Sure, national parks and scenic coastal drives are incredible. No argument there. These are some of our favorite destinations! But, sometimes, the most memorable moments come from stumbling upon the wonderfully weird.
Across the U.S., there are thousands of quirky roadside attractions waiting to be discovered. If you’re ready to embrace the unusual, join us on this cross-country road trip to 13 of the strangest, most delightful stops you’ll ever visit. We also included some, let’s say, typically more traditional stops nearby if you want to linger in each area a little longer.
13 Quirky Destinations for an Epic RV Road Trip
1. Santa’s Land (Cherokee, NC)
This throwback to a bygone era of roadside attractions has been spreading Christmas cheer since the 1960s. The kitschy amusement park features a zoo with exotic creatures like lemurs and bears, retro rides, games, and even Santa himself for fun for the entire family!
While You’re There:
- Explore waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic drives through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Blue Ridge Parkway is a must-see for stunning vistas and winding roads.
2. The Mystery Spot (Santa Cruz, CA)
Step into a world where gravity seems to have taken a break. The Mystery Spot is a classic optical illusion attraction where balls appear to roll uphill, people seem to change height, and your sense of balance is put to the test. Be prepared to be stunned as the laws of physics and gravity come into question.
While You’re There:
- Enjoy a classic seaside amusement park with vintage rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
- Don’t miss Big Basin Redwoods State Park—home to towering ancient redwoods and scenic trails.
3. Bigfoot Discovery Museum (Felton, CA)
You don’t have to be a believer to enjoy the Bigfoot Discovery Museum. Packed with footprint casts, eyewitness reports, legends, theories, and all things Sasquatch-related—even skeptics may be entertained (and perhaps more open-minded?).
While You’re There:
- Take a peaceful walk through stunning redwood groves in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
- Let someone else take the wheel for an hour and enjoy a historic steam train ride through the mountains on the Roaring Camp Railroad.
4. Salton Sea (Southern California)
Once one of the most beloved tourist attractions in California, catastrophic decline and environmental disaster have left the Salton Sea a surreal landscape with abandoned towns and eerie beauty. Start at the visitor center in Mecca to discover the fascinating history and geologic and volcanic features before grabbing binoculars for spectacular birdwatching.
While You’re There:
- If you’ve ever wanted to visit a museum dedicated entirely to bananas, here’s your chance! With its world-record collection of over 25,000 banana-related artifacts, banana-themed snacks, and banana-flavored treats, The International Banana Museum is bursting with yellow-themed fun.
- Another off-the-beaten-path destination, Borrego Springs is surrounded by a state park. It’s an International Dark Sky Community that celebrates stargazing nearly every night. Most of all, you’ll want to keep your eye out for a wide variety of local art, including meticulously crafted metal creatures.
- Joshua Tree National Park is a dreamlike desert destination for hiking and rock climbing. A true bucket list destination.
5. Goldfield Ghost Town (Apache Junction, AZ)
Once a booming mining town, Goldfield is now a living history museum with a Wild West feel. Watch gunfight reenactments, ride the narrow-gauge railroad, pan for gold, or explore the old mines. For a bit of spooky fun, take a walking ghost tour and learn about the local legends, spirits, and curses that share this town with visitors.
While You’re There:
- The Superstition Mountains are a nearby ancient geological formation boasting legendary tales of lost gold and steeped in mystery. Home to the Apache and Yavapai people for thousands of years, the area now offers hiking, camping, and rock-climbing opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy beautiful deserts.
- Explore Arizona’s rugged terrain in Lost Dutchman State Park—a great place to set up camp and enjoy the desert scenery.
6. The Enchanted Highway (Regent, ND)
Drive down a 32-mile stretch of road lined with towering metal sculptures of giant grasshoppers, cowboys, geese in flight, and more in an open-air art gallery. It begins at Exit 72 on I-92 and ends in the small town of Regent, where you can find a small gift shop with miniatures of your favorite statues.
While You’re There:
- Located with the Badlands of North Dakota, Medora, ND, is a charming cowboy town offering live performances, historical sites, and family fun—including amazing hiking trails and road biking opportunities.
- Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park to spot wild bison, explore the North Dakota badlands, and honor a past president who wanted to preserve our beautiful natural wonders for future generations by greatly expanding our national parks system.
7. Carhenge (Alliance, NE)
What happens when a farmer with a creative streak decides to recreate England’s Stonehenge using old cars? Carhenge! A bizarre yet impressive roadside attraction that has stood since 1987. This to-scale replica of England’s Stonehenge is open year-round and invites visitors from around the world to enjoy a truly unique experience.
While You’re There:
- Walk among prehistoric fossils and scenic grasslands in Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.
- If you’re a history buff, take some time out to visit Chimney Rock National Historic Site, a landmark for pioneers on the Oregon Trail.
8. World’s Largest Ball of Twine (Cawker City, KS)
A small-town treasure that keeps growing! Visitors are encouraged to add their own twine to this massive ball, which has been a work in progress since 1953.
While You’re There:
- Enjoy boating, fishing, camping, and other recreation opportunities at Kansas’ largest lake in Milford State Park.
- Explore enormous, naturally-formed spherical boulders in Rock City.
9. Rockmen Guardians (Rockford, IL)
These towering rock sculptures look like ancient warriors guarding the Illinois landscape. Created by artist Terese Agnew, they stand as a tribute to the region’s geological history and the power of nature.
While You’re There:
- Take time out for peace and tranquility in the beautifully landscaped Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford.
- Say hello to Jane, one of the most complete juvenile T. rex fossils ever found, at Burpee Museum of Natural History.
10. The Corn Palace (Mitchell, SD)
A palace made entirely of corn? You betcha! The Corn Palace, the world’s only, is a tribute to agricultural art, with murals created from thousands of ears of corn. The 100+-year-old attraction draws in some 500,000 tourists every year to see uniquely designed corn murals, made from 12 different colors of corn and redesigned every October.
While You’re There:
- Enjoy stunning rock formations and wide-open landscapes in Badlands National Park.
- Slow your roll and spend some time in the Black Hills to enjoy Mount Rushmore or Crazy Horse Memorial, discover prehistoric wonders, view wildlife in their natural habitats, go caving, and so much more.
11. The Museum of the Weird (Austin, TX)
A little bit horror, a little bit circus sideshow, and a whole lot of weird. This Austin attraction includes shrunken heads, mummies, and oddities galore.
While You’re There:
- Cool your heels in Barton Springs Pool, a popular natural spring swimming hole in Austin.
- Take a free tour of the historic Texas State Capitol building.
12. Foamhenge (Centreville, VA)
Yes, it’s another Stonehenge replica—but this one is made entirely of foam! Originally built as an April Fool’s joke, this full-size and surprisingly legit-looking replica has since become a beloved attraction, especially since being moved to its new, permanent location.
While You’re There:
- Enjoy a scenic drive through Virginia’s mountains on the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Pause at Natural Bridge State Park, a stunning rock formation steeped in history.
13. The Unclaimed Baggage Center (Scottsboro, AL)
Ever wonder what happens to lost airline luggage? This massive store is where unclaimed bags end up. You’ll find everything from designer clothes to high-end jewelry to electronic devices to bizarre treasures—all at amazing prices.
While You’re There:
- Get back into nature with a visit to Little River Canyon National Preserve, where you can hike and enjoy beautiful waterfalls.
- Find space on Earth at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, and discover NASA artifacts while immersing yourself in space exploration history.
Quirky Destinations Takeaways
Whether you’re wandering through a ghost town, admiring a giant ball of twine, or hunting for Bigfoot, these quirky destinations prove that sometimes, the best RV trips happen when you take the road less traveled—and even a little bizarre.
So, which weird stop(s) will you add to your next road trip?
