Take a record-breaking road trip across America from giant cowboy boots to dino skeletons
From Alabama to Alaska, Arizona and Arkansas (do you remember the song?)... each of the 50 US States have some incredible record holders who truly put their towns on the map.
In honour of our 70th anniversary, Guinness World Records 2026 features a special spread dedicated to the United States and its record-breaking stars – but this time, we’re taking a road trip through our Superlative States.
Starting on the northwest coast, and curling across the continent to New York City, we’ve created the ultimate guide to the natural wonders and quirky crowd-pleasers sure to entertain you on a long drive. Whether you’re looking for a new spot to visit, or an amazing attraction nearby, all you have to do is look for inspiration from some of the talented members of your community.
So strap on your largest cowboy boots, and hop into the big banana car, because ladies and gentlemen – it’s going to be a funky ride!
Washington
Southerners travelling to Seattle, Washington may need to wear a coat, because the average temperature in the city is 45 - 59°F (7 - 15°C) – but luckily, the wildlife in the region know just how to keep warm (and cuddly)!
Frequently spotted off the coast of Washington state are sea otters, which have the densest fur of any animal.
With around 100,000 - 160,000 hairs per square centimetre (650,000 - 1.03 million hairs per square inch), sea otters don’t need any blubber to keep warm – instead, they rely on their water-resistant fur and an increased metabolism to trap and generate heat. This also helps them during feeding dives, in which they can reach depths of 75 m (246 ft)!
You can find the animals almost anywhere off the northwestern coast, but many visitors attempt to catch a glimpse of the adorable animals near Puget Sound, an estuarine system next to Seattle.
Arizona
After admiring the Western Coastline, you can cruise on down to the Arizona “Poozeum” if you want to continue your road trip by looking at some curious coprolites.
Coprolites – the scientific term for fossilized feces – are an invaluable tool for paleontologists and archaeologists studying how dinosaurs and other animals ate and behaved.
And if you’re as interested in these giant specimens as George Frandsen, the record holder for the largest collection of coprolites, check out his findings at the “Poozeum” in Williams, Arizona, which hosts hundreds of pieces of prehistoric poo.
They even have the largest coprolite from a carnivore in the world – a 2 ft 2.5 in. (67.5 cm) long and 6.2 in. (15.7 cm) wide colossal creation nicknamed “Barnum”, likely made by a tyrannosaurus rex.
And if you’re really into T.Rex, check out the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois!
“Sue”, a 90% complete specimen named after her discoverer, Sue Hendrickson, measures 13 ft (4 m) tall and 41 ft (12.5 m) long. The skeleton was found in South Dakota, USA, on 12 August 1990, and became the most expensive dinosaur bones sold at auction ever after the Field Museum bought them for $8,362,500 (£5,104,377).
Texas
After making your way through Tornado Alley – which boasts the fastest wind speed of 302 mph during a tornado in Oklahoma – head on down to Texas to get yourself lookin’ your best.
In the Lone Star State, it’s not uncommon to see people sporting a pair of cowboy boots. But not all boots are made for walkin’ – especially not a pair this big!
Out in San Antonio, Texas, the largest cowboy boot sculpture towers over nearby trees, at a massive 35 ft 3 in (10.74 m). Created by artist Bob Wade, these boots are a perfect place to take a fun selfie (or inspire your next fashion choice)!
Alabama
After leaving Texas, make your way to Alabama to check out one of America’s incredible natural wonders – the largest cave opening at Cathedral Caverns State Park in Woodville, Alabama.
Originally named the Bat Cave, the hollow was renamed to Cathedral Caverns once the park opened to the public, because of its humbling appearance.
The gaping entrance of this cave measures 126 ft (38.4 m) wide and 7.6 m (25 ft) high, and it continues for another 4,000 ft (1,220 m) into inky darkness with spectacular views of stalactites dripping like candlewax and jagged rock formations.
You can also hike around the grounds of the park, and search for gemstones by running bags of mined materials under a rushing water flume!
Missouri
In the spirit of awe-inspiring sights, you can continue your road trip up to St. Louis, Missouri to see the famous Gateway Arch – which is the tallest commemorative monument in the world.
The stainless-steel structure was completed on 28 October 1965 to commemorate the westward expansion of settlers after the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Spanning 630 ft (192 m) and rising to the same height, the arch cost $29 million (£21,569,359), and was designed in 1947 by the Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
Iowa
History-buffs or cinephiles would also love to take a trip up to Iowa after their stop in St. Louis, to take an incredible film at the State Theatre in Washington, Iowa, which is the oldest continuously operating movie theatre in the world.
The theatre opened on 14 May 1897, and as of 26 January 2022 has been in continuous operation for 124 years and 257 days. The first film they played was shown on a cinematograph that was made in Paris, France, and tickets for the first moving picture were 15, 25 and 35 US cents each.
Illinois
And if you’re taking a trip along the infamous Route 66 highway, you’re not too far off from Casey, Illinois – which is a roadside-attraction dream.
At first, you may think you’ve taken a drink of a potion from Alice in Wonderland – but make no mistake, the dozens of oversized objects dotting the roads and residences of Casey are there just to inspire whimsy and creativity in their passersby.
Boasting numerous Guinness World Records titles, this town is home to the largest rocking chair (56 ft, or 17 m, tall), the largest mailbox (5,743 cubic ft, or 163 cubic m), and even the largest golf tee (30 ft 9 in, or 9.3 m tall). They also have a giant bookworm sculpture outside of the library, a giant bird cage, and even an oversized wind chime!
Washington, D.C.
But if you’d rather test your big brain instead of checking out some big stuff, consider a trip to the largest library in the world.
Located in America’s capital city, the US Library of Congress adds approximately 12,000 items to its collections daily, and is home to over 173,731,463 items (as of November 2021).
Spread across approximately 838 miles of bookshelves, the collection includes 41 million books and other print materials, 4.1 million recordings, 15 million photographs, 5.6 million maps and 75 million manuscripts.
Important pieces of cultural history worldwide live in their collection, such as the Gutenberg Bible or early maps of the ‘New World,’ as well as fascinating documents from America like the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation.
North Carolina
And if you’re exhausted after travelling all across the continental United States, we aptly ended our road trip at the Raleigh Beer Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Home to the most different beer brands on tap in the world, with representation from a shocking 369 breweries, the beer garden’s first floor is dedicated to beers from North Carolina, while its second floor hosts hundreds of international drafts.
So whatever adventures you find out there in America, at least you’ll be able to discuss them with your loved ones over a cold glass of your new favourite drink!
And if you’re interested in more suggestions for your next road trip, be sure to check out the 2026 edition of Guinness World Records, which features many additional stops at some of our beloved record-breaking institutions.