When you’re driving in the USA, you’ll find humour everywhere you look. How can we further explain those strange and unusual roadside attractions that you might come across? The sculptures are just the start and they are made of cars, energy vortexes, and oversized household items. These are the stops that we really enjoy and are a bit different from the usual.
Weird USA Roadside Attractions
Cadillac Ranch – Texas
In 1974, a wealthy and unusual local man named Stanley Marsh planted 10 old Cadillacs (made between 1949 and 1963) with their headlights facing downwards in a remote area of dirt outside Amarillo. In 1997, he moved them even further away to avoid the expansion of the town. What is the reason? He said he built Cadillac Ranch as a tribute to Route 66. It is located on I-40 between exits 60 and 62. He used cars that he believed represented the best era of car travel.
Today, it is common to make your own mark on the art by drawing on the cars. Remember to bring spray paint just in case there isn’t any left by other visitors. Sometimes, the cars are given a new look, such as when they were all painted pink to support breast cancer awareness.
Unclaimed Baggage Center – Alabama
To get to the Unclaimed Baggage Centre in downtown Scottsboro, Alabama, take Hwy 279 and follow the signs. Wait… is that your iPhone? Is it the item you forgot in the seat pocket during the flight from Poughkeepsie? Most likely. This retail space is as big as a Macy’s store and is where most unclaimed bags in the US end up. After 90 days, the airlines will send your lost luggage to this location. If you have the patience to search through thrift shops, you can find Tumi luggage, Kate Spade bags, Bruno Magli loafers, cameras, laptops, golf clubs, and more, all at a much lower price than retail.
Wall Drug Store – South Dakota
This drugstore in South Dakota is a popular tourist attraction. It is known for its roadside billboards that advertise “free ice water” many states before reaching the store. Despite being a tourist trap, it is actually worth visiting. They offer 5-cent coffee, free ice water and plenty of entertainment options that would appeal to fans of low-quality films. Make sure you see the animatronic dinosaurs.
Also read: Kayak Just Named This U.S. City Most Popular Destination for Summer Travel
Coral Castle – Florida
This popular destination in Homestead is a unique and quirky expression of one person’s self-made tribute to a past love. Ed Leedskalnin, an immigrant from Latvia, spent almost 30 years (1923-1951) building a mock castle. He dug up more than 2.2 million tonnes of coral rock to construct it. The engineering of it was once a bit of a mystery, especially since Romeo, who was heartbroken, worked secretly at night without using any mortar. Some people say that the marvel has unique electromagnetic properties.
Lucy the Elephant – New Jersey
When you drive around the beach communities just south of Atlantic City, you’ll come across something huge, grey, and kitschy that will catch your attention: Lucy the Elephant is a 65-foot-tall wooden elephant that was built in 1881. It was part of a strange plan by a developer to attract people to buy land in the area. The building had many different uses over time, including being a hotel, beach cottage, private mansion and finally a tavern. However, rowdy patrons almost caused significant damage to the building. Lucy, who is now recognised on the National Register of Historic Places, is a beloved part of the city.
Roswell – New Mexico
If you believe in the idea that “The Truth is Out There,” then Roswell, New Mexico is a must-visit destination for you. It is a place that should be included in any list. In 1947, something unknown crashed at a ranch nearby. It wasn’t a big deal, but the military tried really hard to keep it a secret, which made many people believe that aliens had arrived!
The city has become a unique and interesting place for people from all over the world, thanks to their curiosity about extraterrestrial beings and the creative ideas of the locals. The downtown street lamps have bulbous white heads that glow.
Meteor Crater – Arizona
The second most impressive hole in Arizona was created by a blazing meteor that entered the atmosphere around 50,000 years ago, during a time when giant sloths lived in the area. Meteor Crater is located 40 miles east of Flagstaff and is an incredible site for people with a vivid imagination. The crater is almost a mile wide and 600 feet deep. There are lookout points around the edge of the crater, but hiking to the bottom is not allowed. Come and visit our exciting and educational visitor centre.
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