Roadside Attractions Your Dog Will Absolutely Love

The only thing better than taking a road trip is taking one with a tail-wagging friend as your co-pilot. And no road trip is complete without making pit stops along the way to visit any of the innumerable roadside attractions that can be found along America’s highways and byways. Roadside attractions present you with the opportunity to stop, get out of the car, stretch, and take some Instagram-worthy photos for your dog posing in front of these curious landmarks.  

Below you will find 5 Crazy Cat Guy approved curiosities, but if you need help finding roadside attractions along a specific route, Roadside America and Silly America are great resources for attractions in all 50 states. And to make sure your pup is welcome wherever you go, Bring Fido and PetsWelcome can help point you in the right direction. 

Cabazon Dinosaurs 

50770 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, CA 92230 

Located approximately 15 miles west of Palm Springs, the Jurassic giants known as the Cabazon Dinosaurs are visible from Interstate 10 in Riverside County, California. Dinny the Dinosaur and Mr. Rex were brought to life over 30 years ago by former amusement park sculptor Claude K. Bell to attract customers to his nearby Wheel Inn restaurant. In 1985, the Cabazon Dinosaurs (and the Wheel Inn) were immortalized by their appearance in the quirky cult-classic film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Unfortunately, the restaurant shut its doors in 2013 and has since been demolished, but luckily Bell’s iconic dinosaurs remain. 

Fun fact:  

It took Bell 11 years to complete the largest of the two steel-and-concrete creatures, the 45-foot-tall, 150-foot-long Apatosaurus named Dinny – at a cost of $300,000!  

Bunnyhenge 

Civic Center Park, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 

A hidden gem in the heart of Newport Beach, the so-called “Bunnyhenge” is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Orange County, California. Located within Civic Center Park, the sculpture consists of fourteen 3 1/2-foot-tall rabbits gathered in a circle as if they are performing some sort of ancient pagan ritual. There are two 8-foot-tall rabbits located elsewhere in the park as well. 

The park is also home to the Sculpture in the Civic Center Park Exhibition, a free public art space with approximately 20 sculptures that rotate out every two years. Here you will find walking trails, an adjacent dog park, benches, water fountains, bridges, viewing platforms and more! And while you’re in the OC, you might also want to schedule a bonus stop at Dog Beach (https://www.dogbeach.org) in neighboring Huntington Beach for some “off leash optional” fun in the sun.  

Fun fact:  

The city of Newport beach reportedly spent $221,000 on the bunnies – a cost that sparked controversary among residents of the coastal city. One candidate running for city council even created a campaign video declaring that “we need to blow up the bunnies!”   

Sky Art Sculptures of Galleta Meadows 

Borrego Springs, CA 

Situated in the middle of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the laid-back desert town of Borrego Springs is home to the Sky Art Sculptures of Galleta Meadows. The brainchild of local landowner and philanthropist Dennis Avery (deceased), the open-air sculpture gallery consists of over 130 larger-than-life metal sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda. 

Constructed from sheet metal that is meticulously cut, shaped, and welded together, Breceda’s menagerie of sculptures includes horses, mammoths, dinosaurs, saber-toothed tigers, a giant grasshopper facing off with a giant scorpion, and a most impressive 350-foot-long sea serpent which appears to be undulating through the sand – and even crossing the roadway. 

Fun fact:  

Borrego Springs is an official International Dark Sky Community – focused on protecting the night sky from light pollution, thus making it a great destination for stargazing. In fact, the Anza-Borrego Desert is ranked in the top 10 stargazing locations in America, according to USA Today. 

Sunsphere 

World’s Fair Park, 810 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902 

Built for the 1982 World’s Fair, the Sunsphere is an iconic feature of the Knoxville, Tennessee skyline – and one of only two structures remaining from the international exposition. Inspired by the ’82 World’s Fair slogan of “Energy Turns the World,” the themed structure was designed to represent the Sun and its boundless energy. 

The Sunsphere stands 266 feet tall and boasts stunning 360-degree views of Knoxville, the Tennessee River, and the Smoky Mountains. The observation deck is free and open to the public, but pets are not allowed. However, the World’s Fair Park grounds are pet-friendly and make for a great place to take a walk or play on the lawn. 

Also, within walking distance is the University of Tennessee campus where you can find ten Smokey Statues honoring the bluetick coonhounds that have served as the campus’s mascot since 1953. Psst, here’s a map.

Fun fact:  

Each pane of glass in the 75-foot diameter Sunsphere is made using 24-karat gold, giving the orb its reflective color. At the time of construction, each pane of glass cost around $1,000. 
 

Dolly Parton Statue 

125 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN 37862 

Dolly Parton is a national treasure. Not only is she a 10-time Grammy-winning country music superstar and pop-culture icon, she’s also a longtime philanthropist. She’s donated over 150 million books through her Imagination Library program.  

Her Dollywood Foundation donated $1000 per month to families impacted by wildfires in East Tennessee. Just last year Parton helped fund Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine with a $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. And on top of all that, she’s just so gosh darn lovable. The people of her hometown even dedicated a life-size bronze statue in her honor that sits on the lawn of the 122-year-old Sevier County Courthouse. So, if you find yourself passing through Sevierville on your way to the Great Smoky Mountains, be sure to stop and get a photo with Dolly. 

Fun fact:  

Artist Jim Gray spent more than 2000 hours working on bringing the Dolly Parton statue to fruition. The process involved creating a steel skeleton, sculpting 300 pounds of clay, and having the piece cast in bronze. Since its dedication in 1987, the statue has become one of Sevierville’s most visited destinations.