As the birthplace to 8 U.S. presidents, it should come as to surprise to visitors that Virginia is proud of its political past and present. This is evident through the numerous museums and statues that are sprinkled throughout the town’s towns and cities, each of which pay homage to this political presence in a proud, though often just plain strange manner.
Weird and wacky is something the roadside attractions of Virginia do well. So join us as we uncover the strange places that can be found on the side of the road in this proud, but beautiful state.
1. Drug Enforcement Administration Museum: Arlington, Virginia
If you visit this museum in the hope of scoring or getting high, you will be sorely disappointed. This museum is actually hardcore intent on deterring this behavior, with its shock antics aimed to scare young children and disgust the older generations.
Experience the “modern pleasure drug culture”, head to “Jimmy’s Joint” or get caught up in a booby trap that was used in the marijuana fields back in the 80’s. This museum has it all.
2. George Washington Masonic National Memorial: Alexandria, Virginia
This ten-storey shrine is dedicated to George Washington and everything he stood for by reminding the general public that he was the “guiding light of the American Republic”.
The memorial is tucked away in a museum that also houses precious artifacts like Washington’s Clock of Death and an ornate replica of the Ark of the Covenant. It may be slightly tacky, but it’s definitely worth a stop.
3. Dinosaur Kingdom: Natural Bridge, Virginia
Welcome to a world where humans and dinosaurs co-exist; at least until the humans get eaten!
This is a place where dinosaurs can rise again and we can mingle amongst them. Combine this with a somewhat comical interpretation of the war between the north and south and you have an attraction that is wacky enough to sink a ship, or at least bring down a T-Rex.
4. Enchanted Castle Studio: Natural Bridge, Virginia
Although gutted by a vicious fire back in 2001, some of this Enchanted Castle remains, much to the pleasure of those searching for strange and wacky statues and replicas.
Visit the large alien bug, tree trunks with twisted human faces, a Muffler man worked into a giant Transformer robot and King Kong clutching a biplane. As far as weird and wacky goes, this one takes the cake.
5. Haunted Monster Museum: Natural Bridge, Virginia
Set in a real, musty and dank old house, this haunted monster museum boasts every textbook cliché you could possibly think of.
Venture outside of the house into the “Freakout Forest” and you will stumble across a graveyard, a crashed plane and a rather unpleasant ogre eating a childe. Creepy to say the least!
- Chrissy
Visited Virginia recently and come across any other strange roadside attractions? Let us know about them in the comments below.
