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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Heading out of North Carolina, we began to notice a change in the roadside attraction landscapes. We didn’t think it was possible, but South Carolina seems to have even stranger things on offer!

Want to know what we found? Read on to find out…

1. UFO Welcome Center: Bowman, South Carolina

A warm welcome is given not just to the aliens, but also to those strangely interested visitors to the UFO Welcome Center in Bowman, South Carolina.

The owner of this wacky attraction, Jody Pendarvis, has been awaiting the arrival of non-human beings since 1994 and insists that his attempt at a UFO will be a welcoming environment for aliens to get to know the human kind.

2. Button King Museum: Bishopville, South Carolina

Is there a cure for insomnia? While there may not be a definitive answer, one man has certainly made the most of this tiring condition, turning his time into a lifelong obsession with buttons.

From button suits, to button cars, Dalton Stevens has it covered…quite literally. The Button King Museum showcases a man’s lifework and offers quite a sight to look at.

3. South of the Border: Dillon, South Carolina

The South of the Border Tourist Complex is guarded by the very lovable Pedro, shaded from the harsh Mexican sun by an imposing sombrero. Pedro is a sign of what you can expect as you head further south…so basically every stereotypical embodiment of Mexico.

However, the kids seem to love this kind of thing, so either avoid this stretch of highway like the plague, or be prepared to make a roadside stop to scramble through the endless buckets of cheap novelties, all in the aim of bagging a bargain.

4. Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village: Sheldon, South Carolina

Regarded as a whole other country in its own right, the Kingdom of Oyotunji is a relatively uncrowded African Village that can be found right in the heart of Sheldon, South Carolina.

Home to several bizarre concrete monuments, and well, not much else, this African village does provide an interesting day out for the family, if nothing else.

-Chrissy

Know of any other South Carolina attractions that are just plain weird. Comment us below to tell us more!

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