USA TODAY 10Best
10 must-see roadside attractions across the country
Best Roadside Attraction (2024)
America’s highways are dotted with countless cultural and quirky landmarks that capture the attention of travelers. They're more than just stops along the way; they're destinations in their own right, each with a story to tell.
To find the best places to check out during your next road trip, an expert panel selected their top picks for the best roadside attractions across the U.S. — all just a short detour from a major highway. Then, readers voted for their favorites to decide the winners. Here are the 10 best roadside attractions across the country.
- Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum - Gibsland, Louisiana
- Wall Drug Store Inc - Wall, South Dakota
- Wheat Jesus - Colby, Kansas
- Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox - Bemidji, Minnesota
- Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum - Logan, Ohio
- Dalmatian Fire Hydrant - Beaumont, Texas
- Carhenge - Alliance, Nebraska
- World's Largest Ball of Twine - Cawker City, Kansas
- Shealy's Official Skunk Ape Headquarters - Ochopee, Florida
- Lucy the Elephant - Margate City, New Jersey
Photo courtesy of Image Source / DigitalVision / Getty Images
No. 10:
Opened in 2005, the Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum resides in the former Ma Canfield's Cafe, the last business this couple visited before being ambushed and killed 8 miles down the road. Visitors can see photos and artifacts from the ambush as well as a replica of the car the couple died in.
Photo courtesy of MBPROJEKT_Maciej_Bledowski / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 9:
A mainstay in Wall, South Dakota, since 1931, Wall Drug didn't take hold until it started offering visitors one simple thing: free ice water. Today, Wall Drug is home to more than 300 original oil paintings of Western art and illustrations, a restaurant, a mini Mount Rushmore, and much more. And, of course, you can still get free ice water.
Photo courtesy of RyanOverman / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 8:
Along Interstate 70 in Colby, Kansas, a billboard stands tall, featuring an image of Jesus standing in a wheat field with a sheaf of wheat in his hand. Paid for in large part by Tuffy and Linda Kay Taylor, the sign is meant to inspire passersby. It also remains a popular place for travelers to stop and snap a photo.
Photo courtesy of Brady Laudon
No. 7:
Well-known through folktales, Paul Bunyan and his pet, Babe the Blue Ox, are immortalized throughout Minnesota. One such paring is found at the Tourist Information Center in Bemidji, where visitors from all over take a moment to pose with the duo for a photograph. Paul stands at 18 feet tall, alongside Babe whose horns span 14 feet.
No. 6:
More than 20 years ago, the Rev. Paul Johnson began collecting the seemingly mundane pencil sharpener. Today, the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum showcases more than 3,400 pencil sharpeners at the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center.
Photo courtesy of Jessie Moore/Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau
No. 5:
Donated by the Walt Disney Company in 1999 for the re-release of the animated movie "101 Dalmatians," the giant dalmatian-spotted fire hydrant stands 24 feet tall next to the Fire Museum of Texas in Beaumont. Not your ordinary fire hydrant, this one weighs 4,500 pounds, and at the time of its unveiling, it was the largest fire hydrant in the world.
Photo courtesy of City of Alliance
No. 4:
Nebraska's version of Stonehenge, Carhenge is composed of 39 automobiles placed in the same proportions as Stonehenge. Additional car sculptures have since been added in what is known as the Car Art Reserve.
Photo courtesy of SeventyFour / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 3:
In 1953, Frank Stoeber started gathering up a ball of twine. Four years later, that ball of twine stood 8 feet high and weighed 5,000 pounds. Each year, more twine is added to the ball, and, as of September 2023, it weighed more than 27,000 pounds.
Photo courtesy of MoreISO / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 2:
Sometimes called the Sasquatch of the Southeast, the skunkape is rumored to live in the Everglades near Ochopee. At Shealy's Official Skunk Ape Headquarters, interested visitors can see a plaster cast of a skunkape footprint and Dave Shealy's photographic evidence of the creature.
Photo courtesy of Save Lucy Committee, Inc.
No. 1:
Listed on the National Park Registry of Historical Landmarks, Lucy the Elephant stands six stories high in Josephine Harron Park. Visitors can stop by and have their photos taken with Lucy, and, for those who wish to go inside the elephant, guided tours are available.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for... Read More
Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean — has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean — has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home... Read More
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50... Read More
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los... Read More
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in... Read More
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Shea Peters
Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent... Read More
Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent world traveler that looks to the history of a location in order to tell the story. Growing up in a Southern family that loves to travel, Shea has seen 44 of the 50 US states and believes that every place has a story worth telling, regardless of how populated or rural. She's currently a regular contributor discussing travel, culture, history, food, wellness, and business at Travel + Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, TripAdvisor, Cosmo, and Revolt TV. When she's not traveling, rooting for some unlikable sports team, or taking a pilates class, you can find Shea in her rooftop garden that is currently flourishing above the streets of New York City. You can follow Shea on Instagram and Twitter.
Shea Peters
Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent world traveler that looks to the history of a location in order to tell the story. Growing up in a Southern family that loves to travel, Shea has seen 44 of the 50 US states and believes that every place has a story worth telling, regardless of how populated or rural. She's currently a regular contributor discussing travel, culture, history, food, wellness, and business at Travel + Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, TripAdvisor, Cosmo, and Revolt TV. When she's not traveling, rooting for some unlikable sports team, or taking a pilates class, you can find Shea in her rooftop garden that is currently flourishing above the streets of New York City. You can follow Shea on Instagram and Twitter.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
