America's wackiest attractions
When it comes to weirdness, don’t mess with Texas.
The Lone Star State is more like the Looney State, judging by a new list of the country’s wackiest attractions.
PHOTO GALLERY
Top Ten of weirdness
Illinois has it share of road trip-worthy oddities. We can think of:
Can you suggest a better one? Comment below!
The Top Ten roster of America’s weirdest wonders was compiled by the folks at TripAdvisor.com, the online travel community best known for users’ hotel reviews.
Turns out Texas lays claim to four of the ten oddities. (Surprisingly, none of them are in Austin, the capital of kooky.)
“Texas does everything big; they even do weird and quirky big,” TripAdvisor spokesperson Brooke Ferencsik said.
“When you take a trip, these might not be the first places that come to mind,” Ferencsik added. “But they’re really unique and fun things for travelers to see.”
1. Toilet Seat Museum
Alamo Heights, Texas
Former plumber Barney Smith has created an ode to the commode, with nearly 900 decorated toilet seat lids displayed in his oversized garage near San Antonio. Smith — a true Texas character — says roughly 1,000 visitors a year drop by his free museum, which, incidentally, doesn’t have a bathroom.
239 Abiso Ave., (210) 824-7791.
2. Carhenge
Alliance, Neb.
It’s Nebraska’s answer to Stonehenge. Dozens of old cars, painted gray, poke from the ground and balance precariously atop one another in a pattern that mimics the famous prehistoric monument. I’m guessing it’s quite the hot spot during summer solstice.
2141 County Rd. 59, carhenge.com.
3. Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo, Texas
Cars sprouting from the earth apparently get high scores on the bizarro meter. Ten graffiti-covered Cadillacs look like they’re drilling for oil, with their noses buried deep in the Texas terrain off old Route 66. Bring a can of spray paint.
Off Interstate 40, between exits 60 and 62.
4. Museum of Pez Memorabilia
Burlingame, Calif.
More than 500 types of dispensers of Pez — a candy originally marketed as a mint to help people quit smoking — have hit store shelves since the 1950s. You’ll find a lot of them in this tiny museum, about a 10-minute drive south of San Francisco. See the world’s largest Pez dispenser, a snowman standing nearly 8 feet tall.
214 California Dr., (650) 347-2301, burlingamepezmuseum.com.
5. Gatorland
Orlando, Fla.
Feed Florida’s favorite reptile a hot dog or hop on its back for a photo op at this family-owned, 50-year-old theme park and wildlife preserve, home to more than 1,000 alligators — and some crocs, too.
14501 S. Orange Blossom Tr., (800) 393-5297, gatorland.com.
6. Eiffel Tower
Paris, Texas
At a mere 65 feet tall, this version of France’s iconic tower falls a bit short. “I’ve honestly seen oil rigs that are more impressive,” said one TripAdvisor traveler. But the real Eiffel Tower doesn’t have a cowboy hat on top.
Corner of Jefferson Road and South Collegiate Drive, next to Love Civic Center, (903) 739-9912.
7. House on the Rock
Spring Green, Wis.
If I were going to film a horror movie, this is where I’d do it. Doll houses, automated instruments, a creepy carousel — these are just some of the bazillion things on display at this eccentric abode perched high on a rock. The home’s window-lined “infinity room” is suspended over the valley, stretching 218 feet from the house and getting progressively smaller until it’s only 1 inch wide.
5754 State Road 23, (608) 935-3639, thehouseontherock.com.
8. Stonehenge II
Hunt, Texas
Get two popular attractions for the price of one, and you don’t even have to leave the country. Knock offs of Stonehenge and Easter Island’s Jay Leno-looking giant heads (called moais) lurk about 80 miles west of San Antonio.
Two miles west of Hunt on Farm Road 1340.
9. Extraterrestrial Highway
Rachel, Nev.
Lots of purported UFO sightings along Nevada State Highway 375 have earned this lonely stretch of road the name “Extraterrestrial Highway.” The 98-mile route — an easy day trip from Las Vegas — is close to the top-secret Air Force base called Area 51. Earthlings can find food and accommodations at Little A’Le’Inn (littlealeinn.com) near Area 51, in the town of Rachel.
Nevada State Highway 375 runs between US-93 and US-6.
10. Twine Ball
Darwin, Minn.
The world’s largest ball of twine made by one man, Francis A. Johnson, sits in a gazebo in downtown Darwin. Johnson started wrapping the twine in 1950 and kept at it for more than 25 years, which explains how the ball’s 40-foot circumference and weight of 17,400 pounds. Best time to visit is the second Saturday in August for Twine Ball Days.
Downtown Darwin, 60 miles west of the Twin Cities; darwintwineball.com.