When I was a kid I was lucky enough that my parents took my siblings and I on many family vacations. I learned history on many of these trips. We visited family in Toronto, Canada, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We also went to Niagara Falls, the Ontario Science Center, and Disneyworld. We were really lucky. A few of the other places we traveled to on our East Coast adventures were what you might call kitschy or roadside attractions. We never saw a great ball of twine or see Area 51 or even the Corn Palace, but we went to Amish Country, the Fountain of Youth, South of the Border and Zinn’s Diner (now closed). I remember the last two vividly. South of the Border was like entering into a fantasyland filled with neon lights and fireworks stands. The giant man in the sombrero was even more gigantic to small children, aged 4-8.
Photo Credit: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, July 2008
Photo Credit: Matthew Logan
Zinn's Diner Postcard
Public Domain
The Disney/Pixar movie Cars reminded us of those things found on the road trip of following Route 66, seeing things that couldn’t be seen anywhere else, and I thought about my childhood of road trips both north and south. Everyone should see at least one ridiculous roadside attraction in their lives, and if they’re lucky, they should see many more.
Here are a few suggestions and resources:
Budget Travel’s 25 Wackiest Roadside Attractions (Slideshow)
Budget Travel’s Ultimate Road Trip App
Things You Will See on a Road Trip Across America
Amos the Amish Man Giant Statue
Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Niagara Falls – not so much roadside attraction, but a can’t be missed world wonder
Griffins and Ginger Snaps 