Arizona has a problem.
You can barely drive a hundred miles without finding something weird.
A giant green head beside Route 66.
A mysterious roadside museum advertised on billboards for miles.
A town full of burros.
An English bridge sitting in the middle of the Arizona desert.
And dinosaurs.
Because apparently, somebody looked at the Grand Canyon State and decided it needed dinosaurs.
After more than 25 years of exploring America’s backroads, I’ve learned one important lesson: The best road trips aren’t always about getting somewhere. They’re about what makes you pull over along the way.
Arizona understands this better than most states.
Sure, you’ve got the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Monument Valley.
They’re spectacular.
But today, we’re looking for the other Arizona.
The wonderfully weird Arizona.
The places where somebody had a ridiculous idea, built something enormous and somehow turned it into a roadside landmark.
Here are 13 strange roadside attractions in Arizona worth pulling over for.
1. The Thing — Dragoon
📍 2631 Johnson Road, near Dragoon
If you’ve driven Interstate 10 between Tucson and New Mexico, you’ve probably seen the billboards.
WHAT IS THE THING?
Then another billboard.
And another.
Eventually, curiosity wins.
The Thing is one of Arizona’s great old-fashioned roadside attractions, located in Texas Canyon east of Benson.
What began as a mysterious curiosity exhibit has grown into a museum filled with strange displays, dinosaur imagery, alien-themed storytelling and unusual artifacts.
And, of course, there’s still The Thing itself.
I’m not spoiling the surprise.
That’s half the fun.
Why it’s worth stopping: This is exactly what American roadside attractions were invented for: convincing perfectly reasonable adults to pull off the interstate because of an enormous mystery.
City Unknown tip: Don’t research the ending too thoroughly before visiting. Some mysteries are better experienced in person.
Official website | Google Maps
2. Giganticus Headicus — Antares
📍 Historic Route 66, east of Kingman
There are plenty of reasons to drive Route 66.
A giant green tiki head standing in the Arizona desert is certainly one of the stranger ones.
Meet Giganticus Headicus.
The enormous sculpture stands about 14 feet tall at Antares Point, surrounded by other unusual artwork.
Artist Gregg Arnold created the head in 2004.
Why?
I’m going with because he could.
The site occupies a former roadside motel property and has become a favorite stop for Route 66 travelers.
Why it’s worth stopping: How often do you get to photograph a giant green head in the desert?
Exactly.
City Unknown tip: Take time to explore the other sculptures around the property. The giant head gets the attention, but it isn’t the only oddity.
Historic Route 66 information | Google Maps
3. Bedrock City — Valle
📍 332 South State Highway 64
Yabba Dabba Doo!
Somebody actually built a Flintstones town in Arizona.
And you can still visit it.
Located near the Grand Canyon at Raptor Ranch, Bedrock City is a wonderfully strange throwback to roadside attractions of the 1970s.
You’ll find colorful cartoon-inspired buildings, Stone Age scenery and plenty of opportunities for photographs.
It’s kitschy.
It’s nostalgic.
And it’s exactly the sort of place I love finding on a road trip.
The surrounding Raptor Ranch also offers bird-of-prey experiences, giving you an unusual combination of prehistoric cartoon nostalgia and modern wildlife education.
Why it’s worth stopping: Not every Arizona attraction needs to involve a canyon or cactus.
Sometimes you need Fred Flintstone.
City Unknown tip: This makes an easy addition to a Grand Canyon South Rim trip.
Official Bedrock City information | Google Maps
4. Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In — Seligman
📍 301 AZ-66, Seligman
Some restaurants serve burgers.
Others serve burgers with a side of practical jokes.
Delgadillo’s Snow Cap has been doing both since 1953.
The legendary Route 66 drive-in is famous for its unusual signs, vintage vehicles, colorful decorations and playful counter service.
Order something simple.
Expect something unexpected.
The building itself was constructed using salvaged materials, and its wonderfully eccentric personality became part of Route 66 history.
Why it’s worth stopping: The food is only half the attraction.
The other half is discovering what somebody might say or do while you’re ordering it.
City Unknown tip: Walk around the exterior before leaving. There’s roadside art and visual comedy tucked into almost every corner.
Route 66 attraction information | Google Maps
5. Hackberry General Store — Hackberry
📍 11255 AZ-66, near Kingman
If Route 66 had an attic, it would probably look like Hackberry General Store.
Old gas pumps.
Vintage automobiles.
Weathered signs.
Rusty roadside treasures.
Memorabilia from an era when cross-country road trips involved paper maps and significantly fewer cupholders.
The general store is a wonderfully photogenic stop along historic Route 66.
You could spend fifteen minutes here.
You could also spend an hour photographing details you didn’t notice when you arrived.
Why it’s worth stopping: Hackberry feels like somebody collected an entire chapter of American highway history and arranged it around an old general store.
City Unknown tip: Don’t photograph only the main building. The vintage vehicles and signs outside are a huge part of the attraction.
Arizona Route 66 guide | Google Maps
6. The World’s Smallest Church — Winslow
📍 Historic Route 66, Winslow
Roadside attractions love making enormous claims.
Biggest.
Tallest.
Largest.
Winslow decided to go in the opposite direction.
The Tiny Church of the Mother Road is a miniature roadside chapel with just enough room for a couple of benches and a small altar.
It’s charming.
It’s unusual.
And it makes you wonder how somebody decided this was exactly what Route 66 needed.
Is it officially the smallest church in the world?
That’s a claim best treated as roadside folklore rather than a verified record.
But it’s certainly tiny.
Why it’s worth stopping: You don’t encounter many chapels that are roughly the size of a garden shed.
City Unknown tip: Combine this with Winslow’s famous Standin’ on the Corner Park.
Arizona’s Route 66 oddities | Google Maps
7. Meteor City Dinosaur Drive-Thru — Meteor City
📍 Historic Route 66 near Meteor Crater
Arizona already has ancient rocks.
Apparently, that wasn’t prehistoric enough.
Meteor City brings dinosaurs into the picture.
This quirky Route 66 attraction combines desert scenery with large dinosaur figures and a roadside setting that feels gloriously out of place.
The attraction occupies an area associated with an old Route 66 trading stop.
Now prehistoric creatures have joined the scenery.
Naturally.
Why it’s worth stopping: It’s difficult to resist a place where dinosaurs have become part of the roadside landscape.
City Unknown tip: Pair Meteor City with nearby Meteor Crater for a day full of things that happened a very long time ago.
Arizona tourism information | Google Maps
8. The Muffler Man Lumberjack — Flagstaff
📍 Northern Arizona University area
America once had a fascination with enormous fiberglass men.
Some held mufflers.
Some advertised businesses.
Others simply stood beside highways looking intimidating.
Flagstaff has a lumberjack.
The giant figure reflects the area’s logging heritage and the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks identity.
It’s one of those roadside-style giants that immediately makes you want a photograph.
Because apparently, a regular-sized lumberjack just wouldn’t do.
Why it’s worth stopping: Giant fiberglass figures are a disappearing piece of American roadside culture.
City Unknown tip: Make this part of a larger Flagstaff stop. The historic downtown and Route 66 landmarks are worth exploring too.
Arizona roadside oddities | Google Maps
9. Oatman’s Wild Burros — Oatman
📍 Historic Route 66, western Arizona
Some towns have parking meters.
Oatman has burros.
Lots of them.
This old mining community sits along one of Arizona’s most memorable stretches of historic Route 66.
Wooden storefronts line the street.
Tourists wander around.
And descendants of burros associated with the area’s mining history roam through town.
They’re practically local celebrities.
Occasionally, they’re also traffic.
Why it’s worth stopping: There aren’t many places where your biggest road-trip delay might involve a donkey standing in the street.
City Unknown tip: Burros are animals, not photo props. Keep your distance, supervise children and follow local feeding restrictions.
The winding road through the Black Mountains adds another reason to visit.
10. London Bridge — Lake Havasu City
📍 Lake Havasu City
Here’s a question.
What do you do when you have an old bridge in London?
Apparently, you sell it to somebody in Arizona.
The historic London Bridge was dismantled and transported from England to Lake Havasu City, where it was reconstructed.
Today it crosses a channel surrounded by desert scenery, palm trees and waterfront businesses.
It’s one of the most wonderfully unexpected landmarks in Arizona.
A genuine piece of London.
In the desert.
Because why not?
Why it’s worth stopping: The contrast between English architecture and the Arizona landscape is something you really have to see.
City Unknown tip: Walk beneath the bridge and explore the waterfront instead of simply driving across it.
Explore Lake Havasu City | Google Maps
11. Governor Hunt’s Pyramid Tomb — Phoenix
📍 Papago Park, Phoenix
Phoenix has a pyramid.
Not a hotel.
Not an art installation.
An actual pyramid-shaped tomb.
The white structure sits on a hillside in Papago Park and serves as the burial site of former Arizona Governor George W. P. Hunt and family members.
It’s one of those landmarks that seems completely out of place until you learn the history.
Then it becomes even more interesting.
Most visitors head to Papago Park for hiking, the Desert Botanical Garden or Hole-in-the-Rock.
Meanwhile, the pyramid sits above the desert, quietly confusing people.
Why it’s worth stopping: It’s one of Phoenix’s strangest historic landmarks.
City Unknown tip: View it respectfully from permitted public areas. It’s a burial site, not something to climb.
Arizona roadside attractions guide | Google Maps
12. Two Guns Ghost Town — Near Winslow
📍 Interstate 40 corridor
Some roadside attractions are strange because of what somebody built.
Others are strange because of what’s left behind.
Two Guns is the second kind.
This former Route 66 stop has a complicated history involving a trading post, tourist attractions and even a roadside zoo.
Remnants of old stone structures still overlook Canyon Diablo.
The place has become a favorite subject for photographers interested in abandoned roadside America.
But there’s an important distinction here.
Visible ruins do not automatically mean public access.
Property ownership, access restrictions and structural hazards matter.
Why it’s worth knowing about: Two Guns represents the rise and decline of roadside tourism along the old highway.
City Unknown tip: Only view the site from legally accessible areas. Never enter unstable structures or cross posted private property.
Arizona Route 66 history | Google Maps
13. Roadkill Cafe — Seligman
📍 22830 W. Route 66, Seligman
We’ll finish where every good road trip eventually ends.
Food.
But this isn’t an ordinary restaurant.
The Roadkill Cafe in Seligman has built its identity around one of the most memorable roadside restaurant themes you’ll encounter.
Its famous slogan?
“You kill it, we grill it.”
Relax.
It’s a joke.
The restaurant serves familiar American food in a Western-themed setting with plenty of unusual decorations and roadside humor.
It’s the kind of place where you read the signs before you read the menu.
Why it’s worth stopping: A restaurant that makes you laugh before lunch has already accomplished something.
City Unknown tip: Pair Roadkill Cafe with Delgadillo’s Snow Cap and explore the rest of Seligman’s Route 66 oddities.
Arizona Route 66 guide | Google Maps
Three Strange Arizona Road Trips I’d Actually Take
Arizona is a big state.
Trying to visit all 13 attractions in one weekend would require a deeply unreasonable amount of driving.
Instead, group them.
Road Trip 1: The Weirdest Stretch of Route 66
Seligman → Hackberry → Antares → Oatman
This is my favorite route for classic roadside weirdness.
You’ll find:
- Delgadillo’s Snow Cap
- Roadkill Cafe
- Hackberry General Store
- Giganticus Headicus
- Oatman’s wandering burros
Give yourself a full day, preferably with an overnight nearby if you’re traveling from Phoenix.
Road Trip 2: Dinosaurs, Meteors and Route 66
Flagstaff → Valle → Meteor City → Winslow
This route combines:
- The giant lumberjack
- Bedrock City
- Meteor City dinosaurs
- Tiny Church of the Mother Road
Add Meteor Crater if you’ve got extra time.
It’s a very Arizona combination of science, nostalgia and things that probably shouldn’t exist beside a highway.
Road Trip 3: Southern Arizona’s Strangest Stop
Tucson → Texas Canyon → The Thing
This one is straightforward.
Head east on I-10.
Watch for the billboards.
Pull over.
Discover The Thing.
If you want a longer outing, explore the surrounding Dragoon Mountains and southeastern Arizona.
When Is the Best Time for an Arizona Roadside Attractions Trip?
For most of these destinations, October through April is an excellent window.
The desert is generally more comfortable for walking around outdoor attractions.
Summer is possible, but temperatures can become dangerously hot, especially around Phoenix, Lake Havasu and western Arizona.
Northern Arizona works differently.
Flagstaff, Valle and portions of Route 66 sit at higher elevations and can experience winter snow and ice.
Arizona has a habit of changing climates while you’re driving.
Pack accordingly.
The Mayor’s Rules for Strange Roadside Stops
Never judge an attraction by its parking lot. Some of America’s most entertaining places look completely ridiculous from the road.
Carry water. This is still Arizona, even when you’re photographing cartoon dinosaurs.
Check hours before making a special trip. Small roadside attractions can change schedules, close seasonally or operate limited days.
Respect private property. An abandoned building isn’t automatically an invitation to explore.
Take the old highway occasionally. Interstate travel is efficient. Weird roadside discoveries usually aren’t.
Leave room for surprises. The attraction you didn’t know existed may become your favorite stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the strangest roadside attractions in Arizona?
The Thing, Giganticus Headicus, Bedrock City, Oatman’s burros and Governor Hunt’s Pyramid Tomb are among Arizona’s most unusual roadside stops.
What weird attractions can I see along Arizona Route 66?
Arizona’s Route 66 includes Giganticus Headicus, Hackberry General Store, Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, Roadkill Cafe, Bedrock City and several other quirky landmarks.
Is The Thing in Arizona worth visiting?
If you enjoy old-fashioned roadside mysteries, unusual museums and kitschy Americana, The Thing is worth considering. The experience is designed around curiosity and surprise.
Where can I see giant dinosaurs in Arizona?
Bedrock City near Valle features cartoon Stone Age scenery, while Meteor City has a dinosaur-themed roadside attraction.
Are Arizona roadside attractions family-friendly?
Many are, including Bedrock City, Hackberry General Store and several Route 66 photo stops. Always check current admission rules, age recommendations and operating hours.
Can I visit Arizona roadside attractions in one weekend?
You can visit several in one weekend by focusing on a particular region, especially western Route 66. Visiting all 13 would require a much longer road trip.
Arizona’s Best Attractions Aren’t Always the Famous Ones
The Grand Canyon is spectacular.
Sedona is beautiful.
Monument Valley deserves every photograph it gets.
But sometimes the best memory from an Arizona road trip isn’t a famous landmark.
It’s the giant green head you didn’t expect.
The strange museum you stopped at because of a billboard.
The little Route 66 restaurant where somebody made a joke before taking your order.
Or the donkey that refused to move out of the road.
Those are the places that make road trips interesting.
They’re unpredictable.
A little ridiculous.
And completely unforgettable.
So the next time you’re driving across Arizona and see something strange beside the highway?
Pull over.
You might have just found the best part of the trip.
Keep Exploring Arizona With City Unknown
Arizona has plenty more waiting beyond its famous national parks.
Explore our guides to:
- 12 Hidden Gems Around Phoenix Worth the Drive
- 12 Phoenix Fall Day Trips for When the Desert Finally Cools Down
- Arizona Hidden Gems
- Weird & Unusual Places Across America
Because the best road trips aren’t always about where you’re going.
Sometimes they’re about what makes you stop.
