Some believe The Thing is the mummified bodies of a mother and child who starved to death in the desert or perhaps shot by cowboy bandits. Read more to find out about The Original London Bridge in Arizona. $15.99, $19.99 Original Price $19.99 That idea didn't get very far. $29.97, $39.96 Based out of Phoenix, Tate produced a variety of curiosities like faux shrunken heads. Turning off the personalized advertising setting wont stop you from seeing Etsy ads or impact Etsy's own personalization technologies, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive. The Thing (Benson) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, View all restaurants near The Thing on Tripadvisor, Hotels near Butterfield RV Resort Observatory, Hotels near San Pedro Valley Arts & Historical Society, Hotels near University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Half Day Two Canyon Six Mile Creek Whitewater Rafting, Ferrari Test Drive Experience & Tour in Milan 30min (10km), Full-Day Tangier, Morocco Tour from Gibraltar, Denver History and Highlights Small Group Walking Tour, City Sightseeing Trolley Tour of Sarasota. Its a mystery. Original Price $12.45 Funerals would be good, too. If youre traveling I-10 between Tucson and El Paso, you may notice a significant number of blue and yellow of billboards advertising a strange attraction: The Thing? The staff is always nice and super friendly. (25% off), Sale Price $23.28 Absolutely! Yes - but at the discretion of management. $8.40, $21.00 What if human history is a lie?" The shop offers you a full line of Daiso products. (10% off), Sale Price $15.30 If a scenic ride on horseback is more your style, drive 45 minutes northwest of The Thing to the Double R Ranch. Im very pleased with this purchase. Buy unique gifts from over 300 Arizona sellers! Pro Tip: On the hunt for a haunt? (20% off), Sale Price $11.69 All RV campsites are full hook-ups, and campers can enjoy on-site community events and activities. ", John Carpenter's The Thing 12 x 18 Movie Poster Giclee Print, "Beautifully rendered take on the original Mondo masterpiece which in turn is a promotional for one of the greatest creature features of all time. Wicked Witch December Diamonds Mermaid Ornament $39.99. Spent the day looking at all the thrift stores in a 10 mile radius. Within a couple of years, he'd built an outdoor shed museum around The Thing, raised his price to 50 cents, and displayed relics such as a piece of a woolly mammoth's front leg, a 1937 Rolls-Royce transporting a dummy Hitler, and, in the last shed, The Thing itself. The object, supposedly a mummified mother and child, is believed to have been made by exhibit creator Homer Tate for sideshows. Alien scouting party casts an otherworldly glow on prehistoric earth. I'm stocked up on munchies now. The best part I liked about it is that all of them are at an affordable price. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Thomas and Janet Prince purchased The Thing for $50 in the 50s or 60s from Homer Tate. (20% off), Sale Price $19.99 (25% off), Sale Price $14.36 .style3 {font-size: 24px; color: #003399} by mcdfoodforthoughts complaints. Prince attended Arizona State University and became a lawyer, practicing law for a time in Phoenix, Arizona. Why Do People Visit The Thing in Arizona? Thank you!". Cutie has branches in Phoenix & Mesa. The museum is pretty cute. The Thing is also close to explorable caves and horseback tours. "I think we captured it," said Myles of The Thing's new surroundings. The Thing itself, located in the third of three sheds, is a pair of mummified bodies: a mother and her small child, who lie preserved inside a glass coffin. Remember your Bearizona adventure with some of the best gifts for kids and adults. Roadside America first visited The Thing in 1985, and continued to stop in when on I-10. All I'll tell you about The Thing is it costs $4 per person to enter. What is The Thing? Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript. Original Price $22.00 "We wanted to incorporate as much of the original attraction as possible." I love the Christmas room they have with all the different Christmas villages laid out so you can see them and then purchase your own pieces. Named for some of the states best-known hiking trails, candles by Camelback Candle Co. are produced entirely in Phoenix with scents that are intentionally unexpected. And Kit and Myles repeatedly stressed that they'd wanted to respect The Thing, and that they'd made sure that it remained the focus of the attraction and the last thing that people would see before they walked out the door. The Thing The Thing 228 Reviews #1 of 7 Museums in Benson Museums, Shopping, Sights & Landmarks, More 2631 Johnson Rd, Benson, AZ 85602 Open today: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM Save Read all 228 reviews fotoman170 Benson, Arizona 33 7 Interesting gift shop Review of The Thing Reviewed March 4, 2018 I visited this place last year while gift shopping. The Thing itself lies among many other exhibits in this unique museum, which currently charges a two-dollar admission fee per visitor. A interesting diversion when traveling. Check out these 5 Spooky Ghost Towns in Arizona. Care was taken to preserve and reuse many of Thomas Binkley Prince's original relics. Originally owned by lawyer Thomas Binkley Prince, The Thing was built as a tourist stop and museum around the strange exhibit and other collected items. Few hallmarks left in Phoenix valley. He charged 25 cents a peek. ", "Pilgrimage to 'The Thing' in the Arizona Desert", "Men The - Church Of Logic Sin And Love Lyrics". They are pleased to provide the same Daiso-brand merchandise renowned throughout the world. The trail weaves through grasslands, oaks, thickets, boulders, and thin rock spires known as hoodoos. I purchased for my husbands Christmas gift and it shipped quickly !". (40% off), Sale Price $1.80 Bonus points for ordering it through one of Arizona's independent bookstores. Millies Hallmark shop is a great store because of product sections and the employees are 100% awesome. Please try later or you can also send your review to [emailprotected]. in the Explorer Newspaper, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Thing_(roadside_attraction)&oldid=1120436805, Buildings and structures completed in the 1950s, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 November 2022, at 00:42. It was established with an inspiration coming from a previous novelty shop that sells items that are hard to find anywhere else. Numbered/signed and solid. Cutino Sauce Co.: Phoenix-based Cutino is the last word in artisanal hot sauces. Restrooms are available at the campground for hikers, and there is a day-use fee of less than $10. Very clean and tidy. The most evocative fragrance for desert dwellers has to be creosote. Village of Oak Creek. There you can learn to ride tame horses, do a little bird watching, and explore the surrounding mountains. $11.69, $12.99 They're proud to offer a wide selection of gifts and cards for important moments such as anniversaries, birthdays, and get well. For every $100 spent, $43 remains in AZ! Now, hikers and equestrians can explore the area. asked Kit, reading the open-ended questions that appear on large banners throughout the attraction. Triangle T has full hook-up campsites, and guests can enjoy horseback riding, bird watching, and swimming. Sign up for our newsletter to receive all the latest news, travel tips and special offers. Wow, so most of these reviews and pictures don't really reflect the thing as it is today. Inside is a very extensive gift store with the usual stuffed animals (in this case, alien creatures and dinosaurs) t-shirts & postcards but also some cool sugar skull pillows and Mexican pottery. Original Price $34.05 $13 for every non-local business! Egyptian hieroglyphics reveal meeting between alien and pharaoh. If nothing else, for the photos and oddity of the place. Hikers can only reach the eastern trailhead with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. .style4 {color: #000000} What was your favorite part? Unique it is and so much more, if you have never been to Whozitz and Whatzitz plan on at least an hour or so just to see a part of the unique items that this store has to offer for that special gift. For every $100 spent locally, $43 remains in Arizona. Tombstone, AZ 85638 (520) 457-3300 Gift Shop at the entrance to Boothill Graveyard. A popular, albeit untrue, legend states that the billboards stretch from New Orleans to Los Angeles. So many great things I want to buy. What if aliens controlled our minds? What is The Thing? Its also home to a whole host of one-of-a-kind items made with love and extraordinary care. Those partners may have their own information theyve collected about you. Unique Gifts Find whatever you need (or really, really want). Located just half an hour away from the Grand Canyon, Cameron Trading Post has showcased fine American Indian art and jewelry for more than a century. T-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more, designed and sold by independent artists around the world. Today, 247 billboards advertise the Thing along I-10; you can find the small museum and gift shop just off Exit 322. In . Bought so many good things. VW Thing Parts and Accessories - THE THING SHOP PARTS INDEX EARLY THINGS (1969-1972) Gifts Hard to Find Items Rarest of Rare Accessories Brakes Body Bumpers & Guards Car Covers Controls & Pedal Cluster Electrical Engine Exhaust System Front Axle & Steering Fuel System Interior Mirrors Nuts & Bolts Off Road Items Restoration Kits Rubber Parts Show your support for the underdog with a When I Was Your Age, Pluto Was a Planet t-shirt or a Home of Pluto travel mug from the observatory's gift shop. Cutie is a local Japanese gift shop with more than 10,000 items in the gallery. $15.30, $18.00 Friends hinted we should stopand there's food, gasoline and a gift shop as well. More, Trail of Governors, Pierre, South Dakota (Jan 16-22, 2023). Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. The Thing itself, located in the third of three sheds, is a pair of mummified bodies: a mother and her small child, who lie preserved inside a glass coffin. It is 17 miles east of Benson and about 40 miles east of Tucson on Interstate 10 (Exit 322). Hours: Daily 7am - 6:30pm (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access. Make a difference. $19.99, $33.32 Either way it was nice to stretch our legs for 30 minutes and the admission price was perfect for what it is. The Thing is not only the name of the store, but the star exhibit of the museum. Its legendary, unforgettable, and it will make a great story to tell around the campfire. Visitors can view granite boulders and sycamores along the challenging trail. Original Price $15.00 Original Price $24.91 Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? They also have bathrooms in the back and the staff are friendly. 85007 The Branding Iron 503 E. Allen Street (520) 457-3465 T-Shirts, Leather goods, Hats, 1880's Fashion. Absolutely. Original Price $3.12 Although Prince died in 1969, the attraction was run by his wife Janet for many years. I got the call mom whats the Thing? Follow The Thing billboards along I-10 between Tucson and El Paso to Bowlin Travel Center, part gas station-gift shop, and part museum. I read reviews people leave some are pretty harsh sadly I think a lot of people miss the point of the Thing. Literally hundreds of billboards advertise The Thing to draw in the inquisitive traveler. The rocky path is a moderate 7-mile out-and-back hike without facilities. Original Price $12.99 Arizona Souvenir & Gifts L.L.C 7845 E Evans Rd Ste B, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 Coordinate: 33.61612, -111.91102 Phone: (480) 991-8044 35. Claim this business. .style6 { RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site! Phone: 520-586-2581 Admission: Adults $5. The old museum was reminiscent of an circus side-show and set up in a series of three consecutive metal buildings, open to the elements. They provide the same Daiso-brand merchandise that is renowned throughout the world. I like that they are constantly changing things up and adding new things. Spread the love further with a gift subscription, calendar or book. Generations of tourists stopped and paid a buck to see The Thing, lured by Bowlin's barrage of I-10 billboards crying, "The Thing: Mystery of the Desert!," and, "The Thing: What is it?". Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The trailhead and day parking are located at the Cochise Stronghold Campground, approximately 21 miles southeast of The Thing. The Thing was purchased by former lawyer Thomas Binkley Prince in the mid-twentieth century, who quickly based a tourist attraction around the strange object. Most button makers see an opportunity to make a great button everywhere they see paper - comic books, magazines, stationary, craft paper, . [1][2], In August 2018, the Bowlin Travel Centers unveiled a brand new modern museum building and other updates to house, in some order or theme, most of the items formerly stored in the three sheds. Benson, AZ 85602 What is The Thing? The Thing (aka The Thing Museum) is an Arizona roadside attraction extensively advertised by signs along Interstate 10 between El Paso, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona. All rights reserved. Get it here! $10.88, $13.60 . Mark and his wife are completely professional and efficient. $19.80, $22.00 And all of it -- dinosaurs, aliens, Stonehenge -- leads to The Thing. What if questions, sprinkled throughout the museum, invite visitors to question everything. United States | English (US) | $ (USD). Great job and thanks for all that you do!!! [8] "The Thing" is also featured in the 2009 documentary film Amy Cook: The Spaces in Between that traces the creative journey of Austin singer-songwriter Amy Cook and her band as they tour the backwater towns of the American southwest. $23.28, $25.86 After getting to know Mark, I doubt anyone will not enjoy his sense of humor!!! Holidays, birthdays, or just because, these Arizona cult-fave goodies are on everyone's wish list. Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity. (25% off), Sale Price $15.99 Original Price $33.32 If the stomach is the way to the heart, these flavorful gifts are sure to win you some love. Our global marketplace is a vibrant community of real people connecting over special goods. (60% off), Sale Price $19.80 A heart condition and several strokes led to Prince's death in 1969 at the age of 56. Each bundle is sustainably and locally harvested and ready within a week of ordering. Well send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). We'll be traveling with dogs and obviously can't leave them in the car. While performing the duties of this job, the Sales Associate is frequently required to stand, walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Make it a double: In addition to "Phoenix Cooks," pick up a copy of "Arizona Wine: A History of Perseverance and Passion," Barrueta's thorough look at the state's viticulture industry, past and present. However, you can purchase a festive Mini Bell through the organizationwhose mission it is to inspire kindnessas well as ornaments that riff on Arizonan themes like birdwatching and cacti. Janet ran the attraction for several years, but eventually relocated to Baltimore. (60% off), Sale Price $22.49 Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. Good news! They have a nice section of Star Wars stuff too. Address 2631 N. Johnson Road There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy). Established in 1922, the 160-acre Triangle T Guest Ranch has hosted dignitaries, such as the Rockefellers and the Vanderbilts. The Thing is located at .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}3205N 11003W / 32.083N 110.050W / 32.083; -110.050Coordinates: 3205N 11003W / 32.083N 110.050W / 32.083; -110.050 just off I-10 at Exit 322 on a hilltop between Benson and Willcox, near Texas Canyon, at 2631 North Johnson Road, Dragoon, Arizona.