10 Quirky Roadside Attractions To Visit In Ohio When You Think You've Seen It All

Sometimes, it’s the lesser-known quirky spots that make the most memorable road trips. Here in the Buckeye State, we have several roadside attractions that are downright fun to discover. From the world’s largest collection of trolls to backyard temples, you never know what you’ll stumble upon here in Ohio. The following are 10 quirky roadside attractions to visit when you think you’ve seen it all.

kgilbert78/Trip Advisor

Miner’s Memorial Park in McConnelsville, Ohio is home to remnants of the largest single-bucket digging machine ever made. The Big Muskie Bucket is a manmade marvel you have to see to believe, telling the story of Ohio’s past coal mining days. Witnessing the size of this 230-ton empty bucket firsthand is worth the trip alone.

Stephen/Flickr

Jim Bowsher's home in the small town of Wapakoneta features an impressive museum of artifacts from the America you don't typically read about in history books, and a truly tranquil temple complex in his backyard. The central monument of the temple complex is dedicated to tolerance, and Bowsher continues to add to his unique creation to this day.

Advertisement

Cindy Funk/Flickr

Observe a mixture of history, religion, and Depression-era pop culture via this unique garden, built by Harry "Ben" Hartman between1932 through 1939. The garden can be seen today at the corner of McCain and Russell streets in Springfield.

Advertisement

Alpha-Dog Pet Center/Facebook

The Alpha-Dog Pet Center and Wash in Amherst is the perfect road trip stop when you’re traveling with a dog or other furry friend in the Buckeye State. Both a pet supply shop and a 24-hour pet wash, it’s the perfect place to take care of all your pet’s needs in one place.

Lucky Cat Museum/Facebook

This quirky museum is dedicated to Japan’s famous Beckoning Lucky Cats, also known as "Maneki-Neko." It's home to the largest collection of Lucky Cats in North America.

Related Stories

Escape To The Countryside When You Stay At This Rural Airbnb In Ohio

This Speakeasy Hidden In The Walk-In Cooler Of A Pizza Parlor In Ohio Is Perfect For A Date Night

Best Waterfalls in Ohio: 14 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems

Porthos7/TripAdvisor

This one-of-a-kind museum is home to the largest collection of pencil sharpeners in the country. Inside this whimsical little museum, you'll find more than 3,400 pencil sharpeners. It's a quirky collection that's fascinating to see. It's located right next to the Hocking Hills Welcome Center.

Miguel Castaneda/Flickr

Ohio has its own version of Stonehenge, thanks to Dublin's Field of Corn, also known as "Cornhenge." (But I highly doubt foreigners would speculate that we use it as a calendar.)

Tricia J./Flickr

What was once the pottery capital of the United States is now home to yet another homage to Stonehenge. This collaborative effort of local artists can be found at the foot of the Y-Bridge.

Advertisement

The Troll Hole Museum/Facebook

In Alliance, you’ll find a truly unique collection on display that will likely take you down memory lane—and transport you to a whole other world. The Troll Hole is a little-known museum and art gallery that features the world’s largest collection of trolls.

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

Visit Ohio's (and one of America's) smallest chapels in Coolville. This tiny chapel is 10 ft. by 14 ft. and holds four short pews.

Have you ever explored any of these roadside attractions before? What others would you add to this list? Share your photos and experiences with us!