If you are willing to look past the normal tourist traps, every state has a few bizarre attractions that make themselves known. Their purpose is not entirely clear, but their existence deserves applause and attention.
The Garden of Eden in Adams County
First up is The Garden of Eden in Adams County (Michigan), which was created by Adam Purple in the 1960s. Adam had a vision of what he wanted nature to look like, and created everything out of recycled materials. He never lived there but used it for gatherings and events until his death in 2009.
Shortly after his passing it was purchased by John Koshuta who is currently restoring/maintaining the gardens. The garden is no longer accessible to the public, but is worth a drive-by.
As odd as it is, the Garden of Eden does have its purpose. There are mushrooms and flowers galore for those with an adventurous spirit and a desire to escape the confines of reality!
The Grand Canyon in Colorado
The next most bizarre attraction can be found in the least likely of states: Colorado. Nestled between Pikes Peak (the most visited summit in North America) and the Royal Gorge sits a miniature Grand Canyon. The creation of Bob Paisley, it is an extremely accurate replica that was started in 1969.
With only 15 minutes or so to spare, this side attraction looks impressive but doesn’t take nearly as long as its Arizona counterpart. It is still a worthwhile mini-vacation from Colorado Springs.
Kubuswoningen in Rotterdam
Our final bizarre attraction is found on the outskirts of Rotterdam, Netherlands. It’s an entire neighborhood of cubes! This housing project was completed in 1992 and consists of 126 homes built around a center square. Each cube has its own color but the entire group is an amalgamation of primary colors and patterns that shouldn’t go together.
Despite being a very popular tourist destination, it’s still unclear as to why this project was created! It remains a mystery but it sure does look fantastic.
The World’s Largest Loon
In Brainerd, Minnesota the World’s Largest Loon was erected in 1990. The one ton statue of a loon stands at 25 feet tall and is almost impossible to miss when traveling on I-35.
The World’s Largest Hair Ball
The World’s Largest Hair Ball resides in Wymore, Nebraska and is a favorite for locals and travelers alike. The statue was built in honor of the late J.C. “Charlie” Stark who served as mayor from 1954-1970. He ran unopposed during his tenure for mayor and also stated that the citizens of Wymore were “too damn lazy to go vote anyway”. The hair ball was created by a local artist in 1978.
The World’s Largest Ball of Paint
Last but not least is The World’s Largest Ball of Paint. It resides in Oakbrook, Illinois, and can be seen from I-294. Pat Farley began her collection in 1995 and has been adding to it ever since. The ball is currently made up of 175 gallons of paint and weighs 4,700 pounds.
As always, if you are interested in seeing any of these attractions yourself, call ahead to make sure they are open and accessible.