1. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Cawker City, Kansas
Cawker City’s claim to fame is a giant ball of twine that weighs over 20,000 pounds. While this peculiar sight draws visitors from far and wide, many locals can’t help but roll their eyes at its fame. The ball started in 1953 when a man named Frank Stoeber began winding twine, and since then, others have added to it, transforming it into a bizarre monument. What once seemed like a quirky, harmless attraction has turned into an eyesore for those who live nearby.
Despite its impressive size, many residents wish the ball would be retired. For them, it’s a constant reminder of a time when quirky attractions felt more charming than they do now. Over the years, locals have grown tired of the endless selfies and tourists clogging up their streets. While it may seem like a fun stop for travelers passing through, to residents, it’s just another strange relic they wish would disappear.
2. Carhenge – Alliance, Nebraska
Carhenge is a replica of Stonehenge, made entirely of cars. Built in 1987 by artist Jim Reinders, this attraction has become a strange, almost surreal landmark in the middle of Nebraska’s plains. The cars are arranged in a circle, resembling the ancient structure, but the “art” feels somewhat out of place in such an open, rural area. While it’s undeniably unique, locals often joke that it’s nothing more than a pile of old cars.
The town of Alliance is known for its other, more authentic historical attractions, but Carhenge steals all the attention. For many residents, it’s become a symbol of their town’s eccentricity, and not in a good way. They’ve grown weary of explaining to tourists that there’s more to Alliance than an oddly arranged collection of rusting vehicles. Despite its status as a tourist magnet, Carhenge has become the one attraction that residents wish could be quietly forgotten.
3. The Mystery Spot – Santa Cruz, California
The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz is a well-known spot for anyone interested in the bizarre. Here, visitors are invited to experience strange gravitational anomalies that make it appear as if the laws of physics are being defied. The tilted house, where balls roll uphill and people seem to defy gravity, is a big draw for tourists, but locals have a different opinion. To them, it’s an overpriced gimmick that doesn’t live up to its promises.
For years, residents have silently groaned at the sight of the never-ending line of cars parked in front of the Mystery Spot. While it offers an unusual experience for curious tourists, the locals feel it distracts from the natural beauty of Santa Cruz. Many believe the attraction takes away from the more peaceful and scenic spots in the area that should be showcased instead. With so many other incredible landmarks nearby, it’s easy to see why locals wish the Mystery Spot would lose its popularity.
4. The National Mustard Museum – Middleton, Wisconsin
In Middleton, Wisconsin, you’ll find the National Mustard Museum, which claims to be the largest collection of mustard jars in the world. While the museum draws crowds who are fascinated by the strange collection, it’s an oddity that many locals find baffling. The building is packed with hundreds of mustard varieties and jars from all over the world, and visitors come from all over to marvel at the spectacle.
Locals, however, can’t help but question the appeal of such a niche museum. They’ve often wondered why mustard of all things became the focus of a tourist attraction. While it may have seemed quirky at first, over the years, residents have grown tired of answering questions about the mustard museum to curious visitors. In a town full of natural beauty and culture, the mustard museum has earned its place as an attraction locals wish would fade into history.
5. The Corn Palace – Mitchell, South Dakota
The Corn Palace is one of South Dakota’s most iconic, yet puzzling, tourist attractions. Each year, the building is decorated with intricate murals made entirely of corn and other grains, which change with the seasons. While the Corn Palace is a unique showcase of local agriculture, many locals are ready for it to be left behind. The building draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, but to the residents, it’s more of a novelty than a true representation of their community.
Over the years, as the murals have evolved and the crowds have grown larger, the charm of the Corn Palace has worn thin for locals. They’ve seen the same decorations year after year, and the idea of celebrating corn with such fanfare seems less appealing the longer they live with it. For many, it’s an attraction that represents a different time, one that they’d rather move on from. With so many other things to offer in South Dakota, they’d prefer if the Corn Palace faded into the background.
6. The Thing? – Dragoon, Arizona
Nestled along Interstate 10 in Arizona, The Thing? is a roadside attraction that has puzzled drivers for years. The attraction’s mystery revolves around a bizarre exhibit that promises to reveal “The Thing” once you pay to enter. The name alone sparks curiosity, but to locals, it’s nothing more than a gimmick that feeds off travelers’ intrigue.
While the roadside stop may have been amusing in the early days, it’s now seen as a tired spectacle by those who live in the area. The whole “What is The Thing?” marketing approach no longer feels mysterious but instead repetitive. Locals often find themselves rolling their eyes as tourists drive by, snapping pictures of the building with the question mark on it. To the people of Dragoon, it’s just another tourist trap they wish would disappear.
7. The World’s Largest Fish Hatchery – Geneva, Alabama
Geneva, Alabama, is home to the world’s largest fish hatchery, which may sound impressive at first. Visitors can tour the facility and learn about the production of fish for local lakes, but locals have mixed feelings about the attraction. While it once brought in plenty of tourism, many residents now feel that it’s just another reminder of the town’s reliance on kitschy landmarks.
The hatchery was once a source of pride for Geneva, but over the years, it’s become more of a nuisance. The influx of visitors clogs the small town’s streets, and locals feel that it overshadows the natural beauty of the surrounding area. They’ve grown frustrated by the amount of attention the hatchery receives, especially when it could be better spent on promoting more local businesses or attractions that represent the heart of Geneva. As time goes on, more and more residents wish the fish hatchery could be forgotten.