The U.S. Interstate system turns 50 this summer. In honor of this Golden Anniversary, members of the Society of American Travel Writers have selected the following attractions as the Top 10 Quirkiest Attractions along the nation's U.S. Interstates.
With some 1,200 members, the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) is a non-profit professional association that works to promote responsible travel journalism and to provide professional support for its members, including travel journalists, photographers, editors, electronic media, film lecturers, television and film producers, and public relations representatives from the travel industry. For details on SATW, log onto www.satw.org
Top Ten Quirky Attractions Along U.S. Interstates (in alphabetical order):
Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo, Texas
Interstate-40
Ten tail-finned Cadillacs are ''planted'' nose-down in the prairie beside the I-40
service road in Amarillo, Texas.
800-692-1338 www.visitamarillotx.com
Dinosaur World
Plant City, Florida
Interstate-4
These model dinos tower over the pathways of a 12-acre forest. The irony, of course, is that dinosaurs never roamed Florida it was under water at the time. After visiting the museum for some background on the Age of Dinosaurs, wander around and marvel at these massive scientifically-accurate models.
813-717-9865 www.dinoworld.net
Jell-O© Museum and Gallery
LeRoy, New York
Interstate-90
Visit the home where JELL-O©, America's favorite "fun" desert, was invented and discover Jell-O's beginning in the Jell-O Gallery.
585-768-7433 www.jellomuseum.com
KFC Museum
Corbin, Kentucky
Interstate-75
Here "Colonel" Sanders ran a motel and restaurant, a small business that grew into KFC. The original restaurant is now a KFC museum.
606-528-2163 www.corbinkentucky.us
Leila's Hair Museum
Independence, Missouri
Interstate-70
This small museum contains a collection of more than 100 objects woven from human hair and horsehair and is considered the largest collection of its kind in the world. The museum is also the home of the Victorian Hairwork Society, dedicated to the art of collecting, preserving and making hairwork.
816-833-2955 www.hairwork.com
Mystery Spot
St. Ignace, Michigan
Interstate-75
An approximate 300-foot diameter of land where strange occurrences happen. Tall people become shorter, gravity is defied and things just don?t work the way the laws of physics say they should in this one unique place in northern Michigan.
(906) 643-8322
www.mysteryspotstignace.com
Wall Drug
Wall, South Dakota
Interstate-90
What started in the Great Depression with a small drugstore offering free ice water to travelers has turned into a massive emporium offering everything from western items, gifts and collectibles and authentic native South Dakota jackalopes.
605-279-2175 www.walldrug.com
World's Largest Roadrunner Statue
Fort Stockton, Texas
Interstate-10
The Paisano Pete roadrunner statue is 20 feet long, 15 feet tall, located in Fort
Stockton on the way to Big Bend National Park.
800-8888-TEX (839) www.traveltex.com
World's Largest Truck Stop
Walcott, Iowa
Interstate-80
Includes a Trucking Hall of Fame, annual Truckers' Jamboree, Iowa 80 Kitchen restaurant, fast food court, truckers' warehouse store, service station and, for truckers' only, a second floor with Dolby Surround Sound movie theater, Driver?s Den complete with fireplace, laundry facilities, barber shop, and dental office; 24 private showers and plenty of AT&T Phones.
563-284-6961 www.iowa80truckstop.com
World's Tallest Thermometer
Baker, California
Interstate-15
This 134-foot tall symbol to the high temperatures in Death Valley puts tiny Baker on the weather map. It's a landmark in this desert country and Baker is a popular stopping point on the route, the major road between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. A sure bet: It's going to be hot here.
www.roadsideamerica.com/
