Let’s say, when it comes to strange roadside attractions, the Tar Heel State has never met a roadside oddity it didn’t like. One minute you are driving past pines and barbecue joints, the next you are staring at a giant dresser wearing socks or eating excellent sushi inside a gas station.
If you think you know North Carolina, these places are about to prove you wrong.
The Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum (Littleton)
If Bigfoot ever needs a vacation home, he is clearly welcome here. This compact museum is stuffed to the ceiling with haunted dolls, alleged cryptid evidence, ghost-hunting gadgets, and more. There are Feejee mermaids, mysterious footprints, and enough paranormal vibes to make your phone battery drain faster. The staff leans into the weird with enthusiasm and will even take you on a paranormal investigation if you feel like flirting with the spirit world.
The Devil’s Tramping Ground (Bear Creek)
Deep in the woods sits a perfectly round, 40-foot circle where nothing grows. Grass refuses. Weeds give up. Nature simply opts out. Legend says the devil comes here at night to pace and plan his next round of chaos, wearing the ground down to bare earth. Sounds fun, right? If you’re into the paranormal, you can book an investigation or spend the night camping if you’re looking for close encounters of the demonic kind.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park (Nags Head)
Home to the tallest sand dunes on the East Coast, Jockey’s Ridge feels oddly misplaced on the Outer Banks. Wind reshapes the dunes daily, so no two visits are the same. People fly kites, hike, hang glide, or occasionally attempt sand sledding with mixed results. It is stark, beautiful, and quietly strange.
World’s Largest Chest of Drawers (High Point)
High Point is the Furniture Capital of the World, and it would like you to know that very loudly. The proof comes in the form of a 38-foot-tall dresser topped with a giant sock and underwear situation. It is impossible to ignore and somehow impossible not to love. Is it practical? No. Is it iconic? Absolutely.
American Museum of the House Cat (Sylva)
This small museum is devoted entirely to cats, featuring thousands of feline artifacts ranging from ancient Egyptian statues to mid-century kitsch. Figurines, artwork, toys, and memorabilia fill the space. Watch out for the roaming cats! The museum shares a building with a rescue organization.
Whirligig Park (Wilson)
Imagine a carnival designed by someone who never outgrew their love of tinkering. Whirligig Park showcases massive, wind-powered recycled sculptures by folk artist Vollis Simpson. They spin, clatter, shimmer, and creak in a way that feels alive. It’s a genuine community space and initiative that hosts regular events, including farmers’ markets and concerts.
The World’s Largest Frying Pan (Rose Hill)
This 15-foot-wide frying pan once cooked hundreds of chickens at local festivals. Not metaphorically. Actually cooked them. It can handle about 365 chickens at once, which feels both impressive and slightly intimidating. It sits proudly on display like a greasy monument to Southern confidence. If North Carolina has a love language, sometimes it is “deep fried and enormous.”
Akami Sushi Bar (Apex)
There’s gas station sushi, and then there’s Akami Sushi Bar. Tucked inside Han-Dee Hugo’s (yes, it’s a gas station), Akami serves meticulously crafted sushi that people will drive across counties to eat. From fresh fish to beautiful plating and unique flavors, this is stuff you wouldn’t expect next to scratch-off tickets and soda fountains. Come for the gas, stay for the sashimi.
Old Growth Forest at Joyce Kilmer Memorial (Robbinsville)
This protected old-growth forest is home to massive trees, some over 400 years old and more than 20 feet around. The trails are short and well-maintained, making it easy to walk among trees that were already old before the United States existed. It is quiet, shaded, and feels noticeably different from most forests in North Carolina.
NC Museum of Dolls, Toys & Miniatures (Spencer)
This nonprofit museum focuses on preserving and showcasing dolls, toys, and miniatures from across decades and cultures. The collection ranges from antique dolls and vintage Barbies to Lionel trains, model planes, and highly detailed dollhouses. Many exhibits highlight dolls from around the world, offering a look at different cultures through playthings.
