Arkansas is full of quirky, offbeat, and downright weird roadside attractions that make any road trip memorable. Here are ten of the strangest and most fascinating stops, each offering its own unique story and photo opportunity.
1. Quigley’s Castle (Eureka Springs)
Known as the “Ozarks’ strangest dwelling,” Quigley’s Castle is a house covered in rocks collected from around the world by Elise Quigley. The property features garden paths, a lily pond, and is still managed by the Quigley family.
2. The Raven Statue (Ravenden)
A massive 12-foot-tall raven statue stands in Ravenden, inspired by the town’s name and local legend. This odd landmark was even featured in an episode of King of the Hill.
3. Mr. Peanut Statue (Fort Smith)
Standing 30 feet tall outside the Planters Company plant, this sheet steel Mr. Peanut is a quirky photo op, accompanied by smaller statues at the entrance.
4. World’s Largest Daisy BB Gun (Rogers)
Outside the Daisy Airgun Museum, you’ll find a 25-foot-tall replica of the iconic Red Ryder BB gun. Its aluminum frame is weighted with 180 pounds of BBs, making it a must-see for fans of Americana.
5. Giant Budweiser Beer Can Silo (Lavaca)
On Belle Pointe Ranch, a silo painted to look like a giant Budweiser can claims to hold over 8 million fluid ounces of “brew.” It’s on private property but visible from the road.
6. Dinosaur Park (Mountainburg)
This small park features several large dinosaur sculptures designed for climbing, delighting dinosaur lovers of all ages.
7. World’s Largest Christmas Pickle (Fort Smith)
A 14-foot-tall pickle statue topped with a Santa hat celebrates the quirky German-American tradition of the Christmas pickle, standing outside Christmas Winter Wonderland.
8. Amaris the Alien (Mountainburg)
A 10-foot-tall mixed-metal alien sculpture stands outside Neon Moon Café, complete with a smaller alien and a light-up spaceship, adding extraterrestrial flair to your meal stop.
9. Prairie Grove Airlight Outdoor Telephone Booth (Prairie Grove)
Installed around 1960, this aluminum-and-glass pay phone booth is the first to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it a nostalgic oddity.
10. Humpty Dumpty Statue (Eureka Springs)
A whimsical 500-pound oak sculpture of Humpty Dumpty once sat atop a limestone wall in downtown Eureka Springs. Although removed due to termite damage, plans are in place to restore this beloved oddity.
These attractions highlight Arkansas’s penchant for the peculiar, ensuring your road trip is filled with stories and unforgettable sights.
Sources:
- https://onlyinark.com/places-and-travel/northwest-arkansas-oddities-and-roadside-attractions/
- https://www.arkansas.com/things-to-do/points-interest/roadside-attractions
- https://kkyr.com/the-strangest-roadside-attraction-in-arkansas-have-you-been-here/
- https://power959.com/the-strangest-roadside-attraction-in-arkansas-have-you-been-here/
- https://koa.com/blog/roadside-attractions-in-the-south/
- https://www.fiftygrande.com/50-weirdest-roadside-attractions/