7 roadside attractions that should be on your bucket list!
1803 may have been the birth of the road trip in America when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark took off on their famed journey up the Missouri River and across the country to the Pacific Ocean. The expedition took over two years – road trip yes, vacation no.
Before the interstate highway system, travel on America’s two lane roads was full of surprises, beckoning the motorists of the 40’s and 50’s while providing miles of canvas for the creative, crafty, and often wacky rural artist.
As our urban boundaries expanded many of these roadside wonders of the two lane roads have been lost. We salute those brave people who stood up to expansion and have saved us a piece of American history!
It just seems right and fitting that every bucket list has at least one or two roadside attractions that in some way speak to our own personal journeys and celebrate life. For me, I think it falls somewhere between Lucy’s speakeasy days and the Grotto of Redemption…how about you?
Here are our top picks for the Roadside Attraction Bucket List:
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The Beer-Can House222 Malone Street With over 50,000 beer cans they must have thrown one hell of a party! If you are planning a visit you may want to hold onto those PBR cans – there may be an addition in the plan. |
Camping Options:ABA Travel Park and All Star RV Resort |
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Ave Maria Grotto1600 Saint Bernard Ave SE Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey, was a crafty guy. He spent some 50 years “passing the time” by building 125 miniatures that span over three acres, using everything from old cream jars and colored glass to commode floaters. |
Camping Option: Cullman Campground |
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The Blue Whale2705 N Hwy 66 Nothing shouts “I love you” like a beached whale. Luckily, Hugh’s bride, Zelta, shared her husband’s love of things untamed and welcomed this Hwy 66 roadside attraction. |
Camping Option: Camp Mingo |
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Grotto of the RedemptionWest Bend, Iowa Father Dobberstein used a vast collection of malachite, azurite, agates, geodes, jasper, quartz, topaz, calcite, stalactites, stalagmites, etc. in the building of this amazing work of art. |
Camping Option: Grotto Campground |
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Lucy the Elephant9200 Atlantic Avenue Lucy became a popular a tourist attraction mostly due to her big round belly that over the years has served as a restaurant, summer home and even a speakeasy. |
Camping Options: PomonaandShorebird |
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World’s Largest Ball of TwineCawker City, KS The Ball of Twine should be on everyone’s bucket list! If you visit the third Saturday of August you can join the Twine-a-thon, after which you can sit quietly and meditate on your part in history. |
Camping Option: Wilson State Park |
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Mitchell Corn Palace604 N. Main St., Mitchell, South Dakota The early bird really does get the…well…the corn in this case. Since 1921, the locals have been decorating the outside of this Russian-style palace each year with murals made of corn. If you arrive late for this fall festival chances are the pigeons will have devoured the mural down to its last kernel. |
Camping Option: R & R Campground |
Great list! Fun blog! I’ve seen Lucy, and have plans to see the ball of twine this summer. That’s my ultimate bucket list item!
My family loves traveling to see quirky roadside attractions like these. We have a blog, “Go BIG or Go Home,” which chronicles what happens when our small-town family visits the “world’s largest”…whatever!
*scribbles frantically* Alrighty, duely noted, now I must go see these
. There’s alot more of America to find, when you leave the freeway behind.
The corn castle twice. However, I refuse to put my wishes in some bucket! I’ve been collecting dreams for years but I keep them in beautiful journals…not a damn bucket…how disrespectful to your most treasured dreams!