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9 Wildly Popular And Peculiar Places To Visit In The U.S- Including Massachusetts

By Carolyn Kruse

When on the hunt for the unusual, whacky or creepy, look no further than TikTok. The video sharing social site is like the holy grail of the unconventional. Don’t get me wrong, it’s completely entertaining, but often has me scratching my head. And it’s easy to see why people get sucked into the great abyss. Recently, I discovered 9 wildly popular and peculiar places to visit in the U.S, including Massachusetts, thanks to TikTok and Wanderu.

Let’s face it, the Empire State Building isn’t for everyone. Niagara Falls has been done a billion times. Why visit the Grand Canyon when you can see a gum wall? Because it’s weird and kind of fun. TikTok has become a go-to for travel plans. There is a little something for everyone on TikTok’s most popular popular and “outlandish landmarks.” These are the most viewed destinations and landmarks on the social media app.

Some of these are spooky spots, others are goofy and still some make you wonder…why? Here you will find 9 wildly popular and peculiar places to visit in the U.S., including Massachusetts. You can stay at some of these destinations. You can drive by some of these travelers delights. They’ve all garnered enough views to land the unusual landmarks on the popular list. So, time to get our weird on, and check out what people on TikTok are drawn to.

  • 1. The Clown Motel

    With over 113 million TikTok views, the “world famous” Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada is the MOST popular peculiar place in the U.S.  “America’s Scariest Motel,”   fully embraces the creepy. There are themed rooms from “The Exorcist” to “IT.” According to their website, “It is the first choice for Ghost Hunters, Paranormal Investigators, Spooky Fun lovers, Youtubers, Horror Filmmakers, Clown Lovers, and more. Now when they think of a motel to experience the excitement of the unknown.” So, yeah…count me out. But have fun!

    THE CLOWN MOTEL, TONOPAH, NEVADA, USA.

    The Clown Motel was named "America's Scariest Motel" due to its clown theme and proximity to the cemetery where many miners were laid to rest due to the Tonopah-Belmont Mine Fire of 1911.

  • 2. The Gum Wall

    Located at 1428 Post Alley in Seattle, Washington. This bizarre attraction draws big numbers to the area, all year long. The Gum Wall is the 2nd most popular peculiar destination, according to TikTok. There are over 64 million views for this wall covered in ABC gum (already been chewed). It’s in an alley in the famous Pike Place Market. 

  • 3. South of the Border

    This eclectic roadside attraction has over 37 million views on TikTok, as a travel destination. It’s on I-95 near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line, in Dillion, South Carolina. What’s so peculiar here? Lots. To start the ginormous sombrero-wearing, mustached mascot on the side of the road, standing 200 feet tall. It’s a complex with a motel, an RV park and campground, an amusement park, a go-kart track, a miniature golf course, and more. But there’s a total creep factor here. Take a look:

    @havenvega

    Such a very weird & eerie vibe at this place 🥴🫣#southoftheborder #southoftheborderstop #sc #conspire #conspricytheroy #conspriacytiktok #conspiracies #conspiritualtheorist #conspiracytheorytiktok #conspiredd #conspiracyminded #VozDosCriadores #screammovie

    ♬ Creepy and simple horror background music(1070744) - howlingindicator

     

  • 4. The Last Block Buster

    There’s still one out there. You’ll find the Last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon. Don’t forget to bring your card! This travel hot spot has over 20.5 million TikTok views. What’s weird or peculiar about this place. Nothing really. It’s just the fact that what was once an enormously popular video store chain is down to one. But who even has a platform on which to play said videos? That’s the weird part. Why is it still in existence. Visitors say it’s like going back to the 90s. Nothing has changed except the world outside of this lone Blockbuster.

    @zane_lamprey

    This is the last Blockbuster store in the world! It opened in Bend, Oregon in 1992 as Pacific Video, a family-owned video rental store and converted to a Blockbuster franchise store in 2000. In 2004, Block buster was still growing, amassing 9,000 locations worldwide. Blockbuster closed all of its corporate-owned stores by 2014, at which point there were 50 remaining franchise stores. In 2018, this store in Bend became the last Blockbuster in the United States. That was after John Oliver on “Last Week Tonight" afforded a few more months of life into a Blockbuster in Alaska, by donating some Russell Crowe memorabilia (including a jock strap) to that Blockbuster. That location closed soon after and donated some of that memorabilia to the Bend location. By March of 2019, this location in Bend was the last Blockbuster in the world. Dish Network, which owns the Blockbuster trademark, continues to license the Blockbuster name to this location, which enables them to sell merchandise and carry more than 1,200 video titles — although the vast amount of their revenue comes from the sale of merchandise to tourists — although I saw two people returning movies while I was there. There’s a great documentary from 2020 called "The Last Blockbuster", created by some Bend filmmakers and featuring various celebrities, which you can watch online and also buy in the store. It gives some great insight as to why Blockbuster closed. It’s not as cut-and-dry as them being late to the game and losing out to Netflix. #blockbuster #vhs #blockbustervideo #vhstapes #vhscollector #nostalgia #videostore #moviecollection #vhsforeve #bekindrewind #cinephile #thelastblockbuster #blockbuster #blockbustervideo #blockbustervideostore #videoshops #lastblockbuster #thelastblockbusterstore #lastblockbusterstore #urbanexploration #videoshop #thelastblockbustervideostore #lastblockbustervideostore #videorental #vhs #defunctbrands #videostore #bendoregon #thebestofbend #zanesworld

    ♬ original sound - Zane Lamprey

  • 5. Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast

    With 16.7 million views on TikTok, Lizzie Borden’s Bed and Breakfast in Fall River, Massachusetts is the only Massachusetts on the “popular and peculiar” list. And to say it’s spooky is an understatement. I mean, it’s the notorious house where Lizzie Borden took and axe, and well, you know the rest of the story. Although no onedoes really. Because the double murder of Lizzie’s father and stepmother is still unsolved. You’ll find Lizzie’s house and the museum at 230 Second Street in the city of Fall River, If you are a fan of horror movies and the paranormal, this could be your place. 

    @ghoulplease_

    #lizzieborden #lizziebordenbedandbreakfast #lizziebordenhouse #hauntedplaces #hauntedtravels #darktourism #spookytravels #spookytravel #haunted

    ♬ Fear - Dark Fantasy Studio

  • 6. Pacific Tsuanami Museum

    In Hilo, Hawaii, you’ll find the Pacific Tsunami Museum. And on TikTok you’ll find it has 10.5 million views, making it the 6th most popular peculiar place on this list. The museum is dedicated the history of the Pacific tsunami of April 1, 1946 and also the May 23, 1960 Chilean tsunami which devastated much of the east coast of the Big Island, especially Hilo. Why is this place so popular? Probably because tsunamis are terrifying! Weird choice when picking museums

     

    Home | Pacific Tsunami Museum

    Saving lives through education and awareness. The Museum serves as a living memorial to those who lost their lives in past tsunami events.

     

     

  • 7. BabyLand General Hospital

    Located in Cleveland, Georgia the BabyLand General Hospital has 9.4 million views on TikTok. If you’ve never heard of it, and I hadn’t, at first thought…Why all the views for a baby hospital? The answer: Babyland General Hospital is the fictional “birthplace” of the dolls known as the Cabbage Patch Kids. Ahh, now I see. Cabbage Patch dolls were HUGE in the 1980s, and we all love nostalgia. Xavier Roberts converted a former clinic into a retail facility for the sale of his dolls, originally called “Little People.” 

    @livingwithsarah

    Baby Land General Hospital. Super odd place but i kinda get it 🥹 #fyp #babyland #tinyhome #CODSquadUp #hospital

    ♬ original sound - SarahArant🌻

  • 8. Cabazon Dinosaurs

    Cabazon, California is the place to be if you like dinosaurs. 5. 3 million TikTokers have talked about Cabazon Dinosaurs. It really became famous because of Pee Wee Herman. This iconic roadside attraction was featured in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Mr. Rex’s tribute to Pee Wee is on display through  October of this year. You can see the 150-foot-long Brontosaurus and the  65-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus Rex from the freeway on Southern California’s Interstate 10.

    @vivalxvnge

    Summer started, adventure time! #cabazondinosaurs #summer #fyp

    ♬ Brityardigans - T. Kyle

  • 9. The Spam Museum

    Haven’t you always dreamed of going to the Spam Museum. I’m sure I have…not. But hey, it’s certainly for someone’s taste. I mean the popular spot in Austin, Minnesota, not Texas, is a TikTok travelers delight.

    @yupitslaura

    A hidden gem in MN. Perfect for road trips #spam #spammuseum #roadtrip #fyp #minnesota #planterspeanut #roadsideamerica #spammeat #freeattractions @spammuseum @planterspeanutsusa

    ♬ Arkansas Traveler – Traditional Bluegrass Fiddle / Violin / Viola (with The Wolf Rock Band) - Buffalo Dave

     

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