State.
