Travel Itinerary
Upstate New York hides some seriously weird and wonderful monuments that most people never hear about. From giant candy rolls to painted pigs on rocks, these oddball attractions prove that creativity knows no bounds. Road trippers and curious explorers will discover amazing stories behind each unique landmark. Pack your camera because these quirky spots make for unforgettable adventures and great conversation starters.
1. Painted Pig Rock In Speculator
Someone decided a massive boulder needed personality, so they painted a pig face on it decades ago. Local folks keep touching up the paint job whenever it fades.
Kids absolutely love spotting this roadside surprise during family trips. The rock sits right along Route 8, making it super easy to find and photograph.
Nobody knows exactly who started this tradition, but everyone agrees it brings smiles to travelers passing through the Adirondacks.
2. Nipper Dog Statue In Albany
This enormous white terrier once advertised RCA Victor records with his head tilted toward a gramophone. Standing 28 feet tall, Nipper became Albany’s most recognizable landmark after moving from New Jersey.
Originally built in 1954, the fiberglass pup survived multiple relocations before finding his permanent home. Locals use him as a navigation landmark when giving directions.
The statue represents advertising history while delighting dog lovers who stop for selfies beneath his massive paws.
3. Gnome Chomsky In Kerhonkson
This 15-foot-tall garden gnome sports a red hat and blue outfit while towering over visitors at Kelder’s Farm. Named after philosopher Noam Chomsky, he combines humor with intellectual wordplay.
Families flock here for apple picking and pumpkin patches, but everyone remembers the giant gnome most. Social media posts featuring Gnome Chomsky go viral regularly.
The massive lawn ornament proves that farm attractions can embrace both whimsy and cleverness in their marketing efforts.
4. World’s Smallest Church Near Oneida
Measuring just 51 square feet, this tiny chapel seats only two people for intimate wedding ceremonies. Built on a small island, couples must take a boat to reach their wedding venue.
The miniature church features stained glass windows, wooden pews, and everything needed for a proper ceremony. Reservations book up months in advance despite the limited space.
Many couples choose this unique venue specifically because it forces them to focus on what truly matters during their special moment.
5. Tri-States Monument In Port Jervis
Stand in three states simultaneously at this unique boundary marker where New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania meet. The stone monument marks the exact spot where all three borders converge.
Visitors love taking photos while literally having one foot in each state. Geography enthusiasts consider this a must-see destination for understanding regional boundaries.
The marker represents centuries of surveying work and territorial agreements between neighboring states throughout American history.
6. 24-Second Shot Clock Monument In Syracuse
Basketball fans pilgrimage to see the monument honoring Danny Biasone, who invented the 24-second shot clock in 1954. This innovation revolutionized professional basketball by speeding up gameplay.
The memorial sits outside the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, celebrating local sports history. Syracuse University basketball supporters especially appreciate this tribute to the game’s evolution.
Before Biasone’s invention, teams could hold the ball indefinitely, making games incredibly boring for spectators and players alike.
7. Memorial To America’s First Circus Elephant In Somers
Old Bet, America’s first circus elephant, gets honored with a monument in the town where she lived during the early 1800s. Hachaliah Bailey brought her from London to entertain rural communities.
The elephant memorial sits atop Bailey’s grave, combining their stories into one tribute. Circus historians consider this the birthplace of American traveling entertainment shows.
Tragically, Old Bet was shot by a farmer who considered circus animals immoral, ending her pioneering entertainment career.
8. Pratt Rock In Prattsville
Zadock Pratt carved his own face and various scenes into this limestone cliff during the 1840s, creating New York’s answer to Mount Rushmore. The businessman wanted to commemorate his leather tanning empire.
Hikers can climb up close to examine the detailed carvings including Pratt’s son, a horse, and hemlock trees. The rock art predates South Dakota’s famous presidential monument by decades.
Pratt’s ego project became an accidental tourist attraction that still draws curious visitors to the Catskill Mountains.
9. World’s Largest Roll Of Life Savers In Gouverneur
This massive candy replica celebrates Gouverneur’s connection to the Life Savers manufacturing company that once operated here. The giant roll stands several feet tall outside the local museum.
Visitors often joke about needing giant teeth to eat this oversized mint. The monument honors the town’s industrial heritage when Life Savers provided hundreds of local jobs.
Children especially enjoy posing next to the enormous candy roll while learning about how their favorite treats were once made right here.
10. Sherman Tank Displayed At VFW In Waverly
A fully restored World War II Sherman tank sits proudly outside the Veterans of Foreign Wars post, honoring local military service members. The M4 Sherman represents American armored strength during the war.
Veterans often gather around the tank during Memorial Day ceremonies and other patriotic events. Local schools bring students to learn about military history through hands-on experience.
The tank serves as both a memorial and educational tool, helping younger generations understand the sacrifices made for freedom.
11. Replica Of Michelangelo’s David In Buffalo
Buffalo’s Albright-Knox Art Gallery features a full-size replica of Michelangelo’s famous David statue, bringing Renaissance art to western New York. The marble reproduction stands in the museum’s sculpture court.
Art students study the detailed craftsmanship without traveling to Florence, Italy. Photography enthusiasts appreciate the dramatic lighting that highlights the statue’s muscular features.
This replica allows visitors to experience one of history’s greatest sculptures while exploring Buffalo’s impressive art collection and cultural offerings.
12. USS Slater WWII Destroyer Museum In Albany
The last destroyer escort afloat from World War II now serves as a floating museum on the Hudson River. Visitors can explore authentic naval quarters, weapons systems, and communication equipment.
Veterans who served on similar ships often become emotional while touring the restored vessel. Interactive exhibits help guests understand daily life aboard a warship during combat operations.
The USS Slater represents thousands of sailors who protected Allied convoys from submarine attacks throughout the Atlantic Ocean.
13. Opus 40 Environmental Sculpture In Saugerties
Harvey Fite spent 37 years creating this massive stone sculpture and amphitheater using hand tools and quarried bluestone. The six-acre artwork rises from an abandoned quarry like an ancient civilization.
Visitors walk along carefully fitted stone pathways while discovering hidden chambers and viewing areas. The sculpture changes appearance throughout the day as sunlight creates different shadows and highlights.
Fite never intended to create art, but his quarry restoration project evolved into one of America’s most impressive environmental sculptures.
14. Beardslee Castle In Little Falls
This Gothic Revival castle built in 1860 now operates as a restaurant and event venue with reported ghost sightings. The stone fortress features turrets, battlements, and medieval-inspired architecture.
Paranormal investigators frequently visit hoping to encounter spirits that allegedly haunt the dining rooms. Wedding couples choose the castle for its fairy-tale atmosphere and dramatic photo opportunities.
The building survived multiple ownership changes while maintaining its mysterious reputation and architectural integrity throughout the decades.
15. Kaatskill Kaleidoscope In Mount Tremper
Inside a converted grain silo, visitors lie on cushions while watching spectacular light shows projected onto the 60-foot ceiling. The immersive kaleidoscope experience combines music, colors, and geometric patterns.
Each show lasts about ten minutes and features different themes from nature scenes to abstract art. Children and adults alike become mesmerized by the swirling colors and synchronized soundtracks.
The unique attraction transforms a simple optical toy concept into a room-sized sensory experience unlike anywhere else.
16. Fort Klock Living History Site In St. Johnsville
This 1750s fortified stone house survived French and Indian War attacks while protecting Mohawk Valley settlers. Costumed interpreters demonstrate colonial crafts, cooking methods, and defensive strategies.
The thick limestone walls still show musket ball damage from Revolutionary War skirmishes. School groups learn about frontier life through hands-on activities like candle making and blacksmithing.
Fort Klock represents the dangerous reality of colonial life when families needed fortified homes to survive constant threats.
17. Sunday Rock Glacial Erratic In South Colton
This massive boulder weighs an estimated 5,000 tons and was deposited by glaciers during the last ice age. The granite rock sits precariously balanced despite its enormous size.
Geologists study Sunday Rock to understand glacial movement patterns across the Adirondack region. Hikers enjoy the short trail leading to this natural wonder and geological curiosity.
Local legends claim the rock will fall someday, but it has remained stable for thousands of years since the glaciers retreated northward.