1. Mystery Hole – Ansted, West Virginia
Mystery Hole was an optical illusion attraction where the laws of physics seemed to bend. Financial troubles and the rise of more polished attractions led to its closure in the 2010s, taking with it the delightfully kitschy charm of gravity-defying tricks.
2. Storybook Gardens – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Storybook Gardens was a whimsical park that brought fairy tales to life with charming statues, themed play areas, and lush gardens. Opened in the 1950s, it delighted generations of families before declining attendance and maintenance costs led to its closure in the early 2010s. Today, only memories and a few vintage photos remain of this beloved stop in the Dells.
3. Jolly Green Giant Statue – Blue Earth, Minnesota (Original Location)
While the 55-foot Jolly Green Giant has been relocated to a nearby park, its original roadside spot was a legend for road-trippers passing through Minnesota. The move, meant to modernize the area, robbed the attraction of its quirky roadside ambiance.
4. The World’s Largest Shoe House – Hellam, Pennsylvania
This whimsical house shaped like a boot was a roadside curiosity for decades. Though it remains standing, it’s no longer accessible to the public, as new owners prefer privacy. The loss of tours means one less unusual stop for travelers in Pennsylvania.
5. Wigwam Village #2 – Cave City, Kentucky
This motel shaped like a cluster of teepees was iconic during the golden age of Route 66 travel. While some wigwam villages still exist, this particular one fell into disrepair and was demolished in the early 2000s. It’s a victim of dwindling travelers preferring chain hotels over quirky accommodations.
6. The Desert View Watchtower – Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
This iconic structure was an incredible roadside attraction before it became part of Grand Canyon National Park. Modern regulations and conservation efforts mean it’s no longer the kind of freewheeling stop it once was. While it still exists, its spirit as a quirky pitstop is gone.
7. Dinosaur World – Beaver, Arkansas
Dinosaur World was an outdoor dinosaur museum with life-sized sculptures scattered across the Arkansas countryside. After the death of its founder, the park fell into disrepair and eventually closed. Vandals have since destroyed many of the sculptures, leaving little evidence of this roadside wonder.
8. Land of Oz – Beech Mountain, North Carolina
This Wizard of Oz-themed amusement park thrived in the 1970s but struggled to stay afloat after a fire and declining interest. While it opens for special events occasionally, its days as a roadside must-see attraction are long gone.
9. The Thing – Dragoon, Arizona (Old Version)
“The Thing” was a roadside museum filled with oddities, from mummies to strange artifacts. In the 2010s, it was revamped into a modern attraction, but purists lament the loss of the original, low-budget charm that made it such a memorable pitstop.
10. The Dog Bark Park Inn – Cottonwood, Idaho
This bed-and-breakfast shaped like a giant beagle offered one of the most unusual lodging experiences in America. While the structure still stands, the owners retired in 2022, meaning you’ll never again get to sleep inside a giant dog.
11. Corn Palace Carousel – Mitchell, South Dakota
The Corn Palace is still around, but its historic carousel was sold and dismantled in the 1990s. It was a whimsical piece of Americana that added extra magic to a visit. Now, its absence leaves a hole in the experience.
12. Space Age Lodge – Gila Bend, Arizona
This retro-futuristic motel was an icon of mid-century roadside architecture, with its space-themed décor and UFO-style sign. Modernization led to its closure in the late 2000s, and the remaining building doesn’t hold the same otherworldly charm.
13. The Original Carhenge – Alliance, Nebraska
Carhenge, a replica of Stonehenge made from old cars, was once a quirky roadside mecca. While a reimagined version exists today, the original cars have been replaced and repainted, erasing the gritty, junkyard aesthetic that made it feel authentic.
