We can all use a little bit of quirky in our lives, can’t we? You can find some pretty quirky things in Pennsylvania – from a toy store that’s housed in a building shaped like a stealth bomber to an over-sized coffee pot. Today, let’s take a peek at some of the coolest quirky things in PA that definitely belong on your bucket list.
- The Haines Shoe House – York
Facebook/The Haines Shoe House If you want to know what the old lady who lived in a shoe felt like, stop by the Haines Shoe House. Join a tour of what might be the most unique house in all of PA. After your tour, indulge in a delicious ice cream treat, sold right in the shoe. Click here for the official website of the Haines Shoe House.
- Mini Statue of Liberty – Dauphin County
Flickr/Kirk Komodo Did you know that you don’t have to travel all the way to New York City to see the Statue of Liberty? You can also visit its mini version in Dauphin County. One day in 1986 the miniature version of the statue just appeared an old railroad bridge on the Susquehanna River. Years later, the story of how local Gene Stilp created and secretly erected the mini Statue of Liberty emerged.
- Koontz Coffee Pot – Bedford
Wikipedia/Jeff Kubina The Koontz Coffee Pot was originally built as a coffee joint that would attract customers to the gas store which sat behind it. Today, the coffee pot is a popular tourist spot. While you can’t explore the interior anymore, you can snap photos and selfies.
- The Reading Pagoda – Reading
Facebook/Reading Pagoda Built in the early 20th century, The Reading Pagoda stands seven stories high atop Mount Penn. You can join a guided tour of the Pagoda or just admire it on your own. Don’t forget to stop by the Pagoda Cafe, too, for a delicious bite to eat. Click here for the official website of the Reading Pagoda.
- PennDOT Roadside Sculpture Garden - Meadville
Trip Advisor/TheSnackPirate If you’ve not been to the PennDOT Roadside Sculpture Garden in Meadville yet, you definitely want to put in on your bucket list. Arguably PA’s most unique attraction, the sculpture garden was designed by students at Allegheny College and staff from the PA Department of Transportation. The sculpture runs a quarter of a mile and is made of authentic road signs.
- Playthings, Etc. – Butler
Facebook/Playthings, Etc. Playthings, Etc. just might be the coolest toy store on the planet. It’s housed in a building that was designed to look like a stealth bomber. Once you head inside, you’ll find an abundance of toys - from the modern to the classics of yesteryear. Click here for the official website of Playthings, Etc.
- Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium – Orrtanna
Facebook/Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium If you love elephants and/or candy, you’re going to love Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium. The museum is home to more than 12,000 elephant-related items - from figures to toys. Don’t forget to check out the candy shop, too, that features 900 different types of candies, including flying saucers and fudge. Click here for the official website of Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium.
- The Stoogeum – Ambler
Facebook/The Stoogeum Feel a rush of nostalgia when you visit The Stoogeum, a museum dedicated to The Three Stooges. The museum is home to approximately 100,000 artifacts dating back to 1918. Embark on a self-guided tour as you explore the three-story, 10,000 square foot museum. Click here for the official website of the Stoogeum.
- Ringing Rocks Park – Upper Black Eddy
Flickr/Gavin M. Roy Bring your hammer when you visit Ringing Rocks Park. That’s right - your hammer. Tap the hammer against one of the rocks in the seven acre field of rocks. It will ring like a bell, a natural phenomenon. Click here for the official website of Bucks County.
- World’s Largest Clothespin – Philadelphia
Flickr/Kevin Burkett Remember hanging your clothes outdoors in the summer, using clothespins? Maybe you still use them. Snap photos of the World’s Largest Clothespin when you visit Philadelphia. The clothespin stands 45 feet high and dates back to 1976.
What are your favorite quirky things in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! Itching to head out on a road trip this summer? Set off on this quirky road trip to the most unique roadside attractions in Pennsylvania.
Facebook/The Haines Shoe House
If you want to know what the old lady who lived in a shoe felt like, stop by the Haines Shoe House. Join a tour of what might be the most unique house in all of PA. After your tour, indulge in a delicious ice cream treat, sold right in the shoe. Click here for the official website of the Haines Shoe House.
Flickr/Kirk Komodo
Did you know that you don’t have to travel all the way to New York City to see the Statue of Liberty? You can also visit its mini version in Dauphin County. One day in 1986 the miniature version of the statue just appeared an old railroad bridge on the Susquehanna River. Years later, the story of how local Gene Stilp created and secretly erected the mini Statue of Liberty emerged.
Wikipedia/Jeff Kubina
The Koontz Coffee Pot was originally built as a coffee joint that would attract customers to the gas store which sat behind it. Today, the coffee pot is a popular tourist spot. While you can’t explore the interior anymore, you can snap photos and selfies.
Facebook/Reading Pagoda
Built in the early 20th century, The Reading Pagoda stands seven stories high atop Mount Penn. You can join a guided tour of the Pagoda or just admire it on your own. Don’t forget to stop by the Pagoda Cafe, too, for a delicious bite to eat. Click here for the official website of the Reading Pagoda.
Trip Advisor/TheSnackPirate
If you’ve not been to the PennDOT Roadside Sculpture Garden in Meadville yet, you definitely want to put in on your bucket list. Arguably PA’s most unique attraction, the sculpture garden was designed by students at Allegheny College and staff from the PA Department of Transportation. The sculpture runs a quarter of a mile and is made of authentic road signs.
Facebook/Playthings, Etc.
Playthings, Etc. just might be the coolest toy store on the planet. It’s housed in a building that was designed to look like a stealth bomber. Once you head inside, you’ll find an abundance of toys - from the modern to the classics of yesteryear. Click here for the official website of Playthings, Etc.
Facebook/Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium
If you love elephants and/or candy, you’re going to love Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium. The museum is home to more than 12,000 elephant-related items - from figures to toys. Don’t forget to check out the candy shop, too, that features 900 different types of candies, including flying saucers and fudge. Click here for the official website of Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium.
Facebook/The Stoogeum
Feel a rush of nostalgia when you visit The Stoogeum, a museum dedicated to The Three Stooges. The museum is home to approximately 100,000 artifacts dating back to 1918. Embark on a self-guided tour as you explore the three-story, 10,000 square foot museum. Click here for the official website of the Stoogeum.
Flickr/Gavin M. Roy
Bring your hammer when you visit Ringing Rocks Park. That’s right - your hammer. Tap the hammer against one of the rocks in the seven acre field of rocks. It will ring like a bell, a natural phenomenon. Click here for the official website of Bucks County.
Flickr/Kevin Burkett
Remember hanging your clothes outdoors in the summer, using clothespins? Maybe you still use them. Snap photos of the World’s Largest Clothespin when you visit Philadelphia. The clothespin stands 45 feet high and dates back to 1976.
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Address: The Haines Shoe House, 197 Shoe House Rd, York, PA 17406, USAAddress: US-22, Dauphin, PA 17018, USAAddress: 108 Telegraph Rd, Bedford, PA 15522, USAAddress: 98 Duryea Dr, Reading, PA 19602, USAAddress: Meadville, PA 16335, USAAddress: 2483 William Flynn Hwy, Butler, PA 16001, USAAddress: 6019 Chambersburg Rd, Orrtanna, PA 17353, USAAddress: 904 Sheble Ln, Ambler, PA 19002, USAAddress: Ringing Rocks County Park, Ringing Rocks Rd, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972, USAAddress: Philadelphia, PA, USA
