1. Dinosaur Land – White Post
This quirky roadside park features about 37 fiberglass dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures in various sizes, creating a prehistoric fantasyland. It’s perfect for photo ops and family fun.
2. The Giant Pencil – Wytheville
An oversized pencil hanging over a sidewalk in downtown Wytheville, one of the more whimsical and unexpected roadside art installations.
3. Giant Roller Skate – Bealeton
A huge, mysterious roller skate statue sitting in a gravel parking lot near Warrenton. It’s odd and fun, though the reason for its existence remains a local mystery.
4. Optimus Prime Statue – Roanoke
A towering figure of Optimus Prime crafted from scrap car parts guards a pizza restaurant—an impressive and imaginative tribute to the Transformer hero.
5. The Big Chair – Martinsville
An enormous wooden chair standing 8.5 feet tall and weighing 2,000 pounds, symbolizing Martinsville’s historic furniture industry.
6. Dinosaur Kingdom II – Lexington
A 10-acre wooded area featuring wild and weird sculptures, including giant dinosaurs and historic characters, with interactive, theatrical elements.
7. Luray Caverns – Luray
Home to the world’s largest musical instrument, a stalacpipe organ that plays tunes by hitting stalactites with rubber mallets, creating an eerie and beautiful sound.
8. The World’s Largest Ball of Paint – Alexandria
Not as famous as other “world’s largest” attractions, this continually layered ball of paint is an odd stop with ever-changing designs.
9. Foamhenge Replica – Natural Bridge
A full-sized replica of England’s Stonehenge made entirely out of foam, offering kitschy charm and photo fun.
10. Spite Houses – Various Locations
Virginia has a few spite houses, including one built in an alleyway to prevent nefarious activities. These tiny, awkward buildings have fascinating backstories.
11. The Enchanted Highway – Inspired Installation
While the actual Enchanted Highway is in North Dakota, Virginia has its own collection of oversized statues and quirky roadside art spread across its highways.
12. The Flying Orange – Crozet
A giant orange sculpture perched on a building that surprises travelers and adds quirky local flavor.
13. The Troll Sculpture – Near Virginia’s Countryside
A large wooden troll statue, quirky and fun, often caught in a playful pose amid a natural setting, perfect for a roadside photo break.
These attractions reflect Virginia’s unique blend of history, humor, and whimsy and showcase the state’s love for unusual and fun travel stops.
Sources
(https://virginiabreeze.drpt.virginia.gov/discover-hidden-gems-virginias-kitsch-iest-roadside-attractions/)
(https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/americas-weirdest-roadside-attractions/)
(https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/attractions/museums-and-exhibits/one-of-a-kind/)
(https://www.fiftygrande.com/50-weirdest-roadside-attractions/)
(https://www.reddit.com/r/Virginia/comments/1mcefwn/the_best_and_worst_roadside_attractions_tourist/)
