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The definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.

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Our fascinating articles will transport and inspire you.
food

Delicious Gifts for the Food-Obsessed

A gift guide from the Atlas Obscura team.
Atlas Obscura November 30, 2022
nature

Thoughtful, Surprising Last-Minute Gifts

A gift guide from the Atlas Obscura team.
Atlas Obscura December 2, 2022
museums

Podcast: Fluorescent Rocks of Sterling Hill

A light show, courtesy of a historic New Jersey mine.
The Podcast Team November 30, 2022

In Search of Sanctuary

Sponsored by Lincoln
Give the ultimate holiday gift!
The Explorer's Library box set
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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.
history

In the Footsteps of Pharaohs: Exploring Ancient Egypt

Egypt
Dec 29–Jan 7, 2023
From $5,480 USD
Discover ancient and modern Cairo then cruise along the Nile taking in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.
wildlife & nature

Swim with the Singing Whales of Tonga

Tonga
Jul 26–Aug 3, 2023
From $6,970 USD
Accompanied by conservation experts, you’ll spend five full days having swim encounters with humpback whales as their song fills the ocean.
+ 4 other dates
art & culture

Artisans & Exiles: Exploring the Hidden Traditions of Japan’s Sado Island

Japan
May 13–21, 2023
From $6,540 USD
Exploration through a history of exile, gold rush, and thriving cultural traditions.
+ 4 other dates
wildlife & nature

New Zealand: Māori Traditions & Natural Marvels

New Zealand
Apr 7–19, 2023
From $6,750 USD
+ 2 other dates
food & drink

From Chocolate to Truffles: Italian Culinary Adventures

Italy
May 6–12, 2023
From $4,980 USD
Taste your way through Italy’s northwest region of Piedmont, sampling sweets, sipping local wine, and foraging for truffles.
+ 5 other dates
food & drink

Oaxaca: Tastes of Past & Present

Mexico
Jan 20–26, 2023
From $3,480 USD
Join us as we explore the indigenous flavors, contemporary cuisine, and rich history of Oaxaca—meeting local chefs, artisans, and historians along the way.
+ 6 other dates
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Place of the Day
49.0839, -118.6844
Greenwood Stack
This former smelting facility in British Columbia is a crumbling ruin, with the exception of its towering smokestack.
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Destination Guide

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443 Places
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161 Places
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164 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.
London, England

Kaspar the Savoy Cat

This black cat was actually designed to ward off bad luck.
Rockville, Maryland

Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine

This one-room doctor's office has been moved twice, and now lives on as a museum.
London, England

Remains of the Old London Bridge

Only a few pieces remain of the structure that carried people and goods across the Thames for some 600 years.
Kodër Spaç, Albania

Spaç Prison

This abandoned prison was so notorious that its name has become a metaphor throughout Albania.
Lagro, Indiana

Hanging Rock National Natural Landmark

This rock formation above the Wabash River is part of an ancient coral reef.
Robertsport, Liberia

Robertsport Ghost Ship

After several weeks of radio silence, this abandoned oil tanker washed up on a remote beach in Liberia.
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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

Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown

Starts Mon, Dec 5
3 Sessions
$215 per person
+ 3 other dates
Online Course

Demystifying Artisanal Cheese With Jasper Hill Farm

Starts Tue, Dec 6
4 Sessions
$80 per person
Online Course

Designing Soft Circuits & E-Textiles With Linh My Truong

Starts Wed, Dec 7
4 Sessions
$245 per person
Online Course

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

Starts Thu, Dec 8
3 Sessions
$65 per person
Online Course

Historical Nonfiction: Research-Based Writing With Hadley Meares

Starts Sun, Dec 11
4 Sessions
$195 per person
+ 3 other dates
Online Course

Bee-licious: Taste Honey Like a Sommelier With Marina Marchese

Starts Mon, Dec 12
3 Sessions
$220 per person
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