Here are 11 of the weirdest roadside attractions in Illinois that are definitely worth stopping for:
- World’s Largest Catsup Bottle (Collinsville) — A 170-foot tall water tower shaped like a giant ketchup bottle, an iconic and quirky landmark.
- American Giants Museum (Atlanta) — A small museum celebrating large fiberglass giants, with odd roadside sculptures and memorabilia.
- The Kaskaskia Dragon — A fire-breathing dragon statue near a strange novelty shop, with interactive features for visitors.
- Pink Elephant Antique Mall — A giant pink elephant statue marking a vast antique mall, perfect for quirky shopping.
- Uniroyal Gal — A giant tire-woman figure advertising a historic tire factory, a classic example of roadside Americana.
- Two-Story Outhouse (Gays) — A bizarre two-level outhouse that attracts visitors intrigued by its odd design.
- Paul Bunyan Hotdog Statue (Lincoln) — A large statue of Paul Bunyan holding a hot dog, mixing lumberjack lore with quirky humor.
- Phone Booth on a Roof (Lincoln) — An unusual phone booth placed on a roof, once used for storm spotting, now a kitschy curiosity.
- Henry’s Rabbit Ranch (Staunton) — Home to a giant jackrabbit statue and a cemetery for rabbits, along with rabbit-themed gifts.
- Par-King Skill Golf (Lincolnshire) — A sprawling mini-golf course with a nostalgic, kitschy vibe and unique obstacles.
- Gemini Giant (Wilmington) — A giant “Muffler Man” statue dressed as a space-age superhero holding a rocket, a roadside legend.
These attractions range from giant statues and quirky museums to unusual buildings and themed mini-golf courses, making for fun and memorable stops on any road trip through Illinois.
SOURCES
(https://97zokonline.com/12-strangest-roadside-attractions-in-illinois-you-must-see/)(https://chicago.binnews.com/content/2025-04-04-odd-illinois-spot-crowned-weirdest-roadside-attraction-in-the-state/)
(https://roamingnelsons.com/100-weird-things-illinois/)
(https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/illinois/roadside-attractions)(https://www.reddit.com/r/illinois/comments/xe51l2/weirdest_illinois_sitesattractions/)
