1. The Gum Wall in Seattle, Washington
What started as a quirky habit outside the Market Theater turned into a sticky landmark. People began pressing their used gum onto the brick wall, and it spiraled into a technicolor collage. Instagrammers couldn’t resist snapping close-ups and wide shots of the candy-colored mess. It’s gross in person but oddly photogenic on a feed.
The wall has been scraped clean more than once, but visitors just keep rebuilding it. Couples even “draw” hearts in gum or spell out their initials. Tourists walk away with mixed feelings—some disgusted, others delighted. Either way, it’s an accidental icon of Seattle’s offbeat charm.
2. Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
This roadside art installation was never meant to be classy—it’s ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in the dirt. Originally built in the 1970s by a group of artists, it invited visitors to bring spray paint and leave their mark. On Instagram, the rainbow-colored cars look like a surreal desert dream. The ever-changing graffiti makes every photo feel unique.
It’s one of those places where the “art” is more about participation than observation. People pose climbing the cars, holding paint cans, or framed by the flat Texas horizon. The randomness of the installation adds to its charm. In an age of polished landmarks, its scrappy aesthetic stands out online.
3. Salvation Mountain in Niland, California
Leonard Knight built this technicolor hillside out of adobe clay, straw, and gallons of paint. It’s covered in Bible verses and bright murals, making it a psychedelic desert landmark. Instagrammers were drawn to the rainbow stripes and heart motifs long before influencers started curating pastel grids. The sheer size makes it feel like stepping into a painting.
What makes Salvation Mountain special is its backstory. Knight lived on-site for decades, adding layers of color by hand. Today, volunteers maintain the structure so people can keep visiting. Even those uninterested in its religious message find themselves captivated by the sheer joy of color.
4. The Fremont Troll in Seattle, Washington
Tucked under a bridge in Seattle, this giant troll statue clutches a real Volkswagen Beetle. It was originally created in 1990 to clean up a crime-ridden area, but social media gave it new life. On Instagram, the troll looks half-creepy, half-whimsical—perfect for both travel blogs and Halloween posts. It’s one of those landmarks you stumble on, then brag about discovering.
Climbers perch on its shoulders, and kids scramble up its face. Some tourists snap it at night for an eerie effect. Others just want a goofy shot of “fighting” the troll. Either way, it turned a quiet neighborhood into a must-see Instagram stop.
5. Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota
Originally just a pharmacy offering free ice water, Wall Drug turned itself into a sprawling roadside attraction. Now it’s filled with kitschy shops, giant statues, and a mechanical dinosaur. Instagrammers love the over-the-top signage that stretches for miles along I-90. The combination of Americana and absurdity makes it irresistible for photos.
Most visitors admit they wouldn’t stop if not for the endless billboards. But once there, they get pulled into the carnival-like energy. Selfies with the jackalope or the cowboy statues are practically required. It’s not the water—it’s the spectacle that made it famous online.
6. Southernmost Point Buoy in Key West, Florida
In Key West, a giant concrete buoy marks the “Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S.A.” It’s basically a painted cement marker, but Instagram made it a must-stop. The line to take a picture often stretches down the block, especially at sunset. The caption almost writes itself: “Made it to the end of the road!”
Locals sometimes roll their eyes at the hype. But for travelers, it’s proof they’ve reached America’s edge. The buoy’s bold red, black, and yellow stripes make it instantly recognizable on a feed. Sometimes the simplest landmarks end up becoming the biggest bucket-list photos.
7. Salvation Army’s South of the Border in Dillon, South Carolina
Half rest stop, half theme park, South of the Border is hard to miss. Billboards for it line highways for hundreds of miles, leading to a neon wonderland of sombreros and statues. Instagrammers love its unapologetically tacky vibes. The place feels like stepping into a roadside time capsule.
Photos here are usually tongue-in-cheek, leaning into the kitsch. Giant hot dogs, neon lights, and the massive sombrero tower all make easy props. For many, it’s not about admiration—it’s about irony. And that irony translates perfectly on Instagram.
8. Four Corners Monument, Arizona/New Mexico/Utah/Colorado
This bronze marker lets you stand in four states at once, which Instagrammers love to turn into a quirky pose. Hands in one state, feet in another—the combinations are endless. It’s a simple stone slab in the desert, but the novelty fuels its popularity. Without Instagram, it might just feel like a dot on a map.
Lines can get surprisingly long for such a barebones landmark. Tourists often compare creative ways to pose across state lines. Some even bring props like hula hoops or yoga mats. It’s proof that sometimes, the idea is bigger than the place.
9. Foamhenge in Natural Bridge, Virginia
A full-size replica of Stonehenge—except made of Styrofoam—sounds like a joke, and that’s exactly the point. Foamhenge was installed on April Fool’s Day in 2004 and quickly earned cult status online. Its goofy charm and eerie similarity to the real deal made it Instagram gold. People pose with mock-serious faces or lean into the silliness.
It’s been moved since its original debut, but fans still track it down. For many, it’s a lighter, funnier alternative to the actual Stonehenge trip. Instagram loves parody, and Foamhenge nails it. Sometimes the fake is more photogenic than the real thing.
10. The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
This steakhouse is famous for its “72-ounce steak challenge”—eat it all, and it’s free. But on Instagram, the appeal is the sheer spectacle. From giant cowboy signs to oversized steaks, everything here is supersized. Tourists post triumphant or defeated photos after attempting the challenge.
The restaurant leans into the Wild West theme with kitschy décor and live entertainment. Photos of neon cowboy boots and oversized beer mugs rack up likes. Even those who don’t eat the steak stop for the vibe. It’s a slice of Texas showmanship tailor-made for social feeds.
11. Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska
Like Foamhenge, Carhenge is a quirky take on Stonehenge—this time built out of vintage cars. Spray-painted gray to mimic the stones, it’s a surreal sight in the middle of farmland. Instagrammers love the mix of rural landscape and absurd sculpture. It’s one of those “what am I looking at?” attractions.
Locals once thought it was an eyesore, but it became a beloved landmark. Travelers pull over just to document the oddity. Photos here often emphasize the weirdness—cows grazing nearby or cars buried upright. Instagram turned it from junkyard art into a must-see detour.
12. Salvation Army’s Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, California
Billed as a “gravitational anomaly,” the Mystery Spot is basically an optical illusion house. Balls appear to roll uphill, and visitors look tilted in photos. Instagram gave the attraction new life, since the illusions photograph so well. People love posting “proof” of the strange physics.
The red-and-white Mystery Spot sign itself is iconic on feeds. It’s the kind of roadside kitsch that feels both retro and futuristic. While skeptics dismiss it as clever trickery, the photos don’t lie—they look impossible. That impossibility is exactly why it thrives online.
13. Enchanted Highway in North Dakota
This 32-mile stretch of road features giant metal sculptures rising out of the prairie. From grasshoppers to geese, the whimsical figures make perfect Instagram stops. Drivers pull over again and again for new photo ops. It turns a flat drive into a playful adventure.
The sheer size of the sculptures makes them striking on camera. Tourists love posing small against their towering shapes. The randomness of stumbling across art in the middle of nowhere adds to the magic. It’s a reminder that Instagram doesn’t always need cities—sometimes the middle of nowhere steals the show.
14. Lucy the Elephant in Margate, New Jersey
This six-story elephant-shaped building was built in 1881 as a marketing gimmick. Over time, it became a roadside curiosity and now an Instagram darling. People climb inside for panoramic views, but the outside is the real star. On social feeds, Lucy looks both historic and cartoonish.
Locals embrace her as a mascot of the Jersey Shore. Tourists love the absurdity of a building shaped like an elephant. Photos often include beach vibes, cotton candy, or retro filters. Lucy proves that oddball Americana has real staying power online.
This post 14 Tourist Traps That Became Accidentally Famous on Instagram was first published on American Charm.
