No matter what your final destination may be, a road trip is not a road trip without random stops at some incredibly quirky destinations along the way. And it just so happens that there are plenty of cool roadside attractions within a short drive from Rochester. So grab your map, your camera, and the kids (or a friend), don't forget your sense of adventure, and check out some of these entertaining, offbeat, and downright kitschy venues, all in a day's drive.

The odd, the campy and the utterly bizarre

When it comes to road trips, nothing's better than finding a "Guinness Book of World Records"-caliber attraction. These sites are typically off the beaten path, but worth the trip for bragging rights alone.

Heads up! Located less than an hour southeast of Rochester is one of New York's true roadside jewels: a one-of-a kind two-story outhouse. Yes, you read that right. Part of the Phelps Community Historical Society building, originally constructed in 1869, the two-story outhouse is the only one in New York state. The outhouse has three seats on each floor; one for original owner Dr. John Q. Howe and each of his five children. And get your mind out of the gutter - the outhouse was specially designed so that waste from the top was directed to an alternate chute from the bottom. The outhouse is available for viewings, but no longer used, so no umbrellas are required. Getting there: Take I-90 East to exit 43. Turn right onto Route 21. Turn left onto Route 96. Located at the Phelps Community Historical Society, 66 Main Street, 14532. (Approx. 45 minutes).

If your road trip desires aren't "relieved" after Phelps, continue south to Penn Yan for another roadside wonder. Hanging prominently on the side of The Birkett Mills building (America's No. 1 producer of buckwheat!) you'll find the griddle used to cook "The World's Largest Pancake." The Birkett Mills produced the 28', 1" griddle to make the pancake for a local festival in September 1987. The pancake itself is long gone, but its legend remains: the batter had to be mixed in a cement mixer, and a crane was used to flip the three-story flapjack. Getting there: Take I-90 East to exit 42. Turn right onto Route 14. Turn right onto Route 54. Located at The Birkett Mills, 163 Main Street, 14527. (Approx 1.25 hours).

If you need a restroom break, you can always stop at what's rumored to be "The World's Largest Urinal" located at the American Hotel in Lima. Sorry ladies, this one's for the men only. While it's unconfirmed that this urinal is actually the world's largest (another large one resides somewhere in Iowa), it is still a sight to behold at more than 6' tall. Resembling a claw foot bathtub suspended from the wall, the large urinal gives men their own reason to travel to the restroom in groups. Getting there: Take 390 South to Exit 10. Turn left onto Route 5. Located at The American Hotel, 7304 East Main Street, 14485. (Approx. 30 minutes).

They say that the best gifts come in small packages, but what about the best prayers? If you're heading east, you won't want to miss "The World's Smallest Church." The non-denominational Cross Island Chapel was built in 1989 and dedicated "as a witness to God." Situated on a small dock in the middle of a small pond in Oneida, the chapel is only accessible by boat. The entire church is 28.68 square feet (51"x81") and seats only two people. Getting there: Take I-90 East to exit 33. Go west on Route 365. Turn right on Sconondoa Road, at the "Town of Vernon" sign. The church is in the middle of a pond to the right of a fork in the road. (Approx. 2 hours).

If you can tolerate a slightly longer trip and are fond of life's more garish pleasures, don't miss "The World's Largest Kaleidoscope" located in Mount Tremper (in the Catskills). The Kaatskill Kaleidoscope is part of Emerson Place, a complex of upscale boutique stores and is housed in a silo previously used to store animal feed and grains; it stands 65' tall. To view the colorful spectacle, viewers step into a darkened room and lean against a cushioned wall, staring up into the kaleidoscope and watching colors and shapes dance above. Gaudy, trippy, beautiful, and entrancing all in one: what more could a roadside traveler ask for? Getting there: Take I-90 East to exit 29. Located 20 miles off the thruway at 5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper, 12457. (Approx. 4.5 hours).

Nearby natural wonders

Ever heard of feuding caves? Travel roughly 200 miles east and you can experience them firsthand. Located within a mile of one another are Howe Caverns and The Secret Caverns, both vying for each other's clientele. But truth be told, they are two very different places. The Secret Caverns offer a high dosage of flash'n'trash, while Howe Caverns cater to the more sophisticated cave visitor. Visit both and decide for yourself, but either way, don't miss The Secret Cavern billboards while you drive; the kooky, creative ads are worth the road trip alone. Getting there: Take I-90 East to exit 29, then Route 10 south to Cobleskill. The Secret Caverns are five miles east off Route 7; for Howe Caverns follow Route 7 east to County Route 9, and find them at 255 Discovery Drive, 12092. www.howecaverns.com and www.secretcaverns.com. (Approx. 3.5 hours for both).

The next attraction has more gas than your Uncle Gus on Thanksgiving. The Eternal Flame, located in Shale Creek Preserve in Orchard Park, is caused by natural gas leaking through a fissure in a shale rock waterfall. The natural-burning spectacle lies behind the falls and sometimes features more than one flame. It's a bit of a hike, but worth it. Make sure to pack a Bic because if the flame is out, you can re-light it. Getting there: Take I-90 west to Route 219. Get off at the Armor Duells Road exit and turn east. After a half mile, turn right onto Chestnut Ridge Rd (Route 277). Turn right onto Seufert Road and park along the road next to a gate. Follow the unmarked trail into the woods and eventually down a steep slope and into a creek. (Approx. 1.5 hours).

If you'd like a side of bling with your road trip, head to The Herkimer Diamond Mines, where you can prospect and sluice in search of your own Herkimer diamond, a double-terminated quartz crystal. It's a hands-on experience and the only roadside attraction on this list where you can make back the money spent on admission through hard labor. Getting there: Take I-90 East to exit 28. Turn right onto Route 28. Located at 4606 Route 28 North, 13350. www.herkimerdiamond.com. (Approx. 2.5 hours)

Museums and more

There are many niche museums just a short road trip away - some feed our need for nostalgia, others are just plain peculiar. There's always room for The Jell-O Museum, located in LeRoy, less than a half hour from Rochester. Celebrating all things Jell-O and educating visitors about the jiggly treat's history, The Jell-O Museum is real fun for the whole family. And yes, Bill Cosby has visited the place. Getting there: Take the 490 West to exit 1. Turn right onto Route 19. Turn left onto Route 5. Located at 23 East Main Street, 14482. www.jellomuseum.com. (Approx. 30 minutes).

In need of a heart, brain, or courage? Then it's off to see the wizard! "Wizard of Oz" author L. Frank Baum was born in Chittenango (near Syracuse) and there you'll find The L. Frank Baum Oz Museum and the real yellow brick road. Getting there: Take I-90 East to exit 39. Take 690 East to 481 South. Take exit 3E and make a left onto Genesee Street. Located at 227 Genesee Street, 13037. www.baumozmuseum.com. (Approx. 2 hours)

If you're not interested in the next attraction, then you got some ‘splainin' to do. The Lucy-Desi Museum is located in Lucille Ball's hometown, Jamestown, and features costumes, photographs, and other memorabilia. Getting there: Take I-90 West, to Exit 59 and follow Route 60 south to Jamestown. Once you enter the city limits, you'll be on Main Street. Go south to 2nd Street, turn left. Turn left on Pine. Located at 212 Pine Street, 14701. www.lucy-desi.com. (Approx. 2.5 hours)

If you're not sure which roadside attraction you should visit first, maybe you should seek advice from one of the mediums in Lily Dale, The Town of Spiritualists. Established in 1879, you can find the "psychic town" southwest of Buffalo near Fredonia. Visitors can knock on a resident's door for a reading. Or just stand there, because they probably already know you're coming. Getting there: Take I-90 West to exit 59. Go south on Route 60, drive 8 miles and turn right onto Dale Drive in the Village of Cassadaga. Proceed one mile to the Lily Dale entrance gate. www.lilydaleassembly.com. (Approx. 2 hours)

SIDEBAR

Ultimate Summer Car Games

I Spy: Almost everyone knows how to play I Spy, but just in case, here are the rules. One person says "I Spy with my little eye something" and then names a color or shape. The other players try to guess what the "spy" is looking at.

License Plate Game: Easy to learn, simple to play. Watch the license plates of passing cars and shout out the state. Player who finds the most states wins.

I'm Going On a Trip: One person starts by saying, "I'm going on a trip and I'm going to bring..." and names something beginning with the letter A. The next player has to repeat what the first player stated and then name something with the letter B. Play continues through the alphabet and the list continues to accumulate. If a player can't remember everything said before, he loses. The more eccentric the items you pick, the harder and more fun the game is.

The song game: Divide into two teams. Pick a word or category: For example, songs about modes of transportation or songs with the word love in them. Teams have to go back and forth singing songs that have the word or fit into the category. Play continues until a team can't think of any more songs. Beats the radio any day.

Counting Cows: Just like the name suggests, keep count of cows as you go - better count fast when you pass a field full of them! If you pass a cemetery, shout out "your cows are buried" and the other players lose their cows. Player with the most cows at the end of the trip wins. It's simple, silly, and somehow wholly amusing.