America’s Most Bizarre Tourist Traps: Where You Can See a President’s Spine and More
If you’ve ever taken a lengthy road trip, you’re probably well aware that our country is full of quirky roadside attractions and offbeat tourist traps. From the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo to the Largest Ball of Paint in Alexandria, you never know what you’ll find when you explore the U.S.
But some tourist traps are downright bizarre. Depending on your tastes and sense of humor, you might love them, but you might wish you’d just stayed home.
A president’s spine
There is definitely an odd assortment of things to see. | Cohee/Wikimedia Commons
It’s true, you can see the spine of President James Garfield when you visit the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Maryland. This museum also holds the bullet that killed President Abraham Lincoln.
Next: This popular attraction isn’t out of this world.
Roswell
A blow-up alien isn’t the most unique attraction in the world. | mixmotive/iStock/Getty Images
The entire town of Roswell is decked out in alien memorabilia, and to be honest, it isn’t even good. While we don’t blame them for capitalizing on the alleged 1947 alien crash landing, you can see little green alien figurines anywhere.
Next: This overrated attraction isn’t even in the right spot.
Four Corners
This is pretty much all there is to see in the area. | Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
Sure, the idea of being able to stand in four states at once sounds fun. But are you willing to travel to the middle of nowhere, far away from civilization, to get one cheesy photo? And here’s the kicker: The giant disc is allegedly 1,800 feet from where the four states actually intersect.
Next: This Connecticut store is more like a hyped up flea market.
Wild Bill’s Nostalgia Store
Not exactly what you come to expect of Connecticut. | Wild Bills Nostalgia via Facebook
Wild Bill’s Nostalgia Store is located in Middletown, Connecticut. It’s most famous for being home to the world’s largest Jack-in-the-Box, but it’s got all sorts of other oddities, as well.
Next: Retrace the steps of a psychopath
Helter Skelter Tragical History Tour
At least some of the money goes to a good cause. | Dearly Departed Tours and Museum via Facebook
If you followed the story of Charles Manson and the Manson murders, you may appreciate this tour. LA’s narrated Helter Skelter Tragical History Tour visits the homes of several victims and even the locations where the killers ditched their bloody murder weapons.
Next: New Orleans has some especially bizarre attractions.
The Museum of Death
Maybe hold off on lunch … | Museum of Death, Nola via Facebook
Have you ever wanted to look at antique autopsy equipment and morgue slides? You’ll be surprised at what the Museum of Death in New Orleans has on display — this place isn’t for the squeamish.
Next: This place proves you can make art out of anything.
Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum
You’ve probably never seen this before. | Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum via Facebook
You’ll find this quirky museum in San Antonio, Texas. The decorated seats are the work of master plumber Barney Smith, who has been painting them in his retirement.
Next: Take a romantic stroll down a nuclear waste disposal site.
Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail and Museum
Located in St. Charles County, Missouri, the Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail and Museum traces the history of the largest explosives factory in the country. You can even see acres of land that feature covered-up mercury, radioactive uranium, and TNT.
Next: We wonder what one would keep in this massive dresser.
The World’s Largest Chest of Drawers
It was originally built in 1926 as the Bureau of Information. |
Have you ever wanted to see a giant dresser? Head to High Point, North Carolina, and check out the world’s largest chest of drawers. It’s 32 feet high and was built to honor High Point’s title as the Furniture Capital of the World.
Next: This takes the “world’s largest” thing a little too far.
The World’s Largest Ball of Twine
It is what it is. | TigerPaw2154/Wikimedia Commons
The world’s largest ball of twine is in Cawker City, Kansas. There’s really not much else to say about it.
Next: This is the silliest Stonehenge replica.
Carhenge
Some people like it. | Friends of Carhenge via Facebook
Located in Alliance, Nebraska, Carhenge consists of 39 cars stacked to resemble Stonehenge. Believe it or not, it’s one of the highest rated attractions in the state.
Next: This house may not be haunted, but seeing it is haunting.
Winchester Mystery House
After the deaths of her husband and children, Sarah Winchester bought an unfinished farmhouse and spent 38 years “finishing” it. She added stairs to nowhere, doors leading to dead ends, and miles of secret passageways. Some say she was trying to confuse evil spirits, others think she was listening to the spirits.
Next: Americans must love strange museums.
The Hammer Museum
This Haines, Alaska museum has more than 2,000 hammers on display, some of which date back to the time of the Romans. It seems as if there are more uses for hammers than we ever could have imagined.
Next: The mission was to make these creepy insects cute.
Cockroach Hall of Fame
The Cockroach Hall of Fame is the work of pest control specialist Michael Bodhan, who decided he wanted to put a positive spin on the cockroach. The Plano, Texas museum, currently closed, is admittedly entertaining, featuring cockroach corpses in costume inside elaborate sets.
Next: This huge sculpture apparently represents the artist’s life.
The Mindfield
The large art piece is quite the sight. | Thomas R Machnitzki/Wikimedia Commons
Located in Brownsville, Tennessee, The Mindfield is the life work of local artist Billy Trip. He says it represents his emotions, personal growth, and significant life events, and he intends to keep adding to it until he dies.
Read more: You Should Never Do These Things on an Airplane
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