Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations
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The definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.

Discover the Unexpected With Our Stories
Our fascinating articles will transport and inspire you.
gates to hell

Will the Gates of Hell Be Closed Forever?

Turkmenistan’s Darvaza gas crater has been on fire for decades. The inferno may finally be extinguished.
Sarah Durn January 19, 2022
music

How an Apartment Balcony Became One of Italy's Best-Known Stages

Nothing—not city fines, a pandemic, or home renovations—can stop the music.
Simone Lai January 20, 2022
ruins

Podcast: Great Zimbabwe

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
The Podcast Team January 19, 2022
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Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide
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Unlock the World With Our Small-Group Trips
Our immersive, curiosity-driven experiences take you to the hidden side of the world.
art & culture

Santa Fe: Immersive Art and Otherworldly Landscapes

Santa Fe
Oct 12–17, 2022
From $3,670 USD
Join us in the mysterious desert landscapes that have captivated artists from Georgia O’Keeffe to Judy Chicago.
history & culture

Exploring Puerto Rico, the Island of Enchantment

Puerto Rico
May 21–26, 2022
From $4,460 USD
Enjoy the diversity Puerto Rico has to offer from food to music to year-round beach weather while putting in perspective its complicated politics.
+ 1 other date
history & culture

Greece: Ancient Ruins to Modern Culture

Greece
Apr 20–30, 2022
From $6,570 USD
Discover the impact of Ancient Greece in today's modern-day culture by connecting the dots between legendary landmarks, such as the Oracle of Delphi, and local traditions still found today.
+ 3 other dates
food & drink

Modern Cambodia: Angkor Wat & Beyond

Cambodia
Nov 7–13, 2022
From $3,925 USD
+ 2 other dates
wildlife & nature

By Land & Sea: Explore Alaska’s Prince William Sound

Alaska
May 14–20, 2022
From $5,970 USD
Explore the magical sheltered waterways of Prince William Sound.
food & drink

New Orleans: Roots of a Creole Kitchen

New Orleans
Oct 10–14, 2022
From $3,475 USD
+ 3 other dates
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Place of the Day
32.0834, -81.0954
Riverside Plant Hotel
A once-groundbreaking power plant in Georgia turned into a hotel and mini-museum of archeological and geological wonders.
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Find Wondrous Places on Every Continent
Our guides will surprise and delight you.
Destination Guide

London, England

86 Articles
416 Places
Destination Guide

Marrakesh, Morocco

15 Places
Destination Guide

Mexico City, Mexico

15 Articles
147 Places
Destination Guide

New York

177 Articles
704 Places
Destination Guide

São Paulo, Brazil

28 Places
Destination Guide

Tokyo, Japan

12 Articles
138 Places
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Explore Our Collection of Hidden Wonders Around the World
Our community-driven database of 22,000+ amazing places grows every day.
Lititz, Pennsylvania

Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery

Don't get it twisted: This is the oldest pretzel bakery in the United States.
Hawick, Scotland

Stobs Camp

Built as a training camp, this site became a detainment center for prisoners of war and German civilians during World War I.
San Luis, Colorado

Shrine of the Stations of the Cross

This shrine is an ode to the region's rich Hispanic heritage.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Stadsbank van Lening (City Bank of Lending)

The facade of this bank has changed little over the centuries, including its unique welcome sign.
Paray-le-Monial, France

Musée d'Art et d'Industrie Paul Charnoz

Explore the art and history of intricate, hand-crafted tile designs at this small museum.
Toronto, Ontario

The Wood Cake House

This knick-knack-covered house (complete with a matching van) is a charming oddity in the middle of a modest downtown neighborhood.
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Enroll in a Course to Explore New Skills and Niche Topics
Our deep and dynamic online learning will expand your horizons.
Online Course

Recreating Ancient Recipes With VAWAA

Starts Sun, Jan 23
3 Sessions
$235 per person
+ 2 other dates
Online Course

How to Read a Landscape: Botany & Ecology With Annie Novak

Starts Tue, Jan 25
3 Sessions
$65 per person
Online Course

Stories in the Stones: How to Read a Gravestone With Dr. Elise M. Ciregna

Starts Sat, Jan 29
4 Sessions
$265 per person
In this four-part course, learn how to decode the stories in gravestones and deepen your understanding of America’s cemeteries.
+ 1 other date
Online Course

Storytelling Through Social Media With Dr. Earyn McGee

Starts Thu, Feb 3
3 Sessions
$75 per person
Online Course

Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown

Starts Mon, Feb 7
3 Sessions
$215 per person
+ 1 other date
Online Course

The Living Art of Dead Things: Fox Taxidermy With Allis Markham

Starts Tue, Feb 8
3 Sessions
$70 per person
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