Hit or Miss? 15 Roadside Attractions Worth Visiting (And A Few To Skip)

Road trips across America offer more than just changing landscapes and highway rest stops. Hidden along our nation’s highways are quirky, wonderful, and sometimes downright bizarre attractions that have become legendary pit stops for travelers.

Some of these roadside wonders are truly worth the detour, while others might leave you wondering why you bothered to pull over in the first place.

1. Cadillac Ranch, Texas – HIT

Ever seen ten Cadillacs buried nose-down in a dusty Texas field? This iconic art installation has been stopping traffic since 1974. Visitors are encouraged to bring spray paint and leave their mark, creating an ever-changing canvas of color against the Amarillo sky.

The best time to visit is either early morning or late afternoon when the Texas sun isn’t scorching. Pack water and wear closed-toe shoes – the area gets muddy after rain, and broken spray cans litter the ground.

2. South of the Border, South Carolina – MISS

What started as a humble beer stand has morphed into a tacky tourist trap with questionable Mexican stereotypes. The giant sombrero tower and mascot Pedro greet travelers on I-95, promising exotic wonders but delivering dated attractions and mediocre food.

Despite having over 100 billboards advertising its greatness, this sprawling complex feels trapped in the 1960s. The gift shops sell mostly junk, the rides are often broken, and the whole place has a neglected feel that’s more depressing than entertaining.

3. Wall Drug, South Dakota – HIT

Free ice water started it all! This legendary pharmacy-turned-tourist-mecca began luring parched travelers in 1931 and hasn’t stopped since. Now spanning a whole block, Wall Drug offers everything from homemade donuts to western wear beneath quirky taxidermy and animated displays.

Kids love the giant animatronic T-Rex that roars every 12 minutes. Don’t miss the backyard area with its 80-foot brontosaurus and photo ops galore. Though touristy, the 5-cent coffee and friendly atmosphere make this iconic stop genuinely worth your time when traveling near Badlands National Park.

4. The Thing, Arizona – MISS

Hundreds of billboards along Interstate 10 build anticipation for this mysterious attraction. “What is The Thing?” they tease. After paying your admission and walking through three sheds of random oddities, you’ll discover… well, I won’t spoil it completely.

Let’s just say the main attraction is underwhelming and clearly fake. The gift shop sells the usual tacky souvenirs, and the whole experience takes about 15 minutes. While it’s become somewhat of a road trip tradition, this mystery stop is more about the journey (those endless billboards) than the destination.

5. Carhenge, Nebraska – HIT

Imagine Stonehenge, but made entirely of vintage American cars painted gray. This quirky art installation near Alliance, Nebraska creates a perfect photo opportunity that’s both bizarre and strangely beautiful against the prairie landscape.

Created by artist Jim Reinders as a memorial to his father, Carhenge features 39 vehicles arranged in the same pattern as the famous stones in England. Unlike many roadside attractions, it’s completely free to visit. The surrounding Car Art Reserve features additional automotive sculptures that add to the surreal experience.

6. Foamhenge, Virginia – HIT

Who needs to travel to England when you can see a full-scale Stonehenge replica made entirely of foam? This whimsical creation by artist Mark Cline perfectly mimics the proportions of the original while weighing considerably less.

Originally located in Natural Bridge, it moved to Cox Farms in Centreville in 2017. The detail is impressive – each “stone” is carefully painted to match the weathered look of the original. Though it might sound silly, there’s something magical about wandering through this foam monument, especially at sunrise or sunset.

7. Corn Palace, South Dakota – HIT

Imagine a building decorated with thousands of bushels of corn, grain, and native grasses. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Mitchell’s famous Corn Palace, a celebration of agricultural abundance that dates back to 1892.

Each year brings a completely new theme with elaborate murals made entirely from natural materials. Inside, you’ll find basketball courts (it’s a functioning arena), historical exhibits, and gift shops. While some find it a bit corny (pun intended), the artistic craftsmanship is genuinely impressive.

8. Lucy the Elephant, New Jersey – HIT

Standing six stories tall on the Jersey Shore, Lucy is America’s oldest roadside attraction and the world’s largest elephant-shaped building. Built in 1881 as a real estate promotion, this National Historic Landmark has survived hurricanes, lightning strikes, and numerous threats of demolition.

Visitors can climb inside this architectural marvel for guided tours through rooms built within her wooden frame. From her howdah (the carriage on her back), you’ll enjoy spectacular ocean views. Recently restored to her original glory, Lucy proves that sometimes the oldest attractions remain the most charming.

9. Hole N’ The Rock, Utah – HIT

Carved into a massive sandstone boulder near Moab sits one of America’s most unusual homes. This 5,000-square-foot dwelling features 14 rooms blasted out of solid rock by one determined couple over 20 years of hard work.

Tours take you through their remarkable achievement, complete with original furnishings and quirky decorations. Outside, you’ll find a small zoo, collection of mining equipment, and the graves of the creators marked by a 15-foot-high white cross cut into the red rock face. The combination of natural beauty and human determination makes this stop genuinely fascinating.

10. Winchester Mystery House, California – HIT

Staircases leading to nowhere, doors opening into walls, and windows overlooking other rooms – welcome to America’s most bewildering mansion. Built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the rifle fortune, this sprawling 160-room Victorian was under continuous construction for 38 years.

Legend claims Sarah built nonstop to confuse the ghosts of those killed by Winchester rifles. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, the architectural oddities are fascinating. Tours highlight the bizarre features and luxurious craftsmanship alike. Though pricier than most roadside attractions, the blend of history, architecture, and mystery makes it worth every penny.

11. World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Kansas – MISS

Frank Stoeber began rolling twine in 1953, and his creation has become the stuff of roadside legend. Located in tiny Cawker City, the ball weighs over 20,000 pounds and measures more than 40 feet in circumference.

While impressive in concept, the reality is somewhat underwhelming – it’s literally just a giant ball of twine sitting under a gazebo. You can add your own piece of twine during the annual Twine-a-thon, but otherwise, you’ll spend about five minutes here taking photos before wondering why you detoured. Unless you’re a dedicated collector of “world’s largest” attractions, this one’s skippable.

12. Salvation Mountain, California – HIT

Rising from the desert floor near the Salton Sea stands a vibrant testament to one man’s faith and artistic vision. Leonard Knight spent decades creating this 50-foot tall, 150-foot wide painted mountain covered in biblical verses and colorful imagery.

Made from local clay, hay bales, and thousands of gallons of donated paint, this folk art masterpiece dazzles with its rainbow hues against the stark desert backdrop. The surrounding area feels almost post-apocalyptic, adding to the surreal experience. Despite the remote location, this labor of love attracts visitors from around the world seeking inspiration in its joyful message.

13. Enchanted Highway, North Dakota – HIT

For 32 miles along a rural North Dakota backroad, enormous metal sculptures rise from the prairie like visions from a dream. Created by local artist Gary Greff to save his dying hometown, these massive installations include 110-foot tall birds, giant fish leaping from fields, and a family of tin men.

Each sculpture has its own pull-off area with informational signs. The detail is impressive, especially considering most were built from repurposed farm equipment and oil industry materials. Unlike many attractions that disappoint, these sculptures actually appear larger and more impressive in person than in photos.

14. Cabazon Dinosaurs, California – MISS

You might recognize these concrete dinosaurs from films like Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, but the actual experience falls short of Hollywood magic. The 150-foot-long Apatosaurus and 65-foot-tall T-Rex stand proudly beside Interstate 10 near Palm Springs, looking impressive from the highway.

Unfortunately, to get close to these prehistoric creatures requires paying for access to a mediocre dinosaur park with outdated animatronics and creationist messaging that many find off-putting. The gift shop inside the T-Rex’s belly is overpriced, and the whole attraction feels neglected. Take your free photos from the parking lot and continue your journey.

15. Fremont Troll, Seattle – HIT

Lurking beneath the Aurora Bridge in Seattle’s quirky Fremont neighborhood, a massive stone troll crushes a real Volkswagen Beetle in his hand while his single shiny hubcap eye watches passersby. This beloved public sculpture was created in 1990 by four local artists who won a community competition.

Unlike most attractions on this list, the Troll sits in an urban setting that’s worth exploring. After snapping photos with this 18-foot monster, you can visit Fremont’s many shops, restaurants, and other public art installations. The lack of admission fee and authentic neighborhood setting make this detour a worthwhile urban adventure.