14 Weird Things To Do In Butler, PA Prove It Is Pennsylvania's Most Unusual County

Butler County might just be Pennsylvania’s most peculiar hidden gem.

Tucked away in the western part of the state, this quirky region boasts everything from UFO-themed towns to zombie film locations.

Whether you’re a paranormal enthusiast, history buff, or just someone who appreciates the delightfully strange, Butler County offers a treasure trove of offbeat adventures that will leave you with stories to tell for years.

1. Visit the UFO & Alien-Themed Town of Mars

Ever wondered what life on another planet feels like? No spaceship needed here! The locals embrace their cosmic name with extraterrestrial enthusiasm.

Downtown features alien-themed storefronts, a flying saucer in the town square, and even a ‘Welcome to Mars’ sign perfect for out-of-this-world selfies.

The town’s water tower, painted to resemble a flying saucer, hovers like an alien mothership above this charming community.

2. Push the One-Ton Revolving Gate at Harmony Cemetery

Feather-light to the touch despite its massive weight, this engineering marvel has baffled visitors for generations. Local legend claims it was designed by a Harmonist with secret knowledge.

Built in the early 1800s, this perfectly balanced stone gate can be moved with just one finger.

Children often compete to see who can spin it fastest, while engineers scratch their heads trying to understand its perfect equilibrium mechanism that has worked flawlessly for over two centuries.

3. Walk in the Footsteps of Zombies at Evans City Cemetery

Horror film buffs, rejoice! This unassuming cemetery became immortalized when George Romero chose it as the opening scene location for his groundbreaking 1968 film ‘Night of the Living Dead.’

The famous chapel still stands virtually unchanged since the zombie classic was filmed. Fans regularly recreate the iconic scene where Barbara runs from the undead.

Despite its macabre claim to fame, the peaceful cemetery remains a respectful final resting place for many local families.

4. Explore the Spaceship-Shaped Toy Store

Who says toy shopping can’t be an interstellar adventure? Playthings Etc. isn’t your average retail experience – it’s housed inside a massive silver spaceship that seems ready for takeoff!

Inside this metallic wonder, shelves overflow with unique toys you won’t find at chain stores. Staff members dressed as “flight crew” demonstrate the latest gadgets.

The building’s futuristic architecture makes it impossible to miss while driving by, causing many first-time visitors to slam on their brakes in disbelief.

5. Rub the Buddha’s Belly at The Maridon Museum

Fortune seekers flock to this unexpected gem – the only museum in Western Pennsylvania dedicated exclusively to Asian art.

The centerpiece? A gleaming Buddha statue with a belly worn smooth from countless hopeful touches.

Hidden away in a residential neighborhood, this world-class collection features jade carvings, ancient pottery, and samurai armor.

The museum was founded by Mary Hulton Phillips, a local philanthropist who never visited Asia but developed a passion for its art through dealers and auction houses.

6. Celebrate Martian New Year in Mars

Talk about an exclusive party! This otherworldly celebration happens only once every 687 days, matching the Red Planet’s orbit around the sun.

The entire town transforms with cosmic decorations, alien costume contests, and science demonstrations by NASA representatives.

Food vendors serve “Mars bars” and “galaxy lemonade” while local bands perform space-themed music.

7. Join the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival

Mud-splattered fun awaits at this unique gathering celebrating Butler’s claim to fame as the birthplace of the original military Jeep.

The highlight? Hundreds of Jeeps parading through downtown streets in a spectacular display of American automotive history.

Adrenaline junkies can test their vehicles on obstacle courses designed to challenge even the most capable off-roaders.

History exhibits showcase rare military models, while vendors offer specialized parts and accessories.

The annual “Jeep splash” sends vehicles through a massive mud pit, delighting spectators who strategically position themselves within splashing distance.

8. Wander Through the Headstone-less Founder’s Cemetery

Ghostly whispers seem to follow visitors through this eerie burial ground in Harmony. Unlike traditional cemeteries, you won’t find elaborate monuments or even simple headstones marking the graves.

Following strict religious principles, the German Harmonist Society buried their dead in simple unmarked plots arranged in perfect rows. Only wooden markers, long since decayed, once identified the deceased.

Today, the perfectly manicured grass reveals slight depressions—the only indication that nearly 100 souls rest beneath visitors’ feet in this hauntingly beautiful spot.

9. Hunt for Rare Prairie Flowers at Jennings Environmental Center

Mother Nature plays tricks here! Pennsylvania isn’t known for prairies, yet this bizarre botanical anomaly exists against all geographical odds.

The 20-acre prairie harbors plants typically found hundreds of miles west in the Great Plains. The star attraction is the blazing star flower – a purple beauty that attracts both butterflies and flower enthusiasts.

Rangers lead “botanical treasure hunts” where visitors can spot over 225 plant species including the endangered eastern massasauga rattlesnake’s favorite hiding spots.

10. Sleep in a Converted Grain Mill and Airplane Hangar

Forget cookie-cutter hotel rooms! The White Barn offers possibly the quirkiest overnight accommodations in Pennsylvania – combining rustic charm with aviation history in the most unexpected ways.

Massive wooden beams frame bedrooms where grain once flowed, while propellers and aircraft parts serve as decoration throughout.

The attached airplane hangar houses vintage aircraft that guests can admire up close. Fall asleep to the gentle creaking of century-old timbers and wake to breakfast served on repurposed airplane wing tables.

11. Shop for Penny Candy at Baldinger’s Market

Time travel isn’t science fiction at this nostalgic general store where candy costs pennies, not dollars! Kids clutching fistfuls of change experience the same delight their grandparents once knew.

Glass jars filled with colorful confections line wooden shelves in this family-owned establishment operating since 1933.

Beyond sweets, the market offers hand-cut meats, local cheeses, and homemade pickles stored in wooden barrels.

The vintage cash register still rings up purchases the old-fashioned way—no digital screens or barcode scanners here.

12. Encounter Spirits at the Haunted Harmony Inn

Brave enough for dinner with uninvited guests? This historic restaurant serves up delicious meals alongside regular paranormal activity that would make most servers quit on the spot.

Built in 1856, the stone building has hosted countless patrons – some who apparently never left.

Glasses slide across tables untouched, mysterious footsteps echo from empty rooms, and staff report being followed by unseen presences.

The most active spirit, a former innkeeper named “Old Tom,” supposedly tugs on servers’ aprons when they forget to refill water glasses.

13. Count Nearly 100 Unmarked Graves at Harmony Cemetery

Mystery lovers find themselves captivated by this puzzling burial ground where numerous graves lack any identification. Was it religious conviction or something more sinister?

Historical records suggest the Harmonist religious sect believed in equality, even in death, refusing ornate markers. Others whisper about secret societies and hidden treasures buried alongside the deceased.

Paranormal enthusiasts claim this is one of Pennsylvania’s most actively haunted locations, with orbs frequently appearing in photographs taken at dusk.