Spring is right around the corner, and with upcoming vacation planning, many Americans will opt to skip the pricey vacations and head out on the ever-popular and family bond-inducing road trip.
Nothing compliments a road trip better than the good ole roadside attraction. Often zany, sometimes corny and always entertaining, these monuments, statues and good-natured tourist traps offer relief from the monotony of the open road and make for a great vacation story for those back home.
Is your favorite spot included? Tell us what we may have missed in the comments below!
America's Best Roadside Attractions
Carhenge: Alliance, Nebraska(01 of12)
With 38 vintage American cars spray painted a stone-like grey, Nebraska's Carhenge is as close to England's real thing as can be found on this side of the Atlantic. However, there's no mystery here; artist Jim Reinders lived in England and carefully studied Stonehenge's proportions before coming back to Nebraska. This local landmark has been luring Midwestern drivers since 1987. (Carhenge, located off of Country Road 59 in Alliance, Nebraska) (credit:Flickr:cm195902)
World's Largest Buffalo: Jamestown, North Dakota(02 of12)
The regal 'Dakota Thunder' buffalo statue is visible from Interstate 94 and stands as the world's largest buffalo at 26 feet tall and 46 feet long. He weighs 60 tons (and he's anatomically correct, too... in case you were wondering). Real bison often graze in the neighboring fields which make for a pastoral photo op. The neighboring Frontier Village rounds out this attraction, depicting the ways of prairie life in the old west. (The World's Largest Buffalo, located off I-94 in Jamestown, North Dakota) (credit:Flickr:minnemom)
South of the Border: Dillion, South Carolina(03 of12)
On the drive along I-95, signs for the South of the Border "highway oasis" start mysteriously popping up from New Jersey to Florida. With billboards such as "Keep yelling, kids! (They'll stop.)" and "Pedro's Weather Forecast: Chili today, hot tamale!" drivers and kids alike keep an eye out for the billboards and Pedro, the lovable mustached bandito who serves as the attraction's mascot. They are enticed throughout the miles to stop at this little campy village just south of the North Carolina border. A sombrero water tower marks your arrival, and the actual town is a fun diversion with several restaurants, gas stations, a motel, a small amusement park, souvenir shopping and the ever popular fireworks store. (South of the Border, located off of I-95 (exit 1) in Dillion, South Carolina) (credit:Flickr:mollypop)
The Blue Whale: Catoosa, Oklahoma(04 of12)
Catoosa's Blue Whale has been a cheerful diversion for passengers driving down the historic Route 66 since the early 1970s. At its peak, "Blue" became a meeting place for local families complete with a swimming hole, reptile zoo and picnic area. The attraction fell into some disrepair over the years, until just recently when local aficionados worked to refurbish the landmark. While the zoo and swimming hole are no longer in use, the friendly Blue Whale, now an Oklahoma National Historic Landmark, still provides a great resting spot along the old Route 66.(The Blue Whale, located off of Rt. 66 just north of Catoosa, Oklahoma (about a mile south of the Kerr McClellan River) ) (credit:Flickr:marada)
Mystery Spot: Santa Cruz, California(05 of12)
Located a short drive from the Redwoods of Santa Cruz is the Mystery Spot, an area about 150 feet in diameter where the laws of physics just don't apply. Visitors walk into a tilted cabin where the impossible happens: balls that should roll downhill actually roll up, people stand at impossible angles, even the trees surrounding appear to be growing a bit off.Whether the true cause is optical illusion, paranormal influence or a gravitational anomaly is all part of the experience. By the end of the popular tour ($5/ person), even the harshest skeptics can expect a little "how'd they do that?" head-scratching. (Mystery Spot, located off of CA-1 in Santa Cruz, California) (credit:Flickr:Panegyrics of Granovetter)
Corn Palace: Mitchell, South Dakota(06 of12)
Demonstrating the true value of agriculture in the Great Plains, the Corn Palace has been attracting over hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. Since 1892, each year the exterior of the Moorish-looking structure is re-designed by a local artist to create topical murals and designs using over 275,000 ears of corn and other grains. More than just an impressive exterior, the Corn Palace is also an actual functioning space hosting everything from basketball games to Wayne Newton concerts. (The Corn Palace, Located off of I-90 in Mitchell, South Dakota) (credit:Flickr:ashleighb77)
Paul Bunyan and Babe: Bemidji, Minnesota(07 of12)
Who doesn't love Paul Bunyan and his trusty sidekick, Babe the Blue Ox? Over two dozen statues across the country feature this legendary lumberjack giant of folklore, but Bemidji claims to have the oldest statue in America, as well as claiming to be Paul's birthplace...The boxy, 18-foot Paul has been standing in this Minnesota town since 1937 and Babe joined him in 1939.(Paul Bunyan Statue, located at the Visitors and Convention Bureau in Bemidji, North Dakota) (credit:Flickr:two stout monks)
The Thing: Dragoon, Arizona(08 of12)
What is The Thing? That's the question that over 200 billboards ask along the 200 mile stretch of I-10 from Arizona to New Mexico. By the time you reach the colorful structure that best resembles a strip-mall, your interest is adequately piqued. So what is "The Thing"? This "Mystery of the Desert" facade is all part of the appeal; you'll just have to visit to see for yourself. For a meager $1 admission, why not? (The Thing, located off I-10 (exit 322) in Dragoon, Arizona.) (credit:Flickr:ThreadedThoughts)
Jolly Green Giant: Blue Earth, Minnesota (09 of12)
The 55 foot tall Jolly Green Giant statue was erected in 1978 to commemorate the completion of nearby I-90. The Green Giant canneries are based in Minnesota, and the state (clearly) has a lot of pride and economics vested in the brand. (Fun Fact: The valley in nearby Le Sueur is actually called "The Valley of the Jolly Green Giant!)Much more than just encouraging children to eat their vegetables, the lovable giant stands forever smiling to all who pass by. Ho, ho, ho!(Jolly Green Giant, located off of I-90 (exit 119) in Blue Earth, Minnesota) (credit:Flickr:Mykl Roventine)
Coral Castle: Homestead, Florida(10 of12)
From 1923 to 1951, Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin single-handedly carved over 1,100 tons of coral to create this attraction full of monoliths, walls, crescent moons and gates.He was merely 5 feet tall and only 100 pounds, so how he managed excavate the coral, carve it and complete this feat has supplied supernatural enthusiasts with much "how did he do it?" fodder since the Coral Castle became a public attraction in 1953. (Tickets are $12/adult and $7/children.)Leedskalnin passed away in 1951, leaving the mystery forever unsolved. (The Coral Castle, located off the Florida Turnpike in Homestead, Florida) (credit:Flickr:paparutzi)
Ben and Jerry's Flavor Graveyard: Waterbury, Vermont(11 of12)
White Russian, Wild Maine Blueberry, Bovinity Divinity... Ever wonder what happens to the retired Ben and Jerry's flavors that just don't catch on in the marketplace? Well, look no further than the Flavor Graveyard, located in the backyard of the Ben and Jerry's factory in Waterbury, Vermont. Their Factory Tour is an inexpensive diversion ($3/ adults, children are free) and well worth a visit. It boasts a bird's eye view of the factory, an ice cream sample and there's also an on-site Scoop Shop if you'd prefer a larger portion! The Flavor Graveyards is in the back, and themed after an actual cemetery, complete with headstones and all, it actually ends up being a, dare I say it, morbidly fun reminder of ice cream flavors come and gone. (Ben and Jerry's Flavor Graveyard, located off of I-89 (exit 10) in Waterbury, Vermont) (credit:Flickr:Qfamily)
The Parthenon: Nashville, Tennessee(12 of12)
Have you longed to travel to Greece to see the epic monuments that sit atop the Acropolis? Believe it or not, you can see a full-scale replica of the Parthenon a little closer to home, in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. Built in 1897, Nashville%u2019s Parthenon was built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition and remains a proud landmark of the "Athens of the South"Nashville's Parthenon also serves as the city of Nashville's art museum, with a number of paintings by 19th and 20th century American Artists and frequent temporary exhibits. (The Parthenon, Located off I-440 (exit 1) in Nashville, Tennessee) (credit:Flickr:TenSafeFrogs)
Follow Christina's adventures on her website and follow her on Twitter @packDsuitcase.
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