1. The Museum of Neon Art – Los Angeles, CA
The Museum of Neon Art (MONA) is a small but quirky museum dedicated to the art of neon signs, as Malea Martin explains on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s website. It showcases a stunning collection of neon signs from across the country, many of which are vintage pieces that have been preserved and displayed as works of art. The museum takes visitors through a glowing journey of neon history, allowing them to see the evolution of these vibrant symbols. It’s a celebration of an art form that has long been associated with urban culture and commercial signage.
What makes it weird is how a collection of signs—many associated with advertising—can be transformed into a cultural experience. Neon signs, which are often seen as gaudy or commercial, are celebrated here as pieces of artistic expression. The museum allows visitors to rethink what’s typically dismissed as trashy or kitschy, providing a new perspective on a vibrant, glowing art form. It’s an unusual museum that makes you appreciate something you might normally overlook.
2. The Mystery Spot – Santa Cruz, CA
If you’re into optical illusions and gravity-defying oddities, The Mystery Spot is the place to be. This “gravity vortex” site in Santa Cruz is known for its ability to make people feel disoriented and unbalanced, with objects appearing to roll uphill and people seeming to change size depending on where they stand. It’s essentially a tourist attraction built around baffling physics and mind-bending experiences, making it a true oddity among theme parks. The Mystery Spot has been in business since 1940, attracting visitors who want to experience something unlike any other place in the U.S.
What makes it weird is how they maintain the mystery—there’s no definitive explanation for the strange effects. The tour guides play up the paranormal angle, weaving stories about the site’s origins, which only adds to the bizarre atmosphere. Although the science behind the place may be explained through physics, it remains largely a tourist trap built on mystery and intrigue. It’s definitely not your average theme park, but it’s one that you’ll never forget if you visit.
3. The Enchanted Forest – Turner, OR
The Enchanted Forest is a kitschy, fairy tale-inspired park located in Oregon that brings storybook characters and scenes to life. It features whimsical attractions like a haunted house, a medieval castle, and even a giant shoe. The park is filled with oversized, tongue-in-cheek versions of fairy-tale characters, where visitors can stroll through a forest of giants, magical creatures, and enchanted beings. It’s not exactly a polished, high-budget theme park, but that’s part of its charm.
What makes this place so strange is its combination of low-tech charm and an odd mix of fairy tales and local folklore. The park’s handmade aesthetics and quaint attractions give it a nostalgic feel that seems stuck in time, adding to its weirdness. Some visitors feel like they’ve stepped into a forgotten corner of an old children’s book, where everything is a little off-kilter. It’s certainly not the most polished theme park out there, but that’s exactly what makes it so appealing and strange.
4. Carhenge – Alliance, NE
Carhenge is exactly what it sounds like: a full-size replica of Stonehenge, but made entirely out of cars. This roadside attraction in Nebraska features a bizarre arrangement of vintage automobiles, stacked and positioned in a way that mimics the ancient stone circle. Located in the middle of nowhere, it’s an oddity that draws travelers passing through the Great Plains. The cars are painted gray, adding to the surreal, otherworldly feel of the installation, according to History Nebraska.
What makes Carhenge strange is how it combines the sacredness of a prehistoric monument with the ordinariness of junked cars. The creator, Jim Reinders, built the monument in 1987 as a tribute to Stonehenge, but with an automotive twist. It’s an odd mix of art, culture, and creativity that leaves people scratching their heads. Whether you see it as a tribute or just a fun and quirky roadside attraction, it’s undoubtedly one of the weirdest spots in America.
5. The Thing – Dragoon, Arizona
The Thing in Dragoon, Arizona, is one of those places that feels like it was designed to leave you scratching your head, according to Olivia McClure’s article on Route Magazine. It’s a roadside attraction that claims to have the body of an alien, but getting to see it isn’t as straightforward as you might think. First, you pay an entrance fee and walk through a bizarre collection of oddities, like old cars and junk, only to finally be led to the main exhibit: The Thing itself. What it is, exactly, remains a mystery—though most agree it’s just a clever marketing stunt.
What makes The Thing so strange is how it keeps visitors guessing. The whole experience is shrouded in an air of mystery, with clues and strange displays pointing to the creature’s identity. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, the journey through the attraction is memorable for its eccentric setup. It’s the perfect spot for those who enjoy a bizarre detour along a cross-country road trip.
6. The Dinosaur Park – Rapid City, SD
If you’re fascinated by dinosaurs but want to take a break from the usual museum visit, the Dinosaur Park in South Dakota offers a quirky alternative. It features giant concrete dinosaur sculptures that stand on a hill, overlooking the city. Visitors can climb and interact with these towering, retro dinosaurs that were built in the 1930s to attract tourists. The park’s vintage, mid-century aesthetic gives it a nostalgic feel, making it both charming and odd.
What makes this place so weird is the strange juxtaposition of prehistoric creatures with the modern world around them. The park is somewhat of a relic itself, with its outdated yet fun dino sculptures standing still while the world around it has changed dramatically. It’s a throwback to a different era in tourist attractions, where grandeur was expressed through large, imposing statues. Its simple, unpolished nature makes it feel like something out of an old movie.
7. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Cawker City, KS
This roadside attraction is a must-see for those who love quirky landmarks, and it doesn’t get more unusual than a giant ball of twine. The ball, which weighs over 17,000 pounds, continues to grow as locals and visitors contribute more twine to it. Initially started in 1953 by a man named Frank Stoeber, this gigantic twine ball is housed in a small museum that chronicles its history. People from all over the country visit to see this ridiculous yet oddly captivating landmark.
What makes the World’s Largest Ball of Twine strange is how a simple concept—wrapping twine—could become such an enduring roadside attraction. What was once a personal project became a community effort, growing larger and more impressive over the decades. The ongoing contributions from visitors make it feel like an ever-evolving monument to mundane perseverance. It’s one of those bizarre spots where the more you think about it, the weirder it becomes.
8. The Land of Little Horses – Gettysburg, PA
Located near the historic site of the Civil War, The Land of Little Horses is a charmingly strange theme park. It’s home to miniature horses that perform tricks and entertain visitors in a unique, almost surreal way. The horses are dressed in costumes, and there are shows where they perform everything from obstacle courses to dancing. It’s a combination of small-town charm and animal-centric entertainment, making it both cute and weird at the same time.
What makes it odd is the fact that a theme park dedicated to mini-horses is located in a place best known for its Civil War history. The juxtaposition of tiny, dressed-up horses alongside the gravitas of Gettysburg creates a strange vibe. Visitors come expecting something historical, only to find themselves watching mini horses doing tricks. It’s a quirky spot that blends history and playfulness in a truly unique way.
9. The Crater of Diamonds State Park – Murfreesboro, AR
If you’ve ever dreamed of finding treasure, The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas lets you hunt for real diamonds in the earth. This park features a 37-acre field where visitors can search for diamonds and keep what they find. It’s one of the few places in the world where anyone can discover diamonds, and thousands of people visit annually hoping to strike it rich. The park is a true diamond in the rough, with its focus on hands-on, potentially lucrative experiences.
What makes it weird is that a theme park could revolve around digging in the dirt for gems. The idea of spending hours sifting through soil to find a diamond sounds odd to many, but the possibility of success makes it strangely captivating. Most theme parks focus on rides and entertainment, but here, you’re the one doing the work to find your fortune. The park’s no-frills approach to treasure hunting is what sets it apart.
10. The Mutter Museum – Philadelphia, PA
The Mutter Museum, housed within The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, is a strange, thought-provoking experience for those interested in the human body. The museum’s displays include medical oddities such as preserved organs, deformed skeletons, and a vast collection of antique medical instruments. It’s a place where visitors can delve into the bizarre history of medicine, seeing firsthand the strange and sometimes unsettling practices of the past. It’s one of those places that will fascinate some while making others uncomfortable.
What makes it weird is the way it intertwines science and discomfort. Rather than offering a typical “museum experience,” the Mutter Museum delves deep into the macabre, showcasing human abnormalities in a clinical, almost matter-of-fact way. It’s a space that celebrates the strange, often unsettling, side of medicine, with its cabinets of curiosities and oddities. For some, it’s a deeply educational and intriguing experience; for others, it can be a bit too much to handle.
11. The Enchanted Highway – Regent, North Dakota
The Enchanted Highway is a strange stretch of road filled with massive roadside sculptures scattered along a 32-mile route in North Dakota. Each sculpture is larger-than-life, depicting various animals and scenes, like a giant grasshopper or a family of pheasants. These massive metal creations were built by a local artist, Gary Greff, who saw the need to bring attention to the small town of Regent. The sculptures are incredibly detailed and often surprising, with visitors often wondering how they were constructed in such a remote location.
What makes this place so odd is the sheer scale and eccentricity of the sculptures. It’s a peculiar art installation that turns a mundane drive into a unique adventure. The Enchanted Highway is one of those strange American treasures that surprises people who stumble upon it. If you love quirky art or unusual roadside attractions, this is a must-see spot where big sculptures bring life to the open prairie.
12. The National Mustard Museum – Middleton, Wisconsin
The National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin, is dedicated entirely to—you guessed it—mustard. It houses over 6,000 varieties of mustard from around the world, celebrating the condiment in every imaginable form. The museum also offers a quirky, mustard-themed gift shop, where visitors can purchase everything from mustard-scented candles to mustard-flavored ice cream. It’s a bizarre but entertaining place where you can explore the history and culture of mustard in all its yellow, tangy glory.
What makes the National Mustard Museum particularly strange is how a simple condiment could inspire an entire museum dedicated to it. It’s a place where you can learn about mustard’s role in history, as well as taste a variety of mustards. For food lovers and condiment enthusiasts, it’s a strangely fun and memorable experience. The museum’s commitment to celebrating mustard makes it a one-of-a-kind attraction in America.
13. The International Cryptozoology Museum – Portland, ME
For cryptid enthusiasts, this museum is a dream come true, but its oddities make it much more than a typical museum. Dedicated to the study of hidden or unknown creatures, the International Cryptozoology Museum showcases everything from Bigfoot to the Loch Ness Monster. The exhibits are filled with strange artifacts, including supposed hair samples, footprints, and even taxidermied creatures that are allegedly linked to mythological beasts. The museum takes a unique approach to showcasing its collection, blending fact and folklore into one surreal experience.
What makes it weird is how seriously they take these mythical creatures. While most would consider Bigfoot or Mokele-Mbembe to be products of imagination, this museum offers evidence and hypotheses to support their existence. The museum even provides a platform for the study and discussion of cryptozoology, which makes it a blend of quirky interest and earnest scientific inquiry. Visitors leave with a different perspective on how folklore can shape reality.
14. The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of Things – Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is home to a surprisingly strange and quirky attraction known for its tiny exhibits. This museum displays miniature versions of famous landmarks, statues, and monuments, all under magnifying glasses for visitors to get a close look. Everything from tiny replicas of the Eiffel Tower to miniature cars can be found here, making it both adorable and perplexing. It’s a place for those who appreciate craftsmanship and the bizarre, as these small versions of big things spark wonder and curiosity.
What makes this place so strange is the sheer dedication to miniaturization, especially when it comes to displaying the world’s “largest” tiny objects. It’s not just about size; it’s about how creativity and precision can make something small seem even grander. The collection doesn’t just offer a glimpse into craftsmanship but also challenges perceptions of what’s truly “large.” The miniature world on display is a fun, strange contrast to the real world, filled with more than just tiny objects.
