Depending on the route of your cross-country move, you may be able to hit some of the stops in our previous list of must-see landmarks. If not, here are five more unusual sights to see. So, pull over your U-Haul truck and take a minute to stretch your legs and maybe learn something in the process.
Florescent Minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill Mines
Location: New Jersey
Glowing rocks don’t just exist in the movie “Superman.” They also exist in New Jersey. (And, no, it’s not from radioactive waste!) Miners accidentally stumbled upon fluorescent minerals near the end of the 19th Century. If you’re interested in stopping for a tour during your cross-country move, the Franklin Mineral Museum and the Sterling Hill Mining Museum are open to the public.
Fremont Troll
Location: Seattle, Washington
This creepy yet incredibly cool statue sits under the George Washington Memorial Bridge and clutches a Volkswagen Beetle. Could it be a warning to unsuspecting drivers? Created in 1990, the Fremont Troll was the winner of a competition for urban renewal. Snapping a selfie here is a must during your cross-country move.
Crater Lake National Park
Location: Klamath County, Oregon
This gorgeous lake—the deepest one in the U.S.—is known for its beautiful blue water and picturesque views. If you’re anywhere near this landmark, you’ll want to stop to see if you can catch a glimpse of the “Old Man of the Lake,” a log that has been bobbing around the lake for more than a century.
Very Large Array
Location: Socorro, New Mexico
If the Green Bank Telescope interested you, but it’s nowhere near your cross-country moving route, you might be able to swing by the Very Large Array in New Mexico. This array and the GBT and the Very Large Array (VLA) recently worked together to discover the beginning of a multiple-star system. That’s right! This array helped discover baby stars. How cool is that? Seriously. Landmarks like this are worth the detour.
Leaning Tower of Niles
Location: Niles, Illinois
This replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy was built in 1934 and is half the size of the of the Italian tower. If you can’t afford a trip to Italy, visiting the Leaning Tower of Niles is the next best thing. Located just north of Chicago, this tower is an easy stop on your way through the city.
What landmarks would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.
