When you hear the word “Texas” you might think cowboys, cattle ranches and country music. But there’s more to the Lone Star State than meets the eye, and some of it is pretty out there.
Prada Marfa | Photo: genlocair – Flickr Creative Commons
Window-shop at the designer store in the desert
You might not expect to come across a designer store in the Texas desert, but don’t be surprised if you discover just that. The only downside is you can’t actually go inside. Prada Marfa, just north of Valentine, is a sculpture built to resemble a Prada store, complete with shoes and handbags inside. Enjoy gazing at this glorious artwork and dreaming of all those shoes!
Ms. Pearl the Squirrel | Photo: Steve Miller – Flickr Creative Commons
Pose with the squirrel statue that’s taller than you
Tons of travelers flock to monuments like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower for the photo op—but what about posing next to a giant squirrel? We think it’s worth it. A short drive west of Austin, you’ll spot the world’s largest squirrel (that we know of), standing 14 feet tall. Imaging 23 squirrels standing on top of each other, and you’ve got Ms. Pearl Nuts!
Related: Channel your inner cowboy at these must-visit dude ranches
Cadillac Ranch | Photo: David – Flickr Creative Commons
Ponder some half-buried Cadillacs
In the 70s, a hippy art collective half-buried a bunch of Cadillacs in the sand near Amarillo and called it Cadillac Ranch—and they’re still there today. Covered in chaotic graffiti scrawls and slogans, they certainly stand out from all that flat Texas land and cattle. It’s definitely a weird sight worth stopping for.
Art Car Museum | Photo: Cali4beach- Flickr Creative Commons
See some artistic rides at the Art Car Museum
If you enjoyed Cadillac Ranch, you’ll love Houston’s Art Car Museum. Here, you can check out some of the weirdest cars you’ll ever see, including vehicles covered in fruit and shells, or even shaped like shoes. Also known as the ‘Garage Mahal’, the museum’s exterior is equally as notable as the wacky cars within—it was fashioned from scrap metal and chrome by artist Dave Best.
Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas | Photo: Kevin – Flickr Creative Commons
Related: Route 66’s odd, Instagram-worthy attractions
Visit the Eiffel Tower
Who needs to go to France when you can visit the Paris, Texas, Eiffel Tower? This replica monument only stands about as high as an oil derrick, but it does have one cowboy-friendly accessory that makes this otherwise foreign attraction totally at home in the eyes of locals. After all, this Eiffel Tower lookalike wouldn’t be Texan without the giant cowboy hat!
Throne of Junk at the Cathedral of Junk | Photo: Aleksandr Zykov – Flickr Creative Commons
Experience recycling on another level
Away from the sand and sculptures, Austin offers something very unique. The ‘Cathedral of Junk’ may not sound attractive, but this is one impressive piece of metal recycling. Boasting stairways, multiple levels, and observation platforms, it’s far more than just a scrapheap. Head on in, the Throne of Junk awaits you.
The Traveling Man Waiting on a Train | Photo: Marco Becerra – Flickr Creative Commons
Get a load of the Traveling Man
Ever heard of the Traveling Man of Dallas? This local mascot is represented in three large metal sculptures located around the city of Dallas, and was created to celebrate the Deep Ellum neighborhood’s railway history. As the story goes, a locomotive buried beneath a tree grew up into this beloved metal character after some gin was splashed on the tree’s roots. Today, you can spot him around Dallas playing guitar, taking a rest, or without his body. Hope you like hide-and-seek.
