Once upon a time, there was a time before interstate highways took the fun out of road trips, back when every road trip was packed full of roadside oddities. There was a time when every road trip, every family wagon, and every town in America was packed full of attractions. Back in the ’60s and early ’70s, when the whole family would pile into a wagon and hit the open road for a multi-day adventure, every road trip was packed full of unique roadside attractions. These attractions are now mostly out of business, and for many, the memories live on in their minds. Each of these locations offered something new and exciting, making each stop on the trip worthwhile.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. South of the Border – Dillon, South Carolina
- 2 2. Rock City – Lookout Mountain, Georgia
- 3 3. Wall Drug – Wall, South Dakota
- 4 4. Wigwam Village Motels
- 5 5. Ruby Falls – Chattanooga, Tennessee
- 6 6. Dinosaur Land – White Post, Virginia
- 7 7. Mystery Spot – Santa Cruz, California
- 8 8. Frontier Town – Upper Jay, New York
- 9 9. Gatorland – Orlando, Florida
- 10 10. Lucy the Elephant – Margate, New Jersey
- 11 11. Prairie Dog Town – Oakley, Kansas
- 12 12. Coral Castle – Homestead, Florida
1. South of the Border – Dillon, South Carolina
One of the first oddities to open on I-85 was Pedro’s Wonderland, which opened in 1950 and hit its peak in the 60’s and 70’s. Children traveling on I-95 would pull out their best tricks to have their parents stop at this Mexican tourist trap. With glowing neon signs, billboards that promoted questionable Mexican stereotypes, and its massive sombrero shaped observation tower, it was impossible to ignore.
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2. Rock City – Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Everyone remembers the barn advertisements that painted the south, and in the center, there was a natural site that created narrow passageways with a swinging bridge. If you were at the top of Lover’s Leap, you could see seven states! The cave of fairyland and the village of mother goose that were nearby added some excitement for the adults.
3. Wall Drug – Wall, South Dakota
The small pharmacy that was Wall Drug grew into a tourist empire because of its “Free Ice Water” billboards. In the 1960s, it was drawing up to 20,000 visitors a day. The main attractions were an 80-foot brontosaurus, animated gold-panning displays, and a giant jackalope you could “ride.” The 5-cent coffee was just a bonus.
4. Wigwam Village Motels
These novelty wigwam motels were made out of concrete. Currently only one of these wigwam motels still stands. They are an example of the original roadside architecture of the moteling craze. The motels were made to appeal to children, although they were very basic.
5. Ruby Falls – Chattanooga, Tennessee
Colored lights and guides made the underground waterfall attraction in the cave exciting. The underground elevator was part of the adventure. The 145 foot underground waterfall attraction was complemented by a gift store that sold rubber tomahawks and mood rings.
6. Dinosaur Land – White Post, Virginia
The prehistoric park opened in 1963, and featured over 50 fiberglass dinosaurs. The park was a thrill or terror depending on the kids. The dinosaurs were scientifically incorrect, but they provided great photo opportunities. A family album from that period is not complete without a photo of kids in front of the T-Rex.
7. Mystery Spot – Santa Cruz, California
The ’60s were the peak for this “\\”gravitational anomaly\\”.” Visiting the attraction allowed people to experience water flowing uphill, and people standing at weird angles. Yellow and black bumper stickers were given to cars that made the road trip.
8. Frontier Town – Upper Jay, New York
This Wild West theme park offered guests a piece of Hollywood in the Adirondack Mountains. It showcased staged gun fights, can-can shows, and stage coach rides to transport guests to a romanticized version of the 1800s. The faux front town of the “Wild West,” was constructed in 1952 and reached its highest popularity in the 1960s and early 1970s.
9. Gatorland – Orlando, Florida
Before the Disney World craze took over Orlando’s tourism industry, Gatorland opened its doors to Florida’s Original Theme Park, welcoming guests through its huge gator mouth. The gator themed tourist attraction opened in 1949 and reached its peak in the 1970s when it hosted alligator wrestling, had a breeding marsh, and the famous jumping gator shows.
10. Lucy the Elephant – Margate, New Jersey
Lucy’s Art Museum was built in 1881 as a 6-story elephant shaped structure. In the 60s, as unusual buildings gained popularity, families would take pictures here as they visited the neighboring Jersey Shore. They would climb into the elephant’s howdah to get a view of the Atlantic Ocean and capture the moment.
11. Prairie Dog Town – Oakley, Kansas
As families traveled across America, they would stop at this roadside zoo to see a five-legged cow and the six-legged steer. These unusual animals were in addition to the prairie dogs. Families could not resist the hand-painted signs that promised live rattlesnakes and the world’s largest prairie dog, which were located near interstate 70.
12. Coral Castle – Homestead, Florida
Edwin Leedskalnin, single-handedly built this mysterious structure. The large coral blocks fascinated visitors in the 60s and 70s as many questioned how one man could do it. The 9 ton self-operating gate that moved with just a push, added a mysterious attraction to the structure.
