Washington State is renowned for its quirky, offbeat roadside attractions that offer travelers a delightful mix of the bizarre, whimsical, and historic. Here are 10 of the weirdest-and most memorable-Washington roadside attractions worth stopping for:
1. Fremont Troll (Seattle)
A massive concrete troll clutching a real Volkswagen Beetle lurks beneath the Aurora Bridge in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. This iconic sculpture, installed in 1990, has become a beloved local oddity and a must-see photo op.
2. Gum Wall (Seattle)
Located in Post Alley near Pike Place Market, this sticky, ever-growing wall is covered in chewed gum contributed by visitors from around the world. It’s colorful, slightly gross, and utterly unique.
3. Nutty Narrows Bridge (Longview)
A tiny suspension bridge built just for squirrels, the Nutty Narrows Bridge was installed in 1963 to help squirrels safely cross a busy road. It’s now a local landmark and a testament to Washington’s quirky sense of humor.
4. Stonehenge Memorial (Maryhill)
This full-scale concrete replica of England’s Stonehenge was built between 1918 and 1929 as a World War I memorial. Its incongruity and sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge make it a surreal stop.
5. World’s Largest Egg (Winlock)
Winlock’s pride is a giant painted egg, celebrating the town’s history as a major egg producer. The sculpture is the centerpiece of the annual Egg Days festival and remains a classic example of “World’s Largest” Americana.
6. World’s Largest Frying Pan (Long Beach)
This giant frying pan, a replica of the original used to cook a 200-pound clam fritter in 1941, hangs downtown as a tribute to the area’s festival history. The original pan was retired after decades of service (and bullet holes).
7. Marsh’s Free Museum & Jake the Alligator Man (Long Beach)
Home to the infamous Jake the Alligator Man-a mummified half-man, half-alligator oddity-this museum is packed with bizarre curiosities, including shrunken heads and two-headed animals.
8. Giant Shoe Museum (Seattle)
Tucked inside Pike Place Market, this quirky museum displays freakishly large footwear, including a size 37 brogue worn by the world’s tallest man. Visitors peek through a vintage coin-operated viewer to see the collection.
9. Hat ‘n’ Boots (Seattle)
Originally part of a themed gas station, these giant cowboy hat and boots once lured tourists in droves. Today, they’re preserved as whimsical public art in Oxbow Park.
10. Gospodor Monument Park (Toledo)
Along Interstate 5, a cluster of massive, eccentric monuments built by a local bachelor commemorates everything from Mother Teresa to Native American heritage. The unexpected sight often causes double-takes-and occasional traffic slowdowns.
These attractions are just a sampling of the weird and wonderful stops that make Washington a haven for roadside adventurers. Whether you’re drawn to giant shoes, mysterious trolls, or squirrel superhighways, you’ll find plenty to surprise and delight on your journey through the Evergreen State.
Sources:
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/washington/roadside-attractions
- https://www.seattlemet.com/travel-and-outdoors/roadside-attractions-sights-road-trip-washington
- https://places.travel/entertainment/weird-and-wonderful-10-unique-attractions-in-washington-state
- https://kpq.com/ixp/113/p/10-must-see-roadside-attractions-in-washington/
- https://in.pinterest.com/pin/478226054202621325/