12 Things You'll Only See On Venice Beach

Venice Beach can be fairly described as America's largest outdoor freak show. Where else do potheads, muscle-heads and, well, snake-charming unicyclists cavort on the boardwalk 24/7 for your entertainment? Check out AMC's Freakshow Thursdays 9:30/8:30c.

1. King Solomon the Snake Man

en.wikipedia.org

Just your average unicycle-riding, loincloth-wearing, snake-juggling flautist. NBD.

2. Seniors Who Could Rip A Phonebook In Half

GABRIEL BOUYS / Getty Images

Venice is home to the annual 4th of July Muscle Beach Competition because, America.

3. Giant Men In Tiny Speedos

GABRIEL BOUYS / Getty Images

Okay, Venice isn't the only place to see giant men in tiny Speedos, but it's arguably the best place to see giant men in tiny Speedos.

4. The World's Strongest Women

MARK RALSTON / Getty Images

Nancy Bates can lift those weights
As well as any feller.
If you don't think it's ladylike
Then you go up and tell her.

- Shel Silverstein

5. The Kush Doctor

LUCY NICHOLSON / Reuters

According to their website, legal marijuana helps with everything from eyeball pressure to (ahem) chronic pain. Legal or not, we do not recommend getting wicked high and going to the Venice Beach Freak Show.

6. Strange leggings

venicephotog / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

7. A Guy Eating Four Swords At Once

Teep and Rach / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / flic.kr

Because eating three or fewer swords at once is sooooo Coney Island.

8. A Giant Kangaroo Running Along The Beach

JOE KLAMAR / Getty Images

"I wonder if anyone else can see that?"

- Sunbathing Guy's interior monologue

9. Mermaids in Wheelbarrows

JONATHAN ALCORN / Reuters

This woman is preparing for a march during National Go Topless Day. Oh, by the way: There's such a thing as National Go Topless Day. #Venice #AmericaWins

10. Hippie vans

museinthecity / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

Movable drum circles. Patchouli-soaked mobile homes. A contact-high-on-wheels. Call 'em what you will... they're everywhere at Venice Beach.

11. Stackable Pets!

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This gentleman is one loud noise away from total chaos.

12. The Venice Beach Freakshow

Naturally, the world's best outdoor freak show is home to the world's best indoor freak show. If you like live two-headed-animals, fire-eaters and medical-oddities-in-jars, Christmas just came early. AMC's new unscripted show, Freakshow, premieres this Valentine's Day at 9:30 EST.