When you think of things to see in the Lone Star State, many people think of those iconic places like The Alamo in San Antonio, the Texas Capitol in Austin, or Palo Duro Canyon in the Panhandle. As a Native Texan, I love all of those locations but there’s something about the quirky and eccentric places that make me smile. Trying to only come up with 10 favorites was difficult but these specific locations always make a big impression on me.
Prada Marfa and Marathon Target
Prada Marfa
Marathon Target
I know. I know. I’ve talked about Big Bend a lot in my blogs. I admit it’s one of my favorite places in Texas, maybe the world. Of course, since I haven’t seen all the world, perhaps I’m making a bigger statement than I should, but I don’t think so. I’ve also mentioned these two locations before. However, I never talked about their quirkiness. I’ve never heard of anywhere else in the world with two fake store fronts in the middle of nowhere with nothing to sell. If that’s your kind of thing, both Prada Marfa and Marathon Target are the places for you. Since I’m not a shopper, I really like visiting. I save money, take a few photos, and watch others get their pictures taken in front of these weird locations in the Texas Mountain Trail Region.
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch
When my husband Dan and I were traveling in the RV a few years ago, we spent a week in Amarillo. Yes, we visited the aforementioned Palo Duro Canyon. Needing a part for the RV, we toured the Jack Sisemore RV Museum (highly recommend it), and the infamous Cadillac Ranch. At that time, we called ourselves the Eccentric Nomads so we bought spray paint and had a party spraying our logo all over the cars that are strategically placed in a row on the outskirts of town. I have to say, it felt a little illegal but was very, very satisfying.
Stonehenge – Odessa and Ingram
Seriously? We have not just one Stonehenge. We have two.
Hands down one of the weirdest booths I’ve ever seen at an open-air market, the doll’s head location at Fredericksburg Trade Days could give you nightmares. I have no idea if the owner ever sells anything but I’ve always seen people browsing. My guess is they’re getting interior decorating ideas for their children’s leftover Barbie heads and body parts. After a visit here, stop at one of the many wineries in Fredericksburghttps://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/wineries/ to calm your nerves.
Rattlesnake Round-up in Sweetwater
No, I haven’t attended the Rattlesnake Round-up even though it’s not that far from my home in San Angelo. I did once tour the town of Sweetwater with some Texas travel counselors once and got to meet one of the wranglers. I couldn’t get past the fact that someone would actually choose to do this as a profession. I’m not a fan of snakes but quirky and eccentric people who are can hang out with other quirky and eccentric people at the round-up.
Million Barrel Museum in Monahans
Million Barrel Museum Entryway
Million Barrel Museum
No words can describe this quirky museum in Monahans in the rich oil country of west Texas. The size of three football fields, the Million Barrel Museum is a giant cement oil tank. Designed in the 1920’s to hold five million barrels of oil, it failed. In the 1950’s, it was sealed and then filled with water. The theory was it could be used for water sports. The day after it opened, it closed because all the water seeped through. It failed. Now the location is a tourist attraction with additional buildings adjacent to it with museum quality exhibits. If at first you don’t succeed…
The Eiffel Tower, Y’all
Eiffel Tower Paris, Texas
Eiffel Tower Cowboy Hat
Known for their special “Bonjour, Y’all” greeting, Paris, Texas, definitely stands out as quirky. The Eiffel Tower, one tenth the size of the original in France, has been Texa-fide. Paris, Tennessee, is also home to a replica of the tower but the folks in Texas added a big, red cowboy hat to the top so that the Lone Star version was taller. It reaches to a height of 65 feet.
Beer Drinking Goat – Mayor Clay Henry in Lajitas
Lajitas Mayor Clay Henry
Beer-Drinking Goat/Mayor
In this time of political distress, it’s nice to find someone you feel comfortable enough to treat to a beer. The Mayor of Lajitas in far west Texas knows how to put one away like no other. Having never given a goat an alcoholic beverage, I was concerned what would happen when Morgan slipped him some in a bottle. Clay Henry knew the value of visitors to the Big Bend Region, so he bellied up to the fence and chugged. Vote Clay Henry in 2020!
Tex, the Giant Cowboy, in Conlen
Admittedly, I expected nothing when I drove through the town of Conlen in the Texas Panhandle during our perimeter tour. Since the town’s population was only 19, I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Appearing out of the west Texas sky, like grain elevators normally did, was a 20-foot cowboy with Tex on his belt buckle. Why he’s here, I have no idea, but there was no way we weren’t going to take his picture. The State Fair of Texas may have some competition with this big fella.
Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas
Luckenbach Post Office
Inside the Luckenbach Post Office
Local cat and a bottle of Lone Star Beer
The Three Tenors of Luckenbach
Rooster telling me what it thinks of me
Located a few miles from the wine country of Fredericksburg, Luckenbach has a big reputation for a community of only three people. Thanks to songwriters, Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman and the voice of Waylon Jennings bringing the town to life back in the seventies, Luckenbach became a household name. You never know what you’ll see when you’re there. It’s fun to go at night for a show, but during the day you might catch a musician picking a guitar while stray cats and roosters roam around the premises.
So if you like quirky and eccentric, try these 10 on for size. Once you’ve experienced my list, make your own and share your favorites with me. Enjoy Texas and safe travels!
I’ve worked in the travel industry for more than 20 years and I’ve been known to wander all my life. I’ve lived in more than 20 cities and towns and had the opportunity to experience a variety of people and places, introducing me to different cultures and allowing me to make friends along the way. I also majored in English in college. I don’t claim to be an excellent writer, proofreader, or grammar queen. I’m an amateur photographer and enjoy sharing the beauty of places I visit and and where I live.
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