20 Forgotten Roadside Attractions from the 1970s That Deserve a Second Look
Back in the 1970s, families packed into station wagons and hit the open highway in search of adventure. Along the way, drivers and passengers alike were greeted by bizarre, whimsical, and downright fascinating roadside attractions—quirky landmarks that turned a pit stop into an unforgettable memory.
Some of these spots have vanished into the past, while others still stand as enduring relics of a bygone era. Let’s take a nostalgic trip and revisit some captivating roadside wonders that deserve another moment in the spotlight.
1. The Dinosaur Park – Rapid City, South Dakota
Dinosaurs ruled the Earth… and for many road-trippers in the 1970s, they also ruled the roadside. The Dinosaur Park in Rapid City, South Dakota, featured a towering collection of fiberglass giants that captured the imaginations of kids and adults alike.
While these prehistoric behemoths were already decades old by the ‘70s, they remained a must-see stop for travelers, appearing in postcards and travel brochures of the time.
Some say there’s even a hidden time capsule buried beneath one of the dinosaurs—but so far, no one has cracked the prehistoric mystery.
2. Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
Few roadside attractions are as bold, bizarre, and downright legendary as Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Created in 1974, this surreal art installation features ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in the desert—and every traveler was encouraged to leave their mark by spray-painting the cars.
Initially a conceptual art piece, it quickly became a road trip rite of passage for anyone cruising along Route 66. It’s still standing today, evolving over time as new layers of graffiti add to its ever-changing canvas.
Rumor has it, one of the cars contains a hidden compartment—but no one has found it yet.
3. The Mystery Spot – Santa Cruz, California
Something about this place just feels… off. The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, California, defies all logic, boasting gravity-defying illusions that leave visitors questioning reality. Rooms tilt, objects roll uphill, and people appear to shrink or grow right before your eyes.
For 1970s road-trippers, this was one of those “you have to see it to believe it” stops. Even today, curious travelers continue to flock to this baffling location, debating whether it’s a scientific anomaly or just a cleverly designed optical illusion.
If you ask the locals, some might even tell you about a UFO sighting right above the attraction. Coincidence?
4. Coral Castle – Homestead, Florida
Some mysteries refuse to be solved. Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida, is one of them. Built single-handedly by a man named Edward Leedskalnin, this incredible structure is made entirely of massive coral stones, arranged without the help of modern machinery.
Even in the 1970s, visitors were left scratching their heads at how one man could pull off such an architectural feat. Some claim he discovered the secrets of ancient pyramid builders, while others believe he had a little help from something… out of this world.
Whatever the truth may be, Coral Castle remains one of the most intriguing roadside wonders in America.
5. The Thing – Dragoon, Arizona
What exactly is “The Thing”? That’s the question that’s been luring travelers off the highway for decades.
Located in the middle of the Arizona desert, The Thing is one of the strangest roadside attractions of the 1970s, featuring an odd collection of artifacts that culminate in the big reveal of its mysterious centerpiece.
The signs leading up to it build suspense, teasing visitors with cryptic messages like, “What is The Thing?” Even today, the attraction continues to thrive, keeping its legacy alive. But don’t expect a straightforward answer—the true joy of The Thing is in the mystery itself.
6. Carhenge – Alliance, Nebraska
What happens when you combine Stonehenge and classic American automobiles? You get Carhenge—one of the most wonderfully weird roadside spectacles of the 1970s.
Located in Alliance, Nebraska, this unique attraction features dozens of cars arranged in a perfect replica of the ancient English monument, giving road-trippers a taste of mystery with a side of muscle car nostalgia.
Some say that one of these vehicles holds the key to time travel, but hey—who’s to say it’s not true?
7. The Haines Shoe House – York, Pennsylvania
If you ever wanted to live inside a shoe, this was your chance. The Haines Shoe House in York, Pennsylvania, is exactly what it sounds like—a massive shoe-shaped home that was once a quirky pit stop for 1970s travelers.
Originally built as a marketing gimmick, this roadside oddity quickly became a beloved destination for curious tourists. It’s still standing today, welcoming visitors who want to step inside (pun fully intended) and experience one of the most unusual homes ever constructed.
Legend has it, the shoe moves an inch every year—but we’ll leave that one for the conspiracy theorists.
8. Foamhenge – Natural Bridge, Virginia
You’ve heard of Stonehenge, but have you ever seen Foamhenge? This full-scale replica of the ancient monument was made entirely out of—yes, you guessed it—foam.
Built as a roadside spectacle, Foamhenge became a must-see for curious travelers passing through Virginia. Though it’s been relocated over the years, it still draws visitors looking for an offbeat roadside attraction.
And if local legends are to be believed, a ghostly druid wanders the site, forever keeping watch over its foam pillars.
9. The Longaberger Basket Building – Newark, Ohio
Ever seen a giant basket on the side of the road and wondered what was inside? The Longaberger Basket Building in Newark, Ohio, is exactly that—a seven-story office building shaped like an enormous picnic basket.
Originally the headquarters of the Longaberger Company, this delightfully bizarre piece of architecture became a roadside landmark throughout the 1970s. Though it’s no longer in use, its sheer whimsy and bold design continue to fascinate travelers.
And if you ask around, some people swear there are hidden passageways inside just waiting to be discovered.
10. The Leaning Tower of Niles – Niles, Illinois
No need to travel to Italy when you can find your very own leaning tower right here in the U.S.! The Leaning Tower of Niles in Illinois is a half-size replica of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, and by the 1970s, it had become a popular photo-op for curious road-trippers.
Built in the 1930s, it found renewed fame in the ‘70s as travelers sought out its quirky charm. It still stands today, adding a little European flair to the Midwest. Some say if you whisper a wish while touching the base, it just might come true.
11. Salvation Mountain – Niland, California
Tucked away in the California desert, Salvation Mountain is a vibrant explosion of color and creativity that has fascinated travelers for decades.
This handmade adobe structure, covered in boldly painted religious messages and folk art, was the passion project of artist Leonard Knight, who dedicated his life to spreading a message of love and faith.
By the 1970s, it had already started attracting curious road-trippers eager to see this one-of-a-kind monument to devotion and artistic expression.
It’s still standing today, and some visitors swear that the mountain’s colors shift with the seasons, adding a little extra magic to this already mesmerizing site.
12. House on the Rock – Spring Green, Wisconsin
Some places are so wonderfully weird that they defy explanation—and House on the Rock in Wisconsin is one of them.
Built by eccentric designer Alex Jordan Jr., this sprawling attraction is a labyrinth of oddities, featuring everything from a 200-foot-long “Infinity Room” to a fully automated orchestra.
In the 1970s, it became a must-see stop for road-trippers who loved the strange and surreal. Today, it remains just as mind-bending, with its bizarre collections and eerie atmosphere keeping visitors both entertained and slightly bewildered.
If you’re looking for an offbeat roadside detour, this one’s worth the trip.
13. South of the Border – Dillon, South Carolina
Bright, bold, and undeniably kitschy, South of the Border in Dillon, South Carolina, is one of those classic roadside stops you simply couldn’t miss—literally. Giant billboards stretched for miles leading up to it, luring in travelers with promises of souvenirs, fireworks, and larger-than-life roadside oddities.
During the 1970s, it was a beloved pit stop for families cruising along the East Coast. Though it’s had its share of updates over the years, it still retains its retro charm, with its massive sombrero-shaped observation tower keeping watch over the highway.
Rumor has it there’s a secret tunnel beneath the attraction… but good luck finding it.
14. World’s Largest Catsup Bottle – Collinsville, Illinois
When it comes to quirky roadside landmarks, few are as iconic as the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Illinois. Originally built as a water tower in the 1940s, this towering tribute to ketchup had become a beloved roadside photo-op by the 1970s.
Standing at 170 feet tall, this condiment-themed colossus continues to be a favorite stop for road-trippers looking for that perfect Americana snapshot. There’s even an annual festival held in its honor.
Some locals claim a secret recipe for the “world’s best ketchup” is hidden inside the tower, but so far, no one’s cracked the code.
15. The Wigwam Motel – Holbrook, Arizona
There was nothing quite like pulling into a motel shaped like a teepee after a long day on the road. The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, was part of a chain of uniquely designed roadside lodgings that became a major attraction during the golden age of American road trips.
By the 1970s, it had solidified its place as one of Route 66’s most memorable overnight stops. Today, this slice of vintage Americana is still welcoming guests, offering travelers a cozy place to sleep under the stars in a room with a little extra character.
Some say the teepees are aligned with celestial patterns—but that’s a mystery for the star-gazers to solve.
16. Enchanted Highway – Regent, North Dakota
If you ever find yourself driving through the wide-open plains of North Dakota, you might just stumble upon one of the most unexpectedly magical roadside attractions in America.
The Enchanted Highway is a stretch of road lined with massive metal sculptures, including a towering grasshopper, a flock of geese, and a giant tin family.
Built in the 1970s by artist Gary Greff, this larger-than-life outdoor gallery transforms a quiet rural road into an unforgettable art experience. It’s still growing today, with new sculptures popping up over the years.
Local legends whisper about a hidden sculpture off the main path—but you’ll have to do some exploring to find it.
17. Lucy the Elephant – Margate City, New Jersey
When it comes to quirky architecture, few roadside attractions are as legendary as Lucy the Elephant.
This six-story, elephant-shaped building in Margate City, New Jersey, has been wowing travelers since the late 1800s, but it became an especially popular stop in the 1970s as more families took to the highways in search of adventure.
Still standing strong today, Lucy continues to be a beloved oddity on the East Coast. Some visitors believe her giant eyes can predict the weather, while others are simply happy to climb inside and take in the ocean view from a building shaped like an elephant.
Either way, Lucy remains an icon of roadside Americana.
18. The Big Duck – Flanders, New York
If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a building shaped like a giant duck, you’re in luck. The Big Duck in Flanders, New York, has been a beloved roadside oddity since the 1930s, with its quirky design attracting thousands of curious travelers throughout the 1970s.
Originally built as a duck farm shop, this whimsical roadside wonder became one of the most famous examples of “duck architecture” (yes, that’s a real thing). To this day, it remains a treasured stop for tourists looking to snap a photo with one of America’s most delightfully odd buildings.
Some say the duck lets out a quack on moonlit nights—but we’ll let you be the judge.
19. Randy’s Donuts – Inglewood, California
Few roadside attractions are as mouthwatering as Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood, California. Featuring a gigantic, rooftop donut that’s impossible to miss, this iconic bakery has been serving up delicious treats and pop culture moments since the 1950s.
By the 1970s, it had become a legendary pit stop for road-trippers and locals alike, with Hollywood even taking notice—Randy’s Donuts has appeared in everything from blockbuster films to music videos.
An insider rumor suggests celebrities sneak in at night for secret donut tastings—but we’ll leave that to your imagination.
20. The Fremont Troll – Seattle, Washington
What’s hiding under the bridge in Seattle? A massive troll clutching an actual Volkswagen Beetle. The Fremont Troll, built in the 1970s, is one of the most delightfully odd sculptures to ever grace a city street.
Towering over visitors with its piercing gaze and outstretched hand, this roadside oddity quickly became a favorite stop for tourists looking to capture an unusual photo.
Locals swear that touching the troll’s nose brings good luck, making it one of the most superstitious (and fun) stops on any Seattle road trip.