Deciding where to go on vacation can be a time-consuming task. There are many cool destinations to choose from, but more often than not we end up going to the same old places because it’s convenient.
But why does that happen? Well, there is no need to do further research, you don’t have to plan much, and well, you already know the drill. However, doing always the same can become boring, and that is not what a vacation is about!
Here is a list of the most unusual destinations across North America, so you can discover a new place to explore on your next trip. Some of them are very peculiar, but we bet you’ll find one that will spark your interest! Take a look!
1. Joyxee Island in Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Isla Mujeres is a beautiful island located in the Gulf of Mexico, and on this already small island, there is an even smaller one called Joyxee. This artificial island was made of approximately 100,000 plastic bottles and it is powered with solar panels.
Among its curiosities, the floating island has a waterfall, rain recollection equipment, and even a jacuzzi. Created by an Englishman named Richart Sowa, Joyxee has become an attraction that promotes recycling and environmental awareness.
To say that this unusual island is eco-friendly is an understatement. Mexican officials call the 82,000-foot island an “eco-boat”, but we call it an ode to sustainability.
2. Cape Perpetua, Oregon
Talk about a natural wonder! If you are a fan of nature, you must definitely take a trip to Cape Perpetua. Also known as Thor’s Well, this awe-inspiring rock formation looks as if though the ocean were being drained through a massive sinkhole.
Located on the Oregon coast, this place gets visitors all year round and it is truly worth the trip, as one can truly witness the magnificence of nature in its purest form.
It is also a bit mysterious, as this sinkhole appears to be bottomless (it does have a bottom, but it is not visible). Don’t miss it for the world!
3. Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
Cadillac Ranch is an exotic art installation in Amarillo, Texas. Situated on an open field, it looks like a car cemetery. What started out as an experiment ended up becoming a popular art piece, and now, this place is a highly visited tourist attraction.
The idea behind the piece was to show the evolution of aesthetics by focusing specifically on the Cadillac’s tailfin. The fact that the lined-up Cadillacs are buried nose down makes it easier for the visitor to admire the feature.
However, most people come for the pop of color. The spray paint graffiti that fully covers the cars is the “cool” factor that attracts visitors, as they are welcome to leave a personal mark on the cars.
4. Point Roberts, Washington
Nestled in the southernmost point of Canada’s Tsawwassen Peninsula is Point Roberts. The funny thing about it is that it actually belongs to the United States and you have to travel through Canada to get there. Sounds odd, doesn’t it?
Well, this arrangement was made as a result of the Oregon Treaty, which delineated the territories of Canada and the United States. Thus, alone stands Point Roberts, but not without its perks.
Canadians come to this town to get cheaper gasoline, food and other goods when their currency is strong, and Americans do the same in Canada. Having to cross the border to get in and out is a nuisance, but it also makes it one of the safest places to live.
5. Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo, California
We are here to show you some bizarre places, and this one is definitely that. The Bubblegum Alley is 70-foot long and 15-foot high, and it is completely covered in chewed bubblegum in all colors and flavors.
Over the years, this place has become a popular tourist attraction, and most visitors enjoy becoming part of this project by placing a freshly chewed piece of gum on top of the existing gum.
Some people make different shapes with it, like letters or figures. Others leave political or environmental messages, too. This alley is part of pop culture, and it is one of the weirdest attractions you’ll ever come across.
6. The Wave in Coconino County, Arizona
This place will absolutely blow your mind! The Wave, a Navajo sandstone formation is a destination that appeals hikers, nature lovers and experienced photographers alike due to its striking beauty.
Accessing this natural site requires a special permit. This measure was taken by the county to help preserve the natural site. The ticket can be booked online 4 months in advance.
For people who arrive without a reservation, the only possibility to access the site is to enter a lottery to get a ticket for the next day, but it’s not so easy to get one. Thus, we recommend you to do your homework before visiting.
7. Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California
Those who enjoy a good scare, head to Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. This mansion was constructed over a 38-year period, and it belonged to the owners of the Winchester Repeating Arms company.
The heiress of the Winchester mansion never stopped working on its construction, as a medium made her believe that she would stay well as long as the house were under construction.
It is believed that spirits wander around the house. Nowadays, this architectural oddity, which is a history landmark and a haunted theme park at the same time, gets visited by thousands of tourists every year.
8. The Desert of Maine in Freeport, Maine
When you think of Maine, you think of the coast and the beautiful forest. Thus, finding a desert there is a true oddity.
The desert of Maine consists of 40 acres of silt and sand, and it is the result of soil erosion throughout the years. The main causes of this phenomenon were land misuse and the failure to rotate crops, among others.
Nowadays, this desert is a tourist attraction with a farm museum and a sand museum. It offers guided tram tours, and a comprehensive explanation of the desert’s history and geology. In general, it is a fun and interesting option for the whole family.
9. Devils Tower in Crook County, Wyoming
The gifts of nature are always mesmerizing. Located in Crook County, Wyoming is one of the most stunning natural monuments in the United States. The things that make it bizarre are its unusual shape and the fact that it stands there, alone.
A Native American legend says that a group of girls went out to play when suddenly a group of giant bears began to chase them. As they were escaping, the girls asked the gods for protection, and so a great rock emerged from the ground, acting as a barrier between the girls and the bears.
Nowadays, Devils Tower is a national landmark and a favorite spot for rock climbers.
10. Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas
You don’t have to go to the City of Lights to see the Eiffel Tower anymore! However, you do need a ticket to Paris, Texas, where a replica of the iconic tower is waiting for you.
We must admit that it is a bit small, as it is less than one tenth the height of the original, but hey, it has a red cowboy hat on the top, so what else could you ask for?
The tower also has LED lights, which change color according to the occasion. So book your trip and exchange the French cheese for some juicy barbecue ribs. It’s definitely worth it!
11. Musical Road in Tijeras, New Mexico
What is a Musical Road? To find out, you have to make a road trip to Tijeras, New Mexico. As you enter a stretch of Route 66, there is a sign that tells people to go exactly 45 miles per hour (ca. 72 km/h).
As you go, you must roll down the window to listen as the road sings “America, the Beautiful”. This is possible because the road has rumble strips that produce audible vibrations.
The whole purpose of this action, promoted by the National Geographic Channel and the New Mexico Department of Transportation, is to encourage drivers to adhere to the speed limit. Isn’t it a sweet way to get the message across?
12. Skinny House in Boston, Massachusetts
Whether it’s the historic landmarks or the Victorian Brownstone style homes, Boston is known for its impeccable architecture. For this reason, the city offers guided tours to visit some of its most famous houses.
One of them is Skinny House, an extremely narrow home in the North End of the city. It was originally a spite house, which is a building constructed to irritate neighbors, or as a sign of defiance.
Skinny House spans 10.4 feet (3.16 m) at Hull Street and it may only be entered through a small alley. It has become an attraction point, as it is very different from the rest of the houses in the neighborhood.
13. Sam Kee Building in Vancouver, Canada
See that red and green building on the corner? That’s the Sam Kee Building in Vancouver, Canada. It is the shallowest commercial building in the world on the Guinness Book of Records.
Its ground-floor depth, which goes from the storefront to the rear of building, measures only 4’11” (1.5 m). Originally, it was like any other building in Chinatown, but it had to reduce its space due to the city’s decision of expanding the width of the street.
Its size sparks the curiosity of many tourists, which has turned it into a very unusual attraction. Check it out for yourself!
14. Centralia in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
We are used to seeing graffiti on walls, abandoned buildings, and of course, as part of art installations. However, the town of Centralia is quite unique, as it has a road that is entirely covered by graffiti.
Centralia is a near-abandoned town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Due to a coal mine fire, the city has been burning beneath the borough since 1962. That’s right: this smoldering town has been burning for over 50 years.
Nowadays, smoke still rises from the cracks of the graffiti-covered highway that runs through this blazing town. Luckily, only 5 people live there and the rest have been relocated.
15. Prada Art Installation in Marfa, Texas
Attention, fashion lovers! There is a rather peculiar Prada store in the middle of nowhere, waiting for you to stop by. We are talking about Prada Marfa, a permanent art installation that resembles a pop-up store just off Highway 90, in Marfa, Texas.
Prada Marfa has original outfits from the eponymous brand displayed on its front, which were curated by Miuccia Prada herself. Nevertheless, this place is not an actual store and it’s not meant to do advertisement for the fashion house.
The artists behind it, Elmgreen and Dragset, enjoy doing projects that combine architecture, design and art. If you are interested, you should definitely “pop by”.
16. Mill Ends Park in Portland, Oregon
If you love to spend time at the park, we have a very unusual park for you to add to your to-do list. We are talking about Mill Ends Park, the world’s smallest park according to the Guinness Book of Records.
Located in Portland, Oregon, this tiny urban park has a total area of 452 sq. But how did it get there? Well, a light pole was supposed to be installed on that spot, but that never happened.
Therefore, a local journalist decided to plant a tree there and call it “the only leprechaun colony west of Ireland,”on St. Patrick’s Day, 1976. Ever since, the park has been a picture-perfect spot for tourists and locals alike.
17. U Thant Island in New York
Since we have shown you the smallest park in the world, now we present you one of its smallest islands. We are talking about U Thant Island, and it is in beautiful New York City, so that is another reason to come visit!
This 100-by-200 foot piece of land was part of the construction of two trolley tunnels under the East River in the 1890s. In 1977, UN employees that were part of a Peace Meditation group adopted the island and turned it into a bird sanctuary.
Nowadays, nobody is allowed to set foot on it, but getting on a boat is a great idea to check it out!
18. Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque, Iowa
If you are looking for fine views of the iconic Mississippi River, the Fenelon Place Elevator ride is a great option for you. It is also the steepest, and shortest, scenic funicular railway in the world.
Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the ride takes you from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place. The funicular has a length of 296 feet (ca. 90 m) and angles up at 41 degrees. It has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
You can ride it and enjoy two observation decks that offer great views of the downtown area of Dubuque. Even the states of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin can be seen from Fenelon Place.
19. Gregson Street Overpass in Durham, North Carolina
This bizarre overpass in Durham, California is officially called Gregson Street Overpass. However, some people call it “the Can Opener”, while others call it The Gregson Street Guillotine.
And here is why: the railroad bridge has an unusually low clearance for vehicles, of only 11 feet 8 inches (3.56 m). It was designed in the 1920s and it opened in the 1940s. Thus, the height was standard at the time. Nowadays the normal clearance is 14 feet (4.27 m) of height.
Even though the bridge has a clear sign of its clearance height, many drivers don’t take precautions. There are many funny videos on YouTube of numerous vehicles trying to pass it, and failing, of course.
