1

Carhenge – Alliance, Nebraska

Image: John Dame

Imagine driving through the Great Plains and stumbling across Stonehenge—only this version is made entirely of old cars. That’s Carhenge. Built in 1987 by artist Jim Reinders, this auto-art installation mirrors the original monument’s dimensions using vintage American cars, all painted gray. It’s history with a humorous twist, you know!

2

Salvation Mountain – Niland, California

Image: Megan Ellis

Located near the edge of the desert, Salvation Mountain is a wonder filled with color and faith. Leonard Knight spent decades slathering adobe and straw with thick coats of paint, spreading a message of love through hand-lettered Bible verses. You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the heart behind this monument—it’s pure passion on display.

3

The Enchanted Highway – Regent, North Dakota

Image: Carol Highsmith's America

This isn’t your average country drive. The Enchanted Highway is a 32-mile stretch of open road lined with enormous metal sculptures—everything from geese in flight to grasshoppers the size of RVs. Created by Gary Greff, a small-town schoolteacher turned roadside visionary, this whimsical parade of artwork proves that a little welding—and a lot of heart—can turn even the quietest town into a road trip highlight.

4

The Paper House – Rockport, Massachusetts

Image: Unlimited Access

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with old newspapers, how about building a house? In the 1920s, engineer Elis Stenman did just that. The walls, furniture—even the curtains—are made from varnished newspapers. It’s cozy, clever, and surprisingly sturdy. Part architecture, part recycling marvel, this little New England oddity is well worth the detour.

5

The Museum of Bad Art – Boston, Massachusetts

Image: Marishka Tsiklauri

Some artwork takes your breath away. Other pieces make you laugh out loud—and that’s exactly the goal at the Museum of Bad Art. This small but mighty gallery celebrates delightfully terrible creations. It’s not about mocking; quite the opposite. It’s about finding joy in the offbeat and honoring artists who dared to create something totally different. Trust us—you’ll leave smiling.

6

The Unclaimed Baggage Center – Scottsboro, Alabama

Image: Raquel Brepohl

Ever wonder where your missing suitcase ended up? Chances are, it’s here. The Unclaimed Baggage Center is part retail store, part treasure hunt. Spread across 40,000 square feet, it sells items left behind at airports—from clothes and gadgets to the occasional surprise oddity. If you enjoy thrifting, this is a must-stop on your trip.

7

The Wigwam Motel – Holbrook, Arizona

Image: Johnathan Ciarrocca

Nothing screams classic Americana like Route 66, and the Wigwam Motel delivers. Here, you’ll sleep in your very own concrete teepee. It’s one of only three surviving "Wigwam Villages" from the 1950s. It’s kitschy, it’s cozy, and it’s a nostalgic nod to the road trips of yesteryear. Want a bonus? Check out the vintage cars parked out front.

8

The House on the Rock – Spring Green, Wisconsin

Image: Cristina Glebova

Imagine a mansion crossed with a carnival funhouse—that’s The House on the Rock. Started in the 1940s by Alex Jordan Jr., this labyrinth of rooms features bizarre collections, from a giant carousel to self-playing orchestras and a hall filled with model ships. It’s overwhelming, wonderful, and completely unforgettable—a place where your inner child will be wide-eyed the entire time.

9

The Grotto of the Redemption – West Bend, Iowa

Image: Mustafa akın

Part spiritual sanctuary, part geological marvel, the Grotto of the Redemption is made of millions of stones, gems, and fossils. Started by Father Paul Dobberstein in 1912, this labor of love took over 40 years to complete. The result? A jaw-dropping series of religious scenes and structures that glitter in the sunlight. Bring your sunglasses—you’re in for a dazzling experience.

10

The UFO Watchtower – Hooper, Colorado

Image: Gabriel Tovar

For those who believe in aliens—or just love a good alien yarn—the UFO Watchtower is a must-see. Located in the San Luis Valley, a hotspot for sightings, this quirky site offers 360-degree views of the sky, a garden filled with visitor trinkets, and plenty of stories. Try it out—what if you spot a flying saucer? Let’s face it, we’re all a little curious about what’s out there.

11

The World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Cawker City, Kansas

Image: Amie Bell

It started small. Then the neighbors added to it. Then visitors joined in. Now, it’s a Midwest legend. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine keeps growing, with a yearly "twine-a-thon" that invites everyone to contribute. It’s quirky, community-powered, and a great example of how something ordinary can become roadside-worthy.

12

The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things – Lucas, Kansas

Image: Nik

Yes, that’s the real name. And yes, it’s every bit as whimsical as it sounds. Artist Erika Nelson created this traveling museum of tiny replicas, honoring America’s obsession with "world’s largest" attractions. It’s part satire, part celebration, and completely charming.

1

Unalaska, Alaska

Image: Hari Nandakumar

Despite what the name suggests, Unalaska is not trying to break away from the rest of the state. The town’s name comes from Agunalaksh , the original name given by the Unangan people. Over time, spelling and pronunciation changes led to the simplified version: Unalaska.

In the late 1800s, the US Board on Geographic Names made it official, but don’t worry, it’s just the name; the beauty is certainly Alaskan!

2

Why, Arizona

Image: Kaileen Fitzpatrick

If you’ve ever asked yourself "Why?", you might be thinking too hard. This Arizona town got its name because of a simple road design: State Routes 85 and 86 originally met in a Y-shape.

When it was time to name the community, the locals wanted to call it Y (yes, you read that right), but Arizona law required town names to have at least three letters. So, they got creative and went with Why. Why, right?

3

No Name, Colorado

Image: Rich Martello

What do you call a town when you just can’t decide on a name? Apparently, (and logically, if we might say so), No Name. The story goes that when developers were working on Interstate 70, they left the town’s exit sign blank.

A transportation official later labeled it "No Name", and the locals decided to go with it . State officials tried to rename the area, but the people weren’t having it. They simply loved it!

4

Burnt Store, Florida

Image: Done By Alex

The name Burnt Store sounds like something out of a Wild West showdown, and the real story (or the legend, actually) isn’t too far off, you know?

Legend has it that in 1849, a trading post on the Peace River was burned to the ground after an attack. The store’s manager, George Payne, had dealings with the Seminole Indians before he was killed in an ambush. Shortly after, the store itself was destroyed. The tragic event left a permanent mark on the town’s history and its name.

5

Santa Claus, Indiana

Image: Ryan De Hamer

Originally called Santa Fe, this town located in Indiana had to change its name when officials discovered another Santa Fe already existed in the state.

People saw this as an opportunity, and instead of picking something new and extraordinary, they went all in on holiday spirit and became Santa Claus in 1856.

The town fully embraces its Christmas identity; it has attractions like Holiday World, Lake Rudolph Campground, and Frosty’s Fun Center. If you love the holidays, this is the place to be!

6

Bald Head, Maine

Image: Michael Denning

If you’re expecting a town full of shiny, bald-headed guys, well, you might be disappointed. Bald Head, Maine, actually gets its name from a nearby cliff called Bald Head Cliff .

Now, we all want to know the same: Does it look like a bald head? Sorry to disappoint, but not really. Still, the name has stuck, and the scenic beauty of the area more than makes up for any confusion. Just don’t show up expecting a bald head convention!

7

Accident, Maryland

Image: Colin Lloyd

Accident, Maryland, owes its name to an actual accident… Well, kind of. In the 1700s, two land surveyors both accidentally claimed the same piece of land without realizing it . One of them, William Deakins, Jr., later allowed the other, Brooke Beall, to keep it. Rather than rename the town, the name Accident stuck. Talk about a happy accident… And generosity!

8

Whynot, North Carolina

Image: Brendan Steeves

Similar to Why, Arizona, this North Carolina town also came about after a naming debate that got a little too long.

Legend has it that settlers were arguing over what to call their new town when one exasperated resident finally said, "Why not just name it Whynot and go home?" And just like that, Whynot was born.

9

Boring, Oregon

Image: everett mcintire

Yes, we get it. The first thing that comes to mind is "Why would you name your town this?" But despite what the name suggests, Boring, Oregon, isn’t actually boring . If you need some proof, just ask the locals!

Named after William Harrison Boring, one of its early settlers, the town became a hub for the timber industry. To make things even funnier, Boring has international "sister city" partnerships with Dull, Scotland, and Bland, Australia. If you ever visit, you’ll find that Boring is anything but!

10

Mosquitoville, Vermont

Image: Peter James Eisenhaure

If you were reluctant to visit Boring, imagine visiting Mosquitoville! The name alone makes us want to grab a can of bug spray!

Mosquitoville is actually a small community in Barnet, Vermont, and while we can’t confirm just how many mosquitoes live there, the name doesn’t sound very promising. You’ll just have to go one summer and find out! Only if you dare!

1

Igloo City, Alaska

Image: Tim Oun

Igloo City in Cantwell, Alaska, is a massive, unfinished hotel built in the 1970s that never opened due to building code issues . Despite multiple owners and redevelopment plans, it remained abandoned and eventually deteriorated too much to renovate.

Now a roadside oddity between Fairbanks and Anchorage, its giant igloo shape continues to draw curious visitors.

2

Spectre Set, Alabama

Image: Dan Meyers

The abandoned film set of Spectre from Big Fish still stands on a private island along the Alabama River. Originally built for the 2003 movie, the town was left behind after filming and has slowly decayed.

Fires and flooding destroyed much of it, but a few buildings, spooky trees, and crumbling columns remain, giving the site a haunting atmosphere.

3

Dogpatch USA, Arkansas

Image: Matt Gross

Dogpatch USA, a hillbilly-themed park in Arkansas based on the Li’l Abner comic strip , opened in 1968 but never met visitor expectations. With low-key attractions and rustic charm, it struggled to draw crowds and ultimately closed in 1993.

Attempts to sell the land largely failed, and parts of the park still stand abandoned. While some parcels have been sold over the years, most of the site remains a curiosity for urban explorers.

4

Gibraltar, Delaware

Image: Johannes Beilharz

Hidden behind a stone wall in Wilmington, Delaware, Gibraltar is a crumbling 1840s mansion surrounded by beautifully restored gardens . While the house itself is abandoned, ivy-covered, and slowly decaying, the gardens remain vibrant and full of life.

5

Atlanta Prison Farm, Georgia

Image: Dan Meyers

The Atlanta Prison Farm has sat abandoned for over 25 years , now covered in graffiti and fast-growing kudzu. Though there's talk of turning it into a regional park, disagreements between counties have stalled any concrete progress.

6

Custer Ghost Town, Idaho

Image: Ruth Durbin

Custer, Idaho, was born from the 1870s gold rush, and later grew after a fire destroyed the nearby town of Bonanza. As mining dried up, the once-busy one-street town was abandoned, leaving behind rusted equipment and relics like a bullet-riddled poker table.

Thanks to its designation as a historic site in 1981, parts of Custer have been restored. Summer visitors can tour cabins, a schoolhouse, and the old saloon.

7

Cairo, Illinois

Image: Steffen Lemmerzahl

At the southern tip of Illinois, Cairo once thrived as a key port town during the steamboat era and later as a railroad hub. But as industry shifted and economic opportunities dwindled, the city entered a long period of decline.

Today, Cairo is eerily quiet. Its historic downtown is filled with crumbling buildings and boarded-up windows , and decay is spreading into nearby neighborhoods.

8

Knightridge Space Observatory, Indiana

Image: Daniel Gregoire

Hidden in the woods near Bloomington, Indiana, the Knightridge Space Observatory was built in the 1930s for early astronomers . Its wooden dome once held a four-ton telescope, but city growth and light pollution made it obsolete.

Abandoned since the 1960s, the building was left to decay, with its dome rusted shut, the floors unstable, and the telescope relocated. It has since been demolished due to safety concerns.

9

Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Kentucky

Image: Dan Meyers

Waverly Hills Sanatorium opened in the early 1900s to treat tuberculosis patients with rest, fresh air, and isolation . As the epidemic grew, the facility expanded to hold hundreds of patients, including children.

After closing in 1961, it became a nursing home but was shut down in 1982. Today, Waverly Hills is famous as a haunted attraction, drawing ghost hunters and tourists from around the world.

10

Jazzland, Louisiana

Image: Dmitry Lakhno

Jazzland was a theme park in New Orleans that opened in 2000. After major investments, it reopened in 2003 as Six Flags New Orleans. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the park was submerged, with murky floodwaters destroying roughly 80% of the property. Rides were wrecked, stands overturned, and only the Batman coaster survived on higher ground .

Deemed too costly to repair, the park was abandoned and now draws curious urban explorers.

11

St. Mary's College, Maryland

Image: Pavel Neznanov

Built in 1868, St. Mary’s College trained young men for the priesthood until declining enrollment forced its closure in 1972. The abandoned campus, soon nicknamed "Hell House," became a hotspot for ghost stories, local legends, and thrill-seekers.

12

Yellow Creek Nuclear Power Plant, Mississippi

Image: Lukáš Lehotský

Yellow Creek was one of 17 nuclear plants planned by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the late 1970s, but construction was halted before completion. The cooling tower base and nearby processing building were left abandoned .

Originally intended to process nuclear fuel components, the site now stands as a vast, unfinished shell.