8 Most Unconventional Towns In The United States
The United States is one of the most diverse countries in the world, with a huge mix of modern metropolises and whimsical small towns all within its vast borders. While many of these big cities provide the nation's most popular tourist hotspots, these best communities offer some more unconventional attractions that you need to check out.
From niche museums to eye-catching works of public art, and everything in between, travel across America and uncover these memorable destinations.
Wall, South Dakota
Wall may seem like your typical small, quiet South Dakotan town, but it is home to one of the most popular road trip stops in the US—Wall Drug. Starting in 1931 as a simple pharmacy offering free ice water, Wall Drug evolved into a massive roadside attraction, now spanning multiple city blocks. Its quirky signs, unique gift shops, and novelty attractions, including a giant dinosaur and a jackalope (unfortunately just a taxidermied one), make it a must-visit stop along Interstate 90. You can still grab a free cup of ice cold water on a hot, summer day. Or, if you're desperate to stay awake behind the wheel, the 5-cent coffee is an equally alluring offer.
The town's unusual charm extends beyond Wall Drug. It serves as a gateway to Badlands National Park and the nearby Black Hills, where you can explore the region's incredible rock formations, fossil beds, and rugged yet picturesque landscapes.
Lily Dale, New York
The Lily Dale Assembly in New York State.
Since traveling to the spirit world is generally considered impossible for the living, the closest you may be able to come is in this hamlet in New York's Great Lakes region. It is known as a haven for spiritualists and mediums, having been founded in the late 19th century as a small, gated community that is dedicated entirely to the practice of spiritualism. Visitors come from all over seeking psychic readings, séances, and connections with the spirit world.
The town’s centerpiece is often considered to be the Inspiration Stump, a large stump located in a quiet spot in the nearby woods where mediums claim to receive messages from the deceased. Moreover, the Assembly Hall hosts lectures, workshops, and demonstrations of mediumship throughout the summer season.
Unlike typical tourist towns, Lily Dale functions as both a historical site and a genuine haven for the spiritualist community, making it a one-of-a-kind destination for those curious about the supernatural. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, exploring this unusual enclave offers an experience unlike anywhere else in New York State.
Centralia, Pennsylvania
Graffiti Highway in Centralia, Pennsylvania before it was covered in graffiti and ultimately covered completely.
Centralia is unlike any other town in the United States—a borderline ghost town abandoned due to an underground coal mine fire that has been burning since 1962! Once home to nearly 3,000 residents, the fire rendered much of the land uninhabitable, forcing almost everyone to relocate. Today, only a handful of people remain, and the town's eerie, smoke-emitting ground and abandoned streets make it one of the most unusual places in the country, but a hugely popular one among urban explorers.
One of Centralia’s most famous features was the Graffiti Highway, a stretch of abandoned road covered in colorful street art left by visitors. Though it was covered over in 2020, remnants of those who have come to visit in the years since the town's downfall still remain dotted throughout.
With its cracked, steaming roads and nearly empty landscape, Centralia offers a haunting reminder of what happens when nature reclaims what it once owned, making it a truly unconventional destination, only visited by those who are fascinated by the strange and abandoned.
Cleveland, Mississippi
Cleveland, Mississippi is a true gem in the Mississippi Delta, known for its distinctive and important place in American musical history. This town is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Delta" due to its deep roots in the blues genre, with the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi offering an in-depth look at the genre's history and impact in the state and around the world.
The town offers vibrant events year-round, from national tours at the Bologna Performing Arts Center to intimate concerts at the Ellis Theater. The historic theater in downtown Cleveland offers an intimate setting where emerging musicians and songwriters bring the soulful sounds of the Delta to life.
Marfa, Texas
Marfa stands out for its intriguing combination of art, mystery, and amazing desert landscapes in the heart of West Texas. The town is well known to many paranormal enthusiasts for the Marfa Lights, a phenomenon where unexplained lights appear on the horizon at night. You can try to catch a glimpse of the lights in the viewing areas around town.
Marfa also has a surprising reputation as a hub for the arts. Despite its small size, the town is home to several contemporary art pieces and galleries, including the renowned Chinati Foundation, founded by artist Donald Judd. Other nearby installations, like the Giant Marfa Mural and Prada Marfa, a faux Prada boutique seemingly dropped at the side of a remote highway, add further depth to the town's artistic scene.
Cairo, Illinois
Cairo is another significantly abandoned town, surprising given its history as a significant trading hub. Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, its docks were once bustling and productive but now sit idle as a reminder of better times. However, economic decline, changing transportation routes, and other civil tensions led to a dramatic population drop, leaving behind empty streets and decaying historic buildings that make it a hotspot for urban exploration in the Midwest.
The town’s eerie, almost post-apocalyptic atmosphere is contrasted by its Civil War history—Cairo was a key Union stronghold, with General Ulysses S. Grant stationed there for a time. Interestingly, Cairo sits at the lowest elevation in Illinois, making it prone to flooding.
Here, you are open to exploring local landmarks like the abandoned Gem Theatre, the crumbling mansions of "Millionaire’s Row," and Fort Defiance Park, the point at which the two rivers meet.
Weeki Wachee, Florida
Weeki Wachee doesn't just have a name that is fun to say out loud, it is famous for its live mermaid performances as well. Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has hosted underwater shows featuring women in mermaid costumes performing synchronized routines in its natural spring. The performances take place in an underwater theater with a clear view of the performers as they swim among fish and other aquatic life.
The town’s namesake spring, located a short drive north of Tampa, is one of the deepest in the country too, with crystal-clear waters that are also ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding. Furthermore, the Weeki Wachee River winds through the lush local Florida wilderness, offering you a chance to see manatees up close!
Slab City, California
Slab City is an off-grid community deep in the Sonoran Desert of southern California, where residents, for the most part, live without electricity, running water, or government oversight. Built on the remnants of an abandoned World War II Marine Corps base, this community is a bit of a gathering point for nomads, artists, and those seeking to escape mainstream society.
This destination's most famous landmark is Salvation Mountain, a brightly painted hillside covered in an eclectic mix of religious messages and folk art. Nearby, East Jesus serves as an open-air art installation filled with sculptures made from salvaged materials.
Despite its harsh environment and lack of infrastructure, Slab City attracts numerous visitors every year fascinated by its self-sufficient, anarchic way of life. Sometimes called "the last free place in America," it gives insight into the lengths that many people still go to for true freedom, even in a country like the United States.
See Another Side of America For Your Next Road Trip
The United States is clearly filled with unconventional towns—these destinations only make up a handful of the possible places to explore. These communities challenge expectations, offering experiences far removed from typical tourist spots. That is exactly what many are going for when they travel.
Whether shaped by abandoned industry, singular artistic visions, spiritual beliefs, or complete isolation, any of these places will certainly make for a memorable trip. Centralia, Marfa, Slab City, and all the others prove that history, mystery, and human creativity can still be found across all corners of the country!
