PA Roadside Attractions

18 of PA’s Quirkiest Man-Made Roadside Attractions

A collage of four photographs showcasing unique roadside attractions in Pennsylvania. The top left image features The Coffee Pot in Bedford, a massive coffee pot-shaped structure with a gray exterior, red handle, and a black base. The top right image displays the Haines Shoe House in York, a whimsical cream-colored house shaped like a giant shoe, with small glowing windows and a welcoming entrance. The bottom left image highlights the Kecksburg UFO replica in Kecksburg, a large, acorn-shaped structure with mysterious markings, mounted on a platform with a sign referencing the alleged UFO incident from December 9, 1965. The bottom right image presents a towering retro-style ice cream man statue outside The Inside Scoop in Coopersburg wearing red pants and holding an oversized ice cream cone and scoop, standing beside a neon sign advertising homemade ice cream and coffee.

If you’re looking for some of PA’s quirkiest man-made roadside attractions, you’re in the right place!

A creative sculpture resembling a giant spider, crafted from a black Volkswagen Beetle, sits in a grassy field surrounded by trees. The Beetle forms the body of the spider, while long, brightly painted metal pipes serve as the spider’s legs, positioned to give a dynamic, crawling appearance. The legs are painted in a mix of red, yellow, green, and black, adding a vibrant contrast to the weathered car body. A small orange pumpkin is placed at the base of the sculpture, lending a seasonal autumn touch. The wooded background enhances the quirky and whimsical nature of the installation.

Pennsylvania is home to plenty of eye-catching roadside attractions, but this list focuses solely on the quirkiest man-made ones.

The photo features the Reading Pagoda in Berks County, PA, showcasing its seven-story structure with five distinct red roofs and upswept eaves. The torii gate at the entrance stands prominently, with a backdrop of lush greenery and the city of Reading visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky. Two visitors are seen near the entrance, adding a sense of scale to the historic landmark.

You won’t find natural wonders like waterfalls or rock formations here, nor will you see museums, monuments, or historic sites that serve a greater purpose beyond being roadside oddities.

A vibrant sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a blue and white locomotive made entirely from repurposed road signs. The train is shown traveling on railroad tracks made from curved road signs, with black oil derricks and a background of orange and yellow signs forming a hilly landscape. Billowing clouds of smoke rise from the locomotive’s smokestack, also constructed from metal signs. On the left side, there is a floral sculpture made from additional signs, adding a whimsical touch to the scene. This piece is part of the 1200-foot-long public art display created from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

Instead, these 18 attractions earn their place by sheer novelty—whether due to their unexpected size, unusual shape, or peculiar placement.

A photograph of the Derry Bigfoot statue in Derry Borough, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, featuring a large wooden sculpture of Bigfoot carved from a single tree trunk. The statue depicts Bigfoot with long, flowing hair, a muscular build, and a contemplative expression while holding a tall wooden staff. Positioned in a public park, the statue is accompanied by an informational plaque on a metal stand detailing local Bigfoot lore. The background features lampposts, benches, an American flag, and residential houses under a clear blue sky. The well-maintained grassy area and paved walkways enhance the setting, making it a notable roadside attraction.

They’re the kind of sights that make you do a double take and think, “I didn’t expect to see that here!”

The abandoned Westinghouse Atom Smasher near Pittsburgh, PA.

From a giant coffee pot to out-of-place lighthouse, these stops add a little extra fun to any Pennsylvania road trip.

Exploring the Tionesta Lighthouse in Forest County Pennsylvania.

To make it as easy as possible for you to find and enjoy these quirky roadside attractions, I’ve plotted all of them on this interactive map.

Simply click on the blue text links on the map above or in the alphabetically-listed descriptions below to read a more in-depth article about each attraction.

Mahlon Haines built a house across the street from the Shoe House after marrying his second wife

1. Banana Split Monument

In 1904, Latrobe (Westmoreland County) became the birthplace of a beloved American dessert: the banana split.

A large concrete banana split sculpture with three scoops of ice cream topped with chocolate, strawberry, and pineapple sauces, along with a cherry on top, sitting in a grey dish in front of a tan brick building in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, birthplace of the banana split, with a black bench nearby and a plaque on the base of the sculpture detailing its history.

Today, a Pennsylvania state historical marker and a concrete banana split monument stand on the site of the pharmacy where this delicious fruit-and-dairy treat was born.

A large concrete banana split sculpture featuring scoops of strawberry, chocolate, and pineapple-topped ice cream with a cherry on top, displayed in a grey dish next to a black metal bench and a blue Pennsylvania historical marker sign explaining the creation of the first banana split in Latrobe in 1904, all set on a paved walkway beside a tan brick building and green shrubbery.

2. Bedford Coffee Pot

The Bedford Coffee Pot, built in 1927, is a 18-foot-tall roadside attraction in Bedford, designed to resemble a giant coffee pot and originally served as a lunch stand.

Now restored, it sits on the grounds of the Bedford County Fairgrounds as a quirky reminder of early 20th-century novelty architecture.

3. Chip the Ice Cream Man

Chip the Ice Cream Man is a towering roadside statue standing outside The Inside Scoop ice cream shop in Coopersburg (Lehigh County), welcoming visitors with a giant scoop of ice cream in one hand and a serving spoon in the other.

A photograph of The Inside Scoop ice cream shop in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, featuring a towering retro-style statue of an ice cream man wearing red pants, a white shirt, and a paper hat. The statue holds an oversized ice cream cone in one hand and a large ice cream scoop in the other. To the left of the statue, a vintage neon sign with bold, colorful lettering reads "The Inside Scoop," with an illustration of an ice cream cone. The shop itself has a stone facade, a red and white striped awning, and signage advertising homemade ice cream, coffee, and cappuccino. The background features a suburban roadside setting with power lines, a sidewalk, and a few passing cars.

This nostalgic figure, dressed in a classic soda jerk uniform with red pants and a white shirt, adds a whimsical charm to the shop’s retro aesthetic.

A photograph of Chip the Ice Cream Man, a towering roadside statue standing outside The Inside Scoop ice cream shop in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. Chip is dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt with his name embroidered on the chest, red pants, and black shoes. He holds an oversized ice cream cone in one hand and a giant metal scoop in the other. To his left, a retro-style neon sign with bright colors and playful lettering reads "The Inside Scoop," featuring an ice cream cone illustration. The shop behind him has a stone facade, a red and white striped awning, and signage advertising homemade ice cream, coffee, and cappuccino. The setting includes a roadside view with power lines, a sidewalk, and greenery surrounding the entrance.

4. Cowboy Sam at the Cadet Restaurant

Cowboy Sam is a towering roadside giant standing outside the Cadet Restaurant near Kittanning (Armstrong County), dressed in a white cowboy hat, bow tie, and boots while holding a massive burger.

The Cowboy Sam statue outside the Cadet Restaurant was damaged in an auto accident in 1990 and was not back on his feet until 2002.

This classic fiberglass statue adds a touch of Americana to the restaurant’s rustic charm, making it a beloved landmark along Route 422.

The 30 foot-tall Cowboy Sam outside the Cadet Restaurant in Kittanning Pennsylvania.

5. Decker’s Chapel

Decker’s Chapel, built in 1856 in Saint Marys (Elk County), is one of the smallest chapels in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Deckers Chapel, the smallest church in Pennsylvania, is seen from a front angle with its quaint white exterior and small belfry topped by a cross. The chapel's red door, adorned with a seasonal wreath, is accessible via stone steps flanked by black metal railings. A sign in the foreground reads "Deckers Chapel Est. 1856," emphasizing the historic nature of the site. The chapel is surrounded by well-manicured landscaping, including blooming flowers and neatly trimmed bushes. The bright blue sky with scattered clouds adds to the picturesque and peaceful atmosphere of this charming and historic location.

Originally constructed by Michael Decker as a place of personal prayer, the tiny yet charming chapel remains a beloved religious landmark and a peaceful roadside attraction.

Inside Decker's Chapel, the smallest church in Pennsylvania.

6. Derry Bigfoot Statue

The Derry Bigfoot is a towering wooden statue in Derry Borough, Westmoreland County, celebrating the region’s long history of Bigfoot sightings, particularly around Chestnut Ridge.

A photograph of the Derry Bigfoot statue in Derry Borough, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, featuring a towering wooden sculpture of Bigfoot with long hair, a muscular build, and a stoic expression. The statue holds a tall wooden staff and stands in a park setting with an informational plaque nearby detailing the area's Bigfoot lore. In the background, an American flag waves on a flagpole, a wooden gazebo sits among leafless trees, and several park benches line a paved walkway. The bright blue sky and well-manicured green grass enhance the setting, making the statue a striking roadside attraction.

Accompanied by an informational plaque detailing local legends dating back to the 1760s, the statue serves as both a tribute to the folklore and a curiosity-inspiring landmark for visitors and cryptid enthusiasts alike.

A photograph of an informational plaque next to the Derry Bigfoot statue in Derry Borough, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The plaque, mounted on a metal stand with a gold border, provides historical context about Bigfoot lore in the region, referring to Derry Borough as the "Gateway to the Mysterious Chestnut Ridge." It details early reports of eerie, primal screams from the 1760s, the area's significance as a hotspot for Bigfoot sightings since the 1970s, and a resurgence of interest in 2023. The text discusses theories about Bigfoot’s origins and highlights the region's natural beauty and mystery. The background features a wooden gazebo, park benches, lampposts, and residential houses under a clear blue sky, emphasizing the plaque's location in a public park setting.

7. Haines Shoe House

The Haines Shoe House, built in 1948 near York, is a whimsical, shoe-shaped home originally constructed as an advertisement for Mahlon Haines’ shoe business.

The Haines Shoe house is 48 feet long 25 feet high and 17 feet wide.

Previously serving as a museum and ice cream shop, the five-story structure now operates as a unique vacation rental home, offering guests a chance to stay inside this iconic roadside attraction.

Living room at he Haines Shoe House near York Pennsylvania.

8. Kecksburg Space Acorn

The Kecksburg Space Acorn is a life-sized replica of an unidentified flying object that reportedly crashed in Kecksburg (Westmoreland County) in 1965, sparking decades of UFO lore and conspiracy theories.

This replica of the Kecksburg UFO was created by the television show Unsolved Mysteries and donated to the town after the show aired.

Now displayed in the town as a tribute to the mysterious incident, the acorn-shaped monument draws curiosity seekers and UFO enthusiasts from across the country.

The author in front of the Kecksburg UFO replica on display near the Kecksburg Fire Company.

9. Lopez Bombs

Located along Route 487 in Sullivan County, the Lopez Bombs are a tribute to this small community’s many veterans of WWII.

The Lopez Bombs along Route 487 in Sullivan County, PA.

And if you look closely at the small pond behind immediately behind the bombs, you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive Lopez Nessie!

Lopez Nessie along Route 487 in Sullivan County, PA.

10. Mars Flying Saucer

The Mars Flying Saucer is a large, UFO-shaped monument located in Mars (Butler County), celebrating the town’s space-themed name and playful connection to extraterrestrial lore.

The Flying Saucer is a tribute to the town's extraterrestrial name.

Positioned in the town square, the saucer serves as a popular photo spot and a unique roadside attraction.

The Mars Flying Saucer in the Mars town square in Butler County Pennsylvania.

11. Mothers’ Memorial in Ashland

The Mothers’ Memorial in Ashland (Schuylkill County) is a bronze statue dedicated in 1938 as a tribute to mothers everywhere and is a replica of the famous painting Whistler’s Mother.

The Ashland Mother's Memorial in Schuylkill County Pennsylvania.

Overlooking the town from a scenic hillside, this heartfelt roadside attraction serves as a lasting symbol of maternal love and devotion.

Side view of the Ashland Mothers' Memorial bronze statue, elevated on a stone pedestal within a circular stone wall, overlooking the town of Ashland, Pennsylvania. The statue depicts a seated woman, gazing into the distance towards the green, rolling hills. Below, the town's architecture and streets can be seen stretching into the lush tree-covered landscape.

12. PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden

The PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Meadville (Crawford County) is a unique roadside attraction featuring large, colorful sculptures made entirely from recycled road signs.

A playful sculpture at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a cowboy playing a guitar made from repurposed road signs. The cowboy figure is constructed from yellow railroad crossing signs and other traffic markers, with musical notes made from red road signs floating around him. Surrounding the cowboy are additional characters, including a child on the left and a woman holding an ice cream cone on the right, all made from old road signs. The scene is part of the 1200-foot-long public art installation created from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

Created by local artists, this eye-catching display lines the entrance to a PennDOT maintenance facility, showcasing creativity through repurposed highway materials.

A colorful scene at the PennDOT Road Sign Sculpture Garden in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a large rainbow arching over a vibrant landscape made entirely from repurposed road signs. The scene includes a red barn on a hill made from yellow and green road signs, a flowing blue river with swirling patterns, and raindrops falling from storm clouds made from metal signs. Lightning bolts extend from the clouds, and the artwork transitions to a tree and a red building in the background. This creative display is part of the 1200-foot-long public art piece made entirely from recycled Pennsylvania Department of Transportation signs.

13. Phantastic Phils in Punxsutawney

The Phantastic Phils are 41 larger-than-life fiberglass statues of Punxsutawney Phil, each painted in a unique theme and costume, scattered throughout Punxsutawney.

Punxsutawney Phil statue outside the Punxsutawney police department.

These colorful statues celebrate the town’s famous weather-predicting groundhog and provide visitors with a fun, year-round scavenger hunt of quirky public art.

Punxsutawney Phil as the statue of liberty, one of the many versions of Phil statues you'll find scattered around Punxsutawney.

14. Pied Piper of Bedford County

The 18-foot-tall Pied Piper of Bedford County stands along the edge of the Lincoln Highway (Route 30) near Schellsburg, in front of the former Story Land children’s park, which closed in the 1980s.

The Pied Piper roadside giant along the Lincoln Highway in Bedford County.

15. Reading Pagoda

The Reading Pagoda, built in 1908 on Mount Penn in Reading (Berks County), was originally intended to be a luxury resort but never opened as a hotel.

The image captures the majestic Reading Pagoda in Berks County, PA, standing tall with its seven stories and five overhanging red roofs. The torii gate at the entrance adds an authentic oriental touch. The Pagoda is set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a vibrant blue sky with scattered clouds, offering a panoramic view of the city of Reading below.

Now a beloved landmark, this seven-story, Japanese-style structure offers stunning panoramic views of the city and serves as a unique symbol of Reading’s history and culture.

Toyota Tacoma parked in front of the Reading Pagoda in Berks County Pennsylvania.

16. Schaefer’s Auto Art

Schaefer’s Auto Art in Erie is an outdoor display of whimsical sculptures crafted from recycled car parts, including a giant spider, dinosaur, and rocket.

A large bee sculpture made from scrap metal stands on a grassy area at Schaefer's Auto Art. The bee is painted in bold yellow and black stripes, with its head crafted from a vehicle grill and headlights, giving it a mechanical appearance. Its legs, wings, and antennae are constructed from various industrial metal parts, contributing to its quirky, lifelike design. The sculpture is surrounded by trees with autumn foliage, adding a natural contrast to the industrial materials. A small metal flower sculpture is placed in front of the bee, enhancing the playful and artistic atmosphere of this roadside attraction.

Created by local artist Dick Schaefer, this roadside attraction showcases creativity and ingenuity through its colorful, automotive-themed artwork.

Schaefer's Auto Art in Erie is home to a variety of sculptures made from recycled metal & automotive parts

17. Sherman Memorial Lighthouse

The Sherman Memorial Lighthouse in Tionesta (Forest County) is a privately built, 75-foot-tall lighthouse constructed in 2004 as a tribute to the region’s river heritage.

Standing in front of the Sherman Memorial Lighthouse in Tionesta PA

Overlooking the Allegheny River, this landlocked lighthouse stands as a unique architectural landmark in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

The United States flag flying proudly in front of the Sherman Memorial Lighthouse in Tionesta PA.

18. Westinghouse Atom Smasher

The Westinghouse Atom Smasher, built in 1937 in Forest Hills (Allegheny County), was one of the first industrial particle accelerators in the United States, playing a crucial role in early nuclear research.

Now lying in ruins, the distinctive pear-shaped structure remains a historic landmark, symbolizing the region’s contributions to scientific innovation.

The iconic Westinghouse Atom Smasher in Forest Hills, PA.

The 43 Best Roadside Scenic Overlooks in PA is your guide to dozens of spectacular Pennsylvania vistas that just about anyone can enjoy.

A biker enjoying the scenic view from High Knob Overlook.

40 Must-See Roadside Waterfalls in Pennsylvania is your guide to some of the most accessible and awe-inspiring waterfalls in PA!

View of Hinckston Run Falls from the passenger seat of my truck.

Find even more exciting spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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