1. Attending the Testicle Festival in Montana
Montana keeps it weird with the annual Testicle Festival in Clinton—a celebration of Rocky Mountain oysters (which, in case you didn’t know, are deep-fried bull testicles). Yes, it’s wild. Yes, it’s kind of gross. And yes, it’s an unforgettable slice of American eccentricity, according to Kelly O. from VICE.
The festival includes eating contests, live music, mechanical bull riding, and a healthy dose of weird bar games. It’s not for everyone, but if you like your travel stories to raise eyebrows, this is a gold mine. The original festival stopped in 2018, but smaller versions still pop up around Montana and other Western states. You’ll meet characters you’ll never forget and get a whole new appreciation for frontier-style food bravery.
2. Hot Air Ballooning at Dawn in the Driftless Area, Wisconsin
The Driftless Area—southwestern Wisconsin’s scenic, untouched countryside—is one of the most underrated landscapes in the Midwest, according to Charlene Corson Selbee from Visit Bluff Country. Its unique terrain was never flattened by glaciers, so it’s full of rolling hills, steep ridges, and deep river valleys. It’s beautiful from the ground, but floating above it all in a hot air balloon? That’s next-level.
Balloon flights typically happen at dawn when the wind is calm, and the fog hangs in little patches over the treetops. It’s serene and quiet, except for the occasional whoosh of the burner flame. You’ll get incredible views of the Mississippi River, tiny farm towns, and lush, green pastures. It’s a surprising place to fall in love with the Midwest.
3. Stargazing in the Cosmic Campground, New Mexico
If you’ve never heard of the Cosmic Campground in the Gila National Forest, you’re not alone—but that’s kind of the point. It’s one of the few designated International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the U.S., and it’s absurdly far from any city lights. This makes for unreal stargazing—like, you can actually see the Milky Way stretching across the sky with your naked eye, Lisa Suarez from Atlas Obscura explains. Bring a sleeping bag, your favorite snacks, and prepare for a quiet, otherworldly night.
There are no fees or fancy facilities—just nature and stars. You’ll probably meet a couple of hardcore astronomy nerds out there, but mostly, it’s just the sound of crickets and the wind in the trees. It’s ideal if you need to press pause on real life for a bit. Trust me, you’ll leave feeling like a grain of sand in the best possible way.
4. Eating Pie on the Pie Town Pie Festival Trail, New Mexico
Pie Town is a real place, and yes, it’s all about pie, according to Staci Wilt from Ride to Food. Located along U.S. Route 60 in New Mexico, this tiny town holds an annual Pie Festival every September complete with a pie-eating contest, pie-baking competitions, and parades. But here’s the secret: you don’t have to wait for the festival. Local spots like Pie-O-Neer and The Gatherin’ Place serve up pie year-round, with flavors ranging from classic apple to green chile pecan.
This is one of those Americana vibes you just can’t fake. You’ll end up sitting at a long table with bikers, artists, retirees, and road-trippers, all bonded by a love of flaky crusts and sugary fillings. Plus, the drive itself—through wide-open desert and mountain views—is a whole experience. It’s pie, it’s community, and it’s pure New Mexico charm.
5. Hiking the Tufa Formations of Mono Lake, California
Mono Lake is weird, wonderful, and weirdly not packed with tourists, even though it’s just off the road to Yosemite. The otherworldly tufa towers—calcium-carbonate spires created by the interaction of freshwater springs and the salty lake—make you feel like you’re walking on another planet. Birdwatchers flock here (pun intended) for the massive migratory gatherings of gulls and sandpipers. But if you go at sunrise or sunset, it’s mostly just you and this surreal landscape.
You can wade into the lake—it’s salty enough that you float a bit—and just take in the silence. The water has an eerie calm to it, and it’s never quite the same color twice. Mono Lake is also ecologically fascinating, playing host to unique brine shrimp and alkaline flies. It’s strange in the best possible way, and totally different from the usual California nature circuit.
6. Road Tripping the Loneliest Road in America (U.S. Route 50, Nevada)
They call it “The Loneliest Road in America,” and they are not kidding. Stretching across Nevada from Ely to Carson City, this stretch of U.S. Route 50 is long, stark, and hypnotically beautiful. It passes ghost towns, ancient petroglyphs, and wide-open desert vistas with barely another soul in sight. There are points where you won’t see another car for miles—or hours.
This isn’t a trip you make for the Instagram likes; it’s the kind of solitude that gets under your skin in a good way. The stars at night are jaw-dropping, and the silence is almost spiritual. Stop in tiny towns like Austin or Eureka for some local history and a burger. You’ll come back from this one with a head full of thoughts and a phone full of sky pics.
7. Exploring the Louisiana Wetlands by Kayak
Everyone hits New Orleans, but not nearly enough people venture out into the swamps and wetlands just beyond. Paddling through the cypress-lined bayous of Barataria Preserve or Maurepas Swamp is an unforgettable way to connect with this eerie, vibrant ecosystem. You might see alligators, herons, turtles, or even a nutria (look it up—they’re weirdly cute). It’s peaceful, and yet there’s a pulse to it—like the swamp is alive.
What makes this special is how close you are to the environment. You’re not on a tour boat with a mic’d-up guide—you’re gliding silently past moss-draped trees, listening to the splash of your paddle and the call of frogs. And if you’re lucky, you’ll come across a local who’ll tell you a story or two about voodoo or pirates. It’s a Louisiana you won’t find on Bourbon Street.
8. Climbing the Sand Dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
You might expect massive dunes in the Sahara, but not so much in southern Colorado. Yet Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest dunes in North America—some reaching up to 750 feet high. It’s a workout to hike up them (seriously, your calves will scream), but the views at the top are totally worth it. And yes, you can sandboard or sled down, which is exactly as fun as it sounds.
The dunes are backed by snowy peaks and flanked by grasslands, so you get this weirdly awesome mashup of landscapes. If you’re there at night, stick around for stargazing—this park is a designated dark sky area too. Visit in spring or early summer and you might catch Medano Creek flowing at the base, turning it into a seasonal beach. It’s one of those “how is this even real?” places that sticks with you.
9. Watching Fireflies Sync Up in the Smokies
Every June in a small pocket of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, thousands of fireflies light up in sync. It’s a natural phenomenon that happens in only a few places in the world, and it’s one of the most surreal things you’ll ever witness. You have to enter a lottery to even get access to the Elkmont area during peak firefly season. That’s how serious people are about this.
They’re called Photinus carolinus, and their synchronized blinking is all about finding a mate—but it ends up looking like some wild, magical rave in the woods. It’s mesmerizing, and it makes you feel like you’re in a Miyazaki film. It’s best enjoyed in total silence with your phone tucked away, just soaking it in. This is one of those things you can’t fully capture in a photo or video—so go see it for yourself.
10. Surfing Lake Michigan in Winter
Surfing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Chicago in January, but that’s exactly why it makes this list. Hardcore Great Lakes surfers hit the icy waves off the shores of Lake Michigan all winter long, especially near towns like Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It’s cold, yes, but the waves can be surprisingly good—and the vibe is intensely local and welcoming. You’ll want a thick wetsuit and probably a thermos of something hot.
There’s something kind of wild about paddling out while snow falls around you, and then watching ice crust up on your board. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for bragging rights, this is one for the books. Afterward, you can defrost at a local diner and talk to folks who’ve been doing this for decades. It’s one of those “I had no idea this was a thing” experiences that you’ll never forget.
11. Hunting for Thunder Eggs in Oregon’s High Desert
Oregon’s high desert doesn’t get as much hype as its coast or forests, but it’s hiding something spectacular: thunder eggs. These nondescript, potato-sized rocks look ordinary on the outside but split them open and you’ll find stunning agate or quartz formations inside. The state rock of Oregon, thunder eggs can be legally collected in areas like the Ochoco National Forest. It’s like treasure hunting for grown-ups.
You’ll need some tools, patience, and a sense of adventure. But there’s nothing like cracking one open and discovering glittering crystals that haven’t seen daylight in millions of years. Bonus: the landscape here is rugged and gorgeous in its own quiet way. Bring water, sunscreen, and your rockhound spirit.
12. Snowmobiling to an Ice Cave in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
In winter, the UP (that’s Upper Peninsula, for the uninitiated) turns into a frosty playground, and one of its coolest hidden experiences is snowmobiling to the Eben Ice Caves. These caves form naturally every winter as groundwater seeps down rock walls and freezes into shimmering curtains of ice. They’re only accessible in the snowy season, and getting there involves a short hike through the woods—or a snowmobile ride if you’re feeling adventurous.
Inside, it’s like standing behind a frozen waterfall, with icicles hanging like chandeliers. It’s slippery, beautiful, and incredibly photogenic. Just be sure to wear crampons or grippy boots—falling on ice is not as graceful as it sounds. This is one of Michigan’s best-kept secrets, and it’s pure winter magic.
13. Ghost Hunting in Jerome, Arizona
Perched on a mountainside above the Verde Valley, Jerome was once a booming mining town and is now one of America’s most haunted places. With crumbling buildings, creaky hotels, and a legit haunted hospital turned hotel (the Jerome Grand), it’s tailor-made for ghost hunting. You can join a local paranormal tour or just wander on your own—almost every building has a spooky story.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the vibes here are real. At night, the narrow streets feel like something out of a Tim Burton film. You’ll hear whispers about miners who never left and see flickers of light in empty rooms. It’s kitschy, creepy, and genuinely cool.
14. Fossil Hunting at the Peace River in Florida
Forget Disney—Central Florida has ancient treasures buried under its waterways. The Peace River is a hotspot for amateur fossil hunters looking for shark teeth, prehistoric bones, and even mammoth teeth. All you need is a shovel, a sifter, and a kayak (rentals are easy to find). It’s like a prehistoric Easter egg hunt with way better prizes.
The best time to go is during the dry season (winter to early spring), when the river is low and more fossils are exposed. You’ll get muddy, you’ll get wet, and you might find something that’s thousands—or even millions—of years old. It’s quiet, weirdly meditative, and surprisingly addictive. Plus, you get to feel like a real-life Indiana Jones.
15. Listening to the Whales Sing in Maui’s Secret Coves
Between January and March, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Hawaii’s warm waters to mate and give birth. While you can spot them from boats or beaches, one of the most magical experiences is snorkeling in a quiet cove and actually hearing them sing underwater. Places like Honolua Bay or Olowalu in Maui often have calm conditions and excellent visibility. You won’t see them while snorkeling (they stay farther out), but you’ll hear them.
Their songs echo through the water—complex, eerie, and beautiful. It’s like listening to alien music in surround sound. You’ll float, barely moving, and suddenly feel like part of something way bigger. It’s an experience that sticks in your bones long after your flight home.
