Not everyone is aware of this, but dinosaurs still roam the earth in one small Arizona town. Filling the streets of Holbrook, these prehistoric creatures have to be among the strangest roadside attractions in the Grand Canyon State. Have you seen them? Take a look:
A sleepy little Route 66 town of just over 5,000 permanent residents, Holbrook is known and loved most notably for its Wigwam Village Inn.
Flickr/Mobilus In Mobili This quirky little teepee motel is undeniably strange, but it’s not even the weirdest roadside attraction within city limits.
Dinosaurs have taken over the town since 2007, when the International Petrified Forest and Painted Desert display closed.
Flickr/Jennifer Pickens Its props were relocated to local rock shops and other area businesses, where they have remained ever since.
Some of the dinosaurs, such as the ones in front of Rainbow Rock Shop, didn’t come from the exhibit.
Flickr/Scott Beale The owners built them over a 20-year period, hoping the weirdness would act as a magnet for tourists. The plan clearly worked, as people hand over cash without hesitation to pose with the extinct herbivores.
From babies to the most monstrous of grown-ups and encompassing many different species, the prehistoric creatures are seemingly everywhere you look.
Flickr/Mark Byzewski Isn’t this little guy just the cutest thing ever?
Considering how boring the remoteness and monotony of Route 66 can be at times, this is a welcome change – however weird it may be.
Flickr/Road Travel America You could even make a game out of it and see who can spot the most!
So whether you’re a paleontology buff or just enjoy seeing things that make you look twice, the Holbrook dinosaurs are a must-visit.
Flickr/caveman_92223 It isn’t every day you get to turn back the clock over 65 million years!
While you’re in the area, might we suggest checking out Petrified Forest National Park?
Flickr/Marc Cooper After all, this 135,000-acre section of the Painted Desert was home to some of the earliest dinosaurs. Plus, the fossilized conifer trees date back over 200 million years!
Check out our previous post for more about Holbrook: You Can Visit The Small Town In Arizona That Inspired The Disney Movie “Cars”.
Flickr/Mobilus In Mobili
This quirky little teepee motel is undeniably strange, but it’s not even the weirdest roadside attraction within city limits.
Flickr/Jennifer Pickens
Its props were relocated to local rock shops and other area businesses, where they have remained ever since.
Flickr/Scott Beale
The owners built them over a 20-year period, hoping the weirdness would act as a magnet for tourists. The plan clearly worked, as people hand over cash without hesitation to pose with the extinct herbivores.
Flickr/Mark Byzewski
Isn’t this little guy just the cutest thing ever?
Flickr/Road Travel America
You could even make a game out of it and see who can spot the most!
Flickr/caveman_92223
It isn’t every day you get to turn back the clock over 65 million years!
Flickr/Marc Cooper
After all, this 135,000-acre section of the Painted Desert was home to some of the earliest dinosaurs. Plus, the fossilized conifer trees date back over 200 million years!
Are there any restaurants, businesses, or other attractions in Arizona you think the world should know about? Head over to our nomination page and give them a shoutout — you just might see your submission featured in an upcoming article!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Holbrook, AZ 86025, USA
