In this century-old literary safehouse, print is alive and well.

Staircase winds down the side of Telegraph Hill through gardens, wild parrots flying overhead.

A nondescript building that's been functioning as a speakeasy for nearly a century and a half.

Relics of the 1894 Midwinter Exposition continue to delight visitors today.

Olfactory delights in San Francisco's Botanical Gardens.

Carnivorous plants, medieval aphrodisiacs, and the largest original wood structure glass conservatory in the western hemisphere.

A walk-in working camera obscura produces 360-degree live images of the San Francisco coast.

There is no trying to fall in love with this Star Wars fountain, you just do or do not.

A winding path built in secret on the edge of the continent.

This shop specializes in oddities and Victorian-inspired wonders.

In all of the 29 years it was in operation, no prisoners ever escaped successfully... or so they claim.

An artsy hidden staircase leads to breathtaking views of San Francisco.

A huge musical instrument played by the ocean.

Exact replica of the ancient monument, but much, much lighter.

A wondrous old library overlooking the nation's capital.

A derelict bit of transportation infrastructure hidden in the woods.

An abandoned theme park with a strange and tumultuous past.

The intricate stonework of Machu Picchu serves as a testament to Incan engineers.

This Maryland farm is known for its amazing corn mazes and its 30-foot junkbots.

The Grand Ole Opry's big voice came from a small home in rural Virginia where she was eventually buried.

Once home to seven different roller coasters, Glen Echo has undergone many transformations since its founding in 1891.

Ride the subways of yesteryear.

The one-stop shop for all of your superhero (or evil arch-nemesis) needs.

An uber-secure, windowless tower of doom in the center of Manhattan is an NSA spyscraper.