6 Drive-Through Adventures for Socially Distant Explorers
"In the tiny town of Seale, Alabama, there is a roadside attraction that doesn’t require getting out of your car. It is a drive-thru, but not the usual kind: It’s not for burgers and fries, there is no ATM, and you can’t drop off your dry cleaning. It’s billed as the world’s first drive-thru art and antiques gallery.
Created by artist and collector Butch Anthony in 2014, the Drive-Thru is an offshoot of his Museum of Wonder, and was built to help control the crowds who show up at the museum. In an unincorporated town of just a few hundred people, having even one such destination would be a gem, but having two near each other is an exceptional wealth of local folk art, unusual collections, antiques, and curios.
The Drive-Thru Museum is made from stacked shipping containers, with windows cut into the sides to reveal a myriad of items collected or created by Anthony. It’s a short drive to get through the whole collection, but each piece will make you hit the brakes. There’s the two-headed ducklings, a large gallstone attached to poems (art he calls “intertwangleism”), drawings of skeletons and bones superimposed on old photographic portraits, and found-object art mixed with taxidermy animals. Take as much time as you need." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
I'll tell you why...if you enjoy art, creation, and some beautiful pieces and Energy the museum of wonder is 1000/10!!!! As an avid purveyor myself, the quality and attention to detail are impeccable. I was cruising through on my way to Tennessee so glad I decided to venture!!!! A must see for sure!
Absolutely Beautiful, thank you so much for creating this to exhibit your collection. I would have loved to leave a contribution to the collection as well as the donation... no where to stash it. I do have a saying for the big balls..." she could talk a dog off a meat truck" 😆🎶✨️
Keith E.
Google
Really, Really cool folk art. I hadn't driven through there in a few years, so just the other day I decided to pull in and to my amazement they had added about 10 more "boxcars" . It's totally free and you can tell a lot of pride and workmanship went into making these exhibits.
Julie G.
Google
A fun, quirky, roadside attraction. You drive thru, although as long as nobody is right behind you, you might want to hop out of the car for a closer look at some of the displays.
Stefanie Z.
Google
One of the coolest pieces of Americana I’ve encountered in the US. The kind of random roadside finding I live for! Very meticulous, avant-garde art in the middle of nowhere Alabama. Reminds me a little bit of the enchanted highway and castle in Regent, North Dakota.
Todd E.
Google
Wonderfully goofy! Somebody has way too much time on their hands - and I’m glad!!
David T.
Google
Okay, this is deeply weird, but a must-see roadside attraction. The museum, which consists of art and artifacts in cargo containers with windows, is free to drive or walk through. Exhibits include the world’s largest gallstone, an old airplane frame, and lots and lots of bones. Yeah, it gives off horror movie vibes. Check it out.
Chanda M.
Google
This made a three hour drive to pick up a car part totally worth it. This is the most original idea for a public art museum I’ve ever seen. We didn’t drive through though. We got out and walked and took our time. I took photos of everything and will recommend everyone I know stop by!
Kaitlyn M.
Google
Always love to stop here on my way out of town. They've added some new stuff since last time I've been. Love to see the quirky stuff he comes up with.
Nick H.
Yelp
It was super cool to go through and look at the different exhibits setup there. For completely free it was definitely worth it, which is why you should definitely leave a donation. If you've ever seen Gravity Falls, it gives me heavy Mystery Shack vibes, like looking into the mind of a crazy person. Super cool and super creepy, absolutely worth a visit.
Bill D.
Yelp
This is by far the creepiest place I've ever been.
Its basically a bunch of box containers with windows, and inside are some of the wackiest odds and ends I've ever seen.
It's like American Horror Story meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre and a little Motel Hell thrown in.
You just drive up thru a little gravel road, park your car and walk around. There are little slots to put a donation in, so it only costs as much or as little as you want.
Utterly fascinating and insanely morbid.
Whoever created it hopefully got some serious psychiatric treatment sooner or later.
Loved it. Definitely a must see.
Kaylee W.
Yelp
Such a fun place to stop by when on a long road trip. It was creepy, yet very interesting. It was like the scariest antique store you have ever been in, built into shadow boxes. I got some really cool photos and it was a fun stop on our 7 hour car ride. You don't have to get out of the car. I definitely recommend driving by if old enough. I could see it being scary for a younger audience.
Tawanda L.
Yelp
I popoohed this place till I looked the guy up hes a lot like Gump. He's been on Tv his art is in museums, he's been in the paper and he's written a book or two soo I didn't think too much of the museum but he's got an interesting back story. You can also go camping in some event he does elsewhere on the property. He does have a Facebook so check him out. His name is Butch Anthony google it and see what his accomplishments!
Mac F.
Yelp
This museum is one of a kind. You'll never find anything like it! Very beautiful for pictures and also a great place to stop and look around while on the road. You can drive thru and stay in your car, or get out and experience it on foot. We love your work Butch