Roadside Attractions in Texas

Worth the detour in Texas

Ms. Pearl, the Giant Squirrel

Cedar Creek, TX

A massive, 14-foot-tall fiberglass statue of a squirrel holding a giant pecan, Ms. Pearl is a beloved roadside landmark in central Texas. Located outside the Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Company, she offers a perfect photo op. Visitors can even buy delicious pecan treats from a 24-hour vending machine nearby.

Cathedral of Junk

Austin, Texas

A massive, multi-level sculptural wonderland built in a suburban backyard from over 60 tons of discarded items. Visitors can explore winding pathways, stairways, and vaulted rooms made of bicycle parts, old TVs, dials, and bottles. It is a whimsical monument to creative recycling that captures the classic 'Keep Austin Weird' spirit.

Ozymandias on the Plains

Amarillo, Texas

This quirky art installation features a giant pair of disembodied concrete legs wearing athletic socks, standing in a West Texas field. Inspired by Percy Bysshe Shelley's famous poem, it is a playful tribute to ruin and vanity. Local pranksters frequently repaint the socks to match sports teams or causes.

The Alamo

San Antonio, Texas

This 18th-century Spanish mission is the site of the legendary 1836 Battle of the Alamo, where a small band of Texan defenders held out for 13 days against General Santa Anna's army. While globally famous as a symbol of heroic resistance, the site actually chronicles over 300 years of history, from its origins as a Spanish Catholic mission to its role in the Texas Revolution. Visitors can walk through the original stone church and the long barrack, which stand preserved in the middle of a bustling modern downtown.

The Beer Can House

Houston, Texas

This whimsical folk art landmark is a suburban home covered in an estimated 50,000 flattened beer cans. Started in 1968 by retired upholsterer John Milkovisch, the house features beer-can siding and dangling garlands that chime in the wind. Remarkably, he began the project simply to avoid mowing his lawn.

The Gas Station

Bastrop, Texas

This is the actual, fully restored gas station and landmark featured in the 1974 horror classic 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'. Beyond its cinematic claim to fame, the site now functions as a horror-themed destination complete with a Texas-style BBQ restaurant, a memorabilia shop packed with cult classic merchandise, and cozy cabins where brave fans can spend the night. It is a must-visit pilgrimage site for horror buffs looking to step directly into cinematic history.

Browse by town in Texas

The busiest towns here are Amarillo (3), Houston (3), San Antonio (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.