If you’re looking to make your next road trip in Indiana unforgettable, you might want to trade the usual stops for something out of the ordinary. Across the state, you’ll find a collection of attractions that defy expectations, places that invite you to see Indiana in a whole new light.
From interactive art projects to legends that live on in local lore, these stops add a sense of discovery and delight to the journey. I’ve traveled to each of these places with curiosity and an open mind. Each destination brings its own flavor, revealing aspects of Hoosier history and community spirit that don’t always make the guidebooks.
Whether you travel solo, with friends, or as a family, these six unique attractions promise more than a quick photo, they spark conversation and add stories to retell long after the trip ends.
1. World’s Largest Ball of Paint (Alexandria)
Sometimes you find yourself standing in front of something so improbable, you can’t help but smile. The World’s Largest Ball of Paint in Alexandria is exactly that, a baseball transformed by thousands of visitors into an evolving monument of color, community, and patience. From a single baseball in 1977, it now weighs over 4,000 pounds and holds more than 27,000 layers of paint.
Unlike a traditional museum piece, this attraction invites you to become part of its story. All it takes is a phone call to the owner and a bit of time. You’ll be handed a brush and get to add your own layer, leaving a tangible mark alongside the thousands who have visited before you.
Standing in the unassuming garage, you see the paint drips on the floor and feel the personal history layered in every coat. The act feels oddly ceremonial. For those who appreciate hands-on experiences and a bit of whimsy, this stop offers both. The ball keeps growing, with every visitor contributing to its quirky legacy. You carry away a sense that something small, like a baseball, can become extraordinary, one colorful layer at a time.
2. Pink Elephant with a Martini (Fortville)
It’s impossible to drive past the Pink Elephant with a Martini in Fortville without pausing for a second look. This towering sculpture, complete with oversized glasses and a martini glass, brings a sense of fun to a stretch of road otherwise lined with practical storefronts. At first glance, you might think you’ve stumbled upon the world’s quirkiest parade float.
What sets this roadside oddity apart is how locals have embraced it as a fixture. The elephant isn’t just a static display. Sometimes, it’s dressed up for holidays or loaded onto a truck for a slow roll in local parades. It’s become both a photo destination and a community mascot.
Elite Beverages, the liquor store behind the statue, takes pride in the elephant’s fame. Travelers and regulars alike snap photos, and the pink pachyderm has starred in a good number of family albums. The statue’s cheerful presence and splash of color perfectly capture the playful spirit that Indiana’s best roadside attractions deliver. If you’re passing through Fortville, don’t forget your camera, this pink elephant is always ready for the spotlight.
3. The Grave in the Road (Franklin)
Some places have a story that stops you in your tracks, and Nancy Barnett’s grave in Franklin is one of them. In the early 1900s, as crews prepared to pave County Road 400, they tried to relocate this grave. Barnett’s descendants refused, standing their ground to protect her final resting place, and the county made a compromise, by paving the road around it instead.
Today, drivers slow as they approach the gravestone, which sits quietly in the middle of the road. There’s a certain hush that falls when you see a grave bisecting a lane, a reminder of personal history persisting in the face of progress. Few roadside memorials make their presence known quite like this one.
Curious travelers often stop to pay their respects or just marvel at the oddity of it all. Local officials have preserved the site, adding a historical marker for context. This spot brings the past and present together, showing how a single family’s determination left a literal mark on the landscape, and on every curious road tripper who visits.
4. Monster Turtle of Fulk Lake (Churubusco)
Not every legend leaves behind tracks, but in Churubusco, Oscar the Monster Turtle has earned a permanent place by Fulk Lake. The tale began in the late 1940s, when local residents claimed to spot a giant turtle, supposedly the size of a dining room table, lurking in the murky waters. For weeks, the story captivated local media and drew crowds hoping for a glimpse.
Though Oscar himself never surfaced for cameras, the legend grew into local folklore. The town embraced its ‘monster’ wholeheartedly, even establishing Turtle Days, a community festival, to celebrate the myth. Today, Oscar’s legacy endures as a massive 12-foot statue that greets visitors on their way through town.
The statue makes for a memorable photo stop and a fun introduction to Indiana’s tall tales. Children climb on it, festival-goers snap group pictures, and locals proudly recount the story to anyone who’ll listen. Whether or not you believe in giant turtles, Oscar’s presence reflects a community that values its stories, and isn’t afraid to make them larger than life.
5. Stone Head Marker (Brown County)
Quirky history buffs will appreciate the Stone Head Marker in Brown County, standing quietly at a country crossroads for generations. First placed in 1851 by local craftsman Henry Cross, the hand-carved stone head served as a milepost for travelers long before GPS or even reliable road maps. Its distinctive features have made it a minor celebrity in the region.
The marker’s journey hasn’t been smooth. Over the years, it’s endured theft, vandalism, and even a stint as an impromptu hat rack in someone’s home. Despite setbacks, the community restored the marker and now protects it with a memorial and informational sign.
Passing by, you’ll notice the simple, honest face peering out from the limestone. The marker stands as both a relic of travel’s early days and a testament to the ways small towns guard their oddities. There’s a certain warmth in knowing that a carved stone can outlast trends and technology, quietly guiding travelers long after its original purpose faded.
6. Lost River (Southern Indiana)
Where does a river go when it vanishes? In Southern Indiana, the Lost River provides a riddle that even experienced geologists find captivating. Over 23 miles of this stream slip beneath the surface, disappearing into limestone bedrock before emerging again down the line. There’s a bit of magic in standing at the spot where water simply slips away without a trace.
Karst landscapes, formed by the slow dissolution of limestone, create a labyrinth of underground passageways here. The Lost River threads between sinkholes, springs, and caves, making it a favorite spot for those interested in geology and natural mysteries. Local guides sometimes offer tours to the visible parts, but much of the river’s underground journey remains off-limits to all but the most dedicated spelunkers.
For many travelers, the Lost River is less about the destination and more about the curiosity it inspires. The sight of flowing water vanishing into the earth feels both odd and awe-inspiring. On a quiet day, it’s easy to sense the tug of the unknown, standing on the edge of one of Indiana’s greatest natural puzzles.
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