Washington State offers much more than stunning scenery and vibrant cities—its highways and byways are dotted with some truly unusual and quirky roadside attractions. These spots range from oversized sculptures to miniature chapels, each telling a unique story or just adding a whimsical twist to your road trip. Here are 10 of the weirdest Washington roadside attractions you won’t want to miss.
1. The Fremont Troll (Seattle)
Nestled under the Aurora Bridge in Seattle, the Fremont Troll is a giant concrete sculpture clutching a VW Beetle. Created in 1990, it has become an iconic quirky landmark that invites visitors to pose for photos and marvel at its playful, monstrous charm.
2. The Gum Wall (Seattle)
Near Pike Place Market, this colorful wall has been covered in chewed gum since the 1990s. Though somewhat gross, it’s a surprisingly popular and unique art installation representing a sticky, collective form of public creativity.
3. Hat ‘n’ Boots (Seattle)
Once part of a themed gas station, these oversized cowboy hat and boots sculptures now sit in Oxbow Park. They serve as playful reminders of old-timey roadside kitsch and invite people to imagine the era of roadside Americana.
4. The World’s Largest Egg (Winlock)
Winlock celebrates its egg-producing heritage with a giant painted egg sculpture. Though not the largest anymore, it’s been cracked and replaced multiple times, reflecting local pride and a bit of eccentric charm.
5. The Big Red Wagon (Spokane)
This 12-foot-high wagon sculpture features a slide built into its handle, making it part art installation, part playground. It’s a fun and interactive piece to pause at while exploring Spokane’s Riverfront Park.
6. Marsh’s Free Museum & Jake the Alligator Man (Long Beach)
This oddity museum is home to bizarre curiosities and the famous Jake the Alligator Man—part reptile, part man—a strange but beloved figure in local folklore that fascinates visitors.
7. The Tiny Wayside Chapel (Colfax)
This minuscule chapel fits just eight people and offers a quiet, spiritual stop for travelers on the road. Its size and serene interior make it an unusual yet charming roadside destination.
8. Maryhill Stonehenge (Maryhill)
A concrete replica of England’s Stonehenge, this roadside attraction was built as a World War I memorial. Its surreal presence in the Columbia River Gorge creates an intriguing juxtaposition of ancient design and modern American landscape.
9. The Pickled Pioneer (Raymond)
A unique and eerie roadside memorial, this attraction commemorates Willie Keil, whose body was transported westward embalmed in whiskey. The story behind this makes it one of the more bizarre historic roadside stops.
10. Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies (Vantage)
This is a sweeping sculpture of 15 life-sized wild horses mounted on a hillside overlooking the Columbia River. It’s a striking and somewhat surreal art installation that brings the spirit of the wild west to life in an unexpected way.
These weird and wonderful attractions showcase Washington’s playful spirit and rich local history, making any road trip across the state a journey full of delightful surprises and photo-worthy moments. Whether you’re a fan of giant sculptures, odd museums, or tiny chapels, Washington’s roads have plenty of stops that are anything but ordinary.
Sources
[1] https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/washington/roadside-attractions
[2] https://theshockingtruestoryofmonsteragogo.wordpress.com/2023/05/05/roadside-attractions-of-washington-part-2/
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Washington/comments/xjal0e/weirdest_sitesattractions_in_washington/
[4] https://www.fiftygrande.com/50-weirdest-roadside-attractions/
[5] https://www.seattlemet.com/travel-and-outdoors/roadside-attractions-sights-road-trip-washington
