Roadside Attractions & Oddities

Troll Capitol of the World

Attraction in the small town of Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin

Main Street in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, is known as the Trollway, but you can find trolls all through town. Carved of wood, and sometimes painted, but mostly not, the trolls depict a variety of themes, such as the gardening troll and the troll on a tricycle. According to Norwegian folklore, trolls protect crops, so this little town must have some great gardens!

Paul Bunyan & Babe

Big stuff in Bemidji, Minnesota

300 Bemidji Ave, Bemidji, MN, next to the Visitors & Convention Bureau; Free

One of many in the country, this Paul Bunyan stands 18 feet tall and was built in 1937. Babe was wheeled around to carnivals for a few years before joining Paul here in 1939. The spot is said to be the birthplace of Paul Bunyan.

Nanabojo

More big stuff in Bemidji, Minnesota

Just down the street and on the other side from Paul Bunyan; Free

According to Chipppewa legend, Paul Bunyan was so greedy about cutting down all the trees that Nanabojo stopped him by beating him to death with a big fish.

Big Fish Restaurant

Landmark in Bena, Minnesota

US Hwy 2, Bena, MN, 30 miles east of Bemidji, next to Big Fish Supper Club (which is closed in winter); Free

This 65-foot muskie once held a hamburger stand, but it is now closed and falling apart. View from the outside; I don't know if you can go in, but it doesn't look safe to me.

Dala Horse

Outdoor learning experience in Minot, North Dakota

At the Scandinavian Heritage Center at Broadway and 11th, Minot, ND; Free

The Dala horse is a symbol of Sweden, from the province of Dalarna. A popular art form since the 1840s, they were first made as toys for children. This Dala horse stands 30' tall. Many other outdoor exhibits; visitor center open until 5:00.

Geographical Center of North America

Landmark in Rugby, North Dakota

Intersection of US 2 & ND 3, Rugby, ND; Free

The 15-foot rock obelisk was moved when Hwy 2 was widened; it now stands at the edge of the Conoco station parking lot.

Northern Lights Monument

Roadside wonder in Rugby,ND

East of the intersection of US 2 & Hwy 3 (just east of the geographical center obelisk); Free

Built in 1999, the 88-foot multi-colored steel monument to the beauty of the northern lights is illuminated at night. An interpretive center is adjacent, with an excellent video explaining the phenomenon of the aurora borealis.

Coldest Spot in the Nation

Family fun in Cut Bank, Montana

US Hwy 2, southeast edge of Cut Bank, MT; Free

The 27-foot concrete statue was built in 1989, but it looks like it came from an older era. It supposedly talks, but I didn't see the activating button.

House of Mystery

Offbeat attraction near Columbia Falls, Montana

At the Montana Vortex, US Hwy 2, 4 miles east of Columbia Falls, MT; April - Sept, daily 10 - 6 (call to verify 406-892-1210); 45-minute guided tour; $8 adults/$6 ages 6 - 12

The Montana Vortex is an area where the laws of gravity and perspective are broken. People shrink and grow; marbles roll uphill. The house was built as an attraction in 1970; within, the mind struggles to reconcile what the eyes see with the gravity felt by the body.

Hi Jolly's Tomb

Monument in Quartzsite, Arizona

Exit 17, north side of I-10, 1/2-mile east on West Main St, north at the Hi Jolly sign to the town cemetery; Free

In the 19th century, the US Army brought camels from the Middle East to use in the American desert. They also brought Hadji Ali to be the camel handler. The soldiers couldn't pronounce his name, so he became known as Hi Jolly. He was so well-liked that when he died, a special grave marker was built. The marker is a multi-colored pyramid, made of quartz and petrified wood, with a camel silhouette on top.

Smallest Museum in the World

Americana in Superior, Arizona

Hwy 60, Superior, AZ; west edge of town at Buckboard City Cafe; daily 8 - 1:30 (call to verify 520-689-5800); Free

This tiny building has just one aisle and walls lined with glass-fronted shelves. The eclectic collection spans the 40s through the 80s, including presidential campaign materials, memorabilia from TV shows and concerts, old cameras, quill pens, and a mimeograph machine. There is even an ancient HP pc with 10mb hard drive!

Signpost

Help for your roadtrip in California

On CA 62 near Rice, west of Vidal Junction, California; Free

This stretch of road is "littered" with oddball attractions. Here passers-by tack signs to the pole indicating mileage to various points. I, of course, added one to note the 2,146 miles to my home town.

Shoe Fence

Weird stuff in California

On CA 62 near Rice, west of Vidal Junction, California; Free

This portion of wire fence is decorated with hundreds of shoes. It looks as if a homestead burned here...is this some kind of memorial?

Running Horses Statues

Outdoor attraction in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico

Outside the Hubbarb Museum of the American West, Hwy 70, in Ruidoso Downs, NM; Free to view horses

Eight larger-than-life, realistically detailed horses run and jump in Dave McGary's "Free Spirits at Noisy Water." Among the breeds depicted are the thoroughbred, quarter horse, appaloosa, paint, and Arabian. Each metal sculpture weighs between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds.

Giant Roadrunner

Roadside wonder in Las Cruces, New Mexico

Rest stop on the south side of I-10, just west of Las Cruces, NM, between mile markers 134 and 135; Free

This 20-foot sculpture is constructed of trash -- athletic shoes, toys, computer parts, and anything else the creators could pick up at the city dump where it was built before being moved to its hilltop vantage point. Read about the history of the sculpture.

More Weird Stuff Than You Can Shake A Stick At

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