Our adventures in America’s west have eventually brought us to the state of Wyoming: home to the famous Yellowstone National Park and a whole lot of weird and wacky roadside attractions.

So come along, enjoy the ride and discover Wyoming’s oddest tourist attractions.

1. Shoes made from Big Nose George:  Rawlins’s Museum

A pair of shoes made from the skin off the nose of one of America’s most notorious horse thieves’ and train robbers may not seem so appealing to many, but its position in the Rawlins’s local museum is a popular one.

Accompanied with Big Nose George’s skull, the exhibit invites shrieks from school students and the intrigue of nosey tourists from across the world.

These are a pair of shoes everyone who is anyone “nose” about.

2. Old West Wax Museum: Thermopolis

Wax is a material that can be molded like no other, giving it the uncanny ability to bring the past into the present, and characters to life.

The Old West Wax Museum is a sticky example of this, portraying the harshness of life through somewhat creepy, realistic dioramas that depict such things as Teddy Roosevelt, past hangings, and Mountain Man Jim Bridger.

This house of wax will fire up your imaginative streak and open your eyes to America’s past in an entirely different light.

3. Ames Brothers Pyramid: Laramie

If you aren’t in the mood for a trek to Egypt, the Ames Brothers Pyramid is the next best thing. Standing a symmetrical 60 feet square and 60 feet tall, this monolithic structure stands proud on a treeless, windswept plateau of nothingness essentially.

Steeped in history, along with the carved out faces of the brothers, this pink granite structure is a standout of Wyoming’s roadside attractions: literally.

4. World’s Largest Jackalope Statue: Douglas

Wyoming’s “Official Mythical Creature”, the Jackalope, is largely celebrated by the town of Douglas, evident through their 8-feet statue of the animal in central downtown.

Claiming to be the “world’s largest jackalope statue”, the locals can’t get enough of this furry freak, with plans to expand the creature’s size to a whopping eighty feet in the near future.

With tributes to the jackalope continuing throughout the town, it’s safe to say that this town is well and truly obsessed.

5. Fossil Cabin:  Medicine Bow

What do you get when you combine 26,000 dinosaur bones in one big clump, with a hollow inside? A Fossil Cabin of course!

Affectionately known as the “Oldest Cabin in the World”, this dinosaur boned structure makes for an interesting photo opportunity and a unique walk through.

Browse the pre-historic collections of fossils and discover what it is like to be in a casing of dinosaur bones.

-Chrissy

Discovered anymore of Wyoming’s weirdest attractions in your travels? Leave a comment and tell us about them.

Attractions, Fun, roadside, strange, travel, travel usa america

The quest across the west continues with a stop in Montana: home to some of the weirdest and wackiest attractions around. So come join the Jurnii and prepare yourself for some of the quirkiest things around.

1. Montana Testicle Festival: Rock Creek Lodge, Montana

Tantalize your taste buds at the Montana Testicle Festival: home to the tastiest testicles in town. The annual event attracts a titillating 10,000 people, all seeking to sample the world’s finest bull testicles in a testy festy fashion.

You’ll be sure to leave saying “I had a ball at the Montana Testicle Festival”.

2. Steer Montana: Baker, Montana

Once famous for being the “world’s largest steer”, Steer Montana has been reduced to skin and bones, literally.

Lost for several years, he was steered back to fame (at a cost of $5000) to the local historical museum, where he now permanently resides in a glass case.

3. Two-Story Outhouse: Nevada City, Montana

Known to the locals as “Big John”, Nevada City’s two-story outhouse proudly sits behind a hotel, reveling in all its former glory (and who knows what else).

This “skys-crapper” of a structure is sure to impress.

4. Merry Widow Health Mine: Basin, Montana

Never has there been such a congregation of arthritis-ridden, coughing, sneezing, diabetic people in the same room before (if you don’t count a retirement home that is).

Famous for providing relief to those suffering from asthma, hay fever, migraines and eczema, the mine works its “wonders” through its “magical” water: in fact, so magical you have to pay for it!

5. Cut Bank Penguin: Cut Bank, Montana

The local ambassador of Cut Bank, the Cut Bank Penguin claims that this is in fact the “coldest place in the nation”: now that’s a pretty tough call from a penguin.

However, it should come as no surprise that he holds authority; he is after all 27 feet tall and weighs 10,000 lbs.

So listen to the talking penguin and be sure to rug up.

- Chrissy

Have you come across any other weird and wonderful in your Montana travels? If so, let us know in the comments below.

Attractions, Fun, strange, travel

Our quest to seek out America’s most bizarre attractions continues to the Mid Western state of Illinois. While the typical Illinois vacation would have you taking in a Cubs game, dining on Chicago deep dish and journeying to the top of the Willis (Sears) Tower, we’ll have you experiencing everything but. So buckle up, put on your best Chicago accent, and journey with us to five of Illinois strangest attractions:

1. Funeral Home Mini Golf: Palatine, Illinois

When they’re not embalming a corpse or displaying the dead, you can bet the staff and patrons of the Palatine Funeral home will be in the basement playing a round of death themed mini golf. In fact, a free round of golf comes included with each funeral package.

The smell of formaldehyde fills the air, as you put your way through a challenging course filled with coffins, tombstones and other funeral themed memorabilia. Land your ball in the hole and watch it plummet 6 feet under.

2. World’s Heaviest Man’s Grave: Benville, Illinois

It’s only fitting that the final resting place of the world’s heaviest man, should be located but a stones throw away from the site of the world’s first McDonald’s Restaurant. While there’s no telling just how many Big Macs, apple pies and hot fudge sundaes Robert Earl Hughes consumed during his life, it’s safe to assume it helped him get where he is today.

Once weighing in at a hefty 1041 LBS, Hughes’ subterranean eat-nothing diet has reduced him to nothing but bones.

3. Live Otters In Bank: Kewanee, Illinois

At Kewanee’s Union Federal Savings and Loan, you can make a deposit, take out a loan, and pay a visit to Oscar and Andy, the bank’s dynamic otter duo (though Oscar Sadly passed away in 2008).

Housed in a giant pit at the centre of the bank, the otters have succeeded in re-inspiring investor confidence in the midst of the financial crisis. In fact, prices of fisheries stocks (the otters primary food source) have risen a staggering 64% since the arrival of the playful pair.

4. World’s Largest Bagel Parade: Matton, Illinois

Bring out the cream cheese, prepare your cutting knifes, warm up your toasters and get set for a carbohydrate rich parade that puts Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to shame.

There’s no need for elaborate floats or fancy costumes here, no, the men and women happily dressed as poppy, sesame, onion and chocolate bagels are all you need.

Aside from the big name musicians and street performers who show up for their fill of dough, the event is highlighted by the appearance of the world’s largest bagel. To our disappointment however, the mammoth baked good was filled with thousands of bagel ruining raisins. Yuck!

5. Leaning Tower Of Niles: Niles, Illinois

Why bother with the trip to Italy, when you can experience Pisa (or at least a reasonable facsimile), just 15 minutes from Chicago O’Hare. And heck, authentic Italian cuisine doesn’t even come close to matching Chicago deep dish.

The 94 foot tower is about half the size of the Italian original, but with the right camera angle no one but da Vinci will be able to tell that it’s not the real thing (and he’s dead).

-Sam

Attractions, Fun, strange, travel