America’s highways are dotted with bizarre, wonderful, and downright legendary roadside attractions that have stood the test of time. Some started as gimmicks to lure in travelers, while others became cultural icons in their own right. These places have seen generations of road-trippers pull over for a photo, a snack, or just to marvel at their sheer oddity. Whether you’ve visited them yourself or only heard about them in roadside lore, here are 12 long-standing attractions that are still welcoming visitors today.
1. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Cawker City, Kansas
The title of “largest ball of twine” has been hotly contested, but Cawker City proudly claims its version has been continuously growing since 1953. Started by Frank Stoeber, who wanted to do something with his extra twine, the ball now weighs over 20,000 pounds and stretches more than 40 feet around. Unlike other twine balls, this one is still actively growing, with visitors encouraged to add their own strands during the town’s annual Twine-A-Thon. The state is very proud of this spherical splendor, and its history is outlined on Kansas Tourism.
This massive roll of string has become a quirky piece of Americana, drawing in road-trippers who want to witness its absurdity firsthand. It’s proof that even the simplest things can become legends with enough dedication—and a lot of twine. If you’ve ever wanted to say you contributed to a world record, this is the place to do it.
2. South of the Border – Dillon, South Carolina
What started as a small beer stand near the North Carolina-South Carolina border in 1949 turned into one of the most famous roadside attractions in the country. South of the Border is a sprawling tourist stop with restaurants, a motel, gift shops, and its massive sombrero-wearing mascot, Pedro. The giant sombrero tower and neon signs have become iconic sights along I-95, even as some of its quirkier attractions have come and gone. Before its downfall, this location’s venue truly spanned borders, as noted by Charleston Currents.
While it may feel like a relic of another era, South of the Border has continued to evolve to keep up with the times. For generations of families making the drive down the East Coast, a stop at this kitschy landmark is practically a rite of passage. Love it or roll your eyes at it, there’s no denying its place in American roadside history.
3. Lucy the Elephant – Margate, New Jersey
This six-story elephant-shaped building has been standing tall since 1881, originally built as a novelty real estate office to attract buyers to the Jersey Shore. Over the decades, Lucy has been everything from a summer home to a tavern before being restored as a public attraction. Today, visitors can take a guided tour inside and climb to the top for a panoramic view of the Atlantic. In a state that prides itself on its weird aspects, it’s no wonder Weird NJ loves talking about this enormous elephant.
Lucy’s longevity is a testament to the dedication of locals who refused to let her fade into obscurity. She’s the oldest surviving roadside attraction in America, proving that sometimes, a giant elephant can become a beloved landmark. Whether you grew up seeing her on summer trips or are discovering her for the first time, Lucy remains one of the most unique sights in the country.
4. The Blue Whale of Catoosa – Catoosa, Oklahoma
Built in the early 1970s as a gift from Hugh Davis to his wife, this 80-foot-long smiling blue whale quickly became a Route 66 staple. Originally part of a small water park, the whale’s pond was once open for swimming, with slides built right into its tail. Though the park closed in the 1980s, the whale remained, and locals stepped in to restore it as a roadside attraction. WanderWisdom explores how this large blue attraction swam its way into so many hearts.
Today, visitors can still stop for photos, walk inside the whale’s mouth, and relax by the water. Its charm and nostalgia keep it alive as a must-see stop along the Mother Road. Few roadside attractions feel as personal as this one, and it continues to bring joy to travelers just as it did decades ago.
5. The Mystery Spot – Santa Cruz, California
Since 1940, the Mystery Spot has been baffling visitors with its gravity-defying illusions. Located in a dense redwood forest, this tilted cabin creates optical illusions that make people appear to lean at impossible angles and defy gravity. The official explanation? No one really knows—just that it’s a “gravitational anomaly” that must be seen to be believed.
Part funhouse, part legend, the Mystery Spot has been drawing in curious travelers for over 80 years. Even if you leave unconvinced of its supernatural claims, you’ll still walk away entertained. Plus, that famous yellow bumper sticker has found its way onto cars across the country, proving that the Mystery Spot remains as popular as ever.
6. Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
Ten classic Cadillacs, half-buried nose-down in the Texas dirt, have been drawing travelers to Amarillo since 1974. This oddball art installation was created by a group of artists known as the Ant Farm, funded by an eccentric millionaire who wanted something “out of the ordinary.” The cars are covered in layers of graffiti, as visitors are encouraged to leave their mark with spray paint.
Over the years, Cadillac Ranch has become one of the most recognizable Route 66 landmarks. The ever-changing artwork and the sheer weirdness of the scene make it a must-see for road-trippers. If you’ve ever dreamed of legally spray-painting a car, this is your chance.
7. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox – Bemidji, Minnesota
Towering at 18 feet tall, this Paul Bunyan statue has been standing in Bemidji since 1937, with his trusty sidekick, Babe, added in the 1950s. The legendary lumberjack is a staple of American folklore, and his statues can be found in multiple states, but Bemidji’s claim to fame is having one of the oldest and most photographed versions.
Visitors love posing next to the duo, which have become unofficial mascots of Minnesota’s Northwoods. Paul and Babe have even made it onto the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring their legacy for years to come. If you’ve ever taken a road trip through the Midwest, there’s a good chance you’ve stopped for a picture with this famous pair.
8. The Oregon Vortex – Gold Hill, Oregon
Like California’s Mystery Spot, the Oregon Vortex has been puzzling visitors since the 1930s. This strange roadside attraction plays with perspective, making objects appear to roll uphill and people change heights depending on where they stand. Skeptics call it a clever optical illusion, while others swear there’s something supernatural at work.
Regardless of what you believe, the Oregon Vortex has remained a fascinating roadside oddity. Generations of travelers have stopped here to see its bizarre effects for themselves. Whether it’s science or just a trick of the eye, it’s been keeping people guessing for nearly a century.
9. Carhenge – Alliance, Nebraska
If you can’t make it to England to see the real Stonehenge, Nebraska has the next best thing—sort of. Carhenge is a full-scale replica of the ancient monument, but instead of giant stones, it’s made entirely out of vintage American cars. Created in 1987 by artist Jim Reinders as a tribute to his father, the structure quickly became one of the quirkiest roadside stops in the Midwest.
The 39 automobiles, painted a uniform gray to resemble stone, are arranged just like their British counterpart, making it both an artistic statement and a fun roadside curiosity. Over the years, Carhenge has remained a popular stop for travelers looking for something truly unique. Whether you appreciate it as art or just love the idea of cars stacked like ancient relics, it’s a must-see along Nebraska’s open roads.
10. The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle – Collinsville, Illinois
This towering, 170-foot-tall water tower in the shape of a ketchup bottle has been standing since 1949. Originally built as a promotional gimmick for the Brooks Catsup Company, it became a beloved local landmark over the years. Even after the factory shut down, residents fought to preserve the giant bottle, and today, it stands as a tribute to both roadside advertising and small-town pride.
Every summer, the town even hosts a World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival, celebrating the quirky attraction with ketchup-themed events. It may not dispense actual ketchup, but it still manages to draw in plenty of curious visitors. If you love oddball Americana, this giant condiment tribute is well worth the stop.
11. Wall Drug – Wall, South Dakota
Wall Drug started in 1931 as a struggling little pharmacy in the middle of nowhere, but it became famous thanks to its ingenious advertising. The owners put up signs along highways for miles, offering free ice water to weary travelers. The strategy worked, and soon, Wall Drug grew into a sprawling tourist destination complete with shops, restaurants, and even a giant jackalope statue for photo ops.
Today, the signs for Wall Drug can still be spotted hundreds of miles away, luring in road-trippers just like they did decades ago. It’s part roadside attraction, part Old West experience, and 100% a staple of South Dakota road trips. Whether you’re stopping for a bite, a souvenir, or just to stretch your legs, Wall Drug remains one of the most famous pit stops in America.
12. Salvation Mountain – Niland, California
What started as one man’s passion project in the 1980s has since become one of the most colorful roadside landmarks in the country. Salvation Mountain is a massive, hand-painted hillside covered in Bible verses and bright folk-art designs, created by artist Leonard Knight. Built from adobe, straw, and gallons upon gallons of donated paint, it stands as a symbol of faith, perseverance, and creativity.
Though Knight passed away in 2014, volunteers continue to maintain the site, ensuring that travelers can still visit this vibrant piece of roadside art. Whether you appreciate it for its religious messages or just as an outsider art masterpiece, Salvation Mountain is a surreal and unforgettable stop. It’s a testament to how one person’s vision can leave a lasting mark on the landscape—literally.
From giant twine balls to mysterious vortexes, America’s roadside attractions prove that sometimes, the weirdest places make for the best stops. These long-standing icons have stood the test of time, offering nostalgia, history, and a little bit of wonder to those who visit. Whether you’ve been to them before or are adding them to your travel bucket list, they remind us why road trips are still one of the best ways to see the country.
