Experience These 15 Roadside Attractions Without Ever Leaving the Car

From the Comfort of the Car

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2020 has become the year of the road trip and fortunately, there are plenty of epic landmarks travelers can take in from the safety and comfort of their vehicle. Here are some iconic sites not to be missed this summer.

Winchester Mystery House, California

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This historical landmark in San Jose, California dates all the way back to 1886. The former personal residence of Sarah Winchester-the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester-the one-of-a-kind mansion is considered an architectural wonder due to its bizarre layout.

South of the Border, North Carolina-South Carolina

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This world-famous roadside attraction is a popular stop for travelers crossing the North Carolina-South Carolina border on I-95. There's much to do outside of the car but if you're simply passing by, the attraction's unmistakable welcome sign and billboard advertisements will make for great photo-ops.

Carhenge, Nebraska

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If you can't make it to Stonehenge, Carhenge near Alliance, Nebraska might just be the next best thing. Jim Reinders' fascinating replica was created with nearly 40 vintage American automobiles, which are all covered with gray spray paint to resemble the iconic standing stones of Wiltshire, England.

The Clown Motel, Nevada

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The Clown Motel located in Tonopah, Nevada midway between Las Vegas and Reno might just be the spookiest motel in America. In addition to featuring hundreds of clowns, the landmark property is located directly next to the Old Tonopah Cemetery.

Jolly Green Giant, Minnesota

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Oddly enough, the Jolly Green Giant is located in a town called Blue Earth about two hours southwest of Minneapolis. The more than 55-foot-tall statue was designed to lure motorists passing by along Interstate 90 on their way to more well-known destinations such as the Black Hills and Yellowstone.

Enchanted Highway, North Dakota

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North Dakota's 32-mile-long Enchanted Highway offers motorists plenty to look at as they cruise between the small towns of Gladstone and Regent. Developed by local artist Gary Greff more than three decades ago, the stretch of scrap metal sculptures draws road trippers from far and wide. Highlights include Fisherman's Dream and the World's Largest Tin Family.

Bishop Castle, Colorado

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What began as a family project started by Jim Bishop nearly 60 years ago has become one of the country's top roadside attractions. The epic stone and iron castle is located just off of Colorado state highway 165 a couple of hours south of Denver.

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland and Virginia

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The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is one of the nation's most iconic bridges, spanning more than four miles across the namesake estuary. Drivers will enjoy splendid views (especially if traveling at sunrise or sunset) of the Chesapeake Bay, Sandy Point State Park and the nearby Maryland capital of Annapolis.

Beer Can House, Texas

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Located at 222 Malone Street, Houston's famous Beer Can House is covered in flattened beer cans, bottles, bottle caps and other beer paraphernalia. Retired upholsterer John Milkovisch began the project in 1968 after saving up empty beer cans for nearly two decades.

Benewah Milk Bottle, Washington

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Added to the National Register of Historic Places 34 years ago, the Benewah Milk Bottle is an iconic landmark located just off of I-90 in Spokane in Eastern Washington. The massive bottle was named after the Benewah Dairy Company.

Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma

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Travelers can find this famous Route 66 attraction about 30 minutes east of Tulsa. Hugh Davis' iconic anniversary gift to his wife dates back to the early 1970s but remains a popular site decades later, having been featured in multiple TV shows.

Cabazon Dinosaurs, California

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Southern California's Cabazon Dinosaurs are as kid-friendly as roadside attractions come and sure to be a hit with families traveling with young children. Featured in the 1985 film Pee-wee's Big Adventure, the massive steel-and-concrete dinosaurs can be viewed just outside of Palm Springs along Interstate 10.

Cadillac Ranch, Texas

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Another Route 66 icon, this eye-popping and quite literal art installation in Amarillo, Texas resembles Nebraska's Carhenge, featuring 10 vintage Cadillacs ranging from the late-1940s to early 1960s buried nose first to showcase the evolution of the car's tailfin.

Leaning Tower of Niles, Illinois

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This half-size replica of Italy's famous Leaning Tower of Pisa can be found just 15 miles northwest of Chicago in Niles, Illinois, where it was completed in 1934. The tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places earlier this year.

World's Largest Pistachio, New Mexico

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At 30 feet tall, the enormous roadside cashew out front of McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch and Winery Gift Shop in Alamogordo, New Mexico can legitimately lay claim to the title of world's largest pistachio. Even though visitors can't eat it, they can shop for a variety of pistachio-based products.

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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

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Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me