10 Quirky Roadside Attractions in Washington Worth A Road Trip

Washington is known for its spectacular flora and fauna, three national parks, and, of course, the bustling city of Seattle. After all, the Space Needle is visited by about 1.3 million people every year! The state is also home to a wide array of funky, quirky roadside attractions. Every great road trip is not complete without at least one stop to see some sort of strange tourist attraction.

From giant sculptures to quirky restaurants to a detailed replica of England’s Stonehenge, Washington has no shortage of attractions. Keep reading to learn more about the ten unique roadside attractions in Washington worth a road trip.

10 The Fremont Troll, Seattle

The city of Seattle is known for a variety of quirky attractions, from the Gum Wall to Gas Works Park. One unique Seattle roadside attraction you must not drive by without stopping to explore is the Fremont Troll. Located under the Aurora Ave Bridge, this 18-foot tall troll sculpture was constructed in 1989. Look familiar? A scene from the 1999 teen romcom 10 Things I Hate About You was filmed in front of the Fremont Troll.

Contrary to typical sculpture viewing etiquette, visitors are allowed (and even encouraged) to climb the sculpture and capture fun photos with the troll.

Address: N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Hours: can visit 24/7

9 Hat n’ Boots Park, Seattle

Also known as Oxbow Park, this roadside attraction consists of a giant cowboy hat measuring 44 feet wide and an equally impressive pair of cowboy boots measuring 22 feet tall. These two sculptures were originally created for a Western-themed gas station that was erected in the 1950s. The Hat n’ Boots gas station eventually closed, and the sculptures were moved to Oxbow Park in 2003.

Although you can no longer go and pump gas at the Western-themed station, these hat and cowboy boots are a must-see on their own.

Address: 6427 Carleton Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108
Hours: 4am-11:30pm daily

8 Maryhill Stonehenge, Maryhill

This roadside must-see is a replica of England’s Stonehenge. It took eleven years to construct this complex stone structure, with the project reaching completion in 1929. This replica was actually built to the exact dimensions of the original Stonehenge. A key difference between Maryhill Stonehenge and the original, however, is this Washington attraction was created as a World War I memorial.

Address: 87 Stonehenge Dr, Goldendale, WA 98620
Hours: 7 am-dusk

Looking to turn this roadside attraction stop into an afternoon affair? The nearby Maryhill Museum of Art includes a lovely sculpture park, an American Classical Realism exhibit, and museum cafe.

Address: 35 Maryhill Museum Dr, Goldendale, WA 98620
Hours: 10am-5pm daily
Cost: Adults- $12, Seniors (65+)- $10, College (with ID)- $9, Youth (7-18)- $5

7 Rosie The Fish Girl, Sekiu

When driving into the Washington town of Sekiu, expect a warm welcome from the town’s mascot, Rosie, the Salmon. This large wooden creation has stood by the “Sekiu Welcomes You” sign on Front Street since 2005. Rosie dons a pink bikini top, skirt, and matching tennis shoes. She even sports a set of luscious lashes. This quirky wooden statue makes for a perfect photo op.

Address: Front St., Sekiu, WA
Hours: can visit 24/7

Can’t get enough of the funny fish statue? Drive further west on Front Street to find Gil the Running Fish, Rosie’s boyfriend, and fellow fish statue.

6 Overgrown Ship Hulk, Anacortes

This schooner, known as La Merced, was built in 1917 and was used to transport products for Standard Oil. After nearly 50 years of service, the schooner was scuttled in Anacortes. The ship is now overgrown with what appears to be a miniature forest. The juxtaposition between industrial boat materials and lush nature makes for an eye-catching roadside attraction.

Address: 3022 Oakes Ave., Anacortes, WA
Tip: the best time to visit is low tide
Important: There are "No Trespassing" signs posted on the ship. Do not attempt to climb the boat.

5 World’s Largest Radio Flyer Wagon, Spokane

This Washington roadside attraction might come with a ping of nostalgia. Bright red Radio Flyer wagons, after all, are the American symbol of childhood. Located in Riverfront Park, this wonderful wagon was commissioned in 1989 and is dedicated to the children of Spokane.

Technically, this Radio Flyer Wagon sculpture is not the largest in the world. Radio Flyer created an even larger model for their 100th anniversary in 2017, but that does not make this roadside attraction any less enjoyable.

Address: 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201
Park Hours: 6 am-12 am daily

4 Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle, Spokane

Washington is known for its ultimate foodie city of Seattle, but there are also plenty of delicious mom-and-pop restaurants scattered across the state. One such restaurant is the quirky roadside attraction Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle.

This unique building was originally created by the Benewah Dairy Company in the 1930s. Today, the unique bottle-shaped building is home to a charming American diner. While the main draw seems to be the quirky architecture of the building, Mary Lou’s burgers and milkshakes are also worth the trip.

Address: 802 W Garland Ave Spokane, WA 99205
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm, closed Sundays

3 Bob’s Java Jive, Tacoma

Another Washington roadside attraction with unique architecture is Bob’s Java Jive. This building, shaped like a giant coffee pot, was constructed in 1927. This little coffee pot has a rich history. It went from being a restaurant to a speakeasy to a club! The quirky building is now home to a karaoke bar, so don’t expect coffee on your visit. What you can expect, however, is cheap drinks and a dive bar charm.

Address: 2102 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409
Hours: 4 pm-2 am daily

2 Laser Light Show, Coulee Dam

If you find yourself in Washington between Memorial Day Weekend and the end of September, the laser light show at Grand Coulee Dam is a fun pit stop. Each night, lasers are projected onto this 550 foot tall dam, depicting the story of the Grand Coulee Dam and how it came to be. The grand finale includes a stunning display of fireworks.

Address: WA-155, Coulee Dam, WA 99116
Dates and times: Last Saturday in May-July 31st 10pm every night, August 1st-31st 9:30pm every night, September 1st-30th 8:30pm every night
Length of show: ~30 minutes

1 Wild Horses Monument, Vantage

From a distance, passerbyers may mistake this attraction for actual horses. Atop a ridge overlooking the Columbia River, you will find 15 life-size steel horse statues. This artwork, crafted by artist David Govedare, is formally referred to as Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies.

Some visitors choose to admire the horses from a distance; others take a short hike to the top of the ridge to see the horse sculptures up close. Either is a worthwhile option.