Roadside America

Roadside America is a miniature park in Shartlesville featuring over 300 handcrafted miniature buildings, landscapes, and scenes that represent various regions of the United States through detailed scale models. The exhibition includes operating train displays, street scenes, and terrain features that together create a broad picture of American variety.

Founded in 1935, this park became one of the earliest miniature parks in the United States and documented American life of the early 20th century. The concept preserves a piece of history by capturing landscapes and structures that shaped the nation decades ago.

The miniature scenes depict different aspects of American life, from small-town main streets to industrial areas, with tiny model trains running through detailed landscapes.

The park sits near major interstate highways and offers guided tours as well as group visit options. The experience remains available year-round with regular operating hours for flexible planning.

The facility features animated figures and illuminated displays that transform from day to night, creating different viewing experiences of the miniature scenes. This technique shows how places change throughout a day and gives visitors a fresh perspective on the details.