Roadside Attractions

NM-Roswell-Mural

Welcome to Roswell Art

, , , , , , , , ,

Roswell, New Mexico If a trip to the unofficial UFO capital of the world is on your travel itinerary, then be sure and stop at the creative Welcome to Roswell art piece just outside town. You’ll find the masterpiece on the east side of Highway 285, about six miles south of the city. Unveiled in 2013, the John Cerney piece is best described as giant cut-out art. Cerney’s Rockwell-like highway murals are designed to blend into the existing landscape and catch passing motorists off guard. And the Roswell installation does just that. There’s no official parking lot for the mural, but there’s a wide level dirt area where you can stop and have a good look at the piece. And if you’d like a photo op with it — and who wouldn’t — there’s also a level dirt path over to the mural. The mural itself depicts an alien spacecraft with a few green beings in front of it, who are being offered a pie by a local woman. The aliens seems put-off by the culinary creation, and one of them appears to be holding ET of movie fame in his arms. Back on the ship, the navigator is reading a map with Roswell prominently marked, which also includes a “photo” of two figures that eerily resemble The X-Files Scully and Mulder. And over on the other side, a rancher is receiving roadside assistance for his broken down California truck from yet another alien. There’s a lot going on in the mural, so take some time and look for the “little things”. And again, it blends into the landscape, so keep an eye out for it as you approach town.
More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free TravelUtah National Parksfor Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
Utah National Parks
for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
Green Aliens

Green Aliens

, , , , , , , , ,

19 Carlsbad Cavern Highway
Whites City, New Mexico

Although they seem a bit out of place, these Green Aliens sit in front of the Whites City Information Center, just off Highway 7 on the way to Carlsbad Caverns. There’s no interpretive plaque at the site; however locals say that the they are a tribute to the old Million Dollar Museum which formerly occupied the space, and had an “alien baby” on display. Today the aliens offer a good photo op on the way to New Mexico’s only national park. Accessible parking is located in front of the post office, with level access over to the aliens next door. It’s a fun stop, especially if you have kids in tow.

More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free TravelCalifornia National ParksRoad TripsTravel Ideasfor Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
California National Parks
Road Trips
Travel Ideas
for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
 

 

World’s Largest Ball of Stamps

World’s Largest Ball of Stamps

, , , , , , , , ,

Boys Town, NE
www.BoysTown.org

Located just outside Omaha, Boys Town was the dream-come-true of Father Flanagan. He began his home for orphaned and neglected boys with just $90 of borrowed capital in 1917. Today the Omaha campus is just one of many across America.

The campus itself is open for self-guided tours, but the real roadside attraction draw at this stop is located in the Visitor Center. That’s where you’ll find the World’s Largest Ball of Stamps in the Leon Myers Stamp Center.

There’s accessible parking in the Visitor Center lot, with ramp access up to the building. Inside, there’s barrier-free access to the information desk, and the sizable gift shop. The small stamp museum is located inside the gift shop, but if you can’t find it, just ask, as the employees are very helpful.

The stamp museum contains a number of themed displays that highlight stamps depicting children from around the world; but the piece de resistance is located in a small alcove in the back of the museum. The 600-pound stamp ball, which was crafted by students, is composed of over 4 million stamps and is recognized by Guinnessas the World’s Largest Stamp Ball. The stamp collage in the background is an impressive piece on its own, but the stamp ball definitely takes center stage.

As an added bonus, if you are collector you can pick up foreign and domestic stamps for just a penny a piece at a small table near the stamp ball. Of course there is one caveat – “Please don’t add stamps to the stamp ball.”

More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free Travel22 Accessible Road TripsDriving Vacations for Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
22 Accessible Road Trips
Driving Vacations
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
 

 

Sentinels of the Prairie

Sentinels of the Prairie

, , , , , , , , ,

1402 Highway 20
Jackson, NE

Located near the eastern terminus of the Outlaw Scenic Byway, this collection of vintage windmills is a must-see on any Cornhusker State road trip. The open-air museum features nearly 30 windmills that date back to 1880 – 1930, many of which are in working condition. This quirky roadside attraction was made possible by the local Leonard Gill Family, in an effort to preserve a piece of prairie heritage.

Most of the windmills are from the Howard and Barvetla McLain Collection of Carroll, Nebraska. They were moved to the site and restored by Marvin Baker of Pender, Nebraska. In some cases restoration was an arduous process, as parts had to be fabricated, because they were no longer available commercially. The result is an impressive and very rare exhibition of what’s billed as one of the finest collections of vintage windmills in the world.

The windmills are located on the south side of Highway 20, in front of the LP Gill Landfill. There’s no real parking area, but there is a wide level dirt space where you can pull over to get a better view of the site. In dry weather it’s possible to walk around the grassy area where the windmills are planted, but after a rain it can get pretty muddy. Even if you can’t manage the walk over the grass, it’s still worth a stop to catch a panoramic view of the windmills on the horizon. It’s an impressive sight indeed.

More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free Travel22 Accessible Road TripsDriving Vacations for Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
22 Accessible Road Trips
Driving Vacations
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
 

 

Lee’s Chicken Restaurant

Lee’s Chicken Restaurant

, , , , , , , , ,

1940 W. Van Dorn Street
Lincoln, NE
leeschickenlincoln.net

Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, Lee’s Restaurant first opened in 1945 as a twelve-seat beer joint. Apparently one of the regulars got a hankering for fried chicken, so Alice Lee went out back, slaughtered one and fried it up. And although they’ve added burgers, sandwiches and even lobster to the menu over the years, people still come for miles for their yummy fried chicken. No matter when you go, you’ll find the place filled with locals — a sure sign you’ve made the right dining choice. To add to the quaint atmosphere, there’s even a piano player who takes requests. There’s accessible parking in the lot, with level access to the building. Just take exit 397 off Highway 77, drive two miles west and look for the big chicken. You can’t miss it!

More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free Travel22 Accessible Road TripsDriving Vacations for Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
22 Accessible Road Trips
Driving Vacations
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
Carhenge

Carhenge

, , , , , , ,

2151 County Road 59
Alliance NE
carhenge.com

No trip through the Cornhusker State is complete without a stop at Carhenge, located about three miles north of Alliance on County Road 59. Not to be confused with Cadillac Ranch (emerginghorizons.com/cadillac-ranch/), this structure was built to replicate Stonehenge in England. It was erected at a 1987 family reunion, as a memorial to Jim Reinders’ father, and was appropriately dedicated during the summer solstice later that year.

The cars that comprise the sculpture are largely from the 50s and 60s and they are all American made. Previously there were three foreign models included, but they have since been removed and buried at the site. The circle of implanted cars replicates the placement of 38 of the major stones at Stonehenge. Originally Carhenge was unpainted, but it was subsequently painted flat gray to more closely resemble the British structure. In contrast, the Car Art Preserve, which is also located at the site, features a variety of colorful sculptures made from old cars and car parts.

There’s no striped parking at the site, but the lot is level, and is made of hard-packed dirt with bits of large gravel on top. The best place to park is over near the concrete pad at the Pit Stop, as it’s easier to access the level dirt trails around Carhenge from there. The pathways that lead through the Carhenge site are made of hard-packed dirt, and they are mostly doable in dry weather. There’s also level access to the Pit Stop, which sells souvenirs during the summer months. It’s a fun road trip stop.

More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free Travel22 Accessible Road TripsDriving Vacations for Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
22 Accessible Road Trips
Driving Vacations
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
 

 

 

 

World’s Largest Purple Spoon

World’s Largest Purple Spoon

, , , , , , , ,

1012 Highway 49
East Glacier Park, MT
thespiralspoon.com

If you’re heading up to the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park, be sure and stop in at East Glacier Park Village to see the World’s Largest Purple Spoon. Located next to the Spiral Spoon (www.thespiralspoon.com) on MT 49, this local landmark is affectionately known as Big Martha. Crafted by Charlie and Jo Wagner, the 25-foot high utensil, which is made of plywood and Styrofoam, was unveiled on May 20, 2005.

There’s level parking in a dirt area next to the spoon, and a level path over to the Spiral Spoon. The shop itself has two small steps up into it, and if you can manage those, it’s definitely worth a look inside. This quaint shop offers a good selection of spoons and other implements carved by local artists. And in the back room, there’s an interesting display of vintage spoons on the ceiling, and a prop spoon that was used on the television show Bonanza in a case on the back wall.

All in all it’s a fun stop, if only for the photo op. It may or may not be the world’s largest purple spoon (hence the “maybe” etched on the plaque) but it’s definitely the largest one in this tiny village.

More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free TravelGlacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parksfor Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
 

Darwin Twine Ball

Darwin Twine Ball

, , , , , , , ,

Darwin, MN
www.darwintwineball.com

Not to be confused with the Cawker City Twine Ball (https://emerginghorizons.com/cawker-city-twine-ball/)  the Darwin Twine Ball is the largest ball of twine made by one person. While the Cawker City Twine Ball has visitors continually adding twine, the Darwin Twine Ball was made entirely by Francis Johnson. Johnson began work on the twine ball in 1950, and worked on it for the next 39 years. After his death in 1989  the twine ball was moved to a Plexiglas kiosk on the corner of William and I Streets. The finished product weighs 17,400 pounds and stands 13 feet tall. You can’t miss it — just look for the water tower.

There’s no parking lot, but it’s not a busy town so you can usually snag a parallel spot on the street. There’s curb-cut access up to the sidewalk which leads to the twine ball. A small museum in the former railroad station is located right behind the twine ball. There’s ramp access up to the building, which features information about Francis Johnson, and includes some of his prized possessions. It also houses some old town artifacts, railroad timetables and photos. And don’t forget to pick up a twine ball hoodie in the gift shop.

More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free TravelNational Park Lodgesfor Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
National Park Lodges
for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
 

 

Abita Mystery House

Abita Mystery House

, , , , , ,

22275 Highway 36
Abita Springs, LA
abitamysteryhouse.com

Located across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, the Abita Mystery House is a must-see on any Big Easy visit. Although it began as the UCM Museum, it’s now grown; and with that growth came the new name. Housed in an odd assemblage of old buildings the collection includes found objects, hand-made inventions and even a miniature town. Highlights include Curator John Preble’s collection of handmade animated scenes constructed from recycled objects, the world famous Bassagator, a collection of paint-by-number treasures, the bicycle house, and the RV for aliens. Patterned after Tinkertown in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Abita Mystery House also features a vintage service station, a hand crank organ, a comb collection and the much photographed House of Shards. And although there are a few tight spaces, the majority of the museum is doable for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. And don’t miss the gift shop, as that’s almost an exhibit by itself.

More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free Travel22 Accessible Road TripsDriving Vacations for Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
22 Accessible Road Trips
Driving Vacations
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
 

Hot & Cold Water Towers

Hot & Cold Water Towers

, , , , , , , , , ,

Main Street Pratt, KS If a road trip takes you along Highway 281 in Southern Kansa, then be sure and stop for a quick photo op in Pratt. Although there’s not much to the town, they do have have a unique set of water towers. The Hot & Cold Water Towers are located at the intersection of Highway 281 (Main Street) and Green Street. You can get a good view of them from the Pratt Community Center parking lot (which has accessible parking), located just across the street. What supposedly began as a high school prank when students graffitied the towers in the 1940s, led to the town formally adopting — and accepting — the designations, and repainting the towers in a more formal and permanent way. Yes, other towns in Kansas also have similar water towers, but the story behind these sends them to the top of the list.
More Wheelchair Accessible Roadside Attractions
Barrier-Free TravelUtah National Parksfor Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
Utah National Parks
for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book

 

«‹ 5 6 7 8›»