Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations
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Gastro Obscura
Covering the world's most wondrous food and drink.
Gold-capped for less hot, red-capped for spicy-hot.
Sweets

Blenheim Ginger Ale

The story of South Carolina's sweet-hot soda begins with a chance discovery during the Revolutionary War.
Tools

Pee-Pee Boy

China's favorite urinating “tea pet” is actually a thermometer.
Food Festivals

Giant Paella

Outdoor festivals in Valencia call for traditional fare made in gargantuan pans.
Sweets

Pepernoten

Every December, Sinterklaas and his helper throw these little spiced cookies to Dutch children.
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Upcoming Events
Arctic Club.
Dec 13
Seattle, Washington

Parlor Games at Polar Bar

Tour this Seattle landmark, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, before retiring to the atmospheric Polar Bar, where you'll learn a vintage card game.
Tudor Place.
Dec 14
Washington, D.C.

The Tunnels and Trapdoors of Tudor Place by Candlelight

Stroll through the elegant entertaining spaces of a Federal Era mansion, decked with historic Christmas decor, and then explore the tunnels hidden underneath.
Selected experiences curated by Chase Sapphire®
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt in 1933.
Dec 15
Washington, D.C., United States

A Personal Look Into Eleanor Roosevelt's D.C.

Tour the nation's capital through the eyes of the pioneering First Lady.
Chicago Cultural Center.
Dec 15
Chicago, Illinois

Breakfast With Tiffany’s…Mosaics

A walking tour of Chicago's Loop, highlighting its brilliant mosaic works.
Bollards.
Dec 15
Los Angeles, California

Hunting Bollards in the Wild

Discover a distinctive feature of car culture in a walking tour guided by the 'World's foremost bollard photographer.'
The Chapel of Radiance (mausoleum upstairs)
Dec 16
Altadena, California

Mountain View Cemetery

Wind your way though a labyrinth of crypts and niches, a corridor with ceilings depicting scenes from the Bible, and hallways illuminated by beautiful stained glass.
The front of the Charnel House.
Dec 16
Chicago

A Silent Christmas

An afternoon of early silent films and an exploration of Chicago's role in the movie business.
Ethiopian coffee.
Dec 29
Seattle, Washington

The Original Coffee Break: Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

Experience an elaborate and immersive Ethiopian coffee ceremony with Milen Medhane of Kaffa Coffee.
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More Stories
Gastro Obscura
story
food

Tell Us About Your Ideal Comfort Food

What dish wraps you up like a cozy blanket?
December 06, 2018
story
bombs

A New Mobile App Allows Tourists to Explore the Effects of Atomic War in Hiroshima

Some say it tells an incomplete story.
December 06, 2018
story
canada

What’s Inside This Enormous Canadian Cave?

It's deep, wide, and named after a "Star Wars" character.
December 06, 2018
Gastro Obscura
story
food

Our Favorite Stories From Gastro Obscura's First Year

Read about otherworldly apples, champagne-chugging marathoners, and fishy acts of God.
December 05, 2018
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