1. Lucas: The Grassroots Art Capital & Garden of Eden
Lucas is renowned as the “weirdest place ever” in Kansas, famous for its grassroots art made from recycled materials. The Garden of Eden, a cement sculpture garden created by S.P. Dinsmoor, features bizarre biblical scenes and even the artist’s glass-fronted mausoleum.
2. Bowl Plaza (Lucas)
This public restroom is shaped like a giant toilet, complete with a mosaic “toilet lid” entrance and quirky, art-filled interiors. It’s widely regarded as one of the most unique public restrooms in the world.
3. World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things (Lucas)
A museum dedicated to miniature replicas of famous “world’s largest” roadside attractions, making it a meta and whimsical stop for travelers.
4. Truckhenge (Topeka)
A folk art installation featuring old trucks embedded in the ground and standing upright, reminiscent of England’s Stonehenge but with vehicles instead of stones.
5. World’s Largest Ball of Twine (Cawker City)
This ever-growing ball of twine is a classic example of American eccentricity and a must-see for fans of quirky roadside Americana.
6. Giant Van Gogh Painting (Goodland)
A massive reproduction of Van Gogh’s “Three Sunflowers in a Vase” stands on an enormous easel, towering over the prairie and visible from the highway.
7. World’s Largest Czech Egg (Wilson)
A 20-foot-tall egg painted in traditional Czech patterns, celebrating the town’s Czech heritage. It’s a colorful and unexpected sight in the heart of Kansas.
8. Mater from “Cars” (Galena)
The rusty tow truck that inspired “Tow Mater” from Pixar’s “Cars” is parked at the restored Kan-O-Tex Service Station, a fun photo op for fans of the film.
9. Big Brutus (West Mineral)
The world’s largest surviving electric shovel, Big Brutus is a colossal mining machine you can actually climb inside. It’s both impressive and surreal.
10. Davis Memorial (Hiawatha)
A cemetery filled with life-sized Italian marble statues commissioned by a grieving husband to honor his late wife. The display is both touching and deeply unusual.
These attractions represent the quirky, creative, and sometimes downright strange side of Kansas, making any road trip through the state a memorable adventure.
Sources:
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/kansas/roadside-attractions
- https://www.travelks.com/things-to-do/attractions/roadside-attractions/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/kansas/comments/xef7it/weirdest_sites_in_kansas/
- https://billontheroad.com/27-quirky-things-to-do-in-kansas/
- https://route66roadmap.com/top-10-kansas-route-66-roadside-attractions/
- https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/kansas-roadside-attractions-vie-usa-165444719.html