Destinations from the Atlas
Featured Trips and Courses
Dominican Republic: Beyond the Beach
Trip
The Art of Death With Tessa Fontaine
Course
The Karuk Cook Restoring California’s Native Cuisine, One Acorn at a Time
native americans
Sara Calvosa Olson's cookbook shares delicious recipes and stories celebrating the oak's nut.
Featured Trips and Courses
Dominican Republic: Beyond the Beach
Trip
The Art of Death With Tessa Fontaine
Course
More Stories
Podcast
The Fear LabEver wondered why our brains crave a good scare?
Get wonder in your inbox
Wonder delivered to your inbox
Sign up for our Newsletter
Explore the Atlas
Hidden Wonders
Place of the Day
Asakusa Underground Street
Tokyo, Japan
Stuck in a bygone era, the oldest subterranean shopping street in Japan hides beneath the popular Asakusa district of Tokyo.
Added By
More Featured Places
-
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.
-
Malacca, Malaysia
Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum
This gorgeous Peranakan mansion’s family heritage includes a century-old baby gate, which was also used to keep out irresponsible husbands.
-
Itakura, Japan
Thousand-Armed Insect Goddess of Mercy
A bizarre statue of a Buddhist goddess made from 20,000 insects.
-
Shoshone, California
Dublin Gulch
A unique collection of old miners' cave homes carved in to the hillside cliffs near Death Valley.
-
Rosehearty, Scotland
Pitsligo Castle
The ruins of a 15th-century tower house.
-
Loddington, England
Lampy the Garden Gnome
The first German gnome who popularized the garden decoration.
-
Iceland
Heinabergslón
A little-known, yet charming glacial lagoon.
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
-
ecosystems
The World's Rarest Raptor Hangs On Thanks to an Invasive Species -
lakes
Benedict Arnold's Lake Champlain Gunboat Is the Last Shipwreck of Its Kind -
cosmos
Mercury Retrograde Is Ending, and It’s Up to You How to Feel About It -
history
A Map of the 'Disunited States' Shows the Fears of Civil War–Era America -
objects of intrigue
The Living, Breathing Brooches of the Yucatán -
fountains
The Lost Waters of Kathmandu Are Needed Now More Than Ever -
imaginary world
The Center of the Earth Has an Imaginary Island and One Floating Soul
globes
A Square, Flat Earth and Round Heaven Meant the World to Ancient China
For millennia, this cosmological principle guided everything from calendars to urban planning.
-
pirates
7 Maps That Can Change How You See the WorldBy April White
-
Podcast
The Fear Lab -
science
To Track Bull Sharks, First Hit Their Snooze Button -
food
Make 19th-Century 'Neapolitan Pizza' for Dessert -
Podcast
The Ark of Citrus -
restaurants
A Secretive Food Culture Enters the Spotlight -
clocks
For Pop Duo Aly & AJ, Vintage Watches Tell Stories and Keep the Past AliveBy Sarah Durn
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
