Regular readers of this blog know that I have a soft spot for wacky travel attractions and events. I get a kick out of visiting quirky spots that are off the beaten path and I always enjoy spotlighting them so as to encourage others to venture beyond their traditional vacation itineraries and see what else this fine country has to offer.
If you are planning an end of the summer family trip and are looking for ways to save money on your journey consider the following hotel packages. Each includes one night’s deluxe accommodations, breakfast for two and a copy of “Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets” by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman, a guide to the Top Weird Spots to Discover.
CONNECTICUT
A trip to affluent Stamford doesn’t have to be filled exclusively with tours of upscale boutiques and world-class restaurants. Instead, gather the clan and head over to Bridgeport at the Barnum Museum. The site is an eclectic tribute to the founder of the Greatest Show on Earth, P.T. Barnum. Among the quirky items showcased are: the Feejee Mermaid; Baby Bridgeport, a mounted 700-pound preserved elephant born in Bridgeport at the circus’s winter quarters in 1882; a souvenir piece of cake from Tom Thumb’s 1863 wedding; and a re-creation of the library from Barnum’s first Bridgeport mansion, Iranistan, which was modeled after the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England. Other nearby attractions that are sure to give your camera a workout are Milford’s Jesus Tree, whose scar left from the loss of a limb has reportedly grown into an image of Jesus, and the Melon Heads, tiny vicious monsters with huge heads said to appear along Velvet Street in nearby Trumbull. The hotel package includes one night at the Marriott Stamford Hotel and Spa, breakfast, and the travel guide for just $154 per room per night.
PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh may be the home to the world-famous Steelers, but with the help of the “Top Weird Spots” guide you will have much more to look at than the backsides of professional football players. Some of the city’s most popular wacky attractions include Gravity Hill, a road in North Park where cars roll uphill when put in neutral; the grave of George Swanson, who is buried in a 1984 Corvette at Brush Creek Cemetery; and Damian’s grave in Resurrection Cemetery, said to be the burial site of the son of Satan. The travel package is priced at just $159 per room per night and includes one night at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport, which features an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and an on-site restaurant.
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