25 Unique Attractions Across the US

Formed by volcanic activity long ago, Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet from the valley floor in middle-of-nowhere Wyoming. What makes it unusual is its presence amongst an otherwise relatively flat landscape. Surrounded by forests and rolling terrain, Devils Tower offers plenty of mellow hiking and photo opportunities. It became a National Monument in 1906.

Something crashed in the fields outside of Roswell back in 1947-that much everyone agrees on. From there the stories go in all directions, including theories of a weather balloon to extraterrestrials. The UFO Museum in Roswell recounts the incident with an impressive collection of newspaper articles and exhibits, leaving the visitor to conclude for themselves. The museum, sometimes serious and sometimes hokey, is a fun lunchtime stop as you cruise through New Mexico.

Learn about the history of medicine at this alternative museum that features human skulls, disfigured fetuses, medical instruments and physical abnormalities. Set up with the intention of being "disturbingly informative," permanent and special exhibits walk visitors through the development of modern medicine and disease treatment, and what specialists have learned from the most extreme cases.

Think of the Stockyards as the Colonial Williamsburg of the West. At the edge of Fort Worth, as the modern city develops around it, the Stockyards are keeping the ways of the old west alive. Historic buildings and hotels, a rodeo and lasso lessons, Western-style bars and cattle drives that come right through the cobblestone streets headline the attractions in this culture-preserving neighborhood.

Fleet Week has been happening in New York City since 1984, sending thousands of sailors into the city streets for a week in port. Don't forget that in addition to the sailors, the ships are also open for business, with many of the military vessels open for tours. If you can time it right, it's an interesting time to be in the Big Apple. Fleet Week takes place in May this year.

Only 20 people per day are allowed to visit the Wave in Arizona, a secluded rock formation in the Coyote Buttes. Popular with photographers for the lines on the rock, the area is protected by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and requires a 6-mile round-trip hike to reach it. Permits can be obtained online or in person in Kanab, Utah.

Built between 1914 and 1919, Gillette Castle was the private residence of American actor William Gillette (most famous for his role as Sherlock Holmes). Built from field stone, the castle has 24 rooms and has more than 14,000 square-feet of floor space. The outside looks medieval and gothic while the inside is surprisingly warm and homey. The Castle is open for visitors and tours seven days a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Have your fun in New Orleans, but stop by the Oak Alley Plantation on your way in or out of town. Its mission is to preserve and educate about the plantation era. The beauty of the grounds are reason enough to visit, but you'll get a lot out of exploring its exhibits, which include tours of the "Big House," "The Slavery Exhibit," a Civil War tent, a blacksmith and an overview of the sugarcane industry of the era.

Who says there's nothing to see in Iowa? The Amana Colonies are comprised of seven villages that preserve and track the settlement of the Inspirationalists, a religious group from Germany. Forced from their home overseas by religious persecution, they established a new sanctuary in the prairies of Iowa, where they lived in a communal, money-free community. A visit to the villages and their heritage sites will teach you more about the group and how they eventually integrated with the rest of society during the Great Depression.

The site of the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi, Wilson's Creek Battlefield offers an interpretation and commemoration of the bloody conflict. Perfect for a short stop, the self-guided auto tour is five miles long with various walking trails, none longer than a mile. Stop by to stretch your legs, learn more about the Civil War and pay homage to those that lost their lives.

The Oregon Vortex is described as "an area of naturally occurring visual and perceptual phenomena." Believed to be a place of strong force and energy, it is said that the laws of physics are flexible at the Vortex, a land the Native American's called "Forbidden Ground." Stop by on your way through the Pacific Northwest to see the latest anomalies.

This geological wonder near Austin is the remains of a collapsed underground river. Fed by a 50-foot waterfall, the pool is a protected area that spans 232 acres. It is a popular place of respite for visitors and locals, especially during the summer. Swing through and take a swim in this unique watering hole.

Okay, so, there's another way to "blackout" in Vegas-try a "dining in the dark" experience, where you eat and drink in complete darkness. The lack of light heightens all your other senses, especially taste and smell, so while you won't be able to see your food or the people across the table from you, the food will taste every bit as good, perhaps even a little bit better.

This National Park in the Chihuahuan Desert consists of 119 underground caves. Many of them are open for exploration, either via self-guided trails or ranger-led programs. This is a great way to escape the heat of a summer road trip.

If you don't like circuses, perhaps you've drifted a little too far away from the joys of childhood. Get refreshed with a stop at the Circus World on your way through Wisconsin. Not only does it offer acts and entertainment, but it also highlights the history of the circus with its collection of old wagons and a behind the scenes look at clowns.

It's sad to say that a bookstore is a unique attraction, but welcome to 2019. Powell's City of Books in the Pearl District of Portland is an absolute institution, occupying an entire city block and claiming to be the largest independent bookseller in the world. Whether you're seeking actual books or a simple dose of nostalgia, it's worth popping in to take a look.

Nothing divides a room in half like country music. Love it or hate it, the genre represents the pastime and lifestyle of the American south, and a visit to its mecca in Nashville is a must for anyone who appreciates music history. Stop by for a visit before you lunch on that infamous Nashville hot chicken.

The Tufa Towers at Mono Lake are a variety of limestone that has formed over time from the meeting of calcium-rich spring water and alkaline salt water-the former is pushed up through the bottom of the lake, forming the towers over time. Swimming is allowed at Mono Lake, making it a nice afternoon stop for a picnic lunch and a scenic swim.

Consider this the cousin of the ice hotels up north in Canada. The Corn Palace's exterior is comprised of grain and corn stalks, and each year it is reconstructed with a new design. The Palace holds festivals throughout the year, and has hosted many famous artists over its tenure, including Johnny Cash, The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Chubby Checker and Weird Al Yankovic, among others.

Jell-O was a mainstay of the 20th century, and this tiny museum in Le Roy, New York, pays homage to its heyday. The decline of Bill Cosby's reputation takes a little shine off the brand, but it's still worth a stop for those passing through. Just a quick 30 minutes to an hour is enough to explore this small museum.

If you haven't seen the movie Biodome, do yourself a favor and queue it up. After, you can take a tour of a real-life biosphere operation in Oracle, Arizona, where scientists are experimenting with the various ecosystems and life systems of earth, including water and climate issues, coral reef health and energy and sustainability.

This religious, artistic installment was created by a local resident. Using straw, adobe and paint, he created many murals and exhibits that feature prayers of repentance. The museum contains gifts and offerings from visitors, so spend a few minutes exploring and consider leaving behind a token of your own visit.

A desert in Maine? Sort of. The "Desert of Maine" is the remains of a failed agricultural effort that saw massive erosion wash away the soil and uncover a floor of sand-like glacial silt. Despite its name and appearance, the 40-acre area does receive plenty of rain-so its technically not a desert-and the surrounding forests are slowly shrinking the "desert's" size. Still, these factors make it even more interesting, and the natural anomaly is an interesting stop on a journey through Maine.

You don't have to be a history buff to recall the Salem Witch Trails of 1692, the most famous and most glamorized witch trials ever to take place in America. The Witch House, as it is known-the house in which the trials took place-still stands today in Massachusets, and you can tour it to gain a better understanding of the people involved in the trials, as well as learn more about the perception of witchcraft during that era.

Construction of the Grotto of the Redemption started off in earnest in 1912 as an offering to the Virgin Mary. Using his own personal collection of rocks and gems, Father Paul Dobberstein, little by little, eventually created what is considered to be the largest grotto in the world. Today, the total value of its materials and construction are said to be more than $4 million,