1. Metropolis, Illinois – Superman Mania
This small town of about 6,000 people is obsessed with one superhero and one superhero only—Superman. Metropolis has declared itself the “Hometown of Superman” and has leaned hard into that branding, according to Michael Hardy from WIRED. There’s a 15-foot bronze statue of the Man of Steel in the town square, a Super Museum packed with memorabilia, and even a giant Superman-themed festival every June. The whole place basically lives in a comic book.
It all started in the 1970s when DC Comics agreed to the town’s claim to the Superman legacy. Since then, it’s become a pilgrimage spot for fans from all over the world. You’ll see locals in Superman shirts year-round, and even the police department logo has Superman’s S-shield. It’s wholesome, kitschy, and kind of amazing.
2. Leavenworth, Washington – Bavarian Culture
Leavenworth looks like someone dropped a little German village into the middle of the Pacific Northwest, according to Lydia Mansel from Travel + Leisure. With a population just under 2,500, the town reinvented itself in the 1960s to resemble a Bavarian alpine town in order to boost tourism—and it totally worked. Now, everything from McDonald’s to the gas station has a Bavarian-style roof, and there are lederhosen everywhere. Oktoberfest here is like a Bavarian fever dream.
The town hosts multiple German-themed festivals, including a Nutcracker Museum with over 7,000 nutcrackers (yes, really). Locals are so into the theme that many of them speak with fake accents during events. The town’s architecture is strictly regulated to maintain that fairy-tale look. It’s charming, sure—but very, very committed.
3. Roswell, New Mexico – UFOs and Aliens
Roswell might be the most famous UFO-obsessed town in America, and it doesn’t even try to hide it, according to Annette Brooks from Living Magazine. With a population just over 47,000, it’s a bit larger than most towns on this list, but its alien fixation is next-level. The obsession dates back to the infamous 1947 crash that some claim was a UFO—and Roswell has never let it go. There’s an annual UFO Festival, alien-themed streetlights, and a UFO museum right downtown.
Shops sell alien plushies, alien jerky, and even alien coffee. The McDonald’s is shaped like a flying saucer, and the whole town leans into the otherworldly vibe. Visitors are greeted with signs like “Welcome Earthlings,” and many locals are proud of their extraterrestrial rep. Even the town’s baseball team used to be called the Roswell Invaders.
4. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania – Groundhog Worship
Every February 2nd, the world turns its eyes to Punxsutawney—and its most famous resident, Punxsutawney Phil. This town of about 5,800 people is completely obsessed with its groundhog weatherman, who predicts the end of winter every Groundhog Day, according to Avery Keatley from NPR. The tradition has been going strong since 1887, and the town has turned Phil into a local celebrity. There’s even a Groundhog Club Inner Circle with members who wear top hats and speak in “Groundhogese.”
Outside of February, Phil lives in a glass enclosure in the town library with his “wife,” Phyllis. Statues of groundhogs are scattered throughout town, and you can buy Phil merch in nearly every store. The annual ceremony is surprisingly elaborate, drawing tens of thousands of visitors. It’s weird, it’s charming, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
5. Casey, Illinois – Giant Everyday Objects
Casey might only have about 2,500 residents, but it’s got some huge ambitions—literally. The town is known for housing several “World’s Largest” objects, including a rocking chair, mailbox, wind chime, and even a giant pair of knitting needles. These aren’t just gimmicks; many of them are Guinness World Record holders. The whole town has turned into an outdoor museum of oversized Americana, according to Sean Neumann from VICE.
It all started with local businessman Jim Bolin, who wanted to bring tourism to the sleepy town. His giant creations did the trick—visitors now flock to Casey to snap selfies next to enormous objects. Local businesses even sell miniatures of the big things, and new items are still being added. It’s all delightfully surreal and Instagram-worthy.
6. Centralia, Pennsylvania – Eternal Underground Fire
This ghost town is obsessed with one thing: fire. Centralia was once home to over 1,000 people, but today only a handful remain because of an underground coal mine fire that’s been burning since 1962. That fire is still smoldering beneath the surface and could continue for centuries. Roads buckle, smoke seeps from the ground, and the landscape looks post-apocalyptic.
Despite the danger, some diehard residents have refused to leave, fiercely attached to what remains of their hometown. The fire has become a strange badge of identity for Centralia, drawing urban explorers and curiosity seekers. The abandoned highway covered in graffiti, known as “Graffiti Highway,” was a hotspot before being closed off. It’s eerie, dangerous, and totally unique.
7. Pella, Iowa – Dutch Pride
Pella doesn’t just celebrate its Dutch heritage—it practically lives in it. With a population around 10,000, the town features a full-scale windmill, Dutch bakeries, and an annual Tulip Time Festival that draws thousands. The architecture is Dutch-inspired, with brick streets and quaint storefronts that look like they belong in Amsterdam. There’s even a canal and a Vermeer Mill that’s fully functional.
Locals often dress in traditional Dutch clothing during festivals, complete with wooden clogs. The town’s obsession with tulips is no joke—they plant hundreds of thousands each year. Even fast food chains blend into the Dutch aesthetic with themed facades. It’s like stepping into Europe without leaving Iowa.
8. Whittier, Alaska – One Building Town
Whittier isn’t so much obsessed with a thing as it is obsessed with a building. Nearly the entire population of this tiny Alaskan town—around 200 people—live in a single structure: Begich Towers. It houses apartments, a school, a post office, and even a grocery store. During the long Alaskan winters, residents barely have to step outside.
The town’s layout is driven by practicality, but it’s also become a fascinating social experiment. Everything revolves around this one building, creating an ultra-close-knit community. Outsiders are fascinated by how Whittier functions almost like a vertical town. It’s weird, efficient, and kind of cozy in a snowed-in sort of way.
9. Solvang, California – Danish Delights
Solvang is another American town with a heavy European accent—this time Danish. Located in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, it’s got just over 6,000 residents and is absolutely dripping in old-world charm. You’ll find windmills, half-timbered buildings, and bakeries selling æbleskivers and kringles. The town was founded by Danish immigrants in 1911 and has stayed fiercely true to its roots.
Every September, they throw Danish Days, a festival packed with folk dancing, music, and parades. The streets are lined with shops selling Danish imports and souvenirs, and even the hotel names feel like they were plucked from Copenhagen. Tourists come for the vibe, but locals live the culture year-round. It’s not a gimmick—it’s a lifestyle.
10. Gibsonton, Florida – Carnival Culture
Nicknamed “Showtown, USA,” Gibsonton has a fascinating past as a winter haven for carnival workers. At its peak, this tiny Florida town was home to sideshow performers, including the “Lobster Boy,” “The Giant,” and many others. The town even had special zoning laws that allowed residents to keep circus animals like elephants on their property. It was basically the off-season HQ for America’s traveling freak shows.
Today, the town has quieted down, but its identity is still deeply tied to its carnival past. There’s a retirement home for circus folk and a museum run by the International Independent Showmen’s Association. Many of the residents are still connected to the business in some way. It’s quirky, historic, and full of stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
11. Holland, Michigan – Tulips and Wooden Shoes
Holland, Michigan, shares its name and soul with the European country it’s modeled after. This lakeside town is obsessed with all things Dutch, from tulip festivals to windmills. Each May, the Tulip Time Festival takes over the town with parades, clog dancing, and over six million blooming tulips. There’s even a replica of a 250-year-old Dutch windmill called De Zwaan.
Stores sell wooden shoes, Delft pottery, and Dutch pastries year-round. The downtown area looks like a Dutch village, with brick-lined streets and Dutch flags flying proudly. Locals dress up in traditional garb during festival season, and school kids learn Dutch dances. The town’s devotion is both picturesque and infectious.
12. Liberal, Kansas – The Wizard of Oz
In Liberal, Kansas, they’re really into Dorothy and all things Oz. This town of about 18,000 has declared itself the official American home of Dorothy Gale. They’ve built a replica of her house, complete with a yellow brick road winding through town. Every year, they host the OzFest, where fans can meet costumed characters and participate in themed events.
The Wizard of Oz theme is woven into local tourism and school events. There’s even an international exchange with the town of Wamego, which also has Oz attractions. Kids grow up knowing every line of the movie, and shops sell ruby slippers by the dozen. It’s full-on nostalgia overload, and they love it.
13. North Pole, Alaska – Christmas All Year
Yes, there’s a town actually called North Pole—and yes, it’s fully committed to Christmas. Located just outside of Fairbanks, this town has candy cane-striped streetlights, holiday-themed street names, and a massive statue of Santa Claus. The local post office receives hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to Santa every year. And yes, there’s a real-life Santa Claus who lives there—he even ran for city council.
Businesses have names like Santa Claus House, Kris Kringl, and the Reindeer Room. Christmas lights stay up year-round, and tourists flock to buy holiday ornaments even in July. The town’s branding is so strong that it fuels a chunk of its economy. It’s Christmas forever here, whether you’re ready for it or not.
14. Tinkertown, New Mexico – Handmade Whimsy
Tinkertown isn’t even a real town, but it earns a spot because of one man’s obsession. It’s actually a folk art museum just outside of Albuquerque, built by artist Ross Ward over 40 years. He spent his life carving tiny dioramas, circus scenes, and Old West towns by hand—over 50,000 pieces in all. Visitors walk through maze-like halls filled with glass bottle walls and whimsical displays.
Locals and fans refer to it as its own little universe, and the name “Tinkertown” stuck. Ross’s motto, “I did all this while you were watching TV,” speaks volumes about his dedication. After his death, the site was preserved and remains open to the public. It’s weird, delightful, and 100% one man’s passion project.
15. Thermopolis, Wyoming – Hot Springs Devotion
Thermopolis may only have around 3,000 residents, but they’ve got something pretty epic under their feet: the world’s largest mineral hot spring. The town is so into its steamy treasure that it’s built bathhouses, water parks, and even a swinging bridge around it. The water is free to soak in thanks to a treaty with Native American tribes, making it one of the few places in the U.S. with free public hot springs. The sulfur smell? Yeah, the locals don’t even notice it anymore.
The town’s name literally means “hot city,” so they’re not shy about the obsession. There’s a dinosaur museum nearby too, because why not pair prehistoric bones with hot baths? Thermopolis leans into the wellness and tourism angle with gusto. If you’re into natural spas, it’s a tiny slice of geothermal heaven.
