Unique Roadside Attractions across America
If you’ve ever a taken long drive down a meandering stretch of highway, you may be familiar with the intriguing advertisements that tend to dot the landscape, beckoning travelers to explore gems nestled in nearby small towns. From towering monuments to captivating curiosities, America boasts an array of roadside attractions that offer weary tourists a refreshing pause from their lengthy journeys. Here’s a closer look at six of the most extraordinary of these destinations and what makes each one unique.
Lucy the Elephant
(Margate, New Jersey)
One of three elephants designed and built by engineer and inventor James Lafferty, Lucy the Elephant is the only one that remains today. The building has served many purposes since it was erected in 1881; originally constructed to draw homebuyers to the area, it has operated as a tavern and a residence before becoming a roadside attraction. Lucy was actually set to be demolished in the sixties but was saved by a community campaign, even gaining designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and being fully restored in 2000. Visitors can take a guided tour through the six-story architectural marvel, which begins through a spiral staircase inside one of the elephant’s legs. Operating hours vary throughout the year, so be sure to check the attraction’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Leaning Tower of Niles
(Niles, Illinois)
A 2019 entry to the National Register of Historic Places, this Illinois destination offers travelers the opportunity to see a half-sized replica of one of Italy’s most famous architectural wonders—the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The structure was completed in 1934 and, after decades of freeze-thaw cycles that caused cracking, was restored to its original glory in the nineties. In addition to the tower, visitors can observe four fountains and a thirty-foot reflecting pool on the premises. Bells also ring at various times throughout the day, playing familiar tunes like “On Top of Old Smokey” and “My Favorite Things.” So if you don’t expect to make it to Europe any time soon, consider popping by this attraction located just northwest of Chicago for an akin yet entirely unique experience.
Wall Drug
(Wall, South Dakota)
What started as a simple local drug store in South Dakota has since transformed into one of the world’s most well-known tourist attractions, becoming a must-see spot for those traveling to sites like Rapid City, Mount Rushmore, and Badlands National Park. Visitors can take a break in Wall Drug’s Western Art Gallery Restaurant, which is filled with art and illustrations and offers burgers, donuts, and five-cent coffee. During the summer months, kids can enjoy the backyard area with a water show, mini Mount Rushmore, life-sized robotic T-Rex, and much more. And don’t forgo the delicacy that helped Wall Drug earn its initial success in the 1930s—a free glass of refreshing ice water.
Cadillac Ranch
(Amarillo, Texas)
In 1974, a group of artists from San Francisco worked with a local entrepreneur to do something a little different in Amarillo, Texas: bury ten Cadillacs nose deep in the dirt at the same angle as the Great Pyramid of Giza. It’s no wonder the installation baffled locals at the time. Since its creation, it has become a hit tourist spot along Route 66; the cars are continually covered in new graffiti-style art as more people stop by to add their signatures to the art piece. You never know what fresh designs you might see each time you take a break at Cadillac Ranch.
The World’s Largest Elkhorn Arch
(Afton, Wyoming)
Spanning Route 89 near the Idaho border in Afton, Wyoming, this attraction may not be as widely known as Jackson Hole’s Elk Antler Arch, but it is considerably larger. Standing eighteen feet tall and seventy-five feet wide, the arch is constructed entirely of foraged elk antlers and topped with two life-sized bull elk carved from wood. Fear not, however: no animals were harmed in the making of this structure. Elk naturally shed their antlers every spring, so the Afton Chamber of Commerce decided to put them to good use by crafting an arch to welcome visitors to and through the rustic Wyoming town.
Hole N” the Rock
(Moab, Utah)
Have you ever been in a 5,000-square-foot home carved into the side of a rock? If not, you have the chance to do so at this attraction on Highway 191 just fifteen miles south of Moab, Utah. Construction of this unique residence started in the 1940s, carving out fourteen rooms, an inset bathtub, and even a sixty-five-foot chimney. The original owners resided there until the seventies, with the wife building a gift shop and opening the home up for tours before she passed. Take a walk through the vast grounds, then visit the general store or the petting zoo, which features an ostrich, a mini donkey, peacocks, and more. You’ve likely never seen a landmark quite like this, so if you find yourself traveling through the Beehive State, make sure to take a detour to this literal hole-in-the-wall attraction.
As you embark on your next road trip, consider going off book and exploring some of America’s most interesting roadside stops. You never know what marvels you might encounter or unforgettable experiences you might have when you venture off the beaten path.