Top 10 Quirkiest Highway Attractions in the United States

The U.S. Interstate system turned 50 in 2007.  In honor of this Golden Anniversary, we listed the top ten quirkiest attractions along the nation's U.S. Interstates.  

Compiled by the best travel writers around, members of the Society of American Travel Writers, these pit stops are just what you need to make your road trip one for the books.

Need an easy print-out so you can find these gems on your next highway prowl? Check out AAA's TripTik; it's free to the public and wins our vote for making oragami-style travel maps a thing of the past. Whew!

Top 10 Quirky Attractions Along U.S. Interstates

Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo , Texas
Interstate 40
Ten tail-finned Cadillacs are ''planted'' nose-down in the prairie beside the I-40 service road in Amarillo, Texas.
(800) 692-1338
www.visitamarillotx.com

Dinosaur World
Plant City, Fla.
Interstate 4

These model dinos tower over the pathways of a 12-acre forest. The irony, of course, is that dinosaurs never roamed Florida — it was under water at the time. After visiting the museum for some background on the Age of Dinosaurs, wander around and marvel at these massive scientifically-accurate models. (813) 717-9865
www.dinoworld.net

Jell-O Museum and Gallery
LeRoy, N.Y.
Interstate 90
Visit the home where JELL-O©, America's favorite "fun" desert, was invented and discover Jell-O's beginning in the Jell-O Gallery.
(585) 768-7433
www.jellomuseum.com

KFC Museum
Corbin, Ky.
Interstate 75
Here ''Colonel'' Sanders ran a motel and restaurant, a small business that grew into KFC. The original restaurant is now a KFC museum.
(606) 528-2163
www.corbinkentucky.us

Leila's Hair Museum
Independence, Miss.
Interstate 70
This small museum contains a collection of more than 2,000 objects woven from human hair and horsehair including hair wreaths, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, watch chains and other objects of art or jewelry. It is considered the largest collection of its kind in the world. The museum is also the home of the Victorian Hairwork Society, dedicated to the art of collecting, preserving and making hairwork.
(816) 833-2955
www.hairwork.com

Mystery Spot
St. Ignace, Mich.
Interstate 75
An approximate 300-foot diameter of land where strange occurrences happen. Tall people become shorter, gravity is defied and things just don't work the way the laws of physics say they should in this one unique place in northern Michigan.
(906) 643-8322
www.mysteryspotstignace.com

Wall Drug
Wall, S.D.
Interstate 90
What started in the Great Depression with a small drugstore offering free ice water to travelers has turned into a massive emporium offering everything from western items, gifts and collectibles and authentic native South Dakota jackalopes.
(605) 279-2175
www.walldrug.com

World's Largest Roadrunner Statue
Fort Stockton, Texas
Interstate 10
The Paisano Pete roadrunner statue is 20 feet long, 15 feet tall, located in Fort Stockton on the way to Big Bend National Park.
(800) 8888-TEX (839)
www.traveltex.com

World's Largest Truck Stop
Walcott, Iowa
Interstate 80

Includes a Trucking Hall of Fame, annual Truckers' Jamboree, Iowa 80 Kitchen restaurant, fast food court, truckers' warehouse store, service station and, for truckers' only, a second floor with Dolby Surround Sound movie theater, Driver's Den complete with fireplace, laundry facilities, barber shop, and dental office; 24 private showers and plenty of AT&T Phones.
(563) 284-6961
www.iowa80truckstop.com

World's Tallest Thermometer Baker, CA - Interstate 15
This 134-foot tall symbol to the high temperatures in Death Valley puts tiny Baker on the weather map. It's a landmark in this desert country and Baker is a popular stopping point on the route, the major road between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. A sure bet — It's going to be hot here.  
(760) 733-4660
www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/CABAKthermometer.html

(Source: SATW)