Photo by Uladzik Kryhin at Shutterstock
Our country is bursting with world-renowned natural wonders and incredible man-made attractions. We always love traveling to see some of the most beautiful spots we can find.
And because we’re lucky to live in such a large country, there are many amazing things to see and do. But how do you avoid jiggling for elbow room with hordes of other travelers?
While most people stick to the world-famous sites, like the Statue of Liberty or Disneyland, we’ve selected some incredible and unusual places that are hidden treasures and aren’t so off the beaten path that they’re completely inaccessible.
So if you want a truly unique experience, consider visiting a more unusual place. Check out these 6 lesser-known hidden gems nationwide and be a vacation trailblazer!
This first unusual place is the very definition of an American ghost town. Bodie was established as a modest mining camp in 1859. And at the height of its success, the little village was home to roughly 7,000 residents and over 2,000 structures.
But sadly, following a short boom back in the 1870s and 80s, the town fell into ruin sometime in the early 1900s. By 1920, the population had shrunk down to a mere 120 people.
Nowadays, visitors can walk the abandoned streets of a town that once was a bustling activity area. You can still visit the interiors, though, because they were left untouched and stocked with goods.
Found in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the House of Eternal Return is a mysterious and unusual place for tourists visiting the area. It’s a maze and art installation rolled into one, but it’s also an interactive story for visitors to experience.
The permanent art installation spans over 20,000 feet, and guests here are only given one piece of information about the storyline puzzle before they’re set free to explore: The Selig family once lived here, but then something happened.
What was it? That’s what you’ll have to figure out. Folks roam through this house, explore its unique attributes, and find all the hidden secrets.
If you like going to escape rooms but want more of a storyline and less of the whole puzzle-solving fiasco, then the House of Eternal Return is perfect for you!
What once was a simple pharmacy in the small town of Wall, South Dakota, has turned into a sprawling mall and a dream for the imagination of its locals. Wall Drug sits in a village of about a mere 900 people, most of whom work at the shop.
But despite its small size, this unusual place receives about a million visitors annually. Everyone that goes to visit can’t wait to explore the grounds of Wall Drug, do some souvenir shopping, and snap a few photos atop the giant jackalope.
…Make sure you let us know if you visit this unusual place and tell us all about your experience!
There are many rumors and urban legends circulating bout this house. From the stairs leading to… nowhere to souls of those slain by the Winchester rifle haunting the descendants, many love speculating on this unusual place’s circumstance.
But the truth remains that it’s one of the most stunning mansions in the entire area. It was built in 1884 and has about 166 rooms and multiple bedrooms. The oddest thing about the house, though, is that it remained in construction for the next 40-plus years.
Why? Well, Sara Winchester ordered the construction crew to keep building various staircases and doors that didn’t lead anywhere to confuse the ghost haunting her. Unusual place to visit, indeed!
This one might be an unusual place you’re not familiar with, but you’ve definitely heard of the town it’s in. The historic town of Salem has become best known throughout our history for one tragic period: The Salem Witch Trials.
Many individuals are interested in witchcraft, history, and all things spooky when visiting Salem because of this. But there’s one particular spot in Salem that can’t be missed. The Witch House of Salem is a house that Jonathan Corwin called home.
During the 17th century, when the Witch Trials were happening, Corwin was one of the judges in charge of finding the alleged witches guilty. Nowadays, his home is the last structure standing in Salem that has direct ties to that point in history.
One man’s ambition to bring business back to the small town of Casey ended up doing much more than that!
After years of hard work, many retirees have been veering off the beaten path to see giant replicas of everyday things like a rocking chair, wind chimes, a ruler, an ear of corn, and a mailbox.
A famous tourist spot is the walk-in bird cage, complete with a swing for people to get a perfect pic looking like a canary.
Locals have told us that you can even participate in workshops to learn how the replicas were crafted and try your hand at pipe fitting, woodworking, and steel cutting. This is one unusual place we can’t wait to see!
Be sure to let us know which of these unusual places you’ll want to visit first. And if you’re looking for some more interesting places to visit in the US, we also recommend reading about 5 Charming TV and Movie Locations You Should Add to Your Bucket List
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