When you jump in the car and head out on a road trip, you usually have a destination in mind. But sometimes, it’s the things you see along the way that make it count!
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, US
The US of A is home to dozens of roadside attractions and Texas in particular is a roadside haven. In Amarillo, along the infamous Route 66, you’ll find these colourful Cadillac cars sticking up out of the sand.
They’re known as Cadillac Ranch, an art installation erected in 1974 by a San Francisco group known as the Ant Farm. Why are the cars leaning precisely so? Apparently the angle matches that of the Great Pyramid of Giza!
World’s Largest Axe, Nackawic, Canada
If you’re ever driving through New Brunswick in Canada (which is just up from Nova Scotia), take yourself on a tour past this giant axe, which consists of 55 tonnes of steel and rises 15 metres tall.
It was built here in 1991 to celebrate Nackawic’s appointment as the Forestry Capital of Canada.
The Springfield Donut, New Zealand
We all know the famous pink-iced, white-sprinkled donut that has become symbolic of The Simpsons. But did you know that there’s a huge sculpture of one just across the Tasman?
It sits in New Zealand’s very own Springfield (which is located in Canterbury, about an hour from Christchurch) and was donated to the town by 20th Century Fox back in 2007 to celebrate the launch of The Simpsons Movie.
Gruselkabinett, Berlin, Germany
This crazy roadside attraction 05/not look like much from the outside, but on the inside, the Gruselkabinett (or Berlin Story Bunker) is scarier than you might think!
It was originally built as an air raid shelter in 1943, but today it’s one-third WWII museum, one-third torture exhibition and one-third horror funhouse! It’s worth a look-see if you’re in this cool German city, but be assured – this is probably the weirdest roadside attraction you’ll ever experience.
Keep in mind that entry will cost you €9.50.
Wee’l Turtle, Dunseith, US
North Dakota is a great place for a road trip and along North Dakota Highway 3, you’ll find this nifty turtle!
‘Stacked’ in 1982 using around 2,000 wheel rims, this turtle was created by George Gottbreht of Dale’s Thrifty Barn next door in honour of the Turtle Mountain State Park.
What’s the most impressive thing about this roadside attraction? The turtle’s head moves!
World’s Largest Boar, Saulces-Monclin, France
He’s over 9 metres tall and 14 metres long and he is known as Woinic, the world’s largest boar.
Woinic is the artistic creation of local sculptor Eric Sléziak, who brought the boar to life in 2008 after 10 years of hard sculpting work. You’ll find this super cool attraction along Autoroute A 34.
What does ‘Woinic’ mean? Nothing! It’s simply the combination of the names of Sléziak’s parents.
The Crooked House, near Himley, UK
If you plan to drive through Dudley (off the B4176) this roadside attraction is worth stopping at. Doubling up as fun attraction and a pub/restaurant in one, The Crooked House has been around since 1765 and was initially a farmhouse.
In the 1800s, however, it began sinking due to the mines under it until it was saved by local company, Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries. Today, it’s a great place for a pint and a feed as well as a few crooked photos!