Ah, yes - small-town America, heralded for its friendly folks, unpretentious vibes, and an overall charm that cities tend to lack. Life seems to move slower, allowing residents and visitors to unplug from the din of day-to-day life. The air smells different, fresher somehow, with a bit of sweetness from home-cooked meals prepared in cozy diners and piles of leaves set ablaze against the night sky.

As with everything, some American small towns are outliers, known more for their dark histories, bizarre attractions, and head-scratching traditions. These small towns in America are a little bit quirky, a little bit creepy, and entirely worth a visit if you'd like an out-of-the-box experience.

10 Waterbury, Vermont

Ben and Jerry's has crafted complex ice cream flavors for decades, and while many have stood the test of time, there were bound to be some that didn't make the cut. While unpopular with the masses, some of these flavors gained a special place in the hearts of ice cream lovers around the world.

The void may never get filled completely, but mourners can make a pilgrimage to Waterbury to find some necessary closure at the Ben and Jerry's Flavor Graveyard. All the flavors that have been laid to rest have a unique headstone, etched upon it a poem to capture the essence of all that was lost. Rest in paradise on the wings of angels, fallen comrades.

9 Kalkaska, Michigan

It started with a single pair of shoes, laces tied together and tossed into a tree in hopes for a better tomorrow - or something like that. Nobody knows who threw the first pair, but it would be interesting to hear what they'd say about what came of it. Today, shoe trees have sprouted up all over the country, but the most famous of them all is rooted in Kalkaska, Michigan. It's even on Google Maps.

Hundreds of shoes have made their way into the famous tree, many inscribed with accomplishments and future dreams. Some people have tried to sully the innocence of Kalkaska's Shoe Tree by suggesting the abandoned pairs belong to dead travelers, but it seems the tree has just become a creative way to ditch worn-out kicks.

8 Colma, California

In the case of a zombie apocalypse, it might be a good idea to know where not to go to maximize the odds of survival. Although Colma has less than 2,000 living residents, more than two million people and animals are buried in the tiny town's 17 cemeteries, including a couple of celebrities like Levi Strauss and Wyatt Earp. Colma became a cemetery city back in the day when San Francisco real estate was in high demand. The city went so far as to relocate bodies previously buried in the area into mass graves in Colma. Known as "The City of the Dead," Colma welcomes visitors but asks that they be respectful during their stay.

Related: 10 Of The Creepiest Cemeteries Around The World

7 Adams, Tennessee

Some places attempt to dispel rumors of evil, but that's not the case for Adams, Tennessee. The legend of the Bell Witch started during the 19th-century when the Bell family began to experience things they couldn't explain. Multiple family members reported seeing, hearing, or feeling a supernatural presence. Apparently, the entity began to speak after some coaxing. It informed them she was a troubled soul who intended to kill patriarch John Bell Sr., who subsequently passed mysteriously due to poisoning.

Over time, details have changed, as they do with legends, but one thing still stands - the residence of the infamous Bell Witch, a cave that spelunkers estimate to be nearly 15 miles deep. The town has leaned into the legend and offers tours of the cave and a replica of the Bell's home, containing some salvaged artifacts.

6 San Luis Obispo, California

Gone are the days when the standards for what counts as art were strictly imposed by "experts" bent on preserving antiquated definitions. Behold Bubblegum Alley, a passageway dedicated to safeguarding the salivatory creations of gum chewers from all over the world.

Hundreds of thousands of people head to the unofficial landmark in San Luis Obispo every year to snap Instagram-worthy photos surrounded by multi-colored wads of used gum pasted to the walls and weathered by the elements. Is it gross? Sure. But is it also kind of amazing that so many people have united to do something disgusting together? Definitely.

5 Hell, Michigan

Perhaps it's time to rethink the adage, "when Hell freezes over," because it does every year in Hell, Michigan. It might be surprising to find out that Hell on Earth exists in a state known for its brutal winters, but this list is full of the unexpected, isn't it? While the hamlet celebrates its unusual name year-round with clever shop names like the Hell Hole Bar and Scream's Ice Cream, things naturally get extra spooky during October. It's impossible to leave Hell without a keepsake and maybe even a couple of Christmas presents, so you'll be happy to know there's something for everyone at Scream's Souvenirs.

4 Casey, Illinois

People will know they've arrived in Casey when they see the giant mailbox. And the giant chair. And the giant teeter-totter. Alright, that's enough. There are 33 extra-large sculptures scattered all around, and Casey residents love when visitors come to see all the big things in their small town.

Casey resident, Jim Bolin, is responsible for most of the structures, which he built to thank the town that gave him the best life he could have asked for. The coolest thing about visiting is that it's free to see all the big stuff, and the town provides maps so you can be sure you've seen every last sculpture before it's time to go home.

Related: The 10 Craziest Roadside Attractions in Midwest America (& The Stories Behind Them)

3 Clarksdale, Mississippi

Everyone knows that the devil went down to Georgia, but fewer people know about the pit stop he made in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Rumor has it that legendary blues musician, Robert Johnson, sold his soul to the devil for fame. Three guitars on the pole of Highway 322/N mark the spot where he made the dark deal. If that's not enough to send a shiver up the spine, consider the titles of a couple of Johnson's biggest hits - "Me and the Devil Blues" and "Devil Got My Woman."

2 Lewes, Delaware

Fans of The Little Mermaid might want to sit this one out. The star of the show at The Zwaanenael Museum in Lewes is the skeleton of their "beloved merman." Technically, it's just a monkey's upper half fused to a fish body, so it's more a monkey fish than anything else, but still. The charming Dutch-style building features a deep dive into the history of Delaware's first European settlers. Part of that history involves the merman, who was given to a Lewes' resident by a sea captain. After the last family member passed away, the museum purchased the merman, and he's sat there upon a royal blue velvet pillow ever since.

1 Centralia, Pennsylvania

 Centralia was a small coal town just like any other until the early 1960s when an innocent garbage fire spread underground and lit the mines on fire. The smolder increased in severity over the years, and most residents left as toxic gases filled the air and deep sinkholes spread across town.

Today, less than ten people live in Centralia. Smoke routinely rises from the earth, and signs of the fire's effect on the landscape are everywhere. Visitors armed with chalk leave their mark on the cracked streets, incorporating the ruins to craft some pretty impressive works of art, proving that beauty can be found in the darkest of places.

Next: 10 Creepy Urban Legends From Around The World