Wacky, weird US cities to visit
Wacky and Weird US Cities
An unknown author once said “The world can be amazing when you’re slightly strange.”
Whether, bizarre, odd, quirky, wacky, or weird, strange places tend to be those we remember most from our travels. They wow us, make us laugh, and give us something to talk about at the dinner table. And for certain, they provide unforgettable memories.
We’re blessed to have many of those wacky, weird cities right here in the U.S. that have found a unique niche of their own. They wear their weirdness like a badge of honor and invite visitors to experience their completely different perspectives on the world.
Austin, Texas
“Keep Austin Weird.” That is the city’s mantra. I’m not kidding, and it describes Austin to a T.
The city is a fascinating blend of eclectic cultures, grassroots politics, and infectiously funky vibes.
Austin is home to the Texas Longhorns and one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. College town, yes, but it has the most tattoo shops per capita than anywhere else in the world. You can play “Chicken Shit Bingo” at a local saloon and as you may have guessed, the chicken’s bodily function determines the winners.
The Cathedral of Junk, a massive statue painstakingly created and assembled by an Austinite in his backyard is a sight to behold. The city even touts a peculiar Museum of the Weird with shrunken heads, Fiji mermaids, and medical oddities.
And Austin has bats. Lots and lots of bats. From March to October, swarms of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from narrow crevices under the Ann W. Richards Congress bridge and take wing at sunset providing one incredible show.
Austin enjoys an incredible music and culinary reputation but its wackiness is its main appeal. Yep, Austin’s weird, and we love it!
New Orleans, Louisiana
There’s no doubt that NOLA has long been considered one of America’s weird and quirkiest cities. The decadent, tawdry and marvelous Big Easy has a peculiar uniqueness all its own. This Mississippi River city’s magnetic appeal is undeniable. And the food? Well, that’s a religion in itself.
Each February, Mardi Gras brings out the bold, the bawdy, and the creative. Mark Twain referred to New Orleans’ cemeteries as “Cities of the Dead” and these bizarre burial grounds are hauntingly unique. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 houses more than 700 elaborate crypts and mausoleums in its narrow labyrinthine walkways. And the city has inspired quite the retinue of horror stories.
Voodoo is still very practiced here – the ancient African religion brought to New Orleans from Haiti. Visitors looking for the bizarre, macabre, and creepy will definitely find it here.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is a city unlike any other. It’s a mix of legendary history, Native American culture, haunted tales, thriving art scene, and spectacular cuisine, all woven into a fascinating tapestry of coolness.
One of my favorite experiences here was a visit to Meow Wolf, a wacky, surreal art experience where weird meets wonderful. When a group of unique, out-of-the-box creative minds didn’t quite fit into the more traditional southwestern art scene, they launched their own multiverse entertainment venue.
Supported by Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, the psychedelic art milieu transports visitors through secret passageways within the House of Eternal Return to surreal dimensions “on the other side.” And how does one depart the house and enter this illusionary universe? Though the refrigerator, of course. Sounds crazy, yes, but the journey just keeps getting better along the way.
Portland, Oregon
Being weird is definitely a Portland thing. And it’s all because discoverers, dreamers, creators, and risk takers are all focused on keeping Portland unique and strange. And that’s the exact image that’s portrayed here.
In quirky Portland fashion, the city is divided into six “quadrants” each with its own uniqueness. It’s home to the smallest park in the world, a vacuum museum, and the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium, an emporium for the creepy, weird, and bizarre. Portland even hosts an annual naked bike ride.
Voodoo Doughnut is a must-do with its mix of classic and unconventional creations. So much so, it’s been mentioned numerous times on top culinary and travel shows.
So, as you’re walking through the streets of Portland and find yourself uttering the words” this place is so weird.” Worry not. You won’t hurt the residents’ feelings one bit.
Roswell, New Mexico
During a severe summer thunderstorm in 1947 near Roswell, a reported Air Force experiment using high altitude balloons allegedly blew apart and fell to the earth in pieces. This started a wave of conspiracy theories concerning government cover-ups, flying saucers, aliens, and the infamous “area 51,” a remote, strongly-guarded top-secret military facility.
Roswell is now considered one giant UFO roadside attraction oozing with extra-terrestrial charm. You’ll find alien-themed murals, alien street lamps, and statues of little green men throughout the town.
Most visitors come to Roswell looking for the weird, and they find it. The International UFO Museum and Research Center features exhibits covering “The Roswell Incident” and other witnessed unexplained events in written, audio and visual formats.
Even McDonald’s gets in on the extraterrestrial vibe, sporting the only space and UFO-themed McDonalds on the planet.
Boulder, Colorado
“We have a reputation for being well…unique” said a friend who lives in Boulder.
Honestly, the people of Boulder prefer it that way. Home to the University of Colorado, this artsy, sophisticated liberal town claims some unusual trends like forest bathing, goat yoga, CBD cocktails, and flavored oxygen.
Guests can attend a hippy bluegrass church, discover spiritual and ceremonial practices like celestial celebrations, and attend a cinema featuring “Friday Night Weird” films.
It may sound over the top and unusual, but there’s something about Boulder that’s really unique. One visit here and you’ll understand. The locals are a fascinating and friendly blend, and they’re totally into the outdoors. After all, it is Colorado.
Sonoma, California
This beautiful region of California is known for its rolling hills, verdant vineyards, and incredible award-winning wines. But there’s another side of Sonoma – a secret side that represents weird, wonderful, and quirky curiosities.
Sonoma has some amazing but strange wineries that not only boast top-of-the-line vintages but also provide some odd unexpected experiences. Buena Vista Winery was founded by a Hungarian “count” in the mid-1800s who was devoured by crocodiles on an Amazonian adventure.
Guests are welcome to wine taste in its eccentric, freaky Cave of Curiosities, over-the-top Bubble Lounge, and other weird cellar rooms.
DeLoach Vineyard’s fermentation tasting room is populated with mannequins bedecked in 18th-century costumes, chandeliers made of wine barrels repurposed into kaleidoscopic disco balls, and other such oddities.
Outside the winery weirdness, there’s Sonoma’s Little Shop of Horrors, the world’s largest collection of carnivorous botanicals that visitors can actually purchase to take home. Why? I’m not sure. But I guess if you’re into catching flies, it’s well worth it.
When all is said and done, sometimes we all need to add a touch of the unusual to our world. If nothing else, a visit to one or more of these weird, wacky places certainly makes life more interesting.