Your Guide to Southwestern Strangeness
The Southwest is where America gets wonderfully weird under the blazing sun. From alien-themed diners in the middle of nowhere to massive roadside dinosaurs that have been baking in the desert heat since the 1960s, this region serves up the perfect blend of natural wonder and human quirkiness.
We’ve explored these desert highways with our pack of ten pets in our converted bus, and let us tell you: the Southwest doesn’t just deliver stunning landscapes—it’s packed with the kind of bizarre attractions that make you pull a U-turn and wonder “Who thought THIS was a good idea?”
Why the Southwest is Perfect for Roadside Adventures
The beauty of Southwest road trips isn’t just the epic sunsets and towering rock formations—it’s how the vast open spaces seem to inspire the most creative (and sometimes crazy) roadside attractions. You’ll find everything from the world’s largest pistachio to trading posts that sell alien jerky, all connected by highways that stretch endlessly toward purple mountains.
The best part? These wide-open spaces mean you can see the weird stuff coming from miles away, giving you plenty of time to decide if that giant jackrabbit statue is worth the detour (spoiler: it always is).
Our Favorite Southwest Discoveries
Every state in this region has surprised us in the best possible ways. Whether it’s stumbling across a roadside attraction featuring the world’s largest roadrunner in New Mexico or finding a gas station in the middle of nowhere Texas that also happens to serve the best barbacoa you’ve ever tasted, the Southwest never stops being delightfully unexpected.
The locals we’ve met at these quirky stops always have the best stories—usually involving someone’s grandfather, a lot of concrete, and a dream to build something that would make travelers smile.
Click on any state and you will find lots of cool things to do!
Looking for a different State?
Want to explore weird attractions in other regions too? Check out our complete roadside attractions guide covering all the quirky stops across America – from giant fiberglass animals to mystery spots that’ll make you question reality!
Here is a map for Regional Reference 🙂
Planning Your Things to Do Southwest Adventure
The Southwest is massive, so planning your things to do southwest itinerary is key. We’ve learned that the best approach is to pick a few must-see weird spots per state and then stay flexible for those spontaneous discoveries that happen when you spot a hand-painted sign advertising “World’s Only …..”
Pro tip from our travels: always carry extra water, and don’t be surprised if that roadside attraction you’re looking for is actually 20 miles down a dirt road. The journey to these hidden gems is often half the fun, especially when you’re traveling with a bus full of curious pets who love the adventure as much as you do.
Have a little out of the ordinary spot you’d like to share? Feel free to comment, or message us!