RV Friendly Roadside Attractions
08/26/2019
I love Roadside Attractions. The weirder the better. My goal on this journey has been to find the best RV friendly roadside attractions. Lance, however, is less enthused about them.
We have developed a system that works for both of us: I only get to pick one random attraction per day and I must give advanced notice because usually, he is hauling the trailer. I also use satellite view on a map app to make sure there is a place to park the trailer.
I don’t know how this fascination began but with this opportunity to travel the country, it has only grown.
Grants Pass Caveman
NW 6th St & Morgan St, Grants Pass, Oregon
This was Lance’s first glimpse into this slight obsession I have. “OOHH!! Let’s see the 17-foot caveman!” I squealed gleefully from the passenger seat. The look that Lance gave me was undescribable, so I clarified, “a 17-foot caveman” as if he had not heard me the first time. He didn’t know how to respond, he just uttered the words “yes, dear.” We parked, and I hopped out of the truck with my selfie stick in hand. I tried to make this as quick and painless as possible for Lance.
Giant Green Olive
Road Island Ave at Hall Rd, Corning, California
Although this one doesn’t have a dedicated parking lot, and you just have to pull off the road to park, we loved it. This one isn’t a very RV friendly roadside attraction, but you can leave your rig somewhere and drive out. This was the second attraction I took Lance to. At this point, he was warming up to my weirdness and found my strange obsession endearing. This attraction isn’t one that you will see advertised for miles around and there aren’t any signs along the road there. It’s just a lovely little surprise if you stumble upon it or a beautiful drive if it’s your destination.
Ms. Pearl the Squirrel
2626 Hwy 71 West, Cedar Creek, Texas
Ms. Pearl stands in front of the Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Company between Bastrop, Texas and Austin, Texas. While you’re there admiring the 14-foot tall largest squirrel statue in the world, you can check out all of the pecan snacks in the store. Don’t worry if you arrive after hours; they have a pecan pie vending machine! Two amazing attractions in one RV friendly parking lot!
Selfie Statue
2700 Town Center Blvd N., Sugar Land, Texas
As we’ve been traveling, seeing the amazing sites this county has to offer, I have found that I needed a selfie stick. Although Lance teases me about it every time, he will admit that we get some dang good pictures. We weren’t living too far from Sugar Land at the time and had to see this ridiculous piece of “art” for ourselves. It has been met by locals with mixed reviews (Link here), but we thought it was a fun stop off from our morning errands. This one is in the middle of town, so it would be best to park the RV and walk into downtown.
World’s Largest Watermelon Slice
1765 Main St., Green River, Utah
Sadly, we weren’t in Green River for Watermelon Days but the 25-foot watermelon was awaiting our arrival next to the John Wesley Powell Museum. The spacious parking lot made this an RV friendly roadside attraction. The ample parking for the truck and trailer allowed us to easily hop out to see this masterpiece.
The World’s Largest Pistachio
7320 U.S. Highway 54/70 North, Alamogordo, New Mexico
This one has been on the list since our first adventure at the caveman in Grants Pass. Lance loves pistachios and this would combine that love with my love of roadside oddities! McGinn’s Pistachio Land sells pistachios in every flavor imaginable as well as makes their own wine. Stop in for a free wine tasting and give pistachio wine a try. Read more about it here. Again, there is plenty of RV parking here.
The World’s Largest Chili Pepper
2160 W. Picacho Ave, Las Cruces, New Mexico
It only seems fitting that we should stop in New Mexico to witness all 47 feet of the world’s largest chili pepper! It is in a hotel parking lot so there is ample RV parking, making this an RV friendly roadside attraction.
Large Metal Glasses
15 NM Hwy 150, Taos, New Mexico
These metal frame glasses are part of an outdoor art installation at the Bareiss Gallery. There are many sculptures for you to enjoy, but this one was quirky enough to draw my attention.
Of course, I have a list of where I want to go next. I am always on the hunt for an RV friendly roadside attraction.
The World’s Largest Ball of Twine
719 Wisconsin St, Cawker City, Kansas
This is like the holy grail of roadside attractions and is the epitome of Americana.
The Donut Hole
15300 Amar Rd, La Puente, California
This isn’t just a drive-through donut shop. You’re driving through a donut while ordering donuts! Yes, please!
The Thing
2631 North Johnson Road, Dragoon, Arizona
If you’ve ever traveled along I-10 you’ve seen signs for hundreds of enticing you to pull off exit 322. Who wouldn’t want to pull off to see the “mystery of the desert?”
What has been your favorite RV friendly roadside attraction? Let us know in the comments below. Bonus points if you share a link or an address!
One comment on “RV Friendly Roadside Attractions”
Phil
09/04/2019 at 3:43 AMWe’ll have to meet you in the CA Redwoods to give Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe a roadside visit.