As two of Texas' biggest and most-distinctive cities, San Antonio and Austin boast landmarks that command the attention of locals and tourists alike. But sometimes it's more intriguing to go off the beaten path — and what's more quintessentially American than the tradition of visiting roadside attractions?
From giant sculptures and natural wonders to kooky art and oddities, there are plenty of attractions worthy of a detour — including a recreation of the ancient Stonehenge monument. With that in mind, we rounded up 20 roadside attractions in the Alamo City, Austin and the Hill Country that are worth visiting at least once.
20 roadside attractions between San Antonio and Austin everyone should see at least once
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, Feb 23, 2024 at 1:48 pm
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Dalia Gulca
Frank's Hog Stand
801 S. Presa St., San Antonio
A remnant of the classic 1920s chain of drive-in Pig Stand restaurants, Frank’s Hog Stand reopened in 2010 and served all-American eats. The restaurant has since closed, but the building remains the last pig standing — even when man has left.
801 S. Presa St., San Antonio
A remnant of the classic 1920s chain of drive-in Pig Stand restaurants, Frank’s Hog Stand reopened in 2010 and served all-American eats. The restaurant has since closed, but the building remains the last pig standing — even when man has left.
Wikimedia Commons / Seananderson
Hi, How Are You
Intersection of W. 21st and Guadalupe Streets, Austin
Also called "Jeremiah the Innocent," Daniel Johnston's iconic 1993 mural was originally painted on the side of Austin's Sound Exchange music store. In 2023, developers demolished the building on which the mural was painted, but left it standing and promised to preserve the artwork.
Intersection of W. 21st and Guadalupe Streets, Austin
Also called "Jeremiah the Innocent," Daniel Johnston's iconic 1993 mural was originally painted on the side of Austin's Sound Exchange music store. In 2023, developers demolished the building on which the mural was painted, but left it standing and promised to preserve the artwork.
Shutterstock / Epiglottis
Stonehenge II
120 Point Theatre Road S., Ingram
This modern tribute to an ancient monument in Ingram requires a detour into the Hill Country, but it's well worth inclusion on this list. Created by Al Shepperd and Doug Hill, Stonehenge II originally stood on Shepperd's property in Hunt, before being moved to the grounds of the Hill Country Arts Foundation after his death. Around two-thirds of the size of its namesake, the sculpture is accompanied by two replicas of Easter Island heads.
120 Point Theatre Road S., Ingram
This modern tribute to an ancient monument in Ingram requires a detour into the Hill Country, but it's well worth inclusion on this list. Created by Al Shepperd and Doug Hill, Stonehenge II originally stood on Shepperd's property in Hunt, before being moved to the grounds of the Hill Country Arts Foundation after his death. Around two-thirds of the size of its namesake, the sculpture is accompanied by two replicas of Easter Island heads.
Wikimedia Commons / Larry D. Moore
Ms. Pearl the Giant Squirrel
2626 State Highway 71, Cedar Creek
Berdoll Pecan Candy in Cedar Creek pays honor to its mascot, Ms. Pearl, with a 14-foot statue in front of the store, which they claim is the tallest squirrel statue in the world.
2626 State Highway 71, Cedar Creek
Berdoll Pecan Candy in Cedar Creek pays honor to its mascot, Ms. Pearl, with a 14-foot statue in front of the store, which they claim is the tallest squirrel statue in the world.
Sanford Nowlin
Grave of Pat the Horse
Cunningham Gate of Ft. Sam Houston, Corner of Cunningham Ave. and N. Pine St., San Antonio
Located on the northwest side of Ft. Sam Houston near the Westfort neighborhood is a single, large grave, where the beloved Pat the Horse is buried. Pat was a cavalry horse in the U.S. Army in the early 1900s. When the army decommissioned its cavalry, Pat was in his 20s and was set to be euthanized, but the soldiers at Ft. Sam Houston lobbied Washington for him to be spared. The request was approved and Pat spent his retirement at the fort. When Pat died at the ripe old age of 45 he was honored with a grave with his portrait on the headstone.
Cunningham Gate of Ft. Sam Houston, Corner of Cunningham Ave. and N. Pine St., San Antonio
Located on the northwest side of Ft. Sam Houston near the Westfort neighborhood is a single, large grave, where the beloved Pat the Horse is buried. Pat was a cavalry horse in the U.S. Army in the early 1900s. When the army decommissioned its cavalry, Pat was in his 20s and was set to be euthanized, but the soldiers at Ft. Sam Houston lobbied Washington for him to be spared. The request was approved and Pat spent his retirement at the fort. When Pat died at the ripe old age of 45 he was honored with a grave with his portrait on the headstone.
Shutterstock / PiercarloAbate
Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina Drive, Austin
Vince Hannemann started building his Cathedral of Junk in his South Austin backyard in the late '80s. The massive sculpture lives up to its name, reaching three stories high and continuing to evolve over the years. In 2019, Hannemann told Austin Monthly Magazine that the structure is "99 percent done."
4422 Lareina Drive, Austin
Vince Hannemann started building his Cathedral of Junk in his South Austin backyard in the late '80s. The massive sculpture lives up to its name, reaching three stories high and continuing to evolve over the years. In 2019, Hannemann told Austin Monthly Magazine that the structure is "99 percent done."
Shutterstock / MACH Photos
World’s Largest Cowboy Boots
North Star Mall, 7400 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio
Native San Antonians might not pay any attention to the giant cowboy boots in front of North Star Mall, but there's more to them than you'd think. Made by the larger-than-life artist Bob "Daddy-O" Wade, these boots were installed at North Star in 1979 and officially made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Largest Cowboy Boots four decades later.
North Star Mall, 7400 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio
Native San Antonians might not pay any attention to the giant cowboy boots in front of North Star Mall, but there's more to them than you'd think. Made by the larger-than-life artist Bob "Daddy-O" Wade, these boots were installed at North Star in 1979 and officially made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Largest Cowboy Boots four decades later.
Shutterstock / George Howard Jr
Big Slice of Pie
202 W. Center St., Kyle
Sitting atop the Texas Pie Company’s roof, this hearty — not to mention gigantic — slice of cherry pie with oozing filling serves as a preview of the desserts on offer inside.
202 W. Center St., Kyle
Sitting atop the Texas Pie Company’s roof, this hearty — not to mention gigantic — slice of cherry pie with oozing filling serves as a preview of the desserts on offer inside.
Shutterstock / Jeff Reeves
Bracken Cave
26101 FM 3009
In the summer, you can find the largest colony of bats in the world right here in San Antonio. About 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats live at Bracken Cave from March to October, making it one of the world’s largest concentrations of mammals. So many bats are found here because the cave is a maternity site for the species, so females gather here to give birth and rear their young.
26101 FM 3009
In the summer, you can find the largest colony of bats in the world right here in San Antonio. About 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats live at Bracken Cave from March to October, making it one of the world’s largest concentrations of mammals. So many bats are found here because the cave is a maternity site for the species, so females gather here to give birth and rear their young.
Shutterstock / Ant DM
Lake Nessy
4550 Mueller Blvd., Austin
This 16'x30' multicolored sea serpent sits in Austin's Mueller Lake Park across from the Thinkery. The glass and ceramic mosaic monster was created by artist Dixie Friend Gay in collaboration with Blue Genie.
4550 Mueller Blvd., Austin
This 16'x30' multicolored sea serpent sits in Austin's Mueller Lake Park across from the Thinkery. The glass and ceramic mosaic monster was created by artist Dixie Friend Gay in collaboration with Blue Genie.
Photo via Instagram / visitseguin
World's Largest Pecan, Seguin
390 Cordova Road, Seguin
The Pecan Capital of the world won the title not just for its fields of ofTexan pecan trees but also for the 16-foot long, 8-foot wide statue of a pecan which sits outside of the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center. The center is also home to the Pecan Museum of Texas, which houses Texan folk art and nutcrackers.
390 Cordova Road, Seguin
The Pecan Capital of the world won the title not just for its fields of ofTexan pecan trees but also for the 16-foot long, 8-foot wide statue of a pecan which sits outside of the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center. The center is also home to the Pecan Museum of Texas, which houses Texan folk art and nutcrackers.
Photo via Instagram / richardjgarciacpa
Junk Yard Dog
1201 Somerset Road, San Antonio
This canny canine is made by the same artist as the giant cowboy boots which sit outside of North Star Mall. Bob "Daddy-O" Wade, who passed away in late 2019, built the pup out of cars in his junk yard: a 1966 Plymouth Fury, a Volkswagen Beetle and the hood of a Cadillac.
1201 Somerset Road, San Antonio
This canny canine is made by the same artist as the giant cowboy boots which sit outside of North Star Mall. Bob "Daddy-O" Wade, who passed away in late 2019, built the pup out of cars in his junk yard: a 1966 Plymouth Fury, a Volkswagen Beetle and the hood of a Cadillac.
Courtesy Photo / Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio
Right in San Antonio’s backyard is the largest known commercial caverns in the state of Texas — Natural Bridge Caverns. In 1960, students from St. Mary’s University were granted permission to explore the area and were convinced that underground passages would be found underneath a 60 foot limestone slab bridge. Sure enough, one of the students felt a draft from a rubble-filled crawlway — meaning there were additional passages. Today, visitors can explore the caverns through various tours.
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio
Right in San Antonio’s backyard is the largest known commercial caverns in the state of Texas — Natural Bridge Caverns. In 1960, students from St. Mary’s University were granted permission to explore the area and were convinced that underground passages would be found underneath a 60 foot limestone slab bridge. Sure enough, one of the students felt a draft from a rubble-filled crawlway — meaning there were additional passages. Today, visitors can explore the caverns through various tours.
Michael Karlis
Miraflores Sculpture Garden
1234-1366 E. Hildebrand Ave., San Antonio
This decaying wonder near Brackenridge Park is hidden behind a fence but still visible from Hildebrand, guarded by a beautiful gate titled “Monumento a la Ciudad de México.” Created by local physician and art collector Aureliano Urrutia, the green space is full of sculpture, tiled benches and fountains, all falling into graceful disrepair. The garden is now owned by the City of San Antonio and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as designated as a State Archaeological Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission.
1234-1366 E. Hildebrand Ave., San Antonio
This decaying wonder near Brackenridge Park is hidden behind a fence but still visible from Hildebrand, guarded by a beautiful gate titled “Monumento a la Ciudad de México.” Created by local physician and art collector Aureliano Urrutia, the green space is full of sculpture, tiled benches and fountains, all falling into graceful disrepair. The garden is now owned by the City of San Antonio and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as designated as a State Archaeological Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission.
Shutterstock / hayeseyes
Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony
305 S. Congress Ave., Austin
The Congress Avenue Bridge spanning Lady Bird Lake is home to a massive colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. According to the Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife, the bridge is the location of the world's largest urban bat colony, with an estimated population of 1.5 million bats. Peak bat-watching season is from March-October each year.
305 S. Congress Ave., Austin
The Congress Avenue Bridge spanning Lady Bird Lake is home to a massive colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. According to the Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife, the bridge is the location of the world's largest urban bat colony, with an estimated population of 1.5 million bats. Peak bat-watching season is from March-October each year.
Courtesy Photo / City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture
La Veladora of Our Lady of Guadalupe
1301 Guadalupe St., San Antonio
Located at Plaza Guadalupe, Jesse Treviño's La Veladora of Our Lady of Guadalupe is mixed media mural featuring a 3D votive candle with an eternal flame facing Guadalupe Street. It is said to be the world's largest Virgin Mary mosaic.
1301 Guadalupe St., San Antonio
Located at Plaza Guadalupe, Jesse Treviño's La Veladora of Our Lady of Guadalupe is mixed media mural featuring a 3D votive candle with an eternal flame facing Guadalupe Street. It is said to be the world's largest Virgin Mary mosaic.
Dalia Gulca
The Picasso Benches
Blue Star Arts Complex, 1414 S. Alamo St., San Antonio
Blue Star has plenty to offer — from art galleries and boutiques to bars and coffee shops. Even the bus stop gets in on the action, with a set of mosaic benches paying tribute to famed cubist artist Pablo Picasso.
Blue Star Arts Complex, 1414 S. Alamo St., San Antonio
Blue Star has plenty to offer — from art galleries and boutiques to bars and coffee shops. Even the bus stop gets in on the action, with a set of mosaic benches paying tribute to famed cubist artist Pablo Picasso.
Photo via Google Maps
World's Largest Shovel
3606 FM1327, Creedmoor
This 40-foot tall shovel in Creedmoor was made from recycled materials.
3606 FM1327, Creedmoor
This 40-foot tall shovel in Creedmoor was made from recycled materials.
Photo via Instagram / therefinedhomellc
Giant Stag Made of Junk
4203 Loring Park, Converse
Built from various rusted metal parts — fenders and typewriters included — this Florentino Narcis creation stands 40 feet tall in the midst of a neighborhood in Converse.
4203 Loring Park, Converse
Built from various rusted metal parts — fenders and typewriters included — this Florentino Narcis creation stands 40 feet tall in the midst of a neighborhood in Converse.
Photo via Instagram / unitedstatuesofamerica
Mansplaining Statue, San Antonio
4301 Broadway, San Antonio
Though unintended by the artist, the statue Classmates on UIW’s campus struck a chord, as it accidentally immortalizes the unique frustration of being mansplained to. The statue can be found near the college’s music building.
4301 Broadway, San Antonio
Though unintended by the artist, the statue Classmates on UIW’s campus struck a chord, as it accidentally immortalizes the unique frustration of being mansplained to. The statue can be found near the college’s music building.
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