The Weirdest Roadside Attractions By State

America's roads are full of surprises. While driving across the USA, there is a good chance that you will find something weird or funny around every corner. These roadside attractions in the USA must draw your attention, whether it is a shoe-shaped house, a giant ball of twine, or a dinosaur made of scrap metal. Some of these attractions are historical, while others are mind-blowing and just simple fun to see.

This guide will take you on a fun road trip around the U.S., where you can spot the weirdest and most memorable roadside attractions.
Buckle up — it’s going to be a ride stranger than your uncle’s conspiracy theories.

Do you want to see something really weird? The International Banana Museum is a place that is all about bananas. Yes, really — just bananas. It holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest banana collection in the world. The museum features more than 20,000 banana-themed items, with everything from banana-shaped toys to phones and clothing.  

Carhenge is Nebraska's unique tribute to England's popular Stonehenge. But artist Jim Reinders prefers to use old American cars instead of giant rocks — because why not? He organized them in the exact layout as the original Stonehenge and then painted them gray. This weird roadside attraction shows American creativity that makes you stop and think… or stop and go, “Is that a Buick in a sacred formation?” The plus point is you can also visit Nebraska's version of Pompeii on the other side of the state if you're heading east after exploring Carhenge.

In 1974, a millionaire, Stanley Marsh, buried ten old Cadillacs nose-first in a field near Amarillo, Texas. But why? To praise Route 66 and the golden age of American road travel — because logic has no place on this list. In 1997, when the city started growing, he moved farther west. It is also known as "Cadillac Ranch," and you will find this colorful spot along I-40 between exits 60 and 62. The most special thing about this is that people are allowed to bring spray paint and add their creative touch to the cars. (Yes, it's legal graffiti!) But you have to park on the south feeder road, a few miles west of Loop 335, and then make a short walk to get there. Totally worth the paint fumes.

You will find this Salvation Mountain hidden in the quiet California desert, near Joshua Tree. This colorful art piece was built by Leonard Knight over thirty years — because apparently painting a normal canvas just wasn’t enough. To build this beautiful rainbow-covered mountain, he used straw, adobe, and thousands of gallons of paint. It also gives a spiritual vibe with Bible verses, murals, and the repeated phrase "God is love," written on them. Salvation Mountain also provides entrance to Slab City, which is a nearby community just as weird and memorable.

This is a common debate between people about which twine ball is bigger. But Darwin is the most beloved and original among all of them — the OG of twine balls, if you will. Built by Francis A. Johnson, this huge ball was located 62 miles along US 12. The ball was wrapped by hand for more than 29 years and weighed an amazing 17,400 pounds. If you want to learn about the person behind this weird creation, head to the nearby museum and grab your own twine ball starter kit from the gift shop. Who knows — you might be the next twine legend.

When you drive this 32-mile road, you will observe giant metal sculptures of people, animals, and more. It was built by local artist Gary Greff to draw visitors to his small town — because billboards are just too ordinary. With huge geese, grasshoppers, and a small family waving hello, the Enchanted Highway has now become one of North Dakota's weirdest roadside attractions. It’s like a drive-thru art gallery... with giant bugs.

You can easily imagine by its name how it looks. Made entirely with newspaper, this beautiful house was built by a man named Elis Stenman. He was an engineer and built this weird house just to see how creative he is — or maybe he just ran out of wood. From furniture, walls to curtains, he made everything by using 100,000 newspapers and then coated them with a varnish. People have different opinions about this; some think it shows how creative an engineer can be, while others believe it is a symbol of recycling. Whatever the reason, it is a truly weird attraction that draws thousands of curious visitors every year. Just don’t visit during a rainstorm.

Unclaimed Baggage Center is one of the weirdest shopping spots in the country, located in Downtown Scottsboro, Alabama, right off Highway 279. Ever the thought comes to your mind about what happens to the lost airport's luggage that was never picked up? It ends up being here after 90 days. This huge store is about the size of Macy's, which sells items from unclaimed bags. You find fancy luggage, designer bags, laptops, cameras, and many other important items, but it takes some patience to dig through the goods. And the bonus point is that it all sells at a cheaper price than regular. It’s like a treasure hunt, but with someone else’s toothbrush.

Have you ever dreamed of sleeping in a teepee? Then you can do this at Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona. Located on historic Route 66, this motel features teepee-shaped rooms (a cone-shaped tent), which were a part of traditional Native American tribes. It is one of the last Wigwam surviving villages in the country, and a perfect spot for those who want to experience the golden age of American road trips. Bonus points if you wear fringe or cowboy boots.

Located in South Dakota, Wall Drug Store is one of the famous roadside attractions in the U.S. Even in other states, you will see billboards advertising it — some starting hundreds of miles away, just to build suspense. Once you get inside, there are many weird things to spot, such as an animatronic dinosaur that roars and moves, along with restaurants and souvenir shops. Though it is a little bit crowded, it is worth a stop on your road trip through South Dakota. Come for the dinosaur, stay for the free ice water.

In a nutshell, these weird roadside attractions show America's creative side, from teepee motels to giant twine balls. Every spot shows that all trips are not always about travel, but sometimes it is about the things you spot along the way. Whether it is a Cadillac buried in the ground, a vibrant mountain in the desert, or unclaimed luggage, every spot has something weird to experience.

So, plan to explore the best roadside attractions in the USA — because in the end, it’s always the strange stops that make the best stories.