10 Bizarre Roadside Attractions In Wyoming That Will Make You Do A Double Take
Sometimes riding across the state of Wyoming can be a bit interesting. All of a sudden you are driving along and just happen to catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye and you’re like, “wait, did I really just see that?” And you just have to turn that head around and maybe even the car around to get that second look. Here are some bizarre roadside attractions in Wyoming that will make you do a double take. Go ahead and embrace the weirdness, Wyoming!
The "oldest cabin in the world," but not in the way you might think, is located in Medicine Bow. This is a very unique roadside attraction constructed of thousands of dinosaur bones. The cabin was built in 1933 and was made with 26,000 dinosaur bones. Ripley's Believe It Or Not deemed it the "oldest cabin in the world." The cabin is located eight miles east of Medicine Bow on US Route 30.
Wyoming is home to the smallest town in America. The town was founded in 1866 during the development of the Transcontinental Railroad. During that time, the town had almost 2,000 residents. Eventually, the town's population decreased to just one resident. In 2013, the town was put up for auction and sold to two gentleman who renamed the town after the Vietnamese coffee brand they sold.
This double-take spectacle has even been declared as Wyoming's "Official Mythical Creature." This dates all the way back to 1939 when a taxidermist in Douglas stuffed an animal that was said to be the offspring of a jack rabbit and an antelope. The town now features two Jackalope statues, both over 8 feet tall! This oversized Jackalope is located in front of the Douglas Railroad Interpretive Center which you'll find at 121 Brownfield Road.
For such a tiny town, Afton is home to one of the largest things in the world. The arch is designed with over 3,000 elk antlers. This arch extends 75 feet across a four-lane road. Elk antlers must weigh a fair amount because the arch weighs over 15 tons!
You may not notice this one at first but when you do, you will definitely do a double take. Francis Lee Smith, an engineer, worked on this eccentric five-story house for more than 12 years. His obsession with his house even contributed to his divorce. In 1992, he fell to his death while working on one of the whimsical balconies during high winds. Smith Mansion is located at 2891-2903 N. Fork Highway in Cody.
These truly are a work of art but you have to admit that they would grab your attention twice. These are sculptures of zodiac signs by Chinese artist, Ai Wei Wei that were and may still be on exhibit at the National Museum of Wildlife Art at the National Elk Refuge just outside of Jackson.
You'll feel like you're on the set of Jurassic Park when you drive by this dino. This is a 15-foot-tall T-Rex statue located outside of the Tate Geological Museum on the Casper College campus.
This gigantic head of Abraham Lincoln is perched on top of a 30-foot tall granite pedestal. The head is oversized on tiny shoulders, making Abe look a little uncomfortable. The head weighs over 2 tons and is 13.5 feet tall. Old Abe is located 11 miles east of Laramie on I-80, exit 323.
The Ames Monument is an unusual pyramid that was constructed by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1881 to honor two brothers who were responsible for seeing the transcontinental railroad through to its completion. The pyramid is located about 1.5 miles south of I 80, exit 329 east of Laramie.
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Address: Rock River, WY 82083, USA
Address: Buford, WY 82052, USA
Address: Douglas, WY 82633, USA
Address: National Museum of Wildlife Art, 2820 Rungius Rd, Jackson, WY 83001, USA
Address: Wapiti, WY, USA
Address: 2332 Lisco Dr, Casper, WY 82601, USA
Address: Ames Monument, Wyoming 82052, USA
Address: 136 US Frst Service Rd 705 A, Laramie, WY 82070, USA
Address: Afton, WY 83110, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
bizarre roadside attractions in Wyoming
May 06, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What is the most scenic town in Wyoming?
Wyoming is home to dozens of scenic towns, but it's hard to top Centennial and Pinedale. Centennial is in the heart of the Snowy Range, surrounded by forest and mountain paths that seem to travel on forever. Medicine Bow Peak is one of the most popular hikes in this region. Over in Pinedale, you'll be at the gateway to the Wind River Range. From here, you can access some of the most remote and spectacular backcountry campsites in Wyoming, or hike a trail that takes you to a beautiful alpine lake. The biggest lake in the region, Fremont Lake, is the perfect recreation destination for anyone who loves being on the water.
What are the best little-known attractions in Wyoming?
Wyoming is home to some odd attractions, as you can see above! Beyond the list we just went over, some of the other strange and little-known attractions in Wyoming include the Vore Buffalo Jump, the Chugwater Soda Fountain, Hells Half-Acre, and the Pilote Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop. Be sure to see them all to catch the side of Wyoming most people overlook, and you'll come away with a new appreciation for the Cowboy State.
What are the most well-known parks in Wyoming?
While there's a lot to discover off-the-beaten-path in Wyoming, it's hard to deny the absolute wonder of our internationally famous National Parks. Yellowstone National Park is an otherworldly wonder with more geothermal features than anywhere else on Earth, along with stunning mountains and diverse wildlife populations. Grand Teton is a wondrous place of alpine lakes and jagged peaks rising up seemingly out of nowhere from the valley floor, with homestead history preserved for all to enjoy.
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I am a freelance writer who also has been a small business owner and worked in the fields of insurance, accounting, and education. I enjoy spending time with family, reading, writing, photography, music, running, sports, and of course traveling!
