Perhaps on every traveller's bucket list is the all-famous USA road trip. It doesn't matter if you've been to the US a hundred times or never been before. Made popular by books like On The Road and movies like Fear and Loathing Las Vegas, National Lampoon's Vacation and even Dumb and Dumber the road trip is an essential travel experience. We've watched the antics and surprises that crop up when you pile into the car with your pals with nothing more than some sandwiches and a solid soundtrack in search for adventure and anomalies. There's a reason that the United States of America plays an integral role in this fantasy, it's because it's chock-full of oddities!
Whether it's the world-famous Route 66, the Las Vegas Loop, or en route through the deep South for some blues and barbeque - you can't help but notice a slew of landmarks and museums dedicated to overwhelming your senses or simply piquing your curiosity! If you are the kind of person who needs a selfie with the world's largest potato - you can find that in Idaho! Feel the urge to fan-girl at the world's largest peanut memorial? Swing through Ashburn Georgia! Want to see a McDonald's shaped like an alien spaceship? Roswell has that in store for you - drive on over!
If you're ever in doubt that the USA may be one of the most consistently entertaining locations for road trips, we urge you to keep reading about some of the quirkiest things spotted by road trippers below!
25 Jimmy Carter Peanut Statue: Plains, Georgia
A peanut that stands 13 feet tall already seems like an oxymoron but it is this very smiling peanut that is said to be responsible for Jimmy Carter winning the election in 1976. The smiling peanut was in fact built in part of the campaign in a bid to win over Georgians who famously loved peanuts.
If that weren't enough bragging rights, the statue is also the world's second-largest peanut and the most photographed thing in Plains. While the peanut is in immaculate condition visitors may notice a hole carved in its backside which is said to have been done to ensure there weren't any weapons placed in the peanut during the campaign.
24 Salvation Mountain: Niland, California
Salvation mountain looks as if a cartoon Disney movie exploded in the middle of So-Cal's dry and sunny desert. Created by artist and local Leonard Knight who wanted to showcase (in the most overt way possible) a public site of devotion to his Christian faith.
Located off of Highway 111 or about an hour and a half driving southeast from Palm Springs, tourists amass to take in the mounds of adobe clay that have been adorned in brightly coloured paint depicting bible verses, hearts, and other love-infused messages.
23 The World's Largest Stationary Brick: Montgomery, Alabama
Stationary is an important stipulation because since 2007, a larger mobile brick has been built in Texas which is taken on wheels to various tradeshows. This brick, however is in it for the long haul and is measured at 25 feet or 7.62 meters tall and supported by inner steel beams.
Some former viewers have written their disappointment online with it being called a brick when really it is a composition of smaller bricks making it more like a tower. If you don't feel like making a full stop to see a pile of bricks just keep your eyes peeled as you're driving because you can actually see it from Highway 80.
22 The World's Largest Ball of Twine: Cawker City, Kansas
Not only an impressive feat by scale but also a marker of determination by the Cawker community to actively maintain their record for biggest ball of twine. Housed in an open-air gazebo, every year the community gets together for the annual Twine-a-thon where they collectively add more twine to the ball.
By August 2014 the ball measured 41.42 feet (12.62 m) in circumference, 8.06 feet (2.46 m) in diameter and 10.83 feet (3.30 m) in height. If you are lucky enough to have a run in with a twine-a-thon organizer you may even be asked to add to the ball yourself! A truly US experience and an opportunity to be part of history in the making all in one big ball (of twine).
21 Nicholas Cage's Tomb: New Orleans, Louisiana
Nicholas Cage, as it turns out, is an exellent planner. He has purchased this 9 foot tall pyramid as his final resting place in Louisiana, a town he seems to have quite an affinity with. The above grave tomb hasn't been labelled with his name but rather the latin phrase "Omni Ab Uno,” which means “Everything From One.” Cage has been tight lipped about the purchase but speculations include his involvement with the illuminati, homage to the National Treasure movie franchise, to even paranormally inclined inferences that this tomb is where he will regenerate his immortal soul.
Maybe we'll never know the truth about this pecurliar purchase, but a spooky selfie could make for a conversation starter at your next dinner party.
20 A Town Named Hot Coffee: Hot Coffee, Mississippi
For all you java enthusiasts, this could be just the ticket! Originally named after an inn that was built followed by the building of a famous store in 1870. Store owner L.J. Davis hung a coffee pot over the store door and advertised his shop to have "the best hot coffee around". However, you wouldn't find lactose-free alternatives or creamers inside. Rather, this coffee was simply crafted from pure spring water and New Orleans beans - sweetened only with molasses drippings.
The popularity of this coffee spot alone lead to the name of this community. Ever since weary travellers and local politicians have been known to stop here in the 'new age' version of Davis' shop to get perked up.
19 Carhenge: Alliance, Nebraska
It's basically Stonehenge. Well, erm, except that it's made entirely out of cars, isn't at all a temple for sun worship, a healing centre, a burial site or even built by ancient people who miraculously and mysteriously moved giant stones. It is, however, a replica adaptation that uses vintage automobiles that have been painted grey to represent a kitschy off-shoot of England's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What could be more fitting on your USA road trip than to experience a truly American interpretation of a world-famous classic? Carhenge is open 24/7 and totally free to boot making it a must-see for anyone passing through Nebraska.
18 Prada Marfa: Valentine, Texas
An Esso? Maybe a Starbucks if you're at a fancy enough rest stop, but one thing you would never expect to see roadside in the desert is a Prada retail shop. The truth is, this shop is not a shop at all but rather an art installation inaugurated on October 1, 2005 by artists Elmgreen and Dragset. While not intended to function as a shop, it did at one point contain real Prada shoes and handbags.
When the installation was vandalized and robbed of its contents (bottomless handbags and right foot only shoes) it rerouted the original intention of letting the installation slowly degrade back into the natural landscape and instead it was repaired twice to its original appearance. It is open to visitors all year round.
17 Dinosaur Kingdom II: Natural Bridge, Virginia
Dinosaur Kingdom II is located off of South Lee Highway from Interstate 81 in Natural Bridge or about 40 miles north of Roanoke and is home to a magical world mixing science fiction, fantasy, and amusement. For a small entrance fee of about $10, you can experience large statues of dinosaurs staging an attack on the Union Army. Cameos also include a fiberglass Abraham Lincoln and a gorilla in a cowboy hat.
The park is inspired by its creators' visit to a similar park in White Post Virginia in their youth combined with elements of the film The Valley of Gwangi. No matter how you look at it, it's clear that this dinosaur delight is a labour of love.
16 Peavy's Monster Mart: Fouke, Arkansas
Rated as #1 of a total of 2 things to do in Fouke according to Trip Advisor, clearly this is one pit stop not to be missed. Stemming from the folklore of the Boggy Creek Monster, this shop sells all kinds of memorabilia and souvenirs in addition to an aptly placed photo-op spot of a wooden cut out of the monster himself out front.
Original sightings of the monster date back to the 1800s where locals claimed to see the beast prowling through Arkansas. Reports claim that Boggy is nocturnal but no one is sure as a conflicting sighting was claimed by a hunter during the daylight hours in the Sulfur River Wildlife Area. While you can't bank on a Boggy sighting, you can get your kitschy fix here at the monster mart 7 days a week.
15 Cano's Castle: Antonito, Colorado
The poster home for upcycling, this castle is made entirely of scrap aluminum, wire, hubcaps, grills, screen doors, window casements, bicycle reflectors, beer cans, and mud. Referred to by owner and builder Cano as 'Jesus' Castle' he claims that god built it himself. Having begun his time living in this eco-mansion in 1987 he has since added a sweat lodge out back and also a small farm of goats, geese, and sheep!
Cano is an eccentric worth chatting to if you are keen to make a donation, otherwise, the castle is free to visit and look at from the outside. You can find it on the north side of town, three blocks east of US Hwy 285/Main St. Between E. 10th and E. 11th Aves, on State St.
14 World’s Largest Jack-in-the-Box: Middletown, Connecticut
If you're not a fan of giant clown heads or just clowns in general, it might be worth skipping over this one as a major component of the jack-in-the-box is a giant clown head adornment. Originally the owner Wild Bill or Bill Ziegler had already owned the 600-pound clown head that once belonged to Bob Keeshan (aka Captain Kangaroo) and was urged by a local artist to prop it up on the brick silo also on his property and the rest is history.
Originally the 45-acre property also contained a collection of pop culture memorabilia and gnarly nostalgia items that could bring you for a stroll down memory lane, but after the passing of Wild Bill in 2017, the family closed its doors earlier this year.
13 World's Most Scenic Urinal: Kealakekua, Hawaii
Speaking of contrasts - if you've always wanted to feel the allure of a urinal that beckons with beautiful vistas of nature when 'nature calls' there might be just one like it in the whole entire world and it's in Hawaii. The ocean views and lush green landscape is certainly not something most men expect to find when skipping to the loo. Originally a part of the Hotel Kona, this spot has since been replaced with private residences.
If you're there on the right day, a resident may escort you to view this bright pink paradox nestled in nature located at 76-5908 Mamalahoa Hwy in Kealakekua, Hawaii.
12 Corn Palace: Mitchell, South Dakota
Corn as a theme? South Dakota knows something about that! Go on and take a trip to their Corn Palace which is covered in corn kernel murals with each year depicting a different theme. 2017's theme was Rock of Ages which included corn replications of Willie Nelson, Elvis, and John Travolta.
2018's theme of Nature's Storms depicts nature scenes out of corn. Within the structure, you will find some information about the history of corn palace and the former murals from over the years. At the very least it's a decent way to stretch your legs during a cross-country tour.
11 Ouija Board Inventor’s Tombstone: Baltimore, Maryland
Elijah Jefferson was the inventor of the cult favourite (no pun intended) Ouija board so it seemed like the right choice to take what would have been his regular old tombstone and transform it into a double memorial of him and his invention. Elijah was a lawyer and inventor who had come up with and patented inventions like a steam boiler but his notoriety truly grew from the Ouija board's first patent which came through in 1891.
The board remains his most famous invention making this tombstone both iconic and fitting. If you're a fan of the occult, this could be a truly unique and somewhat daring of a destination - come prepared with your yes/no questions in advance!
10 God's Ark of Safety: Frostburg, Maryland
This replica of Noah's Arc (yes that Noah's Arc) was started by Pastor Richard Greene in 1976 with the accompanied sign declaring to passing cars on Interstate 68 that Noah's Arc was in fact, being re-built. Today, it remains as only the frame as funding for the project has run dry for the past 25 years. Pastor Greene hasn't lost hope and continues to hold a flame in his heart for the commitment to get God's Ark of Safety built.
A well-known oddity, the arc has been featured in numerous publications including the front cover of Timothy Beal's book Roadside Religion: In Search of the Sacred, the Strange, and the Substance of Faith.
9 Bubblegum Alley: San Luis Obispo, California
Did you lose the wrapper? Can't seem to find a garbage can? Well, you can bring your gum to bubblegum alley and join it with the 70 foot long aisle of what can only be assumed is millions of globs of chewing gum. The history of what prompted bubblegum alley is quite unclear. Some claiming it was a graduation ceremony tradition starting after WWII, others claim it was the result of an ongoing feud between two opposing local schools.
The gum has survived two full-on sanitation attempts (or cleanings) that took place in the 1970s and again in 1996. Today it is embraced as a tourist marvel of sorts for those who can stomach it.
8 The Paper House: Rockport, Massachusetts
In 1922 Mr. Elis F. Stenman began a rather unusual hobbyist project. He began to build his home out of paper which he figured would serve as good insulation. Once the structure was completed he moved onto pieces of furniture and décor made of paper - there is even a piano made of paper within these highly-flammable walls.
The house itself is constructed of a wood frame that is lined with layers of newspaper, glue, and varnish that measures about an inch thick. Remarkably the house still stands almost 100 years later. For a modest $2 and a bit of a detour you can observe this stationary inspired estate.
7 The Sip ‘n Dip Lounge Mermaids: Great Falls, Montana
If you love mermaids or motor inns, then this will me a must-see for you! Opening in 1962, this Polynesian themed watering hole features a glass wall where you can watch real live mermaids (or actors) swimming around in the tank. In 2013 GQ Magazine named this Motor Inn Bar as the number one bar worth flying for which is high praise for the humble town of Great Falls.
If you lose interest in the half-human entertainment, there is also a lively piano player known as "Piano Pat" who has been tickling those very ivories since the early '60s and is still a huge hit with the crowd.
6 E.T. Fresh Jerky: Hiko, Nevada
Free samples of beef jerky? Check! Very clean restrooms (it's written on their sign so it must be true)? Double check! This could be every road warriors dream and even though it's in the desert, trust us, it's not a mirage! ET Fresh Jerky has been faithfully serving those travelling through Area 51 for years and despite their theme that aptly reflects its location, has made an extra effort on their website to notify patrons that their iconic jerky is made from 100% USA beef and not Alien (phew!).
A family-run establishment that prides itself on a friendly environment, it could be one of the most unique rest stops around town.