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Next Exit! 10 of America’s Most Epic Pit Stops

Set aside some extra time during your road trip to enjoy these mini adventures

spinner image two women look at artwork inside the john and mable ringling museum of art in sarasota, florida
The Ringling
Photo: Alamy

On your way somewhere and need to take a break? You could hit a state visitor center or stop at a superstore for a fill-up, but why not hit a pit stop that is more than just a leg-stretch? From coast to coast, thousands of quickie detours offer a nice diversion from the highway’s monotony.

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Many roadside attractions are off-the-wall Americana. Take, for instance, the world’s smallest police station, in Carrabelle, Florida, or the world’s smallest diner, in Watkins Glen, New York. If you want to go big, literally, visit the world’s largest office chair in Anniston, Alabama, size up the world’s largest overalls in Grand Island, Nebraska, or soak up the world’s largest fire hydrant in Columbia, South Carolina.

We spanned the nation to find a few of our favorite detours on your way to someplace else. After all, when it comes to a road trip, getting there can be half the fun.

Share Your Experience: What was your favorite detour on your way someplace else? Share your comments below.

NORTHEAST

spinner image a view of randyland in pittsburgh
A view into Randyland.
Photo: Cathrine Stukhard/laif/Redux

Randyland in Pittsburgh

What is it? Artist Randy Gilson’s compact and whimsical outdoor courtyard creation is “the most painted house in the galaxy,” according to its Facebook page. This vibrant art exhibit on the North Side of Pittsburgh has plenty of seating to take in the aesthetic, which is good vibes only.  

Break up your trip: Technically, Pittsburgh is neither Midwest nor East Coast, but Randyland could be the perfect stop traveling along the Interstate 76 or I-79 corridor on the way to either region.

Cost: Free but accepts donations.

Trip tips: It’s open daily, and free street parking is available.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/randylandpgh/

MIDATLANTIC

spinner image a view from below a tour of luray caverns in virginia
Photo: Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images

Luray Caverns in Luray, Virginia

What is it? Put on your geological hard hat and learn the difference between stalagmites and stalactites at the largest caverns in eastern America. This natural wonder has come a long way since its 19th-century candlelight explorations. If the cave’s stunning rock formations and crystal-clear pools aren’t enough, the site also features a garden maze, a rope park and several museums. 

Break up your trip: Luray Caverns sits between Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Roanoke, Virginia, alongside the Appalachian Trail off I-81. It is two hours from Washington, D.C.  

Cost: $32 for a cavern tour with additional costs for other attractions.

Trip tips: You purchase tickets upon arrival, but there could be a long wait so it’s best to go early. The caverns are 54 degrees (but feel like 65 degrees), so you may want to bring a light jacket.

Website: https://luraycaverns.com/

SOUTHEAST

spinner image a man and a woman sit on a bench outside the asheville pinball museum storefront
Photo: Alamy

Asheville Pinball Museum in Asheville, North Carolina

What is it? If you were a pinball wizard back in your day, then this is a nice trip down memory lane. This dimly lit arcade hosts 35 pinball machines and 35 classic video games, and you can play them all for as long as you’d like.

Break up your trip: Reboot here if you’re pinging back and forth from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Charlotte, North Carolina, on I-26 or I-40.

Cost: $15 per person flat rate.

Trip tips: The museum has a 65-person maximum capacity, and it can be busy on weekends and rainy days.

Website: https://ashevillepinball.com/

The Ringling in Sarasota, Florida

What is it? Under the big top at this celebration of John and Mable Ringling is a jaw-dropping 44,000-piece Howard Bros. Circus Model. But this historic estate is so much more than costumes, cannons and clown cars. In addition to the circus museum, the sprawling grounds are also home to a historic mansion, bayfront gardens, a theater and an art museum.

Break up your trip: The Ringling is located near I-75 between the busy Tampa and Fort Myers airports.  

Cost: Museum admission is $25 for adults and $23 for those over 65.

Trip tips: The museum encourages purchasing tickets online before arrival. Audio guides are available. The price does not include entry into the Ca’d’Zan mansion, a Mediterranean revival mansion on the property.

Website: https://www.ringling.org/

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MIDWEST

spinner image a mount rushmore model behind a wooden fence at wall drug in south dakota
Photo: Alamy

Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota

What is it? At this one-stop shop on the road to Mount Rushmore, you can buy cowboy boots, take a picture with a T. rex, and enjoy a 5-cent coffee and homemade doughnut. The 90-year-old drugstore that took off with the simple idea of offering free ice water to travelers now draws more than 2 million visitors a year, according to its website.

Break up your trip: Wall Drug is located off I-90, about 10 minutes from Badlands National Park and scenic driving, hiking and camping.

Cost: Ice water is still free!

Trip tips: From the 1931 storefront replica to a giant jackalope, plenty of eye candy makes for a great photo op.

Website: https://www.walldrug.com

Big Stone Mini Golf in Minnetrista, Minnesota

What is it? This par-56, 14-hole mini golf course is charmingly woven through an obstacle-filled sculpture garden in the yard of a Minnesota artist. With roaming farm animals and thought-provoking art, this it not your typical oceanside putt-putt course. Each hole is named after its quirky hurdle, including “The Spiral,” “Eye of the Donut” and “Holey Ship.”

Break up your trip: With Big Stone located less than an hour west of Minneapolis on I-35, you can hit the mini links on your way to or from the Twin Cities.

Cost: $14 (cash or check only)

Trip tips: The course is closed in winter and doesn’t take reservations. If there’s a wait, there’s plenty to see on the grounds.

Website: http://bigstoneminigolf.com

SOUTH

spinner image the historic stockyards in fort worth texas at night
Photo: Laurent Grandguillot/REA/Redux

Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas

What is it? What better way to get a true taste of Texas than watching the world’s only twice-daily longhorn cattle drive (11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.)? If that doesn’t make you feel enough like a cowboy, the historic district is also home to a saloon with dancing, an opry with “Cowboy Poetry,” and a coliseum with indoor rodeos.

Break up your trip: Transport to the Wild West via I-20, I-30 or I-35 to escape the traffic of the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

Cost: Free to watch the cattle drive, but there are fees for individual attractions.

Trip tips: The best place to watch is in front of the Livestock Exchange Building. A rodeo is held there every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online.

Website: https://www.fortworthstockyards.org/

SOUTHWEST

spinner image a turquoise flintstones style house in bedrock city arizona
Photo: Josh Brasted/Getty Images

Bedrock City at Raptor Ranch in Coconino County, Arizona

What is it? If you’re a Flintstones fanatic, this is one place you should definitely yabba dabba doo. The 50-year-old exhibit has changed ownership and was temporarily closed, but it’s back open, and the nostalgia is ever present at this photogenic tribute to the cartoon classic.  

Break up the trip: Located on I-40 about a half hour from the Grand Canyon.

Cost: $8 (free to campground guests)

Trip tips: Also at Raptor Ranch is a birds of prey park and an RV and tent campground.

Website: https://raptor-ranch.com/attractions/bedrock-city/

WEST

spinner image a swimming pool at hearst castle in california
Frederic Neema/laif/Redux

Hearst Castle in San Luis Obispo County, California

What is it? The construction of publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst’s historic estate started in 1919 and took nearly 30 years to complete. Today, it is a popular museum that gives visitors a taste of the Citizen Kane lifestyle. The 127-acre property features extravagant Roman pools, lush palace gardens and lavishly furnished rooms.

Break up the trip: Hearst Castle is the perfect halfway point between Los Angeles and San Francisco along scenic Highway 1.

Cost: $30

Trip tips: Reservations are recommended for an abundance of guided-tour options, and tickets can be reserved up to 60 days in advance.

Website: https://hearstcastle.org/

Enchanted Forest in Turner, Oregon

What is it? This fairy-tale theme park in Oregon’s forests can be enchanting for all ages. Rides include a carousel, bumper cars, a log flume and (if you dare to enter) the haunted house. During the summer, the park has an outdoor theater featuring musical comedies of updated fairy tales.

Break up the trip: Travel I-5 south from Portland and you’ll end up right in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine country.

Cost: $25 for adults; $22 for those 62 and older. Ride tickets are an additional cost.

Trip tips: The park is closed in winter and has mostly weekend hours outside of the summer. Lines for the rides can get long during peak hours.

Website: https://www.enchantedforest.com/

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