New York State is a treasure trove of the weird and wonderful, offering roadside attractions that range from natural oddities to whimsical man-made creations. Whether you’re road tripping through the Adirondacks, passing through quirky small towns, or exploring the outskirts of major cities, these peculiar stops are sure to surprise and delight.
1. Painted Pig Rock (Speculator, Adirondacks)
A rock painted to resemble a pig, a quirky local landmark in the Adirondacks.
2. Nipper Dog (Albany, Capital-Saratoga)
A 28-foot statue of a dog atop a building, originally a mascot for an audio company.
3. Giant Garden Gnome (Kerhonkson, Catskills)
A 13-foot-tall concrete gnome at Kelder’s Farm, called ‘Gnome Chomsky’.
4. World’s Smallest Church (Oneida, Central New York)
A 28-square-foot chapel on a tiny island, accessible by rowboat.
5. Scary Lucy Statue (Celoron, Chautauqua-Allegheny)
A statue of Lucille Ball, infamous for its unsettling appearance.
6. World’s Largest Pancake Griddle (Penn Yan, Finger Lakes)
A massive griddle displayed at Birkett Mills, celebrating the town’s pancake-making heritage.
7. Shark Girl (Buffalo, Greater Niagara)
A whimsical sculpture of a girl with a shark’s head, a popular photo op.
8. Balanced Rock (North Salem, Hudson Valley)
A 60-ton boulder precariously balanced on smaller stones, a geological oddity.
9. Secret Caverns (Howes Cave)
A cave system with psychedelic signage and a unique underground waterfall.
10. Car on a Smokestack (Amsterdam)
A red Volkswagen Beetle perched atop a smokestack, a classic roadside oddity.
Sources:
- https://wibx950.com/13-weird-roadside-attractions-you-can-visit-in-new-york/
- https://wour.com/strangest-roadside-attraction-new-york/
- https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/americas-weirdest-roadside-attractions/
- https://www.tripadvisor.in/Articles-l9FFRtutgvYM-Nyc_unique_experiences.html