When it comes to the quirky and off-the-beaten-path attractions, Utah delivers. Houses carved into mountains, monstrous watermelon slices, a pink dinosaur named Dinah – it’s all here and very weird.
Curiosity piqued? Check out these eight attractions in Utah.
Hole N” The Rock
Tucked away in Utah’s Canyonlands Country, this 5,000-square-foot dwelling is well…super weird! Imagine a fully furnished home with 14 rooms, a chimney, a deep French Fryer and even a bathtub, all carved into a massive rock wall. No, this isn’t Fred Flintstone’s house – it’s Hole N” The Rock! Built by Albert Christensen over the course of 20 years, this fully functional home still has its original furnishings and paintings. You can even check out Albert’s wife’s doll collection. Check out the gift shop for kitschy souvenirs and stop by the petting zoo, where you’ll meet Annie the Ostrich and Harry the Mini-Donkey.
Metaphor: The Tree of Utah
Giant, bizarre, and mesmerizing – Metaphor: The Tree of Utah is an abstract sculpture located east of Wendover, Utah, that checks all the boxes of a weird and wonderful attraction. Built in the 1980s by Swedish artist Karl Momen, this 87-foot-tall structure is made from over 2,000 ceramic tiles, welding rods, rocks and minerals. The most stand-out feature is the leaves on the tree – giant, colorful spheres that sit atop the structure, while broken spheres are scattered on the ground to represent fallen leaves. If you’re ever driving on I-80, check it out.
Dinah, The Pink Dinosaur
It’s not every day you’re greeted by a giant pink dinosaur, but in Vernal City, Dinah is the welcoming committee. Built in 1958, this 40-foot sculpture started her career as an advertisement for the Dine-A-Ville Motel. However, when the motel closed in 1999, Dinah found a new gig as the official greeter of Vernal City. You’ll find her next to the welcome sign, all smiles, holding a sign that says Vernal Utah’s Dinosaur Land. For even more dinosaur adventures, check out the fossils at the nearby Dinosaur National Monument after you say hi to Dinah.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Utah is home to fascinating hidden caves, and Timpanogos Cave National Monument is home to some of the best. Just an hour south of Salt Lake City, this cave system consists of three underground caves. Descend into the caverns on a guided tour along a 1.5-mile paved trail. You’ll wind through stalagmites and stalactites, all in the comfort of the caves’ cool temperatures. For an unforgettable experience, explore deeper into the cave system on a lantern tour as a ranger leads you through the dark depths and explains the natural formations of the caves. Seeing the rock formations lit only by a flickering flame is otherworldly.
Kennecott Copper Mine
The Kennecott Copper Mine (also known as the Bingham Copper Mine) is so big it can be seen from space. In fact, the mine is so large – 98,000 acres— it’s considered the Biggest Pit in the World! Opened in 1903, the site has been a popular source of copper, gold and silver in Utah. Today, visitors can take a guided tour of the mine overlook and learn about the mine’s history, operations and the importance of the mining industry. Afterward, stop by the gift shop for copper jewelry and excavation kits.
Gilgal Sculpture Garden
Salt Lake City is teeming with art galleries and installations, but the Gilgal Sculpture Garden is a hidden gem tucked away between houses and businesses. In fact, even most residents don’t know it exists! Home to 12 sculptures and over 70 stones engraved with poems, literary quotes and Bible scriptures, this garden was designed by bishop and artist Thomas Battersby Child, Jr. Created as an exploration of his spirituality, the garden consists of sculptures such as a giant sphinx, a dismembered body (don’t worry this isn’t a crime scene in disguise), and an ornate eagle.
Thunderbird Restaurant
Located in the southwest corner of Utah in Mt. Carmel Junction, the Thunderbird Restaurant is an iconic location known for its hilarious backstory. Opened as a small fuel station in 1931 by Fern and Jack Morrison, the station was the home base for Fern’s homemade pies. Jack created a sign to advertise the pies, but there wasn’t enough room to write “homemade pies,” so he wrote “ho-made pies” instead. Whoops! Before long, the station (and Fern’s pies) was a hit with truckers. Today, the Thunderbird Restaurant is a part of the Thunderbird Resort and still serves its cheeky pies and tasty diner classics–burgers, wraps, and more. Stop by for a bite to eat, stay the night at the on-site RV park, or play a few rounds of golf at the 9-hole course.
World’s Largest Watermelon Slice
The city of Green River loves watermelon. In fact, the city has played host to the Watermelon Days Festival for over 100 years. Since the 1950s, the star of the event has been a 25-foot-long wooden watermelon slice. At one point in time, the watermelon slice had a functioning engine and could be driven around the town. Today, this mammoth fruit rests under an open-air shed for viewing and photo ops.
