bananaray's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Los Alamos, New Mexico

Bandelier National Monument

A small metropolis of Pueblo cave dwellings have been carved right into the hillside of this national monument.
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Petroglyph National Monument

Thousands of pieces of art have been carved into the rock at the site of an ancient volcanic eruption.
Big Pine, California

Methuselah Tree

Once thought to be the oldest living tree in the world, Methuselah was germinated before the Egyptian pyramids were built.
Jemez Springs, New Mexico

Jemez Springs Soda Dam

The 7,000-year-old calcium carbonate formation creates a magnificent natural bridge.
Brevard, North Carolina

Brevard White Squirrels

This Transylvania County city is home to a rare white squirrel population that is descended from an escaped carnival animal.
Johns Island, South Carolina

The Angel Oak

One of the oldest living oak trees in the Southeast.
Edisto Island, South Carolina

Edisto Mystery Tree

This bare tree might not have leaves but it is constantly clothed in festive decorations left by mysterious local benefactors.
Folly Beach, South Carolina

Folly Boat

Twenty-eight years after this local landmark was washed ashore by hurricane Hugo, it was washed away by hurricane Irma.
Redding, California

Sundial Bridge

This ultra-modern California span is actually a titanic solar clock in disguise built by famed architect Santiago Calatrava.
Burnsville, North Carolina

Mount Mitchell

The highest point in North Carolina and the United States east of the Mississippi River, Mount Mitchell is named after argumentative explorer Elisha Mitchell.
Kilauea, Hawaii

Mokolea Lava Pools

Submerged lava formations create incredible waterworks.
Boulder, Colorado

Boulder Teahouse

This tea house was a hand-built gift from Boulder's sister city in Tajikstan.
Hamer, South Carolina

South of the Border

I-95's Tijuana-style celebration of kitsch at the Carolina border.
Field, British Columbia

Yoho National Park

Fossils, railroads, and waterfalls!
Lee Vining, California

Mono Lake

Aqueducts have dramatically changed this old lake, now home to tufa towers and its very own species of tiny brine shrimp.
Yosemite National Park, California

Indian Village of the Ahwahnee

A glimpse into the lives of the the Miwok and Paiute people in Yosemite National Park.
Pompeii, Italy

Plaster Citizens of Pompeii

The last moments of the ill-fated Pompeiians, frozen forever in plaster.
Rome, Italy

Santa Maria della Concezione Crypts

The crypts of Capuchin friars decorated with the bones of over 4,000 friars, including an entire "crypt of pelvises."
Rome, Italy

Pyramid of Cestius

The only "Egyptian" pyramid in Europe and the legendary tomb of Remus.
Kershaw, South Carolina

Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve

Granite outcropping that the state's tourism bureau doesn't promote because of its delicate ecosystem.