Across the U.S., eerie roadside attractions beckon travelers with the promise of spine-tingling experiences along their journey. Roadtrippers, known as the No. 1 road trip planning app, has mapped out 13 of the spookiest sites to see across America, making it easier than ever to explore eerie California forests, spooky landmarks in the Midwest and beyond. These types of pitstops are perfect for thrill-seekers and fans of the macabre offering diverse frights for those daring enough to explore them.
Just in time for spooky season, travelers can use features like custom map styles, trip collaboration, routing & navigation, and Roadtrippers’ newest addition – Roadtrippers Autopilot – that allows users to experience personalized trip recommendations based on their interests, preferences, and vehicle type. Membership tiers can be found HERE.
Below, please see 13 of the most bewildering destinations according to Roadtrippers, and let me know if this sparks an interest to share with your audience in any upcoming travel pieces you may be curating. Thank you!
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 appear to be waving, but his face says otherwise, causing some to wonder what he might have planned with the axe… Lumberjacking or something else? Either way, this is a fun and popular roadside attraction for all who meander through the area.
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.
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.
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. 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, the Bell Witch legend. According to folklore, a malevolent spirit 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 this 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. 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 town filled with spooky tales of the Wild West. The spot is easily accessible from places like Tucson, Phoenix, and SW New Mexico, making it a fun 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. Stepping back in time adds an unforgettable feeling to this spine-chilling experience.
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 travelers are 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.
The post Roadtrippers Shares 13 Spooky Road Trips Across the U.S. first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.