The Ultimate Summer Road Trip: A Brain Museum, Shoe House And More Patchy Destinations

Looking to plan a spontaneous getaway? We’re celebrating summer by hitting up some of the Patchiest roadside destinations around the United States. And like any good trip, we're organizing our itinerary accordingly.

The first leg of our ultimate summer road trip is up and down the East Coast. Whether you’re a seasoned highway warrior or a road trip newbie, these under-the-radar attractions are sure to pique your interest. So pack up the family, put on a good podcast and hit the road.

Stop #1: Yale University's Cushing Center in New Haven, CT

Science buffs and horror-film aficionados alike will appreciate the vast collection of brain specimens displayed in Yale University’s Cushing Center. Dr. Harvey Cushing, a prominent neurologist and surgeon in the early 20th century, brought 650 brains (yes, brains!) to Yale in the 1930s. At the time, neurologists from all over the country would flock to Yale’s campus to use the brains for educational research, but as medical centers began cropping up more frequently, Cushing’s cranial collection fell out of popularity and was eventually placed in storage in 1979.

When a group of brave medical students happened upon the hoard of brains in the basement of their dormitory in the '90s, interest in the specimens was renewed, and they were moved to what is now the Cushing Center, where you can now make an appointment to view them along with some of Cushing’s old photographs and books.

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Stop #2: Haines Shoe House in Hellam Township, PA

You’ve probably heard the nursery rhyme about the little old woman who lived in a shoe — but we bet you didn’t know that a real footwear-inspired abode actually exists in Hellam Township, Pennsylvania. The Haines Shoe House was originally built by shoe salesman Mahlon Haines in 1948 and is shaped like, you guessed it, a shoe (well, a boot to be exact). Currently owned by Jeff and Melanie Schmuck, the home’s living room is located in the toe, while the kitchen can be found in the heel. There’s even an ice cream shop conveniently located in the instep, naturally.

Stop #3: Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, MD

A well-known spot in Baltimore, the Green Mount Cemetery is also the burial site of Elijah Bond, the creator of the original Ouija board. After Bond died in 1921, he was buried in an unmarked grave on the cemetery’s grounds, making it almost impossible for people to find his final resting place years later. Luckily, paranormal enthusiast Robert Murch felt that as a mediator between the living and the dead, Bond deserved a properly marked tombstone, and he set out to find his grave. Fifteen years after his search began, Murch was finally able to locate Bond’s grave with the help of cemetery employees. Today, Bond’s headstone features a traditional tomb engraving on one side and an engraving of a Ouija board on the other, a playful nod to his invention.

Get even more scoop on these unique roadside destinations in the video above, and stay tuned for part two!

Check out more summer stories on Patch:

• Stay Safe Grilling This Summer With These Tips
• Keep Pets Safe This Summer
• Vacationing This Summer? Valuable Tips From A World Traveler