West Virginia is noted for its mountains and diverse topography, but what it really should be known for is its wacky roadside attractions.

From what we have seen, it seems to have a bit of a thing for what lies underground, with secret caves and mystery holes frequenting several of the towns.

So what’s so fascinating about these kinds of attractions? Read on to find out more!

1. Mystery Hole: Ansted, West Virginia

While you may be a bit hesitant to enter a “mystery hole”, don’t be alarmed; this attraction isn’t really all that mysterious. The exterior is actually rather tacky, making this attraction the perfect addition to the theme of “America the Strange”.

We can’t actually share what’s in the mystery hole, so you’re just going to have to go check it out for yourselves.

2. World’s Largest Teapot: Chester, West Virginia

It seems every state across the nation seems to have some “World’s Biggest” whatever, and West Virginia is no exception.

Enjoy a roadside cup of tea at, yep you guessed it, the “World’s Largest Teapot”. Measuring in at 12 feet high and 44 feet wide, this is one afternoon tea that without a doubt will stretch into the night.

3. John Brown Wax Museum: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Some say John Brown works better as a house-of-horrors wax museum, and after visiting this place, we would have to agree.

This museum tells John Brown’s life story, beginning in his childhood and ending with a scene of his execution by hanging. The museum is slightly morbid, but definitely with the entrance fee.

4. Lost World Caverns: Lewisburg, West Virginia

These lost caverns were made famous back in 1992 when claims of a “Bat Boy” living in these caves hit the tabloids. The large-eyed, fanged human child was said to have been raised by the bats in the cave that measures over a thousand feet long, and reaches 10 stories high.

Take a tour down under and then head up to the surface to explore the adjacent Natural History Museum, another great local attraction.

5. West Virginia State Farm Museum: Point Pleasant, West Virginia

This farm museum is home to many attractions you wouldn’t quite expect from an attraction of this kind. The highlight is without a doubt the “World’s Largest Stuffed Horse”, valued at an impressive $25,000 and attracting keen horse lovers from across the nation.

The rest is rather typical of an American farm with a log cabin, old school house, doctor’s office, blacksmith shop, barber’s house and post shop adding to the authenticity of the place.

- Chrissy

Know of any other odd attractions in West Virginia? Let us know about them in the comments below.

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As the birthplace to 8 U.S. presidents, it should come as to surprise to visitors that Virginia is proud of its political past and present. This is evident through the numerous museums and statues that are sprinkled throughout the town’s towns and cities, each of which pay homage to this political presence in a proud, though often just plain strange manner.

Weird and wacky is something the roadside attractions of Virginia do well. So join us as we uncover the strange places that can be found on the side of the road in this proud, but beautiful state.

1. Drug Enforcement Administration Museum: Arlington, Virginia

If you visit this museum in the hope of scoring or getting high, you will be sorely disappointed. This museum is actually hardcore intent on deterring this behavior, with its shock antics aimed to scare young children and disgust the older generations.

Experience the “modern pleasure drug culture”, head to “Jimmy’s Joint” or get caught up in a booby trap that was used in the marijuana fields back in the 80’s. This museum has it all.

2. George Washington Masonic National Memorial: Alexandria, Virginia

This ten-storey shrine is dedicated to George Washington and everything he stood for by reminding the general public that he was the “guiding light of the American Republic”.

The memorial is tucked away in a museum that also houses precious artifacts like Washington’s Clock of Death and an ornate replica of the Ark of the Covenant. It may be slightly tacky, but it’s definitely worth a stop.

3. Dinosaur Kingdom: Natural Bridge, Virginia

Welcome to a world where humans and dinosaurs co-exist; at least until the humans get eaten!

This is a place where dinosaurs can rise again and we can mingle amongst them. Combine this with a somewhat comical interpretation of the war between the north and south and you have an attraction that is wacky enough to sink a ship, or at least bring down a T-Rex.

4. Enchanted Castle Studio: Natural Bridge, Virginia

Although gutted by a vicious fire back in 2001, some of this Enchanted Castle remains, much to the pleasure of those searching for strange and wacky statues and replicas.

Visit the large alien bug, tree trunks with twisted human faces, a Muffler man worked into a giant Transformer robot and King Kong clutching a biplane. As far as weird and wacky goes, this one takes the cake.

5. Haunted Monster Museum: Natural Bridge, Virginia

Set in a real, musty and dank old house, this haunted monster museum boasts every textbook cliché you could possibly think of.

Venture outside of the house into the “Freakout Forest” and you will stumble across a graveyard, a crashed plane and a rather unpleasant ogre eating a childe. Creepy to say the least!

- Chrissy

Visited Virginia recently and come across any other strange roadside attractions? Let us know about them in the comments below.

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New York New York had been calling our name lately so we thought we’d head over to the North East of our great country to see what all the fuss was about.

While we didn’t find anything too quirky in the city itself, once we ventured out a little further we come across some truly remarkable odd-ball attractions.

Want to see what we found? Read on and take a look!

1. Secret Caverns: A Hole with a Heart: Cobleskill, New York

Enter a whole new world when you embark on a tour of the Secret Caverns. This commercial cave offers an underground boat ride, a wedding chamber and a 100-foot waterfall.

Above ground, you will be bombarded with clever billboards and a whole range of money-sucking diversions including the opportunity to pan for gemstones.

2. House of Frankenstein Wax Museum: Lake George, New York

Enter this house of screams and you will soon discover the true torture some locals feel of living in New York.

Be careful not to bump into any of the dummies that are sprawled about the place, since you are also likely to come across an axe or two along with them.

3. Magic Forest: Lake George, New York

Lake George’s Magic Forest brings the world of fairytales to life in perhaps the most vivid way possible.

You will be greeted by the “world’s largest Uncle Sam”, which is closely followed up by a giant Santa statue. Venture a little further and you will come across The Three Little Pigs, Hansel and Gretel and the Two Muffler Men; two incredibly strange creatures that are particularly disturbing.

4. Kaatskill Kaleidoscope: Mount Trempar, New York

Claiming to be the “world’s largest kaleidoscope” this is attraction is…well it’s exactly that.

Crane your necks to look up the top of this 60-foot structure and you will be rewarded with a show that will take you on a journey from the days of Lincoln and Stalin, to Marilyn Monroe and Nixon. Surely this couldn’t disappoint?

5. World’s Smallest Church: Oneida, New York

While many have tried, only this chapel claims the title of “World’s Smallest Church”.

Located smack bang in the middle of a pond and only accessible by boat, this chapel brings a whole new meaning to the word “small” and can seat just two people.

-Chrissy

Heard of any other wacky attractions in the state of New York? Let us know about them in the comments below.

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