Maryland is packed with quirky, oddball stops that make any road trip unforgettable. Here are ten of the strangest roadside attractions across the state—perfect for stretching your legs and snapping a photo.
1. Wingless Gulfstream of Urbana
A jet fuselage sits inexplicably in a rural field, far from any airport, making passersby do a double-take.
2. Super PACyderm (Silver Spring)
This allegorical elephant sculpture, adorned with political motifs, stands out as a bold and whimsical roadside statement.
3. Nike Missile Site W-92 (Gaithersburg)
Hidden behind suburban developments, this relic from the Cold War features three abandoned missile silos—an eerie reminder of mid-century military history.
4. Vanadu Art House (Hyattsville)
A suburban home transformed into a dazzling display of junk art, complete with extravagantly decorated cars, making it a must-see for lovers of outsider art.
5. God’s Ark of Safety (Frostburg)
A life-size replica of Noah’s Ark—still under construction after decades—looms beside the highway, offering a surreal and apocalyptic roadside scene.
6. Huge Transformers Statues (Thurmont)
Towering sculptures of Transformers greet visitors at Lawyer’s Winterbrook Farm, standing guard over car wrecks as if caught mid-battle.
7. The Cider Barrel (Germantown)
A giant wooden barrel, once a roadside cider stand, now stands empty but still attracts curious travelers for its sheer size and nostalgia.
8. LaVale Toll Gate House (Cumberland)
Maryland’s oldest toll house, a charming stone building, marks the historic start of America’s first federal road—an odd but fascinating piece of transportation history.
9. Vote Against Prohibition Sign (Baltimore)
A faded 1920s sign, preserved on a city wall, commemorates Baltimore’s spirited resistance to Prohibition—a quirky photo-op for history buffs.
10. Enchanted Forest at Clark’s Elioak Farm (Ellicott City)
Classic fairy tale sculptures from a defunct theme park have been lovingly restored and displayed at this farm, creating a surreal landscape of nursery rhyme nostalgia.
These offbeat stops are proof that Maryland’s roads are lined with surprises—making every journey through the state a little stranger and a lot more memorable.
Sources:
- https://www.fiftygrande.com/50-weirdest-roadside-attractions/
- https://sillyamerica.com/roadside-attractions/maryland/page/2/
- https://sillyamerica.com/roadside-attractions/maryland/
- https://www.visitmaryland.org/list/15-amazing-things-youll-see-maryland-road-trip