1. Fremont Troll – Seattle, Washington
Beneath a bridge in Seattle lives a shaggy-haired, one-eyed troll gripping a real Volkswagen Beetle, Shirley Qiu from the Seattle Times explains. That’s not a prank or a leftover movie prop—it’s the Fremont Troll, a public art piece created in 1990. Locals wanted to revitalize the underpass and leaned into the “under the bridge” folklore. The result was a massive concrete creature that’s equal parts creepy and charming.
People constantly stumble upon it thinking it’s part of some street art prank. Some kids are terrified, others scramble up its arms like it’s a playground. Over the years, it’s become a beloved symbol of the quirky Fremont neighborhood. But your first reaction will probably be, “Wait, is that real?”
2. The Awakening – National Harbor, Maryland
At first glance, it looks like a giant is clawing his way out of the Earth—and that’s pretty much the point. The Awakening is a 72-foot statue of a bearded man buried in sand, with his head, arms, and knee dramatically reaching out, Julee K. from AFAR explains. It was originally installed at Hains Point in Washington, D.C. in 1980 before being moved to National Harbor in 2008. People walking by often mistake it for a movie prop or even an emergency scene.
The limbs are scattered across the ground, making it hard to tell what’s going on unless you step back. The expression of agony on the man’s face only adds to the confusion. Some tourists think it’s part of a horror-themed attraction and instinctively step away. But once you know what you’re looking at, it’s hard to look away.
3. Forever Marilyn – Palm Springs, California
There’s something both iconic and bizarre about seeing a 26-foot-tall Marilyn Monroe holding down her billowing white dress in the middle of town. That’s Forever Marilyn, a sculpture based on her famous scene from The Seven Year Itch. It’s massive, it’s glamorous, and yes, some people still think it’s a prank when they first see it. The sheer scale of it is so unexpected it feels like a satire.
Originally created by artist Seward Johnson, the statue has traveled across the U.S. before landing (again) in Palm Springs in 2021. What throws people off is how lifelike her face and pose are—like she’s been caught mid-moment. Depending on where you’re standing, you either get an elegant photo op or a view that’s sparked plenty of controversy, according to Terry Castleman from The Los Angeles Times. Either way, it’s a head-turner.
4. Lucille Ball Statue (The “Scary Lucy”) – Celoron, New York
When a statue of beloved comedian Lucille Ball was unveiled in her hometown, fans were horrified. The 2009 bronze sculpture looked more like a villain from a horror movie than the lovable redhead from I Love Lucy. Its wild-eyed expression and bizarre proportions earned it the nickname “Scary Lucy.” Locals and tourists alike assumed it was a cruel joke, according to Melissa Chan from TIME Magazine.
After years of backlash, a new and far friendlier statue was installed in 2016, now known as “Lovely Lucy.” But “Scary Lucy” still draws attention—it’s been relocated nearby for those who want to witness the weirdness for themselves. It’s become a sort of anti-monument, where visitors take selfies with equal parts amusement and fear. You’d never guess it was meant to honor a comedy legend.
5. Metalmorphosis – Charlotte, North Carolina
From afar, it looks like a giant silver head. Then it starts to move—layer by layer, like something out of a sci-fi film. Metalmorphosis is a 14-ton mirrored sculpture by Czech artist David Černý that actually rotates in segments. It’s as mesmerizing as it is confusing, and many people think it must be some kind of tech company ad stunt.
Each piece spins independently, then aligns into a perfectly still human face before shifting again. The constant movement and surreal design make it feel like a digital illusion. It’s not uncommon to see visitors just staring, waiting for it to “glitch.” Spoiler: it’s real, and it’s meant to be that weird.
6. Mothman Statue – Point Pleasant, West Virginia
In the middle of a sleepy town square stands a muscular, winged creature with glaring red eyes. This is the Mothman, a local legend turned into a polished metal statue. First reported in the 1960s, the Mothman supposedly haunted the town before the tragic Silver Bridge collapse. The statue, however, looks like something from a fantasy convention.
It has six-pack abs, massive wings, and a heroic pose—definitely not what you’d expect from a cryptid. Some people think it’s a parody or fan art gone too far. But locals take pride in it, and it’s even the centerpiece of the annual Mothman Festival. Whether you believe the lore or not, the statue itself is delightfully over-the-top.
7. Cloud Gate (The Bean) – Chicago, Illinois
You’ve probably seen it in photos, but standing in front of The Bean for the first time is downright disorienting. Officially named Cloud Gate, this mirrored sculpture warps the skyline, your reflection, and everyone around you. Designed by Anish Kapoor, it’s become an icon—but also a target for endless jokes. A lot of visitors think it’s a pop-up installation or a giant piece of abstract prank art.
It doesn’t help that it looks like a giant silver jellybean. The way it distorts reflections makes people laugh or scratch their heads. Tourists often tap it or walk around it suspiciously, like they’re waiting for it to do something. But despite the oddity, it’s permanently here—and completely intentional.
8. Unconditional Surrender – Sarasota, Florida
This towering sculpture depicts a sailor kissing a nurse at the end of World War II, based on a famous photograph. But it’s the size and style of Unconditional Surrender that makes people think it’s a weird parody. Standing at 25 feet tall and made of a glossy plastic-looking material, it almost looks inflatable. Many onlookers have said it reminds them of a roadside attraction rather than public art.
Its exaggerated realism gives it a doll-like vibe that throws people off. Despite the strange reception, it’s been installed in several cities and is especially popular with tourists. People either love it or think it’s a weird prank by someone who misunderstood the assignment. Either way, it draws a crowd.
9. Mustangs at Las Colinas – Irving, Texas
In the middle of a corporate plaza, nine larger-than-life bronze mustangs charge across a stream. It’s an epic scene that catches most people off guard, especially because there’s no plaque or context immediately nearby. The horses look so dynamic that people often ask if it’s a movie set or special event installation. Nope—it’s just Mustangs at Las Colinas, and it’s been there since 1984.
The detail is jaw-dropping, with splashing water effects that add to the illusion of movement. People have even reported double-takes, thinking the horses were animatronic. The lack of fanfare makes it even more surreal. It’s one of those places where you find yourself saying, “Why is no one talking about this?”
10. The Statue of Liberation Through Christ – Memphis, Tennessee
This 72-foot statue looks suspiciously like the Statue of Liberty—until you notice it’s holding a cross instead of a torch. Created by a local megachurch, this unusual reimagining is both religious statement and roadside oddity. The gold-painted crown and robe are familiar, but everything else feels… off. Some travelers actually stop to confirm if it’s a prank or satire.
The statue blends Americana with evangelical messaging in a way that’s hard to ignore. It’s become a frequent stop on road trip blogs for its sheer oddness. While it’s deeply meaningful to some, others are just plain confused. Either way, it makes an unforgettable impression.
11. Levitated Mass – Los Angeles, California
It’s literally just a giant boulder suspended over a concrete trench. But Levitated Mass at LACMA caused a media frenzy when it was trucked into LA in 2012. The 340-ton rock looked so absurd on a flatbed that people thought it was a hoax. Even now, many visitors wonder if it’s some kind of minimalist joke.
Once installed, it became a walk-under sculpture that plays with scale and tension. But its simplicity is what confuses people—there’s no visible support, just the rock hovering. Some tourists expect it to move or tip over. But nope—it’s art.
12. The Spindle – Berwyn, Illinois (Destroyed but Legendary)
Though it no longer stands, The Spindle deserves mention because of how many people thought it was a prank. This 50-foot sculpture featured eight real cars stacked on a metal spike in a shopping center parking lot. Installed in 1989, it became a roadside icon thanks to its bizarre concept and location. Many assumed it was a joke by a frustrated mechanic.
It was even featured in the film Wayne’s World, which added to its cult status. Sadly, it was dismantled in 2008, but fans still talk about it. There are even calls to rebuild it or create a replica. It’s proof that weird public art can become genuinely beloved.
13. Giant Fork – Springfield, Missouri
Outside an office park, a 35-foot fork rises from the ground like a surreal utensil from a giant’s kitchen. It originally stood in front of a now-closed restaurant and was saved from demolition by nearby advertising execs. Most people think it’s a publicity stunt or viral marketing gimmick. But nope—it’s just a really big fork.
It’s even been named the largest fork in the world. Drivers often do a double-take and circle back to confirm what they just saw. It’s goofy, out-of-place, and makes no sense unless you know the backstory. And that’s exactly why it’s great.
14. Gumby and Pokey – Emeryville, California
In an otherwise quiet business district, you might stumble across massive statues of Gumby and his sidekick Pokey. Towering over the sidewalk in primary colors, they look like an April Fool’s prank that never got taken down. But they’re part of the city’s public art program and a nod to its animation industry ties. Even locals aren’t always sure why they’re there.
Children squeal when they recognize the characters, while adults scratch their heads. The scale and placement make them feel totally random. It’s like stumbling into a cartoon and not knowing how you got there. And that’s exactly the point—they’re joyfully absurd.
