A vacation should be about more than posing for selfies and collecting souvenirs. It should be about creating memories that last a lifetime. Satiate your wanderlust with one (or all) of the unique and unusual attractions on this list. Each is practically guaranteed to provide a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience. Be prepared to be inspired!
Furong Ancient Town: Where a Waterfall Flows Through a Fairytale Village
Resting atop the cliffs of a roaring, 60-meter-wide waterfall in the Hunan Province is the ancient Tujia village of Furong. This mist-shrouded enclave of wooden stilt houses (known as diaojiaolou) looks like an enchanted village out of a fairytale, especially after dark when the town glows with gold and crimson lanterns. Enjoy handmade crafts, authentic Hunanese food, and cinematic terrace views. Traditional Tujia dance performances are held nightly.
Iceland’s Magma Chamber: A Real-life Journey into the Center of the Earth
Journey to the center of the Earth during a guided tour of Þríhnúkagígur Volcano near Reykjavík, the only place in the world where you can set foot inside a magma chamber. Indulge in the adrenaline rush as the tour takes you on a descent of 120 meters down into a dormant volcano, where you will walk into a magma chamber once filled with molten rock. This expansive cavern is lined with walls that gleam with hues of red, green, and purple, formed by volcanic heat. Step into nature’s volcanic cathedral for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at one of the most unique and unusual attractions in the world.
Enjoy Nature’s Light Show at the Glow Worm Caves and Waterfalls in Springbrook National Park, Queensland, Australia
Deep in the dense Gondwana Rainforest of Springbrook National Park in Queensland, Australia, beneath the rushing waterfall of Natural Bridge, thousands of tiny glow worms illuminate the cave ceiling like an indoor planetarium. The best time to view these bioluminescent creatures is after dark, during guided tours. During the day, enjoy a peaceful walk through the rainforest or take in the scenic views of the Gold Coast and the cascading falls at one of the most beautifully unique and unusual attractions on this list.
Hovenweep National Monument: A Unique and Unusual Journey Through Time in the Four Corners Desert
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another moment in time at Hovenweep National Monument, which straddles the Colorado-Utah borders in the Four Corners region of the United States, making it one of the most unique and unusual attractions in the U.S. The site is an archaeological zone and preserves six distinct groups of Ancestral Puebloan villages. Evidence of human habitation here spans over 8,000 years, and includes sandstone-hewn towers that sit atop canyon rims and boulders. Enjoy taking in views of kivas and petroglyphs as you learn about the history and culture of Paleo-Indians and the Ancestral Puebloans.
Joshua Tree National Park: A Unique and Unusual Attraction Where Two Deserts Meet Under a Star-Filled Sky
You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a scene from a sci-fi movie as you traverse the rocky, boulder garden and yucca-studded terrain of Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. This truly unique location, where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts converge, creates a surreal landscape reminiscent of an alien world. It’s also said to hold a mystical energy, and is a popular destination for those who want to recharge spiritually. By day, soak up panoramic views of mountains, valleys, and deserts. By night, relax under a sky that’s littered with stars under the desert moon. This Dark Sky Park offers incredible stargazing retreats. If you’re looking for unique and unusual attractions, then Joshua Tree National Park is a must-see!
Plan Your Trip to the World’s Most Unique and Unusual Destinations
Forget the ordinary and go for the extraordinary. Bask in the glow of red lanterns reflecting off flowing waters, take a descent into a slumbering volcano, take a stroll under a canopy of bioluminescent life, explore the remnants of an ancient desert civilization, or watch a cosmic light show in the middle of a desert. These five destinations prove that the most unique and unusual attractions are worth the journey!
