10 great places to stay at a vintage motel

— -- A motel can be a tourist attraction itself, says Doug Kirby, co-founder of RoadsideAmerica.com, which catalogs quirky travel sites. Whether your lodging resembles an African village or a caboose, "it's the stuff you talk about when you get home." He shares favorite spots with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Wildwood Inn Tropical Dome and Theme Suites

Florence, Ky.

This memorable motel near Cincinnati gives guests an opportunity to sleep in a faux African village. "Each room is a circular African hut arrayed around a pond," Kirby says. The more traditional two-story motel out front has a hillbilly-themed suite with a bed in the back of a pickup truck, along with cave rooms. "It's a standout," Kirby says. "It's not a murky, shady kind of place. It has a family feel." 800-758-2335; wildwood-inn.com

Stovall's Space Age Lodge

Gila Bend, Ariz.

While this motel may not have five stars, space aliens would like it. Even if you don't plan to stay the night, step into the flying-saucer-topped lobby to take in autographed pictures of astronauts and the mural devoted to the history of space flight. Then order a burger at the Space Age Outer Limits Restaurant. 928-683-2273; bestwestern.com

Movie Manor

Monte Vista, Colo.

Who needs a big-screen TV? This combination drive-in movie theater and motel provides cinematic action outside the window on two screens, along with in-room sound. "You pull your curtains back, and the movie is right there," Kirby says. Motel rooms are named after stars, including the Arnold Schwarzenegger fitness facility. 719-852-5921; bestwestern.com

Steve Alford All-American Inn

New Castle, Ind.

Basketball star and coach Steve Alford left a big footprint in his hometown. A car-sized sneaker is plopped down in front of an otherwise ordinary motel. Alford, an Indiana University standout, now coaches at the University of New Mexico. "It's a photo opportunity," Kirby says. "In the lobby, there are photos and stats and various pieces of basketball memorabilia." 877-557-8383; stevealfordinn.com

Don Q Inn

Dodgeville, Wis.

This theme motel is all about fantasy, with rooms inspired by Roman palaces, space travel and more. Kirby likes the Sherwood Forest room, where the bed is nested in a forest of branches, and a radio is hidden somewhere in an artificial log. "There's also the 'Mid-Evil' room with a bed with built-in shackles. That's a little kinky," Kirby says. 800-666-7848; donqinn.net

Madonna Inn

San Luis Obispo, Calif.

This famous motor lodge started with a dozen themed rooms in 1958 and now has 110, each one decorated in its own style. Some feature cave motifs, while others have exuberant daisy designs or waterfalls. "They're charming and garish at the same time," Kirby says. 800-543-9666; madonnainn.com

Caboose Motel

Avoca, N.Y.

This motel's slogan, "Sleep in a Caboose," is all you really need to know. While it's not the only train-themed motel, this one dates to 1987 and features five cars. Each has a volume-controlled speaker that plays railroad sounds. "This is a great example of preservation of historic cabooses, and it's a fun place to spend a night," Kirby says. 607-566-2216;

Caribbean Motel

Wildwood, N.J.