Traveling is often romanticized as a soul-enriching journey filled with scenic vistas, cultural enlightenment, and delicious food. But let’s be honest—sometimes, it’s just weird. And frankly, those oddball moments are often the most memorable. So, if you’re tired of cookie-cutter itineraries and tourist traps, here’s a list of some of the weirdest, quirkiest travel experiences you never knew you needed.
1. Stay in a UFO (Sweden)
Tired of boring hotel rooms? In the forests of Sweden, you can sleep inside a fully furnished UFO. The Treehotel, located in Harads, features a futuristic, levitating (well, suspended) UFO-shaped suite. Not only does it provide an otherworldly experience, but it also guarantees the kind of deep sleep that can only come from knowing you’re nestled in the arms of extraterrestrial interior design.
2. Visit the Cat Circus (Russia)
Moscow’s Kuklachev Cat Theatre is a fever dream in the best way possible. Imagine dozens of trained cats performing circus tricks, directed by an eccentric human dressed in a flamboyant outfit. It’s baffling, delightful, and possibly the best use of feline talent outside of viral TikTok videos.
3. Dine in a Toilet-Themed Restaurant (Taiwan)
Ever wanted to eat curry out of a miniature toilet bowl? No? Well, too bad, because at Modern Toilet Restaurant in Taipei, that’s exactly what you’ll do. This wildly popular restaurant serves food in toilet-shaped dishes, with seats made from—you guessed it—actual toilet bowls. It’s a culinary experience that makes you rethink your relationship with bathroom fixtures forever.
4. Swim in a Lagoon of Beer (Austria)
The Starkenberger Brewery Castle in Austria became famous for beer-bathing pools, turning brewery culture into a full-body novelty instead of merely something poured into a glass. Treat it as a quirky experience rather than a health treatment, and check current booking details before building a trip around it.
5. Get Chased by Zombies (England)
If you’ve ever wondered how you’d fare in a zombie apocalypse, now’s your chance to find out. Various locations in England offer zombie survival experiences, where participants must run, hide, and fight their way through abandoned buildings filled with actors dressed as the undead. It’s cardio with a side of sheer terror.
6. Hang Out with Bunnies on Rabbit Island (Japan)
On Ōkunoshima, a small island in Japan, you’ll find an overwhelming population of adorable rabbits. These fluffy creatures are a surreal sight, especially after the long travel day many visitors face getting to Japan; our guide to flight time from California to Japan gives some perspective on that journey. Once a secret military base, the island is now best known to visitors for its rabbits. Which, honestly, is an upgrade.
7. Drive Through a Tree (USA)
California is home to giant redwood trees so massive that people have carved tunnels through them. If you want to experience the intersection of natural wonder and blatant disrespect for trees, try driving through the Chandelier Tree in Leggett. It’s a classic roadside attraction and a reminder that sometimes, humans just can’t leave things alone.
8. Sleep Underground in Coober Pedy (Australia)
For a stranger overnight stay, head to South Australia and sleep below ground in Coober Pedy. The opal-mining town is famous for dugout homes and underground rooms that stay far more comfortable than the desert surface. Our guide to Coober Pedy’s underground world covers the town’s oddball appeal in more detail.
9. Wander Through a Glowworm Cave (New Zealand)
The Waitomo Caves in New Zealand look like something straight out of a fantasy novel. Thousands of glowworms illuminate the caves’ ceilings, creating a surreal, starry-sky effect underground. It’s nature’s version of an LED light show, minus the overpriced drinks and loud music.
10. Attend the Air Guitar World Championships (Finland)
Ever wanted to see grown adults passionately strumming invisible guitars? Oulu, Finland hosts the Air Guitar World Championships, and the 2026 event ran August 26–29 as part of Oulu’s European Capital of Culture year. There are costumes, choreography, and an unmatched level of commitment to an instrument that doesn’t actually exist. It’s oddly inspiring.
Embrace the Weirdness
While traditional travel guides will steer you toward museums, monuments, and scenic hikes, sometimes the best experiences are the ones that leave you saying, “What did I just witness?” Travel is about breaking out of your routine, and odd trips are usually easier when you are not dragging half your closet behind you, so our guide to packing light for a two-week trip is worth a look before you go. Then chase the bunny-covered island, underground hotel, glowworm cave, or invisible-guitar championship that makes the trip yours.