Roadside Attractions in Arizona

Worth the detour in Arizona

Mystery Castle

Phoenix, Arizona

Tucked away in the foothills of South Mountain, this sprawling 18-room mansion was built entirely by hand in the 1930s and '40s by Boyce Luther Gulley, who fled to the desert after learning he had tuberculosis. Desperate to fulfill a promise to his young daughter, Gulley constructed the castle using native stone, adobe, and salvaged materials like railroad ties, telephone poles, and old car parts. The result is a whimsical, labyrinthine monument to fatherly love that defies traditional architectural logic.

Wigwam Motel

Holbrook, Arizona

Step back into the golden age of Route 66 at this iconic 1950s motel, where guests sleep in individual concrete and stucco teepees. Each retro room is flanked by a vintage classic car parked right outside. It's one of only three surviving Wigwam Villages in the United States.

Vulture City Ghost Town

Wickenburg, AZ

Explore a remarkably preserved 1800s gold mining town that once housed thousands of residents. Highlights include the restored brothel, post office, and the infamous hanging tree where justice was swiftly served. It is a fascinating, dusty step back into the rugged Wild West.

Oatman Gold Mining Town

Oatman, AZ

Step back in time at this living ghost town along historic Route 66, where wild burros roam the streets and daily gunfights bring the Old West to life. Once a booming gold mining camp, it now offers a delightfully quirky slice of Arizona history.

Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch

Picacho, Arizona

This beloved family-run roadside stop lets you feed a lively cast of ostriches, miniature donkeys, goats, and rainbow lorikeets. Located at the base of Picacho Peak, it offers a hands-on desert adventure featuring the famous 'hole-in-the-wall' gang of goats.

The Thing

Dragoon, Arizona

This iconic desert roadside oddity has lured curious travelers for decades with its famous yellow billboards. Inside the quirky museum, you will find bizarre historical memorabilia, vintage vehicles, and a wild sci-fi narrative leading to the mysterious 'mummified' creature itself.

Browse by town in Arizona

The busiest town here is Phoenix (2). Every listing has photos, opening hours, admission and directions, and the directory grows whenever somebody searches for a stop that isn't in it yet.