7 Of The Most Bizarre Landmarks In Georgia

Stray away from some of Georgia's more popular (and crowded) destinations and check out the unique and bizarre landmarks this southern state has to offer. From trails that double as art installations to awe-inspiring natural features and more, the seven spots we will be discussing today will surely provide you with a number of fun and wacky roadside stops for any road trip here. Each is very accessible, and with most being free to explore, these unique places, at the very least, will deliver some interesting memories along the way. Here are seven of the most bizarre landmarks in the state of Georgia.

Doll’s Head Trail

A former brickworks site in Atlanta’s Constitution Lakes natural area has been transformed into Doll’s Head Trail, a 1.5-mile nature path strewn with creepy decorations made from discarded doll parts, toys, and junk truck parts. Carpenter Joel Slaton got things started by building installations using the discarded items he found in the natural area. Now, the site helps raise awareness of urban littering and the legacy of the brick factory. The site has also taken on an unsettling vibe and a life of its own among horror fans.

Here, you will encounter eerie clusters of doll heads mounted on sticks and branches, various sculptures integrating other doll parts, and colorful displays. Note that the trail is openly accessible and free but is closed after dusk.

Driftwood Beach

Driftwood Beach is a stretch of shoreline covered in the skeletal remains of an old oceanside forest. Decades of erosion, hurricanes, and shifting tides uprooted massive oak and pine trees, leaving their twisted trunks and branches buried in the sand or sticking out at sharp angles. And, despite its name, most of the wood didn’t float in; it was killed in place by saltwater intrusion. The result is a coastal landscape that looks almost like a surreal painting, or a graveyard of trees, so to speak.

At low tide, more of the debris field is visible, and you can walk among the pieces of driftwood, making it a hotspot for photographers and nature lovers. Access is free once on Jekyll Island, but entry to the island does require a vehicle fee. It is located near the Villas by the Sea Resort, also giving you a nice place to stay the night close by should you want to.

Old Car City USA

What began in 1931 as a family general store evolved into a salvage yard, then turned into a living museum over the years. Old Car City USA sprawls across 32 acres in White, Georgia, and houses over 4,000 American-made vehicles, most from pre‑1970, entangled in forest undergrowth and moss.

Nature has, for the most part, reclaimed these classic cars, with trees growing through windshields (namely a 1939 Chevy with tree roots forcing through its glass), vines draping chrome, and rusted frames slowly becoming part of the landscape. You'll be able to see this strange site for yourself via six miles of trails along winding paths, guided by hand‑painted signs. Also note that there is a fee for admission into the area, with discounts for children and active military personnel.

Pasaquan

Pasaquan is a 7-acre folk art compound in rural Marion County, created over decades by visionary artist Eddie Owens Martin (sometimes known as St. EOM). An array of colors and wacky patterns, the site comprises six primary structures and over 900 feet of painted masonry walls blending symbols from a variety of cultures, like pre‑Columbian Mexican, African, and Native American.

It was born from a vision that Martin claims to have had, where “people from the future” called "Pasaquoyans" instructed him to build the installations. The result is an immersive, dreamlike environment that you can wander through. Be sure to check out its vivid mandalas, sculptural facades, and odd architectural forms that can only be described as otherworldly.

Providence Canyon

Providence Canyon looks like a completely natural wonder, but this landmark is actually the result of poor farming practices from centuries ago. Heavy plowing without erosion control in the 1800s caused rainwater to carve massive gullies into the soft clay soil, eventually creating a 1,000-acre landscape of deep canyons, some over 150 feet, with exposed layers of red, orange, pink, and white sediment. Interestingly, the colors shift depending on light and moisture, giving the area an ever-changing appearance.

Situated about an hour south of the city of Columbus, it is now protected by Providence Canyon State Park. There are a few trails throughout the canyon, and several gullies are marked and accessible by foot, too, though the deeper ones require careful navigation. The park is also home to the rare plumleaf azalea, which blooms with brilliantly red flowers in late summer.

Junkman's Daughter

Junkman’s Daughter in Atlanta’s Little Five Points district boasts over 10,000 square feet of floor space packed with countless unique items, including vintage clothes, pop‑culture art, Halloween decorations, and other fun goodies that range from retro lamps to novelty gag gifts. The exterior is as cool as what's inside, sporting a large mural topped with a crashed‑UFO sculpture.

Founded in 1982 by Pam Majors, daughter of a junk yard owner, it’s since gained cult status as Atlanta’s “alternative superstore.” While here, navigate aisles of clothing racks, shelves stocked with rare books, a tobacco shop, a costume section, and more. A short walk away (about half a mile) is another interesting attraction near downtown Atlanta worth paying a visit to: the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.

Ocmulgee National Monument

Just outside of downtown Macon, the Ocmulgee National Monument is a 701-acre complex of ancient earthen mounds and ceremonial structures built by Indigenous societies with a history stretching back over 12,000 years. The current mounds date from about 900 CE. The tallest, the Great Temple Mound, rises about 55 feet. Moreover, the reconstructed Earth Lodge preserves a thousand‑year‑old clay floor surrounded by 47 molded seats etched into its circular walls.

In fact, eight major mounds, including burial and temple mounds, survive along trails that wind through the region's wetlands and forests. Excavated mostly in the 1930s by WPA crews, the site produced over 2.5 million artifacts, including Clovis‑point spearheads and tribal pottery. Today, many of the mounds can be climbed, you can walk boardwalks through pristine marshes, and you'll be able to see many of the onsite archeological discoveries at the visitor center/museum.

If you're in the area at the time, don't miss the annual Indian Celebration in September, which showcases local Muscogee culture through dance, crafts, storytelling, and food.

See These Unique Destinations in the Peach State

With these interesting places in mind, you can truly spice up your next road trip in Georgia. Whether you want to roam around a historic national park, go to a one-of-a-kind shop in one of America's biggest cities, or see a bizarre art installation, this state has a wide variety of unique things to see and do, with the suggestions above only making up a small selection of its best offerings.