Missouri
Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail | Weldon Spring
Weldon Spring was once home to the largest explosives factory in the United States. In the 1950s and ’60s, the same land was used as a uranium processing facility for nuclear weapons. Instead of moving the toxic waste, however, the government decided to bury it under a massive containment cell. Today, you can hike this (no-longer-toxic) massive waste mound, which has become a popular spot for bird watching and stargazing. It’s also said to be the highest accessible point in St. Charles County. If you want to learn more about the site’s past, there is a visitor center and signs along the hike to the top. 7295 Hwy. 94 S, Weldon Spring.
Leila’s Hair Museum | Independence
Leila Cahill had a unique passion for the art of hair, which led her to open this one-of-a-kind museum in 1986. The inspiration came to her after she discovered historic hair-related artifacts, and she wanted to celebrate their rich artistic traditions. The museum features antique jewelry and embroidery pieces—all made from hair. The exhibits range from the Victorian era to modern day, providing a historic look at how hair has changed over the years. 1333 S. Noland, Independence.
Illinois
Leaning Tower of Niles | Niles
You don’t have to travel to Italy to take photos of acting like you’re holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In the Chicago suburb of Niles, the Leaning Tower of Niles is a half-size replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The tower was completed in 1934 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. The tower’s grounds include four fountains and a reflecting pool. If you plan to visit in the summer, then check out the Leaning Tower Concert Series, which offers a lineup of open-air concerts on the tower grounds. 6300 W. Touhy, Niles, Illinois.
Indiana
World’s Largest Ball of Paint | Alexandria
In 1977, Michael Carmichael and his son covered a baseball in a light-blue house paint. Today, that painted ball has been splattered in 29,623 layers of paint, making it the largest ball of paint in the world–and a Guinness World Record holder. Michael’s initial intention was to paint a thousand layers and then cut it in half to see different colors, but instead, he just let it grow. The ball has its own custom-built house, attracting visitors from all over the world. If you want to visit the ball and perhaps paint its next layer of paint, then you need to make a reservation. 10696 N. 200 W, Alexandria, Indiana.
Grave in the Middle of the Road | Franklin
When Nancy Kerlin Barnett died in 1831, she was buried on a grassy hill. Decades later, county officials planned to construct a road that would run straight through the burial site. Nancy’s grandson refused to let the grave be disturbed. Instead of moving her remains, the road was built around the grave. Today, the road parts around the grave, leaving drivers to pass by the raised concrete grave every time they travel down the road. 6844 E. 400 South, Franklin, Indiana.
