Roadside Attractions in Phoenix

2 places worth pulling over for in Phoenix, Arizona, with what each one actually is, what it costs and how long to give it.

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.

Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights

Phoenix, Arizona

Dubbed the 'Wedding Cake Castle' by locals, this whimsical three-tier architectural landmark rises unexpectedly from the desert landscape of Phoenix. Originally built in the late 1920s as the centerpiece for a grand resort that never materialized, it later became a private residence surrounded by over 5,000 cacti. Today, its distinct tiered shape makes it one of the most recognizable and intriguing roadside sights in the Valley of the Sun.

Planning the stop

Hours and admission come from each attraction's own page, along with parking and directions.

Also worth a stop in Arizona

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.

More towns in Arizona

Dragoon (1)·Holbrook (1)·Mesa (1)·Oatman (1)·Picacho (1)·Wickenburg (1)