In the middle of the Nevada desert, the Clown Motel surrounds you with thousands of clown figures, whilst a historic cemetery sits directly next door. The combination of cheerfully kitsch clown ornaments, long sparse corridors, isolation, and close proximity to death – produces a uniquely unsettling atmosphere of quiet unease and childhood nostalgia, giving this motel is simultaneous ‘Weirdcore’ and “America’s scariest motel” reputation. Opened in 1985 and expanded over the years, the motel now displays thousands of clown statues, dolls, and memorabilia throughout the lobby and rooms. The 31 rooms are simple and functional, almost retro, and each decorated with clown art.
Key features include:
- Thousands of clown figures and memorabilia
- Adjacent historic cemetery
- Classic desert roadside motel setting
- Strong nostalgia + unease crossover
Photo credits: “” by Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 , Tripadvisor
