The U.S. is dotted with creepy roadside attractions that promise some scary stops along any journey. These sorts of pit stops are perfect for thrill-seekers and fans of the macabre.
From eerie sculptures to mystery houses to museums devoted to darkness, a trip to these places will surely send chills down your spine.
Buckle up and join us for a spooky journey through some of America’s creepiest roadside attractions.
America’s weirdest, wildest, and raddest roadside attractions
1. The Mystery Spot (Santa Cruz, CA)
Nestled in the redwood forest, the Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly that leaves visitors questioning reality. Objects appear to roll uphill, compasses wildly spin, vegetation won’t grow, and people seem to defy gravity.
This spooky spot has fascinated tourists since the 1940s, making it a must-visit for those seeking an otherworldly experience.
2. Carhenge (Alliance, NE)
An homage to England’s Stonehenge, Carhenge features vintage cars arranged in a circle, creating an intriguing sight.
Built in 1987, this artistic installation takes on a macabre twist, with many vehicles looking weathered and decaying, giving the impression that they’ve been in a battle with time.
This eerie spot sits in the middle of a farm field, leaving one wondering if the place might be as mysterious as the actual Stonehenge in a few thousand years.
3. Paul Bunyan and Babe The Blue Ox (Klamath, CA)
This statue of the legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan (and Babe the Blue Ox) is endearing to some and spooky to others.
Paul may be waving, but he has a sort of scary look on his face, causing some to wonder what he might have planned with that ax of his… Lumberjacking or something else?
Either way, this is a fun and popular roadside attraction for all who meander through the area — we’ll let you decide just how creepy it is (or isn’t).
4. The Winchester Mystery House (San Jose, CA)
Built in the 1800s by Winchester Rifle heiress Sarah Winchester, the Mystery House is famed for its architectural oddities, including winding mazes of staircases to nowhere, tiny hallways, and trap doors.
Legend has it that Winchester constructed the house to appease the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. Visitors often report strange occurrences, adding to its reputation as one of the most haunted roadside attractions in America.
5. The World’s Largest Cowboy Boots (San Antonio, TX)
Standing tall at over 30 feet, these giant cowboy boots are a striking sight in San Antone. The boots are a mostly fun take on the ‘Everything is Bigger in Texas’ mantra.
But they also evoke an eerie atmosphere, especially at night when they loom over visitors, casting elongated shadows that add a touch of the uncanny. While there, you might also cast an extra glance over your shoulder, lest the boot’s giant owner decides to come lumbering back.
6. The Mütter Museum (Philadelphia, PA)
This museum is more than just a creepy roadside attraction — it’s a shrine to the bizarre and macabre. Home to an extensive collection of medical oddities, the Mütter Museum houses preserved human specimens, antique surgical instruments, and various bizarre models.
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The unsettling exhibits make it a fascinating yet creepy road trip stop for those interested in the scary side of medicine.
7. The Old Car City (White, GA)
As the world’s largest classic car junkyard, Old Car City is a treasure trove for car enthusiasts. However, the decaying vehicles and rusted relics create a haunting ambiance where spooky trees and other craggy things grow right through the cars.
The overgrown landscape and remnants of the past evoke nostalgia, mixed with a sense of eeriness surrounding the entire place.
8. The Bell Witch Cave (Adams, TN)
The Bell Witch Cave is linked to one of America’s most famous hauntings. According to folklore, a malevolent spirit (The Bell Witch) haunted the Bell family in the early 19th century, causing terror and chaos. Once the hauntings started, hundreds of people visited the Bell Farm in search of a sliver of supernatural. This led the scary stories to spread far and wide.
The Bell Witch also has the horrifying honor of being the only supernatural force legally credited as causing a person’s death.
The cave is a hotspot for paranormal activity, making this a must for our list of creepiest roadside attractions.
9. Expedition Bigfoot: The Bigfoot Museum (Blue Ridge, GA)
This quirky museum showcases a collection of Bigfoot memorabilia and artifacts. While some exhibits are light-hearted, others delve into the darker legends surrounding the elusive creature.
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The ambiguous nature of Bigfoot’s existence adds a thrilling layer of creepiness to this roadside attraction in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
10. Pine Hill Cemetary aka The Blood Cemetery (Hollis, NH)
This small, isolated graveyard is known for its eerie atmosphere and legends surrounding its history. As the story goes, a cemetery resident named Abel Blood has slinked around the grounds since his burial in 1867.
He’s best known for the story of a pointing finger on his gravestone that points upward during the day and downward at night. Unfortunately, his headstone was vandalized years ago, but visitors still report eerie sightings and feelings at this bizarre stop.
11. The Enchanted Highway (North Dakota)
Stretching 32 miles, the Enchanted Highway features giant metal sculptures along the route, including a massive grasshopper, a family of geese, and farmers with pitchforks (whose intentions remain unknown…).
While mostly whimsical and fun, the towering sculptures can evoke a sense of eeriness, especially at night when they loom ominously against the dark sky.
12. The World’s Largest Ghost Town (Tombstone, AZ)
Once a bustling mining town, Tombstone is now a famous ghost spot filled with spooky tales of the Wild West. Tombstone is easily accessible from places like Tucson, Phoenix, and SW New Mexico, making it an easily accessible trip for those who dig spooky history.
Visitors can explore abandoned buildings and hear stories of infamous gunfights and mysterious deaths, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
13. VAMPA Vampire & Paranormal Museum (Doylestown, PA)
This spooky stop along the Pennsylvania roadside dives deep into the world of vampires and the paranormal. It features chilling exhibits of vampire folklore, ghostly encounters, and otherworldly phenomena.
The dark, dimly lit rooms are filled with eerie artifacts and stories that unsettle visitors. Whether you’re fascinated by the supernatural or just looking for a fright, this museum of otherworldly offers an experience that’s as creepy as it is intriguing.
Creepy roadside attractions across America offer diverse frights for those daring enough to explore them. Whether you’re a fan of the macabre or simply seeking an adventure off the beaten path, these stops provide thrilling tales and hair-raising encounters that will linger long after your visit. So pack your bags and hit the road for a journey that will send shivers down your spine!
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