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Writer's pictureTennessee Family Vacation

Tennessee's Quirky Side: Unique roadside attractions

Tennessee is home to a variety of quirky and entertaining roadside attractions that add a unique flavor to your journey.

Tennessee Family Vacation
World's Largest Cedar Bucket - Murfreesboro

These are just a few of the many roadside attractions and unique stops you'll find while exploring Tennessee.


Whether you're interested in music, history, culture, or simply enjoy the unexpected, the Volunteer State has something intriguing for every traveler.

 
Tennessee Family Vacation

2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 862-8431


Adults: $10; Youth (4-17): $8.00; Children under 4: Free

Have ID ready for educator, military, and college student discount.


Admission can only be purchased on-site at the Ticket Counter or in the Museum Store.


In Centennial Park, nestled within the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, stands a remarkable full-scale replica of the renowned Parthenon in Athens.


This grand structure, designed by architect William Crawford Smith, was constructed in 1897 as an integral part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition.

 
Tennessee Family Vacation

1368 E Broadway, Gallatin, TN 37066

(615) 452-5950


International Fiberglass of Venice, California constructed most Muffler Men.


While the fiberglass figures are no longer manufactured, many still exist throughout a number of states across the United States, including this one in Gallatin.

 
Tennessee Family Vacation

30 Casey Jones Ln, Jackson, TN 38305

(731) 668-1222


Named after the legendary train engineer, this village offers a glimpse into the life of Casey Jones, complete with a museum, storytime, and more!

 
Tennessee Family Vacation

680 S Willow Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501


Since 2022, Ellie the Pink Elephant has been the icon of Wendy's Nails and Spa at The Pink Elephant.


Ellie has been in the same location in Cookeville since 1986.


Pink Elephants began popping up across the U.S. in the mid-1960's as businesses installed them to bring attention to their location.

 
Tennessee Family Vacation

Lodge Museum of Cast Iron

220 3rd St, South Pittsburg, TN 37380

(423) 403-7707


Measuring over 18 feet from handle to handle, this 14,360-pound piece of cookware is said to be able to hold about 650 eggs.


The World's Largest Cast Iron Skillet is part of the Museum of Cast Iron that takes visitors through the history of American cooking, using cast iron as an entry point.


Learn how this incredible cookware is made, what it means to food culture, and what the future holds for those who love to cook authentically.

 
Tennessee Family Vacation

Flying Saucer House

1408 S Palisades Dr, Signal Mountain, TN 37377


The Flying Saucer House on Signal Mountain was built in 1970 by Curtis King.


This house has 2,000 square feet of living space with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.


Curtis King built the unique house as a bachelor pad for his sons, with hopes that it would also serve as an example of future-oriented housing for other like-minded individuals.

 
Tennessee Famiy Vacation

1020 Maurice Fields Dr, Paris, TN 38242

(731) 644-2517


Eiffel Tower Park showcases a 60 foot steel Eiffel tower landmark at the front entrance of a family playground.


Engineering students at Christian Brothers University originally constructed the tower to commemorate the 1990 Memphis in May festival. It was moved to its current location in 1993.


 
Tennessee Family Vacation

27 E Main St, Hohenwald, TN 38462

(931) 796-6500


The Elephant Discovery Center offers hands-on self-guided exhibits and educational programming that explores the many ways elephants shape our world.


As a true sanctuary, the habitats where the elephants live are closed to the public.

 
Tennessee Family Vacation

Sculpture Walk

(Downtown Knoxville)


The Sculpture Walk is an outdoor art exhibit in downtown Knoxville featuring a rotating selection of sculptures by various artists.


From Tennessee pink marble to steel and glass, talented local and visiting artists use a variety of materials to create sculptures, statues, and memorials to enhance the natural landscape of Knoxville.

 
Tennessee Family Vacation

1 Bass Pro Dr, Memphis, TN 38105

(901) 291-8200


The Memphis Pyramid was built in 1991 as a 20,142-seat arena, the facility was owned and operated jointly by the city of Memphis and Shelby County.


In 2015, the Pyramid re-opened as a Bass Pro Shops megastore, which included shopping, a hotel, restaurants, a bowling alley, and an archery range, with an outdoor observation deck adjacent to its apex.

 

For more information about Activities in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Family Vacation Explore page.

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