Texas has plenty of beautiful destinations that are worth a road trip — beaches, winding rivers and scenic camping spots, for example. But, every so often, you want to experience something on the kookier side.
A hallmark of classic Americana is the kitschy roadside attraction, and there's a bounty of those unique spots worth visiting in South and Central Texas.
From a plethora of objects that claim to be the "world's largest" to recreations of famous historical sites including Stonehenge, these 24 roadside attractions in San Antonio and beyond are worth hopping in the car to check out.
24 must-see roadside attractions within driving distance of San Antonio
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, Jul 22, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Tags:
- San Antonio,
- Texas,
- South Texas,
- roadside attractions,
- road trip,
- driving distance,
- Hill Country,
- Central Texas,
- Texas roadside attractions,
- road trip ideas,
- things to do in the summer,
- Roadside America,
- biggest in the world,
- world's largest,
- Barbadilla,
- Buffalo Gap,
- Perini Ranch Steakhouse,
- World's Largest Cowboy Boots,
- North Star Mall,
- Bob Daddy-O Wade,
- Stonehenge II,
- Easter Island Heads,
- Easter Island Head,
- Moai,
- Ingram,
- World's Largest Shovel,
- Creedmoor,
- Giant Stag,
- Giant Stag Made of Junk,
- Converse,
- Marathon,
- Robo-Cow,
- Johnson City,
- Bettye Hamblen Turner,
- Giant Steer Skull,
- Bandera,
- Mansplaining Statue,
- University of the Incarnate Word,
- UIW,
- Classmates,
- Poteet,
- strawberries,
- World's Largest Strawberry,
- Strawberry Water Tower,
- Frank's Hog Stand,
- Caartoon Saloon,
- Comfort,
- Victoria,
- A.T. Dincans Jr.,
- Pearsall,
- World's Largest Peanut,
- Junk Yard Dog,
- Luling,
- Watermelon Water Tower,
- Lourdes Grotto Replica,
- La Grange,
- World's Largest Virgin Mary Mosaic,
- Jesse Trevino,
- Guadalupe Theater,
- World's Largest Pecan,
- Seguin,
- Home of the World's Largest Pecan Historic Marker,
- World's Second Largest Mobile Pecan,
- Pape Pecan House,
- Smitty,
- World's Largest Gingerbread Man,
- Smithville,
- Kyle,
- Big Slice of Pie,
- Big Peanut for the Peanut King,
- Floresville
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Barbadilla, Buffalo Gap
3002 FM 89, Buffalo Gap, roadsideamerica.com
Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap, Texas, has a 30-foot armadillo for a mascot, appropriately named Barabadilla.
Photo via Instagram / periniranch
3002 FM 89, Buffalo Gap, roadsideamerica.com
Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap, Texas, has a 30-foot armadillo for a mascot, appropriately named Barabadilla.
Photo via Instagram / periniranch
World’s Largest Cowboy Boots, San Antonio
North Star Mall, 7400 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
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.
Photo via Instagram / 2ten.exploration
North Star Mall, 7400 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
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.
Photo via Instagram / 2ten.exploration
Stonehenge II and Easter Island Heads, Ingram
120 Point Theatre Road S., Ingram, roadsideamerica.com
They may not be the real deal, but these replicas of Stonehenge and the Easter Island Moai Statues in Ingram, Texas, are the next best thing to the storied ancient monuments.
Photo via Instagram / kaitlen_breanna_1989
120 Point Theatre Road S., Ingram, roadsideamerica.com
They may not be the real deal, but these replicas of Stonehenge and the Easter Island Moai Statues in Ingram, Texas, are the next best thing to the storied ancient monuments.
Photo via Instagram / kaitlen_breanna_1989
World's Largest Shovel, Creedmoor
3606 FM1327, Creedmoor, roadsideamerica.com
This 40-foot tall shovel in Creedmoor wsa made from recycled materials.
Photo via Google Maps
3606 FM1327, Creedmoor, roadsideamerica.com
This 40-foot tall shovel in Creedmoor wsa made from recycled materials.
Photo via Google Maps
Giant Stag Made of Junk, Converse
4203 Loring Park, Converse, roadsideamerica.com
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 / therefinedhomellc
4203 Loring Park, Converse, roadsideamerica.com
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 / therefinedhomellc
Giant Steer Skull, Bandera
200 Main St., Bandera, roadsideamerica.com
This monolithic steer head is mounted on the rear of the building that houses Western Trail Antiques..
Photo via Google Street View
200 Main St., Bandera, roadsideamerica.com
This monolithic steer head is mounted on the rear of the building that houses Western Trail Antiques..
Photo via Google Street View
Mansplaining Statue, San Antonio
4301 Broadway, San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
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.
Photo via Instagram / unitedstatuesofamerica
4301 Broadway, San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
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.
Photo via Instagram / unitedstatuesofamerica
World’s Largest Strawberry, Poteet
530 Avenue H, Poteet, roadsideamerica.com
The strawberries in Poteet are anything but petite, including the 7-foot tall statue of a strawberry located in front of the town’s fire station. While Poteet’s iconic annual Strawberry Festival takes place during the spring, the burg pays homage to its trademark crop year round with statues and artwork.
Photo via Google Maps
530 Avenue H, Poteet, roadsideamerica.com
The strawberries in Poteet are anything but petite, including the 7-foot tall statue of a strawberry located in front of the town’s fire station. While Poteet’s iconic annual Strawberry Festival takes place during the spring, the burg pays homage to its trademark crop year round with statues and artwork.
Photo via Google Maps
Strawberry Water Tower, Poteet
Junction of Betty Louise Drive and Pecan St., Poteet, roadsideamerica.com
A towering 130-foot strawberry can be seen along Highway 16 as cars approach Poteet, giving everyone a berry sweet welcome to the town.
Photo via Instagram / bryan_in_texas
Junction of Betty Louise Drive and Pecan St., Poteet, roadsideamerica.com
A towering 130-foot strawberry can be seen along Highway 16 as cars approach Poteet, giving everyone a berry sweet welcome to the town.
Photo via Instagram / bryan_in_texas
Frank's Hog Stand, San Antonio
801 S. Presa St., San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
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.
Photo via Instagram / goingwrong
801 S. Presa St., San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
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.
Photo via Instagram / goingwrong
Marathon, a.k.a. Robo-Cow, Johnson City
Junction of Flat Creek Road and E. US Hwy 290, Johnson City, roadsideamerica.com
This steely steer, crafted by Texan artist Bettye Hamblen Turner, looks like a creature straight out of a sci-fi movie. It stoically guards the entrance of the The Preserve at Walnut Springs.
Photo via Instagram / jonesdan515
Junction of Flat Creek Road and E. US Hwy 290, Johnson City, roadsideamerica.com
This steely steer, crafted by Texan artist Bettye Hamblen Turner, looks like a creature straight out of a sci-fi movie. It stoically guards the entrance of the The Preserve at Walnut Springs.
Photo via Instagram / jonesdan515
The Cartoon Saloon, Comfort
508 FM Hwy 473, Comfort, roadsideamerica.com
This stand on the side of the highway is an old-west saloon which passersby can go into, but don’t go expecting to order a sasparilla —it serves no other function than photo-op stop.
Photo via Instagram / mediadisdat
508 FM Hwy 473, Comfort, roadsideamerica.com
This stand on the side of the highway is an old-west saloon which passersby can go into, but don’t go expecting to order a sasparilla —it serves no other function than photo-op stop.
Photo via Instagram / mediadisdat
Easter Island Head, Victoria
291 McCright Drive, Victoria, roadsideamerica.com
The 10-foot tall statue Moai is located near a golf course in Victoria. An inscription at the base of the statue indicates that it may have been made by A.T. Dincans Jr. in 1997.
Photo via Google Maps
291 McCright Drive, Victoria, roadsideamerica.com
The 10-foot tall statue Moai is located near a golf course in Victoria. An inscription at the base of the statue indicates that it may have been made by A.T. Dincans Jr. in 1997.
Photo via Google Maps
World’s Largest Peanut, Pearsall
Junction of S. Treviño St. and Comal St., Pearsall, roadsideamerica.com
The World’s Largest Peanut still stands proudly after over 25 years on the side of the road in Pearsall, TX.
Photo via Instagram / redfangoo
Junction of S. Treviño St. and Comal St., Pearsall, roadsideamerica.com
The World’s Largest Peanut still stands proudly after over 25 years on the side of the road in Pearsall, TX.
Photo via Instagram / redfangoo
Junk Yard Dog, San Antonio
1201 Somerset Rd., San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
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.
Photo via Instagram / richardjgarciacpa
1201 Somerset Rd., San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
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.
Photo via Instagram / richardjgarciacpa
Watermelon Water Tower, Luling
1798 E Pierce St., Luling, roadsideamerica.com
Along Highway 183, another high-flying fruit can be spotted in the sky. This 154-foot tower contains some of the water that helps grow Luling’s 50 pound watermelons.
Photo via Instagram / insearchofquirk
1798 E Pierce St., Luling, roadsideamerica.com
Along Highway 183, another high-flying fruit can be spotted in the sky. This 154-foot tower contains some of the water that helps grow Luling’s 50 pound watermelons.
Photo via Instagram / insearchofquirk
Lourdes Grotto Replica, La Grange
936 FM 2436, La Grange, roadsideamerica.com
Transport yourself to the cobbled streets of Europe at this Texas version of the grotto at Lourdes, France.
Photo via Instagram / georcuzzi
936 FM 2436, La Grange, roadsideamerica.com
Transport yourself to the cobbled streets of Europe at this Texas version of the grotto at Lourdes, France.
Photo via Instagram / georcuzzi
World's Largest Virgin Mary Mosaic, San Antonio
1301 Guadalupe St., San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
San Antonio artist Jesse Treviño’s La Veladora is a large mosaic replica of a Catholic prayer candle in tribute to the Lady of Guadalupe.
Photo via Instagram / dumasdaily
1301 Guadalupe St., San Antonio, roadsideamerica.com
San Antonio artist Jesse Treviño’s La Veladora is a large mosaic replica of a Catholic prayer candle in tribute to the Lady of Guadalupe.
Photo via Instagram / dumasdaily
World's Largest Pecan, Seguin
390 Cordova Road, Seguin, roadsideamerica.com
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 Pecan Museum of Texas, which houses Texan folk art and nutcrackers.
Photo via Instagram / visitseguin
390 Cordova Road, Seguin, roadsideamerica.com
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 Pecan Museum of Texas, which houses Texan folk art and nutcrackers.
Photo via Instagram / visitseguin
Home of the World's Largest Pecan Historic Marker, Seguin
101 E. Court St., Seguin, roadsideamerica.com
Seguin sits along the Guadalupe River, which was once known as the “River of Nuts.” A 1000 pound pecan statue outside of Seguin’s city hall is dedicated to Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca, who survived on a diet of local pecans while being held captive in the area.
Photo via Instagram / cricketpfairy
101 E. Court St., Seguin, roadsideamerica.com
Seguin sits along the Guadalupe River, which was once known as the “River of Nuts.” A 1000 pound pecan statue outside of Seguin’s city hall is dedicated to Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca, who survived on a diet of local pecans while being held captive in the area.
Photo via Instagram / cricketpfairy
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