12 Roadside Attractions That Were Huge Back in the Day
These quirky pit stops were once must-sees for road-tripping families—now they're more memory than monument.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Before GPS and highway bypasses, roads trips were about the journey and the bizarre landmarks along the way. These roadside attractions once pulled in crowds with their over-the-top charm and curious appeal. Here’s a look at the ones that made traveling way more fun back in the day.
1. The Giant Dinosaurs of Cabazon
Jllm06 on Wikimedia Commons
These towering dinosaurs off I-10 in California were once the highlight of any westbound road trip. Built in the ’60s and featured in *Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, *they made roadside kitsch feel legendary. Families would pull over just to snap a Polaroid with the T-rex.
2. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox
Kingeudey on Wikimedia Commons
Towering over Bemidji, Minnesota, this larger-than-life lumberjack duo used to be a rite of passage for Midwestern families. They felt like local legends carved into Americana. The photo ops alone made the detour worth it.
3. “The Thing” in Arizona
CGP Grey on Wikimedia Commons
Billboards for “The Thing” started hundreds of miles before you even get close. Once there, you’d find a mystery hidden in a desert shack and lots of wind theories. It was pure roadside marketing magic.
4. The Corn Palace in South Dakota
Carol M. Highsmith on Wikimedia Commons
A building covered in real corn? That was enough to make any kid beg their parents to stop. The Corn Palace changed designs every year, making it a weirdly artistic tradition for passing drivers.
5. South of the Border in South Carolina
John Margolies on Wikimedia Commons
Flashy, loud, and impossible to ignore, South of the Border was a surreal mix of amusement park, gift shop, and neon overload. Billboards hyped it up for miles. Whether you loved it or cringed, you remember it.
6. Lucy the Elephant in New Jersey
Acroterion on Wikimedia Commons
Built in the 1880s and still standing, Lucy is a six-story building shaped like—you guessed it—an elephant. Families once packed in to climb to the top and take in the Atlantic breeze. It’s weird, wonderful, and unforgettable.
7. World’s Largest Ball of Twine
Tony Webster on Wikimedia Commons
The ultimate in road trip trivia, this massive twine ball in Minnesota was once the crown jewel of quirky stops. It’s so specific and strange that you couldn’*t *stop. Bonus points if you remembered to bring a yardstick.
8. Weeki Wachee Springs
Leonard J. DeFrancisci on Wikimedia Commons
Florida’s live mermaids wowed generations underwater in this unique roadside theater. Swimmers performed ballet routines in tanks while visitors watched in awe. It was pure vintage Florida charm.
9. Carhenge in Nebraska
Richard J Woodland on Wikimedia Commons
Imagine Stonehenge—but made out of old cars. This strange sculpture was the kind of roadside oddity that made people double back just to get a better look. A mix of art and absurdity, it was unforgettable.
10. Wigwam Motels
KSorel on Wikimedia Commons
These teepee-shaped motels along Route 66 were the perfect sleepover for adventurous kids. Staying in a “wigwam” felt like camping—but with a bathroom and cable TV. They made overnight stays part of the story.
11. Salvation Mountain in California
Aculp on Wikimedia Commons
Covered in vivid paint and messages of love, this handmade mountain was one man’s passion project. Travelers came for the colors and stayed for the heart behind it. It was part sculpture, part spiritual experience.
12. Big Tex at the Texas State Fair
Photo: Andreas Praefcke on Wikimedia Commons
Big Tex isn’t just tall; he’s iconic. This talking cowboy greeted millions at the State Fair, becoming a beloved symbol of Texas pride. Seeing him was a moment kids remembered long after the corndogs were gone.