How Well Do You Know Your Country?
If you’ve been born and bred in the US of A, then you know there are many historical and significant landmarks scattered throughout the country. From the zany road trip stops to the monumental natural landscapes, these are places every American truly needs to see. So next time you’re packing in for a long drive, these are 20 places to tick off your list.
1. Salvation Mountain, Niland, California
Salvation Mountain is a hand-painted hill of adobe, straw, and love. Created single-handedly by Leonard Knight over several decades, it’s coated in neon murals and easy-to-read biblical verses. Salvation Mountain is a reminder of the creativity and devotion of just one person in the middle of the desert.
2. World’s Largest Kokopelli, Camp Verde, Arizona
Basking in the sun at the side of the highway, this larger-than-life Kokopelli brings to mind his role as a Native American fertility and music god. It honors the cultural history of the Southwest in which this gargantuan version was created. An impressive sculpture celebrating the Southwest's Native American heritage and artistry.
Alan Levine from Strawberry, United States on Wikimedia
3. Glass Beach, Fort Bragg, California
A former garbage dump, over time this beach became a beautiful shoreline carpeted with smooth, colorful sea glass. Nature literally cleansed this place, turning waste into treasure. It’s a lesson in restoration, how time and patience can mend even the most man-made wounds.
4. The World’s Largest Collection Of…
America has a soft spot for “world’s largest” attractions, and this museum lovingly skewers it. Mini replicas of roadside monstrosities from all over the country pay tribute to each one. It's playful, it's sassy, it's a salute to eccentricity, all executed with wit and affection.
5. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine
What began as one man’s hobby became a town pastime. People have continued to add twine to the massive ball. It’s an act of small-town pride and the fun of doing something together that shows how ordinary things can become extraordinary when communities band together.
Mantas Sinkevičius on Unsplash
6. Cross in the Woods, Indian River, Michigan
Towering above the tree line, this colossal bronze cross serves as both a religious site and a tranquil haven. It evokes themes of faith, introspection, and the link between nature and the divine. Its idyllic surroundings make it a favorite roadside attraction in Michigan.
7. Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Legend says this cliff was named because the wind seems to be blowing up over it. Native American lore surrounds this natural marvel and its unusual currents. Generation after generation have been inspired by the Blowing Rock’s combination of folklore and picturesque mountain views.
8. The UFO Watchtower, Hooper, Colorado
Nestled in the expansive San Luis Valley, this eccentric lookout is a quirky spot for scanning the skies in search of unidentified flying objects. It’s both a serious congregation point for believers and a whimsical, imaginative stop for curious travelers. Spot something or not, the view of the stars is unforgettable.
9. Face Rock, Bandon, Oregon
According to Native legend, the face on this rock jutting out into the sea belonged to a princess petrified into stone. It appears to be gazing up at the heavens for all eternity. It's a powerful example of nature and storytelling along the Oregon coast.
10. The Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Arizona
Constructed in the 1950s on historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel allows you to sleep inside massive teepee-shaped rooms. It’s a celebration of mid-century America’s “can-do” road-trip spirit. Spend the night and get a taste of travel’s golden age.
11. Bigfoot Statue, Kid Valley, Washington
In the forests of the Pacific Northwest, this towering Bigfoot statue salutes one of America’s favorite mysteries. If you’re a believer or not, it’s a fun symbol of local folklore and adventure. It keeps alive the spirit of curiosity that fuels so many road trips.
12. The Museum of Bad Art, Somerville, Massachusetts
Showcasing art that is “too bad to be ignored,” this is the perfect museum for anyone who loves creativity in all its weird, wonderful forms. Not all art is perfect, and not every piece of it has to be eternal. It’s about the beauty of imperfection, the bravery of making, and a reminder that art is for everyone.
13. Dignity: Of Earth & Sky, Chamberlain, South Dakota
Meet this mighty monument of stainless-steel magnificence: a Native American woman with the strength of the Lakota and Dakota spirit soaring through her. Her star quilt billows in the prairie breeze, a powerful symbol of respect, resilience, and pride. It's a breathtaking ode to heritage and hope in modern monolith form.
daveynin from United States on Wikimedia
14. The Paper House, Rockport, Massachusetts
Constructed of layers of newspaper, this home was made almost entirely from paper. Built by a Swedish immigrant during the 1920s, even the furniture inside is made of paper. It is a unique tribute to thrift, ingenuity, and the American spirit of making something from nothing.
15. Devils Punch Bowl, Otter Rock, Oregon
The sea cave that was sculpted by the pounding power of the ocean is a sight to see and a monument to what nature can do. It resembles a giant punch bowl where the churning and crashing of the sea meets. Beautiful and ferocious, a wonderful example of the Oregon Coast's power and wild majesty.
16. The Enchanted Highway, Regent, North Dakota
A number of miles long, it's lined with massive metal sculptures showing you everything from grasshoppers to geese. Built by one guy to draw people to his small hometown, it's a labor of love and community pride. The road literally becomes an outdoor art gallery.
17. Carhenge, Alliance, Nebraska
This roadside attraction replicates Stonehenge in England, but with rusted old cars painted gray. It's both a knowing spoof and a tribute to America's love affair with the automobile. It's proof that humor and creativity can transform trash into treasure.
18. Rose Creek Mine, Franklin, North Carolina
Dig for real rubies, sapphires, and other stones through dirt at this gem mine. The Rose Creek Mine offers families an interactive look at the area's mining history and natural riches. It’s a fun and instructive lesson in how adventure can lie just under our feet.
Robert M. Lavinsky on Wikimedia
19. The Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend, Iowa
Constructed of precious stones and minerals by one priest, this enormous religious shrine is referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Every detail was painstakingly created by hand as a tribute to faith and beauty. An artistic masterpiece as well as a labor of love, it took decades to finish.
20. World’s Largest Chest of Drawers, High Point, North Carolina
The “Furniture Capital of the World” wouldn’t be complete without this towering monument to the city’s heritage in furniture-making. Donning floppy socks that dangle comically from its drawers, it also tells a fun and cheeky story about local pride. This quirky chest shows that craftsmanship is embedded in the story of America.
