Tacky Places
American Visionary Art Museum - This museum is one of those places that doesn't mind being called a tacky treasure. It's all about honoring the quirky in all of us, and especially those brave souls who make art outside of the fine art world. >> more
Tune Inn - The Tune Inn is back. This historic bar, with the second-oldest liquor license in the city, has been renovated following a kitchen fire. >> more
The Mystery Hole, Ansted, West Virginia - True to the grand tradition of the American roadside attraction, the Mystery Hole does everything it can to draw you in. >> more
Foamhenge,
Natural Bridge, Virginia - Natural Bridge, Virginia has its
own full-sized replica of Stonehenge, right in the heart of the Blue
Ridge Mountains, and made completely of foam. >> more
Harper’s Lawn Ornaments - What I really wanted was a concrete dinosaur, preferably a Tyrannosaurus Rex, about three feet tall, for my garden. >> more
Coal
Country Miniature Golf, Fairmont, West Virginia - Learn about
the coal mining industry, and have fun playing miniature golf at the
same time! >> more
Enchanted
Forest, Ellicott City, Maryland - Enchanted Forest in Ellicott
City, Maryland was a much-beloved amusement park that opened in 1955,
and closed in 1989. >> more
Cooter's
Place, Sperryville, Virginia - Cooters, the D.C.
area mecca for Dukes of Hazzard fans, is back in business. >> more
The
Miracle on 34th Street, Hampden, Baltimore, Maryland - You
stroll down Chestnut Avenue, and take a left on 34th Street, and suddenly
evening turns to almost day. The houses are lit, and the street is bustling
with people. >> more
Tacky Tiki, Kensington, Maryland - In Kensington, Maryland, there is a replica of an Easter Island Head looking south toward Washington, D.C.
>> more
Mt.
Rainier Antique, Thrift and Salvage, Mt. Rainier, Maryland -- GONE!
- I can't think of a more entertaining way to spend a Saturday afternoon
than rummaging around my favorite antique store. >> more
The
American Dime Museum -- GONE! - The American Dime
Museum opened in 1999, and closed in 2006. I feel like this is a personal
loss. Where else could I indulge my fondness for the weird and tasteless
than a museum devoted to sideshow chicanery? >> more
Clog
Palace, Silver Spring, Maryland -- GONE! - The Clog
Palace was a mecca for the Washington D.C. area old-time music and dance
crowd. Lots of wacky, tacky things happened there. >> more
Planet
Wayside, Hamilton, Virginia -- GONE! - I am sorry
to say that one of my first designated Tacky Treasure Places is no more.
The quirky establishment known as Planet Wayside closed forever in 2006.
>> more