In 1947, residents of Roswell, New Mexico, witnessed what seemed to be a UFO crash—an event that would go on to define the town’s identity. Known as the site of “the world’s most famous, most thoroughly investigated, and most thoroughly debunked UFO claim,” Roswell has since become a symbol of alien lore and conspiracy theories.

Santa Claus was founded in 1937 by Nina Talbot as a year-round holiday-themed tourist destination, featuring attractions like Cinderella’s Doll House and the Santa Claus Inn. Once a festive hotspot, it’s now a decaying ghost town where crumbling holiday displays are more likely to host rattlesnakes than visitors.

According to local legend, when residents applied for a post office, they left the name section of the application blank. In response, the U.S. Post Office Department returned the form stamped with “Nameless.” Apparently, that’s the kind of humor they had back then—and the name stuck.

Originally known as Vedic City, this town was designed entirely according to Maharishi Sthapatya Veda—an ancient architectural system rooted in Hindu yogic tradition. Every building, from homes to city structures, follows these principles. Staying true to its holistic philosophy, the city exclusively sells organic food.

They say the town carries a strong, lingering scent of popcorn. The name is said to have originated from the burning of cornfields during the scorched-earth chaos of the Creek War in 1813. As for population? There’s no current data—no census has been conducted there since 1880.

Hildale, Utah, is known as a polygamist town and serves as the headquarters of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). This sect, which broke away from mainstream Mormonism, continues to uphold the practice of plural marriage.

Don Sammons lived in Buford, Wyoming, with his wife and son—the town’s only three residents. After purchasing Buford in 1992, Sammons stayed even after his wife passed away and his son moved out. But in 2012, deciding it was time for a change, he put the entire town up for sale. It was sold to a Vietnamese coffee magnate for \$900,000.

Founded in 1834, the town of Casey is best known for its collection of oversized objects. Among its quirky attractions are a 32-foot-6-inch pencil and a massive rocking chair standing around 56 feet tall—just a couple of the many giant items that have put this small town on the map.

The Villages is a lively community of about 70,000 residents, boasting 34 golf courses and endless activities to keep everyone entertained. But what really sets it apart? It has some of the highest STD rates in Florida—and the surprising twist is, it’s almost entirely made up of seniors. Yes, seriously.

This town is a unique haven for carnival workers and sideshow performers, serving as their go-to retreat during time off. At one point, the local police chief was a dwarf, while the fire chief stood an astonishing eight feet tall—just a glimpse into the town’s colorful and extraordinary community.

Tangier is one of the oldest and most distinct-sounding towns in the United States. Its residents speak with a unique accent that linguists say stands apart from any other in the country—a fascinating blend of early American English and a lingering old British twang that’s all but vanished elsewhere.

Hell got its name in the 1840s when one of the town’s founders, asked what he wanted to call it, shrugged and said, “You can name it Hell for all I care.” The name stuck—and the town has fully embraced its fiery moniker. Today, Hell features devil-themed attractions, including a tongue-in-cheek “devil church,” making it a playful homage to its infernal name.

Slab City is a haven for free spirits and those looking to live off the grid. Often called “the last free place in America,” this decommissioned, unregulated community attracts drifters, artists, and modern-day nomads. It’s a place where people can live unconventionally—free to embrace a hobo lifestyle, light up, and just be.

Every day, nearly 7,000 pieces of unclaimed luggage find their way to Scottsboro, Alabama, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. The town is home to the Unclaimed Baggage Center (UBC), which processes around a million lost bags and suitcases from across the globe each year. After airlines complete extensive tracking efforts, the UBC purchases the unclaimed items and offers them up for resale—turning lost luggage into a treasure hunt for curious shoppers.

Miracle Village, a small housing community near Pahokee, Florida, is home to over 100 registered sex offenders. Created by minister Richard Witherow, who spent 30 years working in the prison system, the village was designed as a transitional space to help recently released offenders reintegrate into society in a controlled and supportive environment.

Colma, known as the “City of Souls,” spans just two square miles yet contains 17 cemeteries. It’s home to an estimated two million deceased and only about 1,200 living residents. When San Francisco needed space, bodies were relocated to Colma—including those of notable figures like William Randolph Hearst and Wyatt Earp, who now rest there.

Monowi, Nebraska, is home to just one resident: Elsie Eiler. She lived there with her husband Rudy until his passing in 2004. Now, Elsie wears every hat in town—she’s the mayor, bartender, librarian, and even takes care of her own taxes, keeping the tiny town running all by herself.

Just 58 miles southeast of Anchorage lies the unique town of Whittier, Alaska, where nearly all 214 residents live under one roof. The 14-story Begich Towers, originally built as an Army barracks, now houses almost the entire town. Inside, you’ll find a police station, post office, store, church, video rental shop, playground, bed and breakfast, and even a health center—making it a self-contained community like no other.

With its eerie collection of abandoned railroad stations and a completely deserted downtown, this town regularly draws curious tourists hoping to experience its ghostly charm. The crumbling buildings and strange atmosphere only add to its mystique. Perhaps the strangest detail of all? The town has just seven residents—six of whom are reportedly planning to run for local office.

Lily Dale is a gated community unlike any other—home to a population of psychics and mediums who gather at the local temple and cemetery to help visitors connect with the dead. It’s a deeply serious practice for residents, but open to the curious as well, with community events and spiritual readings available for just a few dollars if you’re looking to reach out to a lost loved one.

This igloo-shaped hotel in Alaska never quite reached its full potential. Though it was designed to be a unique lodging experience, it was never completed or opened for business. Now abandoned, it stands as one of the strangest ghost towns in America—and a curious roadside attraction for adventurous travelers.

New Orleans is a “party town” that thrives on the strange and spectacular, raking in millions each year from curious tourists. From voodoo spa treatments at the local Ritz-Carlton to encounters with witches, vampires, and costumed revelers at eccentric festivals, there’s truly nothing you won’t see in this city that fully embraces the weird.

This town may be completely abandoned, but once a year, people flock to it for a massive cookout. No one’s quite sure what they’re celebrating, but year after year, it turns into a lively party in the middle of a forgotten place.

In 1981, Centralia was home to around 1,000 people—but by 2010, fewer than a dozen remained. The reason? A coal mine fire that’s been burning beneath the town since 1962. The underground blaze has caused sinkholes, toxic smoke, and scorching ground temperatures—even making the highway hot to the touch. Experts estimate the fire could continue burning for another 250 years.