Strange Stops To Make Along The Way
A road trip is just as much about the journey as it is the destination. However, not all journeys are created equally. While some roadside attractions are worth the hype, others are more skippable than they are memorable.
1. World's Largest Ball Of Twine
Taking your family to see the world's largest ball of twine feels like a threat rather than a vacation. Not only is it underwhelming in size (there are much better super-size objects across America), but it isn't near anything else! The nearest major city is 2.5 hours away and it's Wichita at that.
August Schwerdfeger on Wikimedia
2. Wall Drug Store
More than 2 million tourists visit Wall Drug Store in South Dakota every year. This sprawling shopping complex is just 10 minutes away from stunning Badlands National Park, which is why, we imagine, it receives half the tourism it does. The other half, we assume, is people feeling brow-beaten by the incessant billboards.
Coemgenus at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
3. The World Famous Clown Motel
Dubbed "America's scariest motel" this coulrophobia-inducing spot to rest your head has more than 400 pieces of clown memorabilia. While the clown motel may be fine to admire, we're not sure you should spend your cash on a room. There are motels that won't give your kids nightmares.
4. Carhenge
We don't begrudge flyover states like Nebraska relying on gimmicks to bring in tourist traffic. However, is it so hard to put in a little effort? Just like Stonehenge, there isn't anything to do at Carhenge other than say "yep" and get back into the car.
5. Fremont Troll
You've heard of toll roads but what about troll roads? Lurking under one of Seattle's bridges is this gaudy, ever-growing concrete monstrosity. The saving grace with the Fremont Troll is that at least you have the rest of Seattle to explore.
6. The Four Corners Monument
Have you ever wanted to straddle four states at the same time? Avoid the Four Corners Monument allegedly encompassing Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. There's been controversy over the accuracy of its borders since the early 20th century.
7. Desert Of Maine
When it doubt, monetize your failures. That's the motto of the Desert of Maine, an oddity caused by poor farming attractions. Where there are camels and minigolf to be found, it is, essentially, a big sandbox in the middle of Maine.
8. Clark's Bears
Small, privately-owned zoos can be just as engaging and educational as big ones. The same cannot be said of Clark's Bears in New Hampshire. Here, black bears eat ice cream, play "bearsketball", and perform all manner of circus tricks for an audience just as captive as they are.
9. Michigan Mystery Spot
You know those "museums of illusions" that are really glorified selfie spots? That's essentially what the Michigan Mystery Spot is, only on a grander scale. Save your money and enjoy the natural beauty Mackinac County has to offer.
10. Ark Encounter
There are plenty of reasons why you should avoid Kentucky's Ark Encounter biblical theme park from its tax controversies. However, the most pragmatic reason is that it costs a small fortune. General admission is $31.99 for youth and $64.99 for adults—and that's without the heavenly zipline!
Now that we've covered some roadside attractions that aren't worth the hype, let's look at a few that are.
1. Grotto Of The Redemption
Even if you aren't religious, the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa is worth the visit from Des Moines. This astounding religious shrine is almost entirely made up of minerals, shells, and fossils, for one of the world's largest collections. The craftsmanship on display is astounding.
2. House On The Rock
The House on the Rock in southern Wisconsin is a house unlike any other. From collections of self-playing instruments to the world's largest indoor carousel, there are endless curiosities to explore. Plan to stay for at least 4 hours and eat before you go—an hour south is a restaurant with 50 different hamburgers.
Richie Diesterheft from Chicago, IL, USA on Wikimedia
3. The Enchanted Highway
Unlike the largest ball of twine, the Enchanted Highway is a series of larger-than-life objects that make you feel their scale. This collection of towering scrap metal sculptures is worth every inch of the 32-mile highway it occupies. The best part is that you technically don't even need to exit the car.
Carol Highsmith's America on Unsplash
4. National Route 66 Museum
Kitschy? Yes. But, we assume that if you're going to be driving Route 66 that you're not adverse to a bit of kitsch now and then. The museum in Elk City, Oklahoma may not be the biggest or the shiniest dedicated to this iconic road. However, it is undeniably charming.
5. Meteor Crater
50,000 years ago giant sloths roamed what's now the Flagstaff area before a massive meteor changed life as they knew it. Since tourist space travel isn't a thing yet, we'll just have to settle for Arizona's Meteor Crater, training astronauts since the 1960s. It's a pretty astounding consolation prize.
6. Glass Beach
What began as a way to dispose of garbage turned into a massive art installation. Next to California's MacKerricher State Park is this stunning display of the power of nature. You can look but not touch; taking glass home is formally discouraged to allow everyone to enjoy the Glass Beach.
7. Devils Punch Bowl
If you're driving up the Oregon coast, pull off at the Devils Punch Bowl, just 8 miles north of Newport. At high tide, this natural rock formation fills like an infernal cauldron. At low tide, you can climb inside of it, and maybe see some whales as well!
8. Gatorland
If you're driving through Florida, you're going to see gators no matter what. However, if you want to see the most gators for your dollar—including rare leucistic ones and others that would have been killed for their skin—you should check out the Alligator Capital of the World. Gatorland does great work and is one of the safest ways to encounter these massive reptiles.
9. Chandelier Tree
Drive-through trees like this one in Leggett, California used to be major tourist attractions in the 19th and 20th centuries. Unfortunately, tunneling isn't the best for a tree's lifespan. You should drive through one of the few remaining tree tunnels while you still have the chance.
Stephen Colebourne on Wikimedia
10. Roswell
Just like with the Route 66 Museum, we're not going to tell you to avoid Roswell because it's kitschy. Sometimes a little kitsch is exactly what you need to break up the monotony of a long drive. There are few better places in the Southwest to get a healthy dose of kitsch than in Roswell.
