The BIG State-by-State List of U.S. Roadside Attractions

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Minnesota Roadside Attractions

Red Wing Boot and Red Wing Pottery

Roadside attraction submitted by Melissa at A Little Time and a Keyboard

“Red Wing, Minnesota is known for its manufacturing history including the famous Red Wing Boot and Red Wing Pottery. What you may not know about Red Wing is that it is home to two of the World’s Largest! Red Wing fittingly finds itself home to the World’s Largest Boot which is incredible to see and stand next to. Additionally, Red Wing is home to the World’s Largest Pottery jugs found at the Red Wing Pottery Museum.

Jolly Green Giant

Roadside attraction submitted by Susan of Taylored Adventures

“The Jolly Green Giant Statue stands 55 1/2 feet tall off of Interstate 90 in Blue Earth, Minnesota.  Green Giant vegetables were canned at a local factory when the statue was constructed in 1979.  There is a staircase behind the giant you can climb to have your photo taken with the childhood icon who reminded you to ‘eat your vegetables’!”

Largest Candy Store in Minnesota

Roadside attraction submitted by Jenn of Day Tripper

“My favorite roadside pit stop is the Largest Candy Store in MN. It’s off of hwy 169 in Jordan, just south of the Twin Cities. They have the largest selection of candy, fudges, pies, and flavored soda. We have to stock up a couple times a year to make sure we’ve got all the major holidays covered.”

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Nebraska Roadside Attractions

Largest Ball of Stamps

Roadside attraction submitted by LeAnna of Well Traveled Nebraskan

Most people are a bit surprised when I tell them of all the things to do in Nebraska, especially it’s fun, quirky and odd roadside attractions.  But no visit to “The Good Life” is complete without a (minimum!) weekend trip to the Big O! (Omaha).

And while there are NO shortages of lists of things to do in Omaha, it is sometimes the off the beaten path and oddball (no pun intended…keep reading) things that are truly a surprise, like the World’s Largest Ball of Stamps. Yup.  Stamps!

This 600 pound ball (yikes!!!) really just came about when a group of boys in the “Boystown Stamp Collecting Club” (yes, that apparently IS a real thing!?) got bored!

The best part is that while most world record items are kept under lock and key, the proud Boystown Leon Myers Stamp Center proudly displays it for all to touch and see (just don’t try taking any stamps!)

This unique roadside attraction is located at 13628 Flanagan Blvd in Omaha. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 5.

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North Dakota Roadside Attractions

World’s Largest Buffalo Monument

Photo caption: World’s Largest Buffalo / Photo Credit: Rick and Katie Rees

The World’s Largest Buffalo Monument is located just off Interstate 94 in Jamestown, South Dakota. This 26-foot tall concrete sculpture named Dakota Thunder is located inside the gates of the Frontier Village. While you are there, you may also want to check out the National Buffalo Museum and the live buffalo herd (including a rare albino bison). The National Buffalo Museum is one of several legendary places to visit in North Dakota with your family.

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Ohio Roadside Attractions

Giant Dancing Hares

Roadside attraction submitted by Tonya at Travel Inspired Living

“These 15-foot tall dancing hares are situated on a hill in Dublin’s prestigious Ballantrae community overlooking a splash pad and 20-acre community park. While the bunnies are easily spotted from your car, they are best appreciated up-close. So park your car in the nearby lot and climb to the top of the hill to find they objects embedded in the sculptures.”

Concrete Field of Corn

Roadside attraction submitted by Thaleia of Something 2 Offer

“Have you ever seen a concrete Field of Corn before? I had never even heard of such a thing until recently. You can visit the Field of Corn located in Dublin, Ohio and read all about it from Thaleia at Something 2 Offer in her post Road Trip Attraction: Concrete Field of Corn Dublin, Ohio.”

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South Dakota Roadside Attractions

Wall Drug

Roadside attraction submitted by Jimmy of Off With The Kids

“Dubbed as ‘America’s Favorite Roadside Attraction’, Wall Drug has a unique history that dates back to 1931 when the small drug store located in the small town of Wall, near the Badlands of South Dakota started offering free ice water to travelers crossing the state.  Today this drug store has expanded into a block long 76,000 square-foot tourist attraction that is visited by up to 20,000 people per day.  This really fun tourist attraction offers multiple western styled shops where one can fine Native American artifacts, fine art, decorative accessories, and gift items of all sorts.  There is also a restaurant, freshly made donuts, and much much more!  The kids will especially enjoy Wall Drug’s Backyard which features old fashioned coin slot rides along with a stage coach to take photos in, a roaring T-Rex, a miniature Mouth Rushmore, and a giant Jackalope they can climb aboard!  My family and I have visited Wall Drug several times and make it a point to stop in whenever we are in the area.  If you are interested in visiting Wall Drug, just look for one of the many hundred road signs posted along I-90 in South Dakota and you’ll find yourself there in no time!”

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Wisconsin Roadside Attractions

Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame

Roadside attraction submitted by Victoria of That Was a First

“The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum is located off Highway 63 in Hayward, Wisconsin.  This museum complex has four buildings containing collections of artifacts that celebrate fresh water sport fishing.  The collections include vintage fishing lures, rods, reels, boat motors, and over 300 mounted fish.  The highlight of the museum is the 4 ½ story tall, one half city block long, fiberglass musky.  The giant musky is jumping out of an 88,000 gallon pond that is full of fish.  You can view more historical fishing artifacts as you walk inside the musky up to the observation deck in the musky’s mouth.  The museum is open every day from mid-April thru October.”

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Northeast Region

 

Connecticut Roadside Attractions

Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria

Roadside attraction submitted by Harmony of Momma To Go

Driving through New England? You will surely pass dozens of Dunkin’ Donuts and quite a few Friendly’s -> New England’s favorite chain restaurants. But plan your trip with a stop in New Haven, for a trip to Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria. This won’t just be a food stop, it’s a culinary roadside attraction! Located in New Haven right off I-95 or I-91 this restaurant in the heart of New Haven’s little Italy will be well worth the wait. And yes, like for all good things in life you WILL have to wait for a table. No slices here, just pies – the White Clam Pizza is their signature dish. But going with a regular pizza is great too! A stop at Frank Pepe’s will fuel you up for the rest of your ride!

Hammonasset Beach

Roadside attraction submitted by Ruth of Have Kiddos Will Travel

Hammonasset Beach State Park is located just off I-95 and it’s a must stop for families traveling thru Connecticut. Offering a free nature center, trails, birding, picnic areas, restrooms and miles of beach, Hammonasset offers way more than the ability to stretch your legs.

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Pennsylvania Roadside Attractions

Copper Kettle and Eighty-Four Country Store

Roadside attraction submitted by Darla of Fun Fitness Family

The Copper Kettle and Eighty-Four Country Store is a really cool stop off Interstate 84 right in Pennsylvania outside of Lake Wallenpaupack to spend a few hours if you are en route to Scranton, the Poconos, or other northern destinations. It is a roadside attraction, photo stop, novelty shop, country store, seasonal BBQ, and café all rolled into one:

• Outside of the store, there are lots of cool photo opportunities! Take a picture in a ginormous chair, jail cell, bathtub, with statues, or even a live barnyard animal!
• In the front of the store, the Country Deli boasts the ‘largest sandwiches in PA’ at great prices, plus cheesesteaks, burgers, salads for health-conscious diners, ice cream, coffee drinks, and fudge.
• Head through the middle of the store offering all kinds of country finds, penny candy, gourmet goods, and novelty knick knacks, and you’ll find Kids Country fun zone with gem mining and all kinds of games.

 

Pocono Snake and Animal Farm

Roadside attraction submitted by Darla of Fun Fitness Family

Another nifty Pennsylvania stop is this little zoo is located off Interstate 80 not too far from Shawnee Mountain and the Delaware River attractions. It is family owned and operated. You can feed primates and rabbits, see reptiles, and bottle-feed deer, goats, and pot-bellied pigs!

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Southeast Region

 

Alabama Roadside Attractions

Alabama Welcome Center Rocket

Roadside attraction submitted by Lindsey at Let Me Give You Some Advice

Sure, you could stop at any rest stop to stretch your legs but how often can you also visit a rocket? At the Alabama Welcome Center, you can view an actual Saturn 1B rocket which reaches 224 ft into the sky! We make it a point to stop here whenever we pass by on I-65 not only to see the rocket but also to visit the staffed welcome center which has lots of local information and brochures.

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Kentucky Roadside Attractions

Louisville Slugger Big Bat

Keep your eye on the ball bat! When driving along Main Street in Louisville, it is super easy to find the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Just keep an eye out for a giant baseball bat leaning against a brick building. This 120-foot tall bat is an exact scale replica of Babe Ruth’s bat, and it is definitely a photo-worthy roadside attraction. We highly recommend visiting the museum and touring the factory as well.

Dinosaur World

If you were to ask our children what their favorite roadside attraction is, they would undoubtedly yell in unison “DINOSAUR WORLD.” We often visit Dinosaur World Kentucky during our Spring Break vacations, and the children loved it both times. We all enjoy posing for goofy pictures with the life-size replicas of dinosaurs and our smallest children enjoy the fossil dig and awesome playground. This location is conveniently located near Mammoth Caves National Park in Cave City, and it’s a great place to let the kids have fun after a few hours of learning about nature at the National Park.

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North Carolina Roadside Attractions

Bridal Veil Falls

The North Carolina Waterfalls Byway is filled with roadside attractions created by Mother Nature herself. Our favorite roadside stop along this route is Bridal Veil Falls where you can actually drive under a waterfall. Another favorite stop was Dry Falls that features a short walking trail behind a large waterfall. Both of these waterfalls are found along Highway 64 between the towns of Franklin and Highlands.

Double D’s Coffee and Desserts

Permanently parked in downtown Asheville, you can find the tastiest roadside attraction of all – a red double decker bus turned into a coffee shop. My husband highly recommends the coffee there, the kids and I highly recommend the milkshakes, and we all found the experience delightful. You can find Double D’s Coffee and Desserts at 41 Biltmore Avenue.

RELATED: Fun Places to Eat in America

Tail of the Dragon

With 318 curves in 11 miles, this section of US-129 may not be for you if you have issues with motion sickness. This crazy stretch of curvy mountain road called the Tail of the Dragon ends in Deals Gap, North Carolina. Be sure to stop there after your winding drive through the Great Smoky Mountains to stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and take a celebratory picture with the dragon statue.

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South Carolina Roadside Attractions

Warbird Park

Once upon a time, Myrtle Beach was home to a United States Air Force Base. The air force base was deactivated in the 1990’s but its proud heritage is remembered at Warbird Park located on Farrow Parkway. The park is dedicated to the men and women of the United States Air Force, and it has several old fighter jets on display.

South of the Border

Roadside attraction submitted by Harmony of Momma To Go

“I’ve done the NY -> FL drive several times and a highlight of any Southern road trip is a stop at South of the Border (SOTB). SOTB is a Mexican-themed roadside attraction located at the North Carolina/South Carolina border along I-95. The glorified rest stop includes what you would expect – food, gas and restrooms. BUT at SOTB you will also find mini-golf, an alligator tank, a hotel, and the best souvenir store full of junk you never knew you wanted! What is almost more fun than stopping at SOTB is the anticipation of arriving – for HUNDREDS of miles you will see the cheesiest billboards advertising the location and indicating how many miles you have left! I highly recommend you pop in to see Pedro, stretch your legs and perhaps grab a sombrero!”

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Virginia Roadside Attractions

Neptune Statue

Roadside attraction submitted by Stacey of Love Laughter and Luggage

“If you find yourself driving along Highway 60 along the Virginia coast, be sure to make time for a stop at Virginia Beach.  See the Neptune statue on the boardwalk, and be sure to dip your toes into the ocean.  Be warned, the water may be a bit chilly, even in June!  If you plan to stay a little longer, Virginia Beach has plenty of affordable hotel options on the beach that sport an ocean view.  Though Virginia Beach may not qualify as a relaxing destination due to the proximity of fighter jet patrols from nearby Norfolk, our family had a great time.”

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