12 Offbeat US Attractions for an Unconventional Trip
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While there are many sights, travelers want to tick off their bucket list, how about when you hanker after something a little less conventional? The following rundown includes sites you can find within, or close to, major cities yet are unlikely to have heard of. From natural wonders and historic structures to the most unusual museums in the US, here are a dozen to add to your to-do list.
Mütter Museum, Philadelphia
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The Mütter Museum in central Philadelphia is no ordinary museum. It’s famous as a depository for weird and wonderful medical, pathological, and anatomical artifacts. The museum showcases American medical history in a 19th-century setting. Unusual exhibits include slides from Albert Einstein’s brain, Marie Curie’s electrometer, and even the death cast of the original Siamese Twins.
Read also: Unique US Museums
Museum of Death, New Orleans
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New Orleans’ Museum of Death is perfect for fans of the macabre and showcases all sorts of oddities related to mortality. Exhibits include letters and paintings by serial killers, plus taxidermy, skeletons, and body bags. There’s even a suicide machine designed by Dr. Kevorkian, shrunken heads, and original items from the trial of O. J. Simpson.
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The Neon Museum, Las Vegas
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The Neon Museum is where neon signs from the desert city end up once no longer in use. The Young Electric Sign Company owns the three-acre site, which displays over 150 disused signs. Tours are available daily; if you take one after sunset, you can see the signs lit up.
Read also: Awesome Destinations for Art Lovers
The Wave Organ, San Francisco
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This acoustic sculpture in San Francisco Bay is activated by wave action. Essentially, it’s a musical instrument “played” by the power of the ocean. The 1986 Exploratorium project involved sculptor and stone mason George Gonzalez, with Peter Richards responsible for the concept and design. The 25 organ pipes emit sounds as the ocean rises and falls, crashes against the surface, and even enters the tubes.
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The Wave, Arizona
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This is a different kind of wave altogether to the waterfront instrument in San Francisco. The Wave in Arizona can be found at Marble Canyon, a destination far less known than the Grand Canyon. It comprises sweeping curves of terracotta-colored sandstone striated with cream and is one incredibly Insta-worthy spot.
Read also: Incredible Hiking Trails in the US
Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Colorado
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The colorful, mystical rock formations at Paint Mines in Colorado were once used by Native Americans to provide clay for their pottery and also possibly as war paint. The park in El Paso County features a series of unique sandstone shapes sculpted over time by erosion caused by wind and water. The protected site has formations in shades ranging from off-white to deep brown, as well as brighter hues like orange, purple, and pink.
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Mapparium Globe, Boston
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Dating from 1935, this inverted, stained-glass globe is a wonder. It shows the world as it was in the mid-1930s and is a jaw-dropping three stories high. A glass walkway and LED lighting allow you to examine the globe more closely. It’s interesting from a political history perspective, as now-defunct countries like the USSR and Siam can be seen, but not Indonesia or Israel.
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Thor’s Well, Oregon
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Thor’s Well is a natural phenomenon near Cape Perpetua on the Oregon coast. It resembles a huge sinkhole. Though it appears bottomless, that’s not the case. But it is a dangerous place, particularly during stormy weather. It appears to swallow the seawater endlessly, but if you visit before high tide, you can witness the well filling up.
Read also: Natural Wonders in America
Hamilton Pool, Texas
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This natural grotto in a vibrant shade of emerald green can be found in Dripping Springs, under 25 miles from Austin. Despite high visitor numbers, the pool is home to a unique ecosystem fed by the freshwater. Now a protected nature reserve, waterfalls cascade 50 meters from the overhang, refreshing those taking a dip while adding interest to the photographs captured by onlookers.
Read also: Top Summer Destinations in the US
Synchronized Fireflies, Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
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Head to Elkmont in Tennessee in June to witness one of the most unusual natural phenomena on the planet. For a fortnight each summer, the resident fireflies put on a spectacular show of synchronized flashing here. You’ll need to plan ahead – and get lucky – for this one, as there’s a lottery for the shuttle trolley service to the trailhead, which runs from the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Read also: Best Places To See the Northern Lights in America
City Hall Station, New York
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Though few people know it, an old station is concealed beneath City Hall Park and New York City Hall in Manhattan. It was once part of the IRT Lexington Avenue Line. Its curving arches and platform are very attractive, but the impractical curving platform is said to be why the station fell into disuse. The 1904 station even has a decorative chandelier.
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The Witch House, Massachusetts
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The Salem witch trials of the late 17th century are now a notorious part of US history, and the only remaining building that links to those days is now known as the Witch House. Judge Jonathan Corwin was one of those who sentenced 20 people to death, and he lived in the house for 40 years after buying it in 1675. When you visit, find out about life in the 17th century, though Halloween is best avoided due to incredibly high visitor numbers.
Read also: Unique American Towns
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Tracy Chesterson is a freelance content writer specializing in travel. UK-based, she’s traveled widely, particularly in Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, and spent a year exploring Australia. Tracy has also worked in the travel trade. In her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors and plan future trips.
