9 Quirkiest United States Towns To Visit In 2025
For travelers craving fun beyond the usual theme parks and tourist traps, these 9 US towns offer the quirkiest sites, landmarks, and festivals in the country. Specializing in all things offbeat, eccentric, and downright unusual, these unconventional communities encourage guests to embrace the extraordinary. From an Indiana town where every day is Christmas to an Arizona town where burros run free, these exciting destinations are perfect for anyone looking to experience something new.
Leavenworth, Washington
Settled amidst the pine-studded Cascades in central Washington State, Leavenworth transports visitors to the pages of a German fairytale. However, much like the fairytales we read as children, Leavenworth once faced a challenging quest. The Bavarian-styled village, lined with enchanting half-timbered buildings, was not always so. Originally a logging and sawmill community, a railroad reroute once left Leavenworth a near ghost town.
Our story’s heroes arose in the 1960s when town leaders redesigned Leavenworth after a Bavarian village. This pivot allowed the town to revive itself and thrive, giving Leavenworth the storybook ending it deserved. Today, over 2 million people visit every year, with tourists drawn to German-inspired attractions like the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum and München Haus restaurant. Leavenworth also hosts a fabulous range of German-themed festivals, including Oktoberfest, set for October 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th, 2025.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Much like Leavenworth, Truth or Consequences, or “T or C,” as locals call it, once underwent a quirky transformation. Formerly called “Hot Springs” due to the area’s natural mineral springs, T or C took on its unusual new name in 1950 for a game show challenge. The hope was that the publicity stunt would draw attention to the town and increase tourism. Luckily, the change worked its magic, breathing new life into the New Mexico community.
To this day, the town hosts an annual Truth or Consequences Fiesta to honor this transformation. Since the 2025 event has already passed, visitors can instead learn more about the town’s revamp at the Geronimo Springs Museum. In recent years, T or C has also modernized its mineral springs, centering the town as a world-class spa destination. Sites like the Riverbend Hot Springs are perfect for a day of bliss and relaxation, showcasing the ancient waters that first drew people to the area.
Santa Claus, Indiana
In southwestern Indiana, the jolly town of Santa Claus is equally famous for its quirky name change. In the mid-19th century, the small farm community, then known as Santa Fee, decided they wanted to apply for a post office. However, their application was refused since another Indiana town was already going by the name of Santa Fe. Local legend says townspeople gathered on a cold Christmas Eve to decide a new name when the red-suited, white-bearded Saint Nick came to mind.
The Santa Clause Post Office was established in 1856, and the town has remained Santa Claus ever since. In no time, a theme followed suit, transforming Santa Claus into a place where it feels like Christmas 365 days a year. Guests can visit Christmasy attractions like Santa's Candy Castle and the Santa Claus Museum & Village, as well as the historic post office that started it all. On July 19th, 2025, the Santa Claus Museum & Village will also host its annual Christmas in July Vendor Fair and Flea Market.
Roswell, New Mexico
Back in New Mexico, Roswell’s extraterrestrial reputation makes for an out-of-this-world day trip. The southeastern New Mexico town first reached international fame in 1947 when an unidentified flying object was seen crashing in the area. The Roswell incident, as it is now known, sparked claims of aliens and spacecraft, fueling conspiracies of extraterrestrial life. To this day, the UFO incident is ingrained in Roswell’s identity.
For alien enthusiasts and non-believers alike, the International UFO Museum And Research Center is a fun and educational first stop. Located downtown, much of the museum is dedicated to the 1947 crash, although it also focuses on UFO sightings and theories from around the country. For a mind-bending blacklight adventure, Roswell UFO Spacewalk planetarium is another unique locale great for all ages. In July 2025, families can also enjoy the Roswell UFO Festival, planned for the 4th to 6th. The “cosmic celebration” will feature an extraterrestrial-themed parade, outdoor movie screenings, and ufologist speakers.
Oatman, Arizona
Boasting the longest stretch of historic Route 66 compared to any other state, it is no surprise that Arizona offers some of the quirkiest roadside attractions in the country. Along the iconic road trip route, the town of Oatman is no exception. Tucked away in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Oatman is a former boom town that nearly vanished. While it thrived as a mining town in the early 1900s, all that changed when its mines closed in the 1940s. However, just like Leavenworth, the town revived itself in the 1960s, transitioning into a historic Wild West tourist attraction.
While Oatman is a gateway to “Arizona's rugged and remote wilderness,” the town is mainly known for its famous free-roaming burros. The descendants of burros used by miners, these friendly creatures can be seen roaming the town in search of treats from visitors. After paying the snack tax (make sure to research burro-approved foods) the Wild West town is a joy to explore on foot. Outlaw Gunfight reenactments are hosted daily, and popular points of interest include the Oatman Gift Shack and the Making Memories Old Time Photos studio.
Tonopah, Nevada
Once selected as a “Top 10 True Western Town” by Truewest Magazine, Tonopah is another must-see site for its Wild West heritage and zany attractions. Similar to Oatman, the Nevada community was once one of the richest boom towns in the West. Unfortunately, the Queen of the Silver Camps lost its fortune when the price of silver declined, its mines eventually closing for good in 1948. In its place, Tonopah honors the town’s history and heritage with attractions like Tonopah Historic Mining Park.
Main Street Tonopah is another time machine, preserving its Wild West charm with buildings like the rumored-to-be haunted Mizpah Hotel, built in 1907. However, the town is equally known for an even more unusual accommodation: The World-Famous Clown Motel. Opened in honor of Tonopah local and clown collector Clarence David, the clown-themed motel is strange in itself but comes with a twist. Right next door to the motel, Clarence David himself is buried in the Old Tonopah Cemetery alongside Tonopah’s earliest miners and pioneers.
Casey, Illinois
A small Midwestern town with big charm, Casey is famous for its “supersized Roadside Attractions.” Despite being just 2.6 square miles in size, the rural Illinois community is home to 12 of the “World's Largest” things, certified by Guinness World Records. Favorites include the World’s Largest Teeter Totter and the World’s Largest Mailbox, both of which are functional. There are also countless “Big Items” around town, including a massive birdcage on Main Street. Despite not holding a world record, these landmarks are still worth the photo-op.
This incredible collection of roadside attractions originated as a passion project for Jim Bolin. The local businessman sought to put Casey on the map and draw visitors to his family’s cafe, which now houses Crazy 8's BBQ. Using materials from his pipeline business, Bolin was inspired to create the town’s first big attraction in 2011, the World's Largest Wind Chime. The record-breaking landmark can still be enjoyed on Main Street today, across from the World’s Largest Rocking Chair.
Whittier, Alaska
A gateway to Alaska’s Prince William Sound, Whittier takes “close-knit and cozy” to a whole new level. Surrounded by the beautiful Chugach Mountains, Whittier is home to just a few hundred people. Nevertheless, many are amazed to find that most of the community is contained within just one 14-story building. Hundreds of locals live in the Begich Towers, along with a clinic, grocery store, school, and the town’s police station.
Although Whittier is often called "the town under one roof," visitors can enjoy external lodging at spots like the Anchor Inn or the Inn At Whittier. For those curious about life in the Begich Towers, its top two floors also feature accommodations with June's Whittier Condo Suites. As for attractions beyond the quirky structure, downtown Whittier offers sites like the Prince William Sound Museum. However, nature remains the town’s greatest lure. Local companies, such as Phillips Cruises & Tours, offer trips through the Prince William Sound, showcasing magnificent icebergs and glaciers.
Cassadaga, Florida
For curious travelers and passionate spiritualists, the Florida town of Cassadaga invites visitors to experience its community of clairvoyants. Known to many as the “Psychic Capital of the World,” the close-knit community boasts a rich history of spiritualism. Founded around 1875, the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association soon drew spiritually-minded people from across the country. While Spiritualism is still at its center in 2025, the camp welcomes all: believers and curious skeptics alike.
Across the camp’s 57 acres and 55 homes, many residents claim themselves as mediums, psychics, and healers. Visitors looking to book a reading or spiritual session are encouraged to book in advance by telephone or email using the camp’s online directory. For a more impromptu reading, the camp also hosts countless events throughout the year, including their Gala Days festival, scheduled for August 2nd and November 22nd, 2025. In between, they will also host Fall Fest, promising vendors and “Mini Readings” on October 24th to 26th and October 31st to November 1st, 2025.
Discover America’s Quirkiest Towns In 2025
While a tropical getaway or theme park vacation always has its place, sometimes, the best fun comes from a roadside attraction or funky festival. Whether stopping in Casey Illinois for a photo atop the World’s Largest Teeter Totter or letting a psychic read your destiny in Cassadaga Florida, these quirky US towns invite you to step outside the box. While fun comes in many forms, the more unusual and unfamiliar experiences are arguably the most memorable.
