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 Texas places that make me smile. Trying to only come up with 9 favorites was difficult but these specific locations always make a big impression on me.
Prada Marfa
Big Bend is 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 this location before. However, I never talked about its quirkiness. I’ve never heard of anywhere else in the world with a fake store front in the middle of nowhere with nothing to sell. If that’s your kind of thing, Prada Marfa is the place 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 this weird location in the Texas Mountain Trail Region. Oh, and one more thing, it’s between Valentine and Van Horn so if you look for it in Marfa, you’ll never see it.
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo
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 were close, so we had to experience 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 Fredericksburg to calm your nerves.
Million Barrel Museum in Monahans
No words can describe this 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
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
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!
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
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.
If you like quirky and eccentric, try these 9 on for size. Once you’ve experienced my list, make your own and share your favorites with me.
