Traveling the western highways is more than sweeping views. It’s also about the odd and the astonishing. These 18 attractions will make you pause your playlist and explore something truly unexpected.
Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return, Santa Fe NM
Step into a former bowling alley transformed by more than 100 artists. You might open a fridge and find an ice cave. You could crawl through a fireplace into a neon forest. Every corner hides a secret passage and hands-on exhibit. It opened in 2008 and quickly became a cultural hotspot in Santa Fe.
Salvation Mountain, Niland CA
Leonard Knight began painting this adobe hill in the 1960s. Today it towers over the desert at more than 50 feet tall. Bright murals and Bible verses cover its surface. Volunteers keep it fresh with non-toxic paint. In 2014 it earned recognition as a folk art site worth preserving.
Bombay Beach, CA
Once a lakeside resort on the Salton Sea, Bombay Beach now stands half-abandoned. Artists and builders repurposed its buildings into quirky installations. Every year the Bombay Beach Biennale brings more art, music, and workshops. You’ll find sculptures made from driftwood, metal cars, and recycled sails.
Boeing 727 Plane House, Portland OR
Imagine living in a retired airliner. Bruce Campbell made this 727 into a cozy home on ten forested acres. It has plumbing, electricity, and even a hot tub built where the engines once sat. Visitors can book a night’s stay and sleep among overhead bins turned into bookshelves.
Prada Marfa, Valentine TX
In 2005 two artists built a real-looking Prada shop in the desert. Shoes and bags fill the windows. The doors stay locked. It’s a playful jab at luxury and consumerism. Over time the concrete building has weathered, and local teams keep it in shape so it won’t vanish into the sand.
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo TX
Ten classic Cadillacs sit half-buried, noses in the dirt. Since 1974 drivers and tourists spray paint on the cars. No one owns the design. It’s a team artwork that changes daily. Visit at sunrise or under neon at night for very different photo ops.
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose CA
Sarah Winchester kept building her mansion for 38 years. She added staircases leading nowhere, doors opening into walls, and hidden rooms. Legend says she heard voices of spirits who told her to keep building. Guided tours point out its odd layout and Victorian-era charm.
Banana Museum, Mecca CA
Over 20,000 banana-themed items fill this desert museum. You’ll see banana clocks, toys, art, and even lamps shaped like the fruit. It started as a private collection in 1996 and grew into an official roadside stop. Don’t miss the banana-shaped gift shop.
International UFO Museum, Roswell NM
Built in 1991, this museum dives deep into the Roswell incident of 1947. Exhibits cover UFO sightings, alleged government secrets, and alien art. You can read original reports and see recreated crash debris. It’s the ultimate stop for anyone curious about life beyond Earth.
Drive-Thru Tree, Humboldt County CA
Head north to find ancient redwoods wide enough for your car. Three trees were hollowed in the 1930s so vehicles could pass through. Today you pay a small fee to drive or walk through these living tunnels. The bark and rings tell stories of centuries past.
Pike Place Market Gum Wall, Seattle WA
Near the famous market you’ll find a brick alley covered in chewed gum. It started as prank in the 1990s and grew into a sticky mural. The wall is cleaned occasionally, then fans start anew. Bring a piece of gum and add your mark to the ever-changing collage.
Alien Fresh Jerky, Baker CA
Just off I-15, this neon green store leans into Area 51 lore. It stocks beef, exotic jerky, and souvenirs with alien logos. You can taste kangaroo, alligator, or classic beef. Take a photo with the giant extraterrestrial out front before you hit the road again.
Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, Arlee MT
In the sacred Jocko Valley you’ll discover a peaceful Buddhist sanctuary. A 24-foot statue of Buddha gazes over 1,000 smaller white figures. Paths wind through pine trees and prayer wheels. The garden opened in 2001 to inspire mindfulness and compassion.
Fremont Troll, Seattle WA
Under the Aurora Bridge crouches an 18-foot troll clutching an old Volkswagen Beetle. Created in 1990 by a community art team, it aimed to reclaim the neglected underpass. Visitors scramble over the troll’s feet and peek inside its toothy grin.
World’s Largest Elk Horn Arch, Afton WY
Over 3,000 elk antlers form an arch spanning US-89 since 1959. It weighs 15 tons and welcomes visitors at the town’s entrance. Local groups rebuild sections over time to replace weathered antlers. It stands in a small park with benches and a view of nearby hills.
Giant Pistachio, Alamogordo NM
At PistachioLand you’ll spot a 30-foot shell that looks like a real nut. Local farmers built it in 2006 to celebrate their crop. Inside you can sample pistachio brittle, ice cream, and even pistachio wine. The gift shop offers nuts roasted in unique spice blends.
Toilet Seat Art Museum, San Antonio TX
Retired plumber Barney Smith turned toilet seats into canvases. Over 1,300 seats depict everything from pop icons to serious themes like civil rights. He opened the museum in 1992 and welcomed visitors until his passing in 2019. The collection remains on display in his old garage.
Cockroach Hall of Fame, Plano TX
This tiny museum inside a pest control shop honors roaches. You’ll see these insects dressed as Elvis, astronauts, and presidents. The display mixes humor with facts about how cockroaches survive in harsh conditions. It reminds you that even pests have a place in nature.
Each stop tells its own tale. You’ll learn about art, faith, decay, and the drive to create something out of the ordinary. Pack snacks and plenty of camera memory. These roadside gems deliver stories you’ll share long after the trip ends.
