1. The Gum Wall (Seattle, WA)
Tourists may find it quirky, but locals see the Gum Wall near Pike Place Market as a nuisance. Covered in chewed gum, it creates a sticky, smelly mess that spreads bacteria and clogs up a popular alley. Even after multiple cleanings, the gum keeps coming back, leaving many residents frustrated. While travelers love snapping selfies in front of the colorful wall, people who live nearby wish it would disappear for good. To them, it’s less of a landmark and more of a lingering eyesore, something that makes their city look gross instead of special.
2. Carhenge (Alliance, NE)
Carhenge, a replica of Stonehenge made from old cars, attracts road trippers and fans of weird art. For outsiders, it’s funny and unusual, but locals often feel it makes their town look like a joke. The rusting cars sit in a field, becoming the one thing people associate with Alliance, while the town has more to offer. Residents sometimes say they want to be remembered for more than just painted, upended vehicles. What seems like creative art for travelers has grown into a sore point for locals who feel reduced to a single odd attraction.
3. The Four Corners Monument (AZ/CO/NM/UT)
The idea of standing in four states at once sounds exciting, and visitors love lining up to place their hands and feet across the markers. But locals are less enthusiastic about the Four Corners Monument. Many argue the spot is not perfectly accurate, making it feel more like a gimmick than a true landmark. The area is also remote, with little else to see, so people often stop briefly before leaving. While tourists feel proud for checking it off their list, locals quietly roll their eyes at the hype over a concrete slab in the desert.
4. Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, TX)
A row of Cadillacs buried nose-first in a field has become one of Amarillo’s most famous spots. Covered in graffiti, it’s an ever-changing piece of public art that visitors love to spray paint. But for residents, the shine has worn off. Empty spray cans are left scattered around, paint runs into the soil, and the crowds often show little respect for the space. What once felt unique now feels messy, with the charm drowned out by careless behavior. Locals wish people appreciated the idea without leaving behind the waste that spoils the landmark.
5. Mystery Spot (Santa Cruz, CA)
The Mystery Spot has long claimed to defy gravity, attracting curious visitors to its tilted rooms and strange illusions. Tourists laugh at the odd angles and unusual sensations, convinced something magical is happening. But locals are far less impressed. To them, it’s simply a dated roadside trick that clogs traffic and draws in endless crowds for the same tired experience. The charm faded long ago for those who live nearby, and many wish people would discover Santa Cruz’s real beauty instead. While it may be fun for travelers, locals find it unnecessary and repetitive.
6. The Fremont Troll (Seattle, WA)
Hiding under a bridge in Seattle, the Fremont Troll was created as a piece of public art but has since become a full-blown tourist magnet. Crowds gather daily to climb on the giant concrete figure, blocking nearby roads and creating constant noise. Residents complain that the once quirky statue has turned into a nuisance, bringing more hassle than joy to their neighborhood. Visitors still love snapping photos with it, but those who live close by feel overwhelmed. What was once meant to celebrate creativity now leaves locals wishing the troll would stay out of sight.
7. The Clown Motel (Tonopah, NV)
The Clown Motel in Tonopah is filled with clown dolls and decorations, making it a favorite for horror fans and travelers chasing oddities. For tourists, it’s a thrill, a chance to experience something creepy and unique. But locals often feel differently. The motel’s eerie reputation overshadows the town’s identity, reducing it to a spooky gimmick instead of highlighting its true history. Residents say the constant clown branding grows tiring, and many do not appreciate the unsettling atmosphere. What feels like quirky fun for visitors often feels like a disturbing burden for the people who live nearby.
8. Salvation Mountain (Niland, CA)
Brightly painted and covered in religious messages, Salvation Mountain stands out in the desert as a colorful piece of art. It attracts thousands of visitors who come for photos and curiosity. Yet locals often worry about the site’s fragile condition and the mess left behind by careless tourists. The mountain is not formally protected, making it vulnerable to both weather and human damage. Residents appreciate its meaning but are tired of seeing it treated like a backdrop for selfies. For those nearby, it feels more like a burden than a treasure, something beautiful yet constantly threatened.
9. World’s Largest Ball of Twine (Cawker City, KS)
The World’s Largest Ball of Twine is a quirky stop for road trippers who love odd landmarks. People take quick photos and proudly say they’ve seen it. But many locals feel the attention it gets overshadows everything else in their town. Visitors rarely stay to explore beyond the twine, leaving businesses and culture overlooked. Residents are proud of the record, yet wish the focus included more of what makes their community special. What’s fun for travelers can be frustrating for those who see their hometown defined by a giant ball of string.
10. Roswell UFO Museum (Roswell, NM)
Roswell is known around the world for its UFO story, and the museum dedicated to it keeps tourists coming. Packed with memorabilia, photos, and theories, it remains a quirky stop for curious visitors. But many locals feel the obsession holds the town back. The alien theme overshadows other aspects of Roswell’s culture and history, leaving it locked in the past. Residents are divided between those who enjoy the attention and those who are tired of green alien branding. What excites travelers can feel repetitive and limiting for locals who want their town to grow.
11. The Enchanted Highway (Regent, ND)
Giant scrap-metal sculptures line the Enchanted Highway, drawing travelers to stop and snap photos of oversized animals and figures. To visitors, it’s unusual and creative, but to locals, it does not offer much lasting value. People pass through quickly, leaving little impact on the struggling community. “It looks impressive, but it doesn’t help us,” some residents admit. While the sculptures remain bold reminders of creativity, they highlight the gap between tourist curiosity and real local benefit. What amuses travelers often leaves locals wishing for something that truly supports their town’s future.
12. Slab City (Imperial County, CA)
Slab City, known as “the last free place,” attracts outsiders who want to live off the grid, creating a community of artists and wanderers. To many visitors, it feels like freedom and adventure. But nearby residents see the consequences. With no formal services, issues like waste, fires, and safety concerns spill over into neighboring towns. While it has gained a reputation for independence, locals deal with the downsides that few outsiders consider. For people living nearby, it’s less of an inspiring experiment and more of a burden that continues to cause real problems.
13. The Shoe Tree (Middlegate, NV)
What started as a quirky idea of tossing old shoes into a cottonwood tree has turned into an odd landmark covered in footwear. Tourists stop to add their shoes, treating it like a ritual or fun memory. But locals often see it as nothing more than litter dangling in branches. The sight of hundreds of worn shoes is not exactly inspiring, and it raises concerns about the health of the tree itself. Visitors may laugh at the novelty, but residents feel it adds nothing meaningful and only leaves behind a messy symbol.
14. Foamhenge (Centreville, VA)
Foamhenge is a full-scale replica of Stonehenge made out of Styrofoam, and tourists often find it amusing and quirky. But for locals, it feels baffling and unnecessary. They live in a region rich with real history, so celebrating fake rocks can feel silly and misplaced. There are also concerns about what happens as the Styrofoam ages, potentially leaving behind more problems than art. While travelers enjoy the odd sight, many residents quietly wish it had never been built. What entertains outsiders ends up being one more oddity that feels out of place for the community.
15. Hell, Michigan
Hell, Michigan leaned into its name, building shops and attractions around the idea of visiting “Hell.” Tourists love the puns, the photos, and the chance to say they’ve been to Hell and back. But residents grow tired of the constant jokes and the reputation that comes with it. What seems fun to outsiders feels overdone for those who live there every day. Some enjoy the tourism, but others wish their town was known for more than wordplay. For locals, the humor has grown stale, leaving them quietly ready for a different identity.
This story 15 Strange American Tourist Attractions That Locals Want Gone was first published on Daily FETCH
