11 of the Weirdest Nevada Roadside Attractions Worth Stopping For

Nevada is home to a plethora of quirky and fascinating roadside attractions that make any road trip through the Silver State an unforgettable experience. Here are 11 of the weirdest and most intriguing roadside attractions worth stopping for:

1. Neon Boneyard

   • Location: Las Vegas

   • Features: A unique outdoor exhibit featuring hundreds of retired neon signs from Las Vegas’ past, offering a glimpse into the city’s vibrant history.

2. Tonopah Clown Motel

   • Location: Tonopah

   • Features: This motel is adorned with clown statues and themed rooms inspired by horror movies. It’s a must-visit for those who enjoy the bizarre and spooky.

3. International Car Forest of the Last Church

   • Location: Goldfield

   • Features: An outdoor art installation featuring dozens of cars painted and arranged in creative ways, creating a surreal landscape.

4. Goldwell Open Air Museum

   • Location: Near Rhyolite Ghost Town

   • Features: This museum includes life-size plaster ghosts recreating Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and other unique sculptures set against a stunning desert backdrop.

5. Seven Magic Mountains

   • Location: Near Jean, NV

   • Features: A colorful art installation consisting of seven stacks of painted boulders, standing 35 feet high and visible from I-15.

6. Alien Research Center

   • Location: Hiko

   • Location: Along the Extraterrestrial Highway, this center offers alien-themed merchandise and a quirky stop for those interested in UFO lore.

7. E.T. Fresh Jerky

   • Location: Hiko

   • Features: A roadside stop offering a variety of jerky flavors and kitschy alien-themed souvenirs.

8. VW Beetle Spider

   • Location: Between Carson City and Dayton

   • Features: A giant metal spider sculpture made from a vintage Volkswagen Beetle, perfect for a quirky photo opportunity.

9. Topsy the Clown

   • Location: Reno

   • Features: A beloved roadside attraction featuring a clown with a neon smile, welcoming visitors to Reno.

10. Middlegate Station

    • Location: Fallon

    • Features: An Old West eatery that was once a stop on the Pony Express, offering a glimpse into Nevada’s historical past.

11. Rhyolite Ghost Town

    • Location: Near Beatty

    • Features: One of the most photographed ghost towns in the West, featuring structures like the Cook Bank Building and the Tom Kelly Bottle House, made from thousands of glass bottles.

These attractions showcase Nevada’s unique blend of art, history, and eccentricity, making them must-visit stops for anyone exploring the state.

Sources

1. https://travelnevada.com/weird-nevada/
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nN117Q55A
3. https://sandiegomagazine.com/features/nevada-roadside-attractions-to-visit/
4. https://travelnevada.com/weird-nevada/unique-things-to-do-in-nevada/
5. https://www.reddit.com/r/Nevada/comments/p00iri/roadside_attractions_in_nevada/