Destinations from the Atlas
Featured Trips and Courses
Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco
Trip
Spice School: The Foundations of Flavor With Claire Cheney of Curio Spice Co.
Course
Eat Like an Ancient Greek Philosopher
food
Before attending third-century dinner parties, readers consulted this “marvelous feast of words.”
Featured Trips and Courses
Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco
Trip
Spice School: The Foundations of Flavor With Claire Cheney of Curio Spice Co.
Course
Podcast
Twin OaksJust how many parents can a kid have? A collaboration with Freakonomics.
Get wonder in your inbox
Wonder delivered to your inbox
Sign up for our Newsletter
Explore the Atlas
Hidden Wonders
Place of the Day
Ginkgo Grove Garden
Boyce, Virginia
Every autumn, this grove of living fossils erupts in a blaze of brilliant golden-yellow leaves and stinky fruit.
Added By
More Featured Places
-
Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Mothman Statue
This red-eyed chrome beast pays homage to the popular modern myth of West Virginia's insectoid monster.
-
Seoul, South Korea
National Hangeul Museum
Celebrating the history of Hangul, the Korean writing system invented by King Sejong to improve his realm’s literacy.
-
Kneževo, Serbia
Spomenik Mramor
A neglected spomenik overlooking the beautiful Kopaonik Mountains.
-
Page, Arizona
Boiler Tube Slot Canyon
This unique art installation used boiler tubes from a decommissioned power plant to resemble Antelope Canyon.
-
Yazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City Main Street
A downtown filled with nearly deserted historic buildings was revived as a pastel paradise.
-
Tokyo, Japan
Asakusa Underground Street
Stuck in a bygone era, the oldest subterranean shopping street in Japan hides beneath the popular Asakusa district of Tokyo.
-
Zurich, Switzerland
Urania Observatory
Switzerland's oldest public observatory is an important part of the Zurich cityscape.
-
Wilmington, Delaware
Ashland Bridge
The smallest and oldest covered bridge in Delaware.
Join the Community
The Atlas is always evolving thanks to our community. Here’s how to get involved:
Add & Edit Places
Tell us about all the amazing places we don’t know yet. Anyone can contribute, anywhere in the world.
Become a Member
Join our community to see far fewer ads, get a members-only newsletter, receive credit toward your next Atlas Obscura trip, and more.
Download the App
Explore our guide to over 24,000 curious and unexpected places, right from your mobile device.
Discover Our Stories
Articles, Videos, and Podcast
law
The Extremely Enchanting, Totally Perplexing, Possibly Never-Ending Quest for the Golden Owl
For 30 years, this labyrinthine treasure hunt has had thousands of players cracking codes and digging up the French countryside. After a sudden death and bitter disputes, will the prize ever be found?
P
-
rivers
The Kakhovka Dam Disaster Revealed an Archaeological 'Goldmine' -
apples
Uneven Gravity Makes You Weigh More in Illinois Than in Indiana -
cartography
7 Maps That Can Change How You See the WorldBy April White
-
history
A Map of the 'Disunited States' Shows the Fears of Civil War–Era America -
lakes
Benedict Arnold's Lake Champlain Gunboat Is the Last Shipwreck of Its Kind -
history
The Mysterious Underground City Found in a Man’s Basement -
festivals
Haunted Stays and Autumn Days in ColoradoSponsored by Visit Colorado
ships
Is There Sunken Treasure Beneath the Treacherous Currents of Hell Gate?
In the heart of New York City, a centuries-long hunt for Revolutionary War–Era gold.
J
-
cemeteries
Honoring the Thousands of Forgotten Souls Buried Beneath San FranciscoBy Shoshi Parks
-
monsters
Monster Wrestling And Other Weird, Wonderful Sports from Around the World -
cults
How Cults and Religious Groups Forever Changed American Food -
food
Every Year, Rabbis Search Calabria for the Perfect EtrogBy John Last
-
ships
The Kakhovka Dam Disaster Revealed an Archaeological 'Goldmine' -
poison
How Poison Fruit Pits Became Irresistible to Humans -
murder
The Batavia's Tale of Mutiny and Murder Gets a New Chapter
Plan Your Adventure
Guides, lists, and itineraries
Top Countries
Explore the World
Trips, experiences, and courses
Discover Our Trips
We travel to incredible, often overlooked places. Our global community of local experts grants you access to unique, small-group experiences.
View all Trips
Discover Our Courses
Atlas Obscura Courses offer opportunities for students of all ages to explore niche topics and skills, in both live and on-demand formats.
View all Courses
