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

Gastro Obscura
Covering the world's most wondrous food and drink.
Drinks

Mother Vine Scuppernong Wine

This sweet Southern elixir comes from what may be the oldest grape vine in North America.
Prepared Foods

Chop Suey Sandwich

In the 19th century, Chinese immigrants developed an early New England fusion sandwich that is divisive as it is salty.
Sweets

Southern Jutland Coffee Table

These cake-laden tables fueled community meetings that helped bring Southern Jutland back into Denmark.
Meats & Animal Products

Liederkranz Cheese

This long-extinct pungent delight has made a comeback in Wisconsin.
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Upcoming Events
Event

Abandoned Zoo Ruins

Los Angeles, California
$25 per person
Roam the grounds of L.A.'s long-lost city attraction, former home of Ivan the Terrible.
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Event

The Original Coffee Break: Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

Seattle, Washington
Sold out
Experience an elaborate and immersive Ethiopian coffee ceremony with Milen Medhane of Kaffa Coffee.
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Event

108 Years of Flour, Sugar, And History

Chicago, IL
$25 per person
Get an exclusive look behind the scenes at Roeser's Bakery, one of the longest-serving family bakeries in Chicago.
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Event

Historic Murals of West Seattle

Seattle, Washington
$30 per person
Take a guided tour of the larger-than-life artworks that contain a treasure trove of local history and cultural significance.
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Event

Grave Robbing 101

Chicago, Illinois
$20 per person
Tour relics of the old city cemetery and learn all you need to know to launch your career as a 19th-century body snatcher—today!
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Event

Artful Pairings: Creative Couples and Artistic Companions

Seattle, Washington
$30 per person
Enjoy an intimate viewing of artworks from the collections of The Henry, while we examine the nature of creative connections among artists from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
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Event

Unearthing Lost Towns

Lothian, Maryland
$50 per person
Get your hands dirty in this excavation event rediscovering a centuries-old Native American village with the Lost Towns Project.
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Event

Rosehill Cemetery Walk

Chicago, Illinois
$20 per person
Hear tales of money, murder, and madness you won't hear on other tours as you tour the grounds of one of Chicago's oldest cemeteries.
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Event

Run Away With the Circus

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$55 per person
Fly high in this afternoon of circus history and interactive aerial skills with the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts.
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More Stories
universities

18 Unique Campus Landmarks That Every Alum Knows About (But You Probably Don't)

Atlas Obscura readers recommend their favorite hidden wonders at colleges and universities.
Eric Grundhauser August 14, 2019
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food

What the Heck Is Crab Rangoon Anyway?

How a fusion of at least four cuisines created a beloved and misunderstood dish.
Dan Nosowitz August 14, 2019
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gold rush

North Carolina’s Abandoned Gold Mines Don’t Have Gold, But Do Have Bats

A deadly disease could devastate these thriving colonies of winged critters.
Sabrina Imbler August 14, 2019
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wine

One of Florence's 'Wine Windows' Is Open Once More

It's a reminder of when Florentine families sold wine from their palace cellars.
Lisa Harvey August 14, 2019
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nature

'Snowglow' Sounds Charming, But It's a Menace to Night Skies

Fresh powder can worsen light pollution, according to new research from Germany.
Jessica Leigh Hester August 13, 2019
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marketing

How Peru’s Inca Kola Triumphed Over Coke

Appeals to patriotism helped it become the country’s signature flavor.
Mark Hay August 13, 2019
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science

In Ethiopia, Ancient Humans Lived on Thin Air and Giant Mole-Rats

The earliest high-altitude settlement in Africa came as a surprise.
Isaac Schultz August 13, 2019
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music

The True Glory of Woodstock Is That They Managed to Clean Up So Well

Archaeologists are finding evidence of the landmark festival anyway.
Isaac Schultz August 13, 2019
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disasters

Scientists Distilled Moonshine With Rye Grown in Chernobyl's Dead Zone

The local grain tested positive for radioactivity.
Luke Fater August 12, 2019
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