5 Unique Road Trip Attractions in the USA

Many families take their summer vacation plans out on the open road for an epic road trip. While most people may be interested in attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Niagara Falls, or Yellowstone National Park, there are others who are in search of some more unconventional attractions. In this article, we’ll take a look at 5 of the most unique road trip attractions in the USA.

In This Article

Carhenge: Alliance Nebraska
Cadillac Ranch: Amarillo, Texas
Dog Bark Park Inn: Cottonwood, Idaho
Bubblegum Alley: San Luis Obispo, California
Enchanted Highway: North Dakota

Carhenge: Alliance Nebraska

Many people are familiar with Wiltshire, England’s Stonehenge. Classified as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the prehistoric monument consists of a ring of standing stones, each approximately 13 feet high and weighing 20 tons. This, however, is a bit different. The homage is compiled using vintage American cars, painted grey to mimic the rocks of Stonehenge, and assembled in an identical fashion. Located off highway 87, the attraction is free to visit 24/7 year-round, and also boasts a gift shop that operates during the summer months.

Cadillac Ranch: Amarillo, Texas

Located along the historic Route-66, Cadillac Ranch is the brainchild of artists from San Francisco who sought to create a truly eyebrow raising art installation. The installation consists of ten 1943-1963 Cadillac vehicles buried nose-first into the dirt. The graffiti on the vehicles was not part of the original installation, but rather added on by the many tourists who have come to visit, thus making it a constantly evolving piece.

Dog Bark Park Inn: Cottonwood, Idaho

Calling all dog lovers, this is the hotel for you. Located in the stomach of Sweet Willy, the world’s largest Beagle, this hotel features rooms adorned with a multitude of dog-themed décor and literature for guests to enjoy. It’s not just overnight guests who enjoy the attraction. Many visitors make their way to the hotel for the unique photo opportunity. An on-site gift shop also lets guests take home their own Sweet Willy souvenir.

Bubblegum Alley: San Luis Obispo, California

One of the more disgusting attractions, Bubblegum Alley is a literal tribute to the snack. The alley in which it’s located is approximately 70 feet long and 15 feet high. Starting sometime in the 1970’s, a tradition of adding chewed up gum to the wall began. At this point, there’s no calculating the number of actual number of wads attached to the wall, but guesses range from hundreds of thousand to the millions.

Enchanted Highway: North Dakota

If you ever happen to find yourself in North Dakota, the 32 mile stretch of highway between Gladstone and Regent is something to behold. An art installation consisting of gigantic metal statues depicting local prairie animals and nods to local culture makes up what is known as the Enchanted Highway. Some pieces of the installation include pheasants, fish, deer, grasshoppers, geese, a tin family, and Teddy Roosevelt riding a horse drawn carriage. It’s truly a sight to behold.