Here are 11 of the weirdest roadside attractions in Washington state that are definitely worth stopping for:
1. The Teapot Dome Gas Station
Situated near Yakima, this whimsical gas station shaped like a giant teapot references the infamous 1920s Teapot Dome scandal. Now repurposed as a tourist info spot, it’s a quirky photo op that demands an “I’m a Little Teapot” pose.
2. Maryhill Stonehenge
A concrete replica of the famous Stonehenge sits on a grassy hill in the Columbia River Gorge. It’s a striking and surreal sight, serving as a World War I memorial, though lacking the ancient mystery of its English original.
3. The Giant Egg in Winlock
This oversized painted egg celebrates Winlock’s history as a major egg producer. The egg sculpture jolts the landscape with its size and color, anchored by an annual Egg Days festival honoring this unique claim to fame.
4. The Childhood Express Wagon (Spokane)
A massive 12-foot-high wagon with a slide integrated into it looks like something straight out of a storybook. It’s designed for kids to play on in Riverfront Park, providing imaginative fun along the Spokane River.
5. The Giant White Shark Mouth (Ocean Shores)
Entrance to a gift shop in Ocean Shores is through a gaping shark’s mouth, creating a jaw-dropping welcome that surprises first-time visitors by its sheer scale and sense of humor.
6. Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies (Vantage)
This 15-piece sculpture of galloping horses sprawls across a hillside overlooking the Columbia River. It’s a breathtaking blend of art and nature that adds dynamic movement to the rugged landscape.
7. Tiny Church on Highway 2
This minuscule church near the Cascades fits just four pews inside. Cozy and inviting, it offers a unique roadside refuge for travelers seeking a moment of reflection.
8. The Fremont Troll (Seattle)
Hiding beneath the Aurora Bridge in Seattle, the enormous Fremont Troll clutching a Volkswagen Beetle is one of the city’s best-known weird landmarks and a favorite photo spot for visitors.
9. Pike Place Market Gum Wall (Seattle)
Hidden in an alley near Pike Place Market, this colorful, sticky wall festooned with thousands of pieces of chewed gum has become a wildly popular and unusual urban attraction.
10. Jake the Alligator Man (Long Beach)
This bizarre taxidermy exhibit depicts a half-man, half-alligator creature and has become a beloved local oddity at Marsh’s Free Museum, attracting those fascinated by the unusual.
11. World’s Largest Chopsticks (Long Beach)
Standing outside Marsh’s Free Museum, these massive 30-foot wooden chopsticks carved from single logs provide a quirky testament to artistic creativity and local culture.
Each of these attractions offers an offbeat glimpse into Washington’s eclectic spirit and quirky roadside culture, making road trips statewide a fun adventure full of unexpected surprises.
Sources
(https://www.seattlemet.com/travel-and-outdoors/roadside-attractions-sights-road-trip-washington)
(https://theshockingtruestoryofmonsteragogo.wordpress.com/2022/01/24/the-roadside-attractions-of-washington-part-1/)
(https://daytripnomad.com/weirdest-roadside-attractions-usa/)
(https://www.evergreencoastwa.com/road-trip-from-seattle/)
(https://theshockingtruestoryofmonsteragogo.wordpress.com/2023/05/05/roadside-attractions-of-washington-part-2/)
