15 Must-See Offbeat Attractions in the U.S. You Need to Visit at Least Once
If you love the weird, the wonderful, and the downright unexpected, you’re in for a treat. The U.S. is packed with offbeat attractions that go beyond the usual tourist spots, offering everything from quirky museums to mind-bending roadside wonders.
Business Line reports that the travel industry’s demand for offbeat destinations and hidden gems has skyrocketed. Here are 15 must-see offbeat attractions in the U.S. you need to visit at least once.
The Mystery Spot (Santa Cruz, California)
Prepare to have your perception of reality challenged at this gravitational anomaly. Located in the redwood forests of Santa Cruz, the Mystery Spot has been puzzling visitors since 1941. Here, balls roll uphill, people grow and shrink, and the laws of physics seem to bend.
Although this site covers less than an acre, it attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. The tour includes a series of mind-bending demonstrations that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about gravity.
Carhenge (Alliance, Nebraska)
Imagine Stonehenge but with classic American cars instead of stones. This quirky roadside attraction, created by Jim Reinders in 1987, features 39 vintage automobiles arranged in a circle.
Standing 96 feet in diameter, Carhenge replicates the dimensions of its ancient counterpart in England. The site draws approximately 60,000 visitors each year, a testament to American ingenuity and our enduring love affair with cars.
The House on the Rock (Spring Green, Wisconsin)
Step into a world of eccentricity and wonder at this architectural marvel. Alex Jordan Jr. built this attraction in the 1940s, and it has grown into a complex of themed rooms, exotic collections, and elaborate displays.
The house features the world’s largest indoor carousel and an “Infinity Room” extending 218 feet over a valley. With over 3,000 windows and millions of unique items, it’s a sensory overload that attracts over 500,000 visitors annually. This is the perfect spot for fans of the strange and unusual. It boasts massive collections and interactive displays that bring the mysteries to life.
The International Cryptozoology Museum (Portland, Maine)
Founded by Loren Coleman in 2003, it houses over 10,000 specimens and artifacts related to cryptozoology. The museum showcases a fascinating collection of legendary creatures, featuring everything from Bigfoot footprint casts to alleged Yeti hair samples.
It’s the world’s only cryptozoology museum and attracts cryptid enthusiasts from around the globe. Discover the fascinating world of cryptids, where folklore and science intersect. Visit a museum like no other, filled with unique and intriguing exhibits.
Salvation Mountain (Niland, California)
Witness a colossal piece of folk art in the California desert. Alle Abroad reports that Leonard Knight built Salvation Mountain as a tribute to God. Made from adobe, straw, and thousands of gallons of paint, it’s a riot of color in the barren landscape.
Designated as a National Folk Art Site, it draws over 100,000 visitors annually to its remote location near the Salton Sea. Experience an inspiring showcase of creativity and determination. It’s a must-visit for art and photography lovers.
The Paper House (Rockport, Massachusetts)
Built in 1922 by Elis F. Stenman, this unique summer home features walls made from 215 layers of varnished newspaper. The structure, which has stood for over a century, incorporates an estimated 100,000 newspapers in its construction. Roadtrippers reports that the Paper House, built with 100,000 newspapers, features a working fireplace, electricity, and running water.
Visitors can marvel at furniture crafted entirely from rolled newspapers, including a desk made from reports of Charles Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight. Step inside a home built over 100 years ago that was ahead of its time in environmental design. Discover sustainable building concepts with a creative twist.
The Clown Motel (Tonopah, Nevada)
Established in 1985, this unique lodging boasts a collection of over 2,000 clown figurines, creating a fascinating and unnerving atmosphere. The motel’s 31 themed rooms, including the Halloween Suite, offer guests an unforgettable, spine-chilling experience. The Los Angeles Times reports that the infamous Clown Motel’s eerie atmosphere and haunting reputation attract scores of curious visitors.
Adding to the eerie ambiance, the Clown Motel sits adjacent to the historic Old Tonopah Cemetery, home to the graves of miners who perished in a 1911 fire. Perfect for thrill-seekers and those who love unique places to stay. This is a once-in-a-lifetime lodging experience you won’t forget.
The Fremont Troll (Seattle, Washington)
This 18-foot-tall concrete sculpture depicts a troll clutching an actual Volkswagen Beetle, creating a surreal scene from a fairy tale. Crafted by four local artists, the troll was part of a competition to rehabilitate the area under the bridge, which had become a dumping ground and haven for drug dealers.
NW Maids reports that locals estimate around 100,000 people visit the Fremont Troll annually. This iconic landmark stands out in a city known for its art and innovation. It’s also the perfect spot for capturing Instagram-worthy moments.
The Mutter Museum (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Established in 1863, this unique institution houses over 20,000 specimens, including preserved organs, skeletal remains, and medical instruments. Among its most famous exhibits are the conjoined liver of Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker and a collection of 139 human skulls.
The Mütter Museum‘s official website reports that its reputation continues to grow, attracting over 130,000 visitors annually. Take a fascinating deep dive into the history of medicine and anatomy. It’s an experience that’s guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.
Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas)
Created in 1974 by the art collective Ant Farm, this installation features ten vintage Cadillacs half-buried nose-first in the ground, their tail fins pointing skyward. Visitors are encouraged to leave their mark by spray-painting the cars, creating an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors and designs.
Texas Highways calls Cadillac Ranch a must-see for Route 66 road trippers, attracting over 1.4 million visitors annually. This vibrant roadside stop in the Texan desert is a must-see.
Lucy the Elephant (Margate, New Jersey)
This 90-ton wooden and tin behemoth, built initially as a real estate gimmick, has survived hurricanes, floods, and even a fire to become America’s oldest surviving roadside attraction. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976, Lucy attracts over 130,000 visitors annually to climb her spiral staircase and enjoy panoramic views from her howdah.
The Save Lucy Committee has invested over $1.5 million to restore this unique zoomorphic architecture to its original splendor. Guided tours of this whimsical pachyderm occur every 30 minutes, offering a glimpse into the quirky history of American tourism.
The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)
Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, this quirky museum houses over 20,000 pairs of salt and pepper shakers worldwide. Founded by archaeologist Andrea Ludden in 2002, the collection spans centuries, with some pieces dating back to the 1500s.
Visitors can marvel at shakers shaped like everything from presidents to vegetables, all meticulously organized by theme behind glass cases. The museum also boasts a collection of 1,500 pepper mills and offers a unique $3 admission fee that can be applied toward purchasing a shaker set in the gift shop.
Bubblegum Alley (San Luis Obispo, California)
In the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo lies a sticky testament to human quirkiness – a 70-foot-long alley adorned with thousands of pieces of chewed gum. This colorful and somewhat grotesque attraction has accumulated gum deposits since the 1960s despite numerous attempts to clean it up.
Visitors are encouraged to contribute their masticated creations to the ever-growing display, which now covers 15-foot-high walls from ground to roofline. The alley has become a beloved local landmark and tourist attraction, drawing over 400,000 visitors annually despite concerns from health officials. It’s estimated that the alley contains over 2 million pieces of gum, creating a truly unique and interactive art installation.
The Museum of Bad Art (Boston, Massachusetts)
Celebrating the best of the worst, this unconventional museum showcases art that’s “too bad to be ignored.” Founded in 1994, the museum’s collection began with a single painting in the trash and has since grown to over 700 pieces of spectacularly awful artwork.
With exhibitions rotating through various locations in the Boston area, the museum displays about 50 to 70 pieces at a time, each accompanied by witty curatorial commentary. Despite its tongue-in-cheek approach, the museum has gained international recognition, attracting over 8,000 visitors annually and inspiring similar institutions worldwide. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, failure can be just as compelling as success in art.
The Devil’s Kettle (Minnesota)
The Brule River splits around a rock outcropping. Half the river tumbles 50 feet into a pool, while the other half disappears into a deep hole known as the Devil’s Kettle. Researchers have been baffled about where this water goes for years, with theories ranging from underground caves to a connection with Lake Superior.
In 2017, hydrologists finally solved the mystery, revealing that the water rejoins the river shortly downstream. Despite this explanation, the Devil’s Kettle remains captivating, drawing thousands of hikers annually to witness this natural wonder. The 1.5-mile trail to reach the falls offers stunning views of the North Shore landscape, making it a must-see for nature enthusiasts and mystery lovers.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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