9 Of The Most Bizarre Landmarks In The United States
When life starts to feel mundane, a road trip with good company is the perfect way to mix things up. Whether planning a weekend away or taking a much-needed day trip, breaking the cycle of everyday habits is a great way to feel renewed. But consider this: instead of prioritizing the destination, why not focus on the journey? By planning a route with weird and wonderful landmarks along the way, your car will transform into a memory-making machine. Quirky, strange, and out-there in the best way, these 9 bizarre US landmarks guarantee a road trip you'll never forget.
Cabazon Dinosaurs, California
While some know the Cabazon Dinosaurs from Pee-wee's Big Adventure, this Jurassic attraction found fame long before the 1985 family comedy. Situated in Southern California, just west of Palm Springs, the massive dinosaurs have been an iconic roadside attraction for 50 years. While easily spotted from Interstate 10, the prehistoric art is worth the pitstop, winning the hearts of all who pass through.
The whimsical installation is the work of Claude K. Bell, a theme park artist inspired by an elephant-shaped building he once saw in Atlantic City. Bell first constructed the dinosaurs to draw visitors to his restaurant, the Wheel Inn Cafe, although the dinos soon became an attraction in themself. While Bell has since passed and the restaurant no longer exists, the statues carry on his legacy in 2025, inviting visitors to stop, snap a photo, and walk amongst the dinosaurs.
The Basket Building, Ohio
Newark is also no stranger to novelty landmarks, housing Ohio's famed and highly-photographed Basket Building. Completed in 1997, the fit-for-a-picnic structure once served as the headquarters of the Longaberger Company, a manufacturer known for its handcrafted baskets. The whimsical 7-story office was modelled after their Medium Market Basket, supposedly 160 times to scale. While no longer serving as Longaberger’s headquarters as of 2016, the Basket Building remains an iconic local landmark, welcoming visitors to enjoy its exterior.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
For travelers seeking surreal geological landscapes, Antelope Canyon is like something from another world. Carved by water and erosion over millions of years, the natural wonder's sculpted walls and striking red sandstone are renowned for evoking awe. Unsurprisingly, it is one of the top attractions in Arizona and one of the most photographed landmarks in the entire Southwest.
Long before it was a tourist attraction, the canyon served as a sacred monument to the Navajo people. Today, Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours delves deeper into this heritage while showcasing the canyon's otherworldly scenes. While guided tours are generally offered year-round, the best time to visit is from March through October. This is when sun beams famously illuminate the canyon floor and spotlight its walls with gold, pink, and purple hues, normally concealed by shadows.
World's Largest Rocking Chair, Illinois
Living up to its motto, “Big Things in a Small Town,” Casey, Illinois, is home to countless towering attractions, including the largest rocking chair in the world. Standing over 56 feet tall and weighing an estimated 46,000 pounds, the workable chair (yes, it actually rocks!) was a passion project of Jim Bolin. To his delight, after 2 years of construction, Guinness officially awarded the massive sculpture the title of "World's Largest Rocking Chair" in 2015. A longtime Casey resident, Bolin is also responsible for many of the town’s other record-breaking landmarks, including the World’s Largest Wind Chime and World’s Largest Mailbox, both of which also “work.”
Pineapple Garden Maze, Hawaii
While the Pineapple Garden Maze in Wahiawa, Hawaii, no longer holds the record of World’s Largest Maze, it is still a remarkable site worth seeing. Bizarre in the best way, this “larger-than-life labyrinth” is made up of 14,000 Hawaiian plants, with almost 2.5 miles of botanical paths spanning 3 acres. At the heart of the maze, visitors will find an enchanting pineapple-shaped garden, along with 8 hidden stations along the way. Afterward, guests can also enjoy other pineapple-themed fun, including rides aboard the Pineapple Express Train.
The World's Only Corn Palace, South Dakota
South Dakota also celebrates its native crops in a quirky way, welcoming visitors to the World's Only Corn Palace. The Mitchell tradition began in 1892 as a way to showcase South Dakota’s fertile farmland. Since then, the attraction has grown to attract half a million visitors every year. The one-of-a-kind “castle” features intricate murals adorned with 12 different shades/colors of corn, redecorated annually with a different theme. While the attraction is open year-round, Memorial Day through Labor Day is when the palace is at its peak, especially during the Corn Palace Festival, held annually in late August.
The Last Blockbuster, Oregon
Many know Bend, Oregon, as a gateway to the breathtaking Cascade Mountains, but the city also boasts an iconic relic: The Last Blockbuster in the world. As most recall, the iconic video store chain was forced to close due to the rise of online streaming. On one hand, the convenience of streaming is undeniable, but on the other, many were sad to lose such a poignant part of their childhoods. As a result, nostalgia chasers are thrilled to visit Bend for its in-person movie rentals, transporting visitors back to a time before Netflix.
Hole 'N' The Rock, Utah
Not far from Arches National Park, road trippers taking Highway 191 can discover one of Utah’s most eccentric roadside attractions. With its name marked in bright white paint on the side of a massive sandstone cliff, the Hole 'N' The Rock is impossible to miss. But the true surprise lies inside, inviting drivers to pull over and see for themselves.
Carved right into the massive stone wall, visitors can find a 5,000 square foot dwelling. Formerly a home to the Christensen family, today the architectural marvel is a tourable museum. It is noted for its 14 rooms and unique features, including stone pillars and a bathtub built right into the rock. After touring the former abode, other on-site attractions include the Hole N” the Rock Store and Trading Post, which feature classic Utah souvenirs and Indigenous pottery, respectively.
Salvation Mountain, California
Back in Southern California, road trippers can bask in the wonders of Salvation Mountain, a serene and surreal one-man art installation. The artist behind the vibrant work is Leonard Knight, a former drifter who found a sense of purpose in sharing his spirituality. Much of the manmade mountain features religious messages, but all are welcome to appreciate its overall theme of love. The art itself is also worth enjoying, formed out of straw, adobe clay, and gallons upon gallons of paint, taking the shape of colorful birds, waterfalls, and storybook landscapes.
Explore These Weird And Wonderful US Landmarks
With the open road, gas station snacks, and good company, road trips are among the best ways to create lasting memories. But who could forget the landmark layovers and epic pitstops? Each of these 9 bizarre US landmarks will help make your road trip the best it can be. Whether adventuring through the Pineapple Garden Maze, embracing nostalgia at the Last Blockbuster, or hiking Antelope Canyon for its breathtaking scenes, these landmarks offer the ultimate blend of weird and wonderful.
