Nothing beats a summer road trip with windows down, music playing, and the open road stretching ahead. But no adventure is complete without those unexpected stops: silly, unique, and odd places that capture your imagination, causing you to pull over and explore.
For American Adventures Month, we’re spotlighting charming, eccentric, and memorable roadside attractions in Pennsylvania.
The Haines Shoe House — York
Just outside York stands a house taken straight from a fairy tale. The Haines Shoe House is a five-story building shaped like a work boot. Built in 1948 by Mahlon Haines, the self-proclaimed “Shoe Wizard,” the home has exchanged hands multiple times since.
Though initially built as a promotional stunt for Haines’s shoe empire, the house has served many purposes over the years, including as an unconventional billboard, an ice cream shop, and a museum. Now, the house is available for overnight stays through Airbnb, with bedrooms tucked into the toe and heel, an outdoor dining area, and even a hot tub.
Whether you stay the night or pull over to snap a photo, this towering boot embodies entrepreneurial flair and Americana.
The Coffee Pot — Bedford
Coffee is a lovely complement to a morning drive, but this is excessive!
This 18-foot-tall coffee pot was built in 1927 by David Koontz to attract passing motorists. Originally, the coffee pot served sandwiches and coffee to customers of Koontz’s gas station (a precursor to the modern convenience store). In 1937, the coffee pot was relocated and attached to a hotel where it served as a bar and lounge. Now, the structure resides near the entrance of the Bedford County Fairgrounds, a nostalgic monument to the golden age of American road travel.
Big Mac Museum — North Huntingdon
For many, stopping for lunch at McDonald’s is a road-trip must. One McDonald’s location in North Huntingdon has a unique claim to fame as the birthplace of the Big Mac. This restaurant houses the Big Mac Museum, which honors the iconic sandwich.
Invented in 1967 by local franchise owner Jim Delligatti, the Big Mac sent ripples through the fast-food industry and remains a household name to this day. Inside the museum, visitors can view vintage ads, original packaging, and the world’s largest Big Mac statue. It’s a supersized tribute to fast-food history that makes for a lunch break to write home about.
Cherry Springs — Coudersport
There’s no better way to end a long day on the road than admiring the night sky. Cherry Springs State Park, right outside of Coudersport, is known for its incredible stargazing. The area’s low light pollution and wide-open sky consistently rate the park among the seven best stargazing locations in the world. On a clear night, lucky viewers might see a meteor shower, Venus, the Northern Lights, or the Milky Way.
A night at Cherry Springs can be truly transcendent and the perfect conclusion to a summer of adventure.
Whether you’re staying the night at The Haines Shoe House or grabbing lunch at the Big Mac Museum, a simple roadside attraction could become the highlight of your summer!
And while you’re out making memories, why not make every purchase count for more? With C&N’s Round Up & Save, each transaction is rounded up to the nearest dollar, and the difference is automatically deposited into a designated savings account. It’s a simple, effortless way to grow your savings while on the road. Even small cents can lead to big adventures in the future!
