From UFOs to trolls and all things offbeat, these towns take weird and wonderful to a whole new level. Whether you’re into roadside oddities, offbeat museums, or just love a town that doesn’t take itself too seriously, these are the quirkiest places in America worth a detour.
1. Roswell, New Mexico
Best known for the 1947 UFO incident, Roswell leans into its extraterrestrial fame with alien-themed everything—from museums to fast-food signs. It’s the only place where a little green man might actually pump your gas.
The International UFO Museum is a must-see, but so is the city’s quirky take on alien life throughout Main Street. Visit in July for the annual UFO Festival, where cosplay meets conspiracy theory.
2. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Tucked into the Ozarks, this Victorian town is a haven for artists, ghost hunters, and free spirits. Its winding streets defy a grid system, and the whole place feels like a real-life storybook—complete with a haunted hotel.
With its steep hills, hidden gardens, and historic architecture, Eureka Springs feels like a step into another century. Don’t miss the Crescent Hotel, which claims to be one of the most haunted in America.
3. Portland, Oregon
The city that inspired “Keep Portland Weird” delivers on its slogan with naked bike rides, vegan strip clubs, and a museum of velvet paintings. It’s a big city with small-town quirk energy.
Expect the unexpected here: a working urban goat herd, a mini-movie theater in a converted school, and a bookstore that takes up a full city block. Portland’s weirdness is proudly intentional.
4. Gibsonton, Florida
Once a winter haven for circus performers, Gibsonton—nicknamed “Showtown USA”—has zoning laws that once allowed residents to keep elephants in their yards. Expect sideshow history and a whole lot of local lore.
The International Independent Showmen’s Museum houses everything from calliopes to carnival costumes. Gibsonton is a living time capsule of American sideshow culture.
5. Bisbee, Arizona
Once a mining boomtown, Bisbee has transformed into an offbeat artists’ enclave with galleries in old saloons and staircases instead of sidewalks. This high-desert gem is equal parts historic and eccentric.
Colorful street art, antique shops, and a love of the unconventional define the town’s spirit. Be sure to check out the annual Bisbee 1000, a race through town using its many staircases as the course.
6. Leavenworth, Washington
This Bavarian-style village in the Cascades has Alpine architecture, pretzel carts, and yodeling year-round. Oktoberfest here is serious business—and so is the year-round Christmas store.
Leavenworth’s transformation in the 1960s from a declining logging town to a themed Bavarian wonderland is one of the quirkiest urban makeovers in the U.S. Expect lederhosen, schnitzel, and holiday cheer 365 days a year.
7. Austin, Texas
Yes, it’s a city, but Austin’s weirdness earns it a spot—where else can you watch 1.5 million bats fly out from under a bridge downtown? Add in chicken shit bingo and a cathedral made of junk, and you get the picture.
Austin has long embraced its quirky, independent spirit. From 24-hour donut ATMs to a museum dedicated to junk, this is a city where creativity is encouraged—even if it’s a little weird.
8. Centralia, Pennsylvania
A coal mine fire has been burning underground here since 1962, leaving only a handful of residents in what’s now nearly a ghost town. Cracked highways vent smoke and graffiti lines the “Graffiti Highway.”
Though most buildings are gone, Centralia’s eerie, apocalyptic vibe has made it a destination for urban explorers. It’s also said to have inspired the horror video game Silent Hill.
9. Nevada City, California
This Gold Rush-era town has the kind of funky soul you’d expect from a place that hosts a Victorian Christmas Fair, a psychic fair, and a Wild & Scenic Film Festival—all in the same year.
Its vintage charm and bohemian energy make it a magnet for creatives. Coffee shops double as music venues, and even the hardware store feels artsy.
10. Scottsboro, Alabama
Home to the Unclaimed Baggage Center, this town is where lost luggage from airports ends up—and gets sold to the public. It’s part thrift store, part treasure hunt, and all-around bizarre.
You never know what you’ll find—from vintage typewriters to unclaimed wedding dresses. It’s a surreal retail experience that turns misfortune into curiosity.
If your travel tastes lean toward the odd and offbeat, these quirky towns across the U.S. deliver personality in spades. Whether you’re hunting aliens, shopping unclaimed luggage, or just soaking in eccentric vibes, these spots prove that weird is wonderful—and well worth the trip.