There’s no shortage of interesting tourist attractions in America, but some are stranger than others. And while the destinations on this list might not be as iconic as the Statue of Liberty or the Grand Canyon, they’ll certainly make for good stories when you return home. Here are seven of the weirdest tourist attractions in the U.S.
Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California
Few houses are so famous they’ve inspired several books and movies, but few houses are as strange as the aptly named Winchester Mystery House. The curious mansion was designed and endlessly redesigned by Sarah Winchester following the death of her husband, firearms magnate William Wirt Winchester, in 1881. It took on a maze-like quality as Winchester continuously added more rooms to the house, sometimes abandoning them before completion and moving on to a new project as the property spiraled out of control. The house became a tourist attraction after her own death in 1922 and, more than a century later, continues to inspire curiosity and fear (rumors persist that the house is haunted) in equal measure.
Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery – Salem, Massachusetts
More than three centuries on, Salem remains best known for the witch trials that took place there in 1692. Should you find yourself in the self-proclaimed “Witch City” to learn more about its dark history, be sure to make time for Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery. The monster museum is an essential stop for horror fans, with more than 60 life-size recreations of (in)famous figures from the genre — including Pennywise the Clown, the Phantom of the Opera, and the Creature From the Black Lagoon, to name just a few. If you can’t make it in person anytime soon, there’s also a webstore to satisfy your curiosity.
Clown Motel – Tonopah, Nevada
Speaking of scary, intrepid travelers who don’t suffer from coulrophobia (a fear of clowns) would do well to stop at the Clown Motel next time they’re driving through central Nevada. Located a stone’s throw away from the Old Tonopah Cemetery (and the many Wild West outlaws buried there) and featuring more than 2,000 clowns, it might also serve as helpful exposure therapy for anyone who does suffer from this common phobia. After you’ve had your fill of clowns, be sure to explore the early 20th-century mining history of this fascinating town, which has earned the nickname “Queen of the Silver Camps.”
Big Things in a Small Town – Casey, Illinois
Bigger isn’t always better, but that doesn’t make the prospect of seeing the world’s largest rocking chair any less appealing. Or perhaps you’re interested in seeing the world’s largest mailbox, barbershop pole, and teeter totter. You can see these curiosities — as well as a rather large (but not the largest) mousetrap, horseshoe, and knitting needle, among many others — all in the small town of Casey, Illinois.
The idea for “Big Things in a Small Town” stemmed from local business owner Jim Bolin, who wanted to draw visitors to his hometown. All of these objects, which are spread across Casey and not part of an individual roadside attraction, are free to visit. And because most of them are outdoors, there’s nothing but your own sleep schedule preventing you from doing so in the middle of the night, should you feel so inclined.
Musical Highway – Tijeras, New Mexico
You don’t even have to leave your car to experience this unique stretch of Route 66, which sounds like it’s singing to you. The Musical Highway was installed in 2014 as a clever way to get motorists to slow down, using rumble strips placed at precise intervals to play the classic tune “America the Beautiful” as long as they maintained a speed of 45 mph. In the past, drivers would know they had reached the stretch when they saw signs reading “reduce to 45 mph” and “to hear the song,” but sadly, those markers and many of the rumble strips have since been removed. That means drivers will now hear only a short portion of the song, and there are no current plans to restore the attraction to its former glory due to high costs.
Carhenge – Alliance, Nebraska
Carhenge, as you may have guessed, is a replica of the considerably more famous Stonehenge — but instead of giant stones, it’s made of cars. Many of the 39 vehicles that comprise the sculpture are half-buried in the ground at an upright angle, while others are balanced atop to mimic the original. They are painted gray and arranged in a circle with the same 96-foot diameter as Stonehenge. But unlike with the original, we know who built it. Jim Reinders, who was first inspired to recreate the enigmatic structure while living in England, did so as a memorial to his father in 1987, and Carhenge has been open to the public ever since. In addition to the main sculpture, you can also see other automotive works of art at the Car Art Reserve.
World’s Biggest Beagle – Cottonwood, Idaho
The world’s biggest beagle isn’t actually alive — it’s a 30-foot-tall building off U.S. Route 95 in Cottonwood, Idaho, that’s been open to the public since 2003. Dog Bark Park Inn is the brainchild of a husband-and-wife team who, in addition to making chainsaw art of dogs and other animals (most of which will set you back $65 should you choose to avail yourself of the gift shop), ran a bed-and-breakfast on the property until retiring that portion of the business in early 2024. It’s still a must-see for dog lovers and anyone who appreciates their oddity to be of the wholesome variety.
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