US Tourist Attractions: 20 Little-Known Landmarks in the United States
When it comes to American landmarks, do you think of the Statue of Liberty, the White House? Actually, in the United States, there are many “weird and interesting” niche landmarks hidden: walls covered with chewing gum, a wind chime forest built in trees, buildings shaped like coffee pots… These places are not well-known to the public, but are called “treasure spots worth a special trip” by tourists. Some require following the tides to land planes, some let you walk inside a “giant coffee pot”, and others are filming locations for “The Bridges of Madison County”. Next, let’s explore these “unconventional” American landmarks and see how special they really are.
The United States is full of novel and interesting places, and these 20 little-known landmarks are definitely worth stopping by to see.️
Madonna Inn
The Madonna Inn, located in San Luis Obispo, California, is definitely worth a visit.
Even if you don’t want to stay overnight, you can enjoy fine dining here; but if you stay, you can visit the 110 guest rooms—each uniquely decorated with an extravagant theme.
If circumstances permit, you might want to book several rooms to experience them.
Dole Plantation Maze
On Oahu Island in Hawaii, there is a Dole pineapple plantation.
Inside the plantation, there is a maze for visitors to walk through. Viewed from above, the center of the maze is shaped like a pineapple.
Most visitors say that it takes about an hour to complete this unique maze.
Big Things in a Small Town
If you visit Casey, Illinois—a small town located between Springfield and Indianapolis, you will discover the “Big Things in a Small Town” exhibit: the entire city is filled with giant objects.
These include a giant chair and a huge mailbox.
Witch House
If you love Halloween, the town of Salem in Massachusetts is definitely your best choice.
This city has many little-known landmarks, including filming locations for the movie “Hocus Pocus,” but the “Witch House” is a must-visit spot—it is one of the few remaining buildings from the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.
Area 51
We’ve all heard of Area 51, but what really happened there?
There are still many mysteries and conspiracy theories about this place, but visitors can go to the ‘Alien Research Center’ for a visit—this is very popular among tourists.
Weird Museum (Museum of the Weird)
Austin, Texas places great importance on “keeping the city weird”.
The city has specially built a “Museum of the Weird” that collects various curious items.
Locals love this museum, and tourists also find it an interesting place to visit.
Abandoned Igloo Hotel
If you’re like many people who have a curiosity about abandoned buildings, you might want to check out the “Abandoned Igloo Hotel” in Cantwell, Alaska.❄️
As the name suggests, this building is shaped like an igloo and was originally planned to be used as a hotel, but was ultimately never completed.
The Bridges of Madison County
“The Bridges of Madison County” is not just a romantic classic film.
In the passionate love story portrayed by Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, the covered bridges in the background are real landmarks in Madison County, Iowa – Madison County is located southwest of the state’s capital, Des Moines.
Autumn is the best season to visit here.
Wall Drug
There are many little-known landmarks in the American Midwest, but none are as widely advertised as Wall Drug.
It started as a pharmacy famous for “offering free ice water” and has now become “a must-stop place on the way to the Black Hills of South Dakota”.
At Wall Drug, you can enjoy delicious food, shop, learn about history, and more activities—and it still offers free ice water to this day.
Spoonbridge and Cherry Sculpture
This is another interesting landmark in the American Midwest—Minneapolis, Minnesota has a “Spoonbridge and Cherry” sculpture.
Viewed on its own, the sculpture is a peculiar piece of art, suitable for viewing while driving by; but combined with other exhibits at the Walker Art Center, it becomes a “landmark worth making a special trip for”.
The World’s Largest Fork
Americans like giant items.
Near the “Big Things in a Small Town” exhibit in Casey, Illinois, there is a “World’s Largest Fork” in Springfield, Missouri.
In addition, there is a giant noodle outside the Kraft factory, and a giant golf club at the local golf driving range.
咖啡壶建筑（The Coffee Pot）
This is another giant item worth loving—there is a “World’s Largest Coffee Pot” in Bedford, Pennsylvania.☕
What’s special about this item is that it is also a building itself.
If you’ve ever wanted to walk inside a coffee pot, Pennsylvania can fulfill your wish.
Wave Organ
San Francisco has many attractions worth seeing, but if you’re looking for something unique, you might want to check out the “Wave Organ”.
This is a one-of-a-kind sculpture that amplifies the sound of waves crashing.
For those who love the sound of the ocean, this is a must-visit spot.
Singing Oak
Similar in design concept to the Sea Organ, New Orleans’ “Singing Oak” is a giant oak tree filled with wind chimes that bring beautiful harmonies to visitors.
Don’t be alarmed, these wind chimes are all tuned to play specific notes, so what you hear is not chaotic noise.
Monkey Island
“Monkey Island” in Homosassa, Florida is a small piece of land surrounded by water, where spider monkeys live.
Visitors cannot land on the island, but can observe the monkeys up close—many visitors say the experience is well worth it.
“The World’s Largest ‘World’s Largest Items’ Miniature Model Collection” Museum (The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things)
Perhaps you don’t like giant items, that’s okay.
If you prefer smaller things, you can visit the “World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things” museum in Lucas, Kansas.
This name might be a bit confusing, but simply put, what’s collected here are ‘miniature models of giant items’.
Wild Blueberry Land
‘Wild Blueberry Land’ is a blueberry-themed park in Columbia Falls, Maine.
Here, you can taste blueberries, learn about blueberry knowledge, play mini golf, and more activities.
If you like this blue fruit, this little-known landmark is perfect for you.
Enchanted Forest
The “Enchanted Forest” in Salem, Oregon is a unique theme park with areas such as Fairy Tale Lane, Western Town, and European Village.
It has amusement rides and haunted houses, and visitors love its novelty and extraordinary charm.
The Fantastic Umbrella Factory
In Charlestown, Rhode Island, there is a “Magic Umbrella Factory”.☂️
However, it doesn’t produce umbrellas, nor does it even sell umbrellas.
But here there are animals, gardens, a grocery store, toys, and almost everything you might need on an interesting road trip.
Market Theater Gum Wall
If you want to “become part of a little-known landmark”, you can check out the “Market Theater Gum Wall” in Seattle.
As the name suggests, this wall is covered with chewed gum.
To protect the wall, staff once cleaned it, but afterwards it was continuously covered with gum again, becoming increasingly spectacular.
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