Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations
Unusual adventures and hidden discoveries. Explore our 2018 trips now »
What's near me?
Gastro Obscura
Covering the world's most wondrous food and drink.
Prepared Foods

Snake Soup

During Hong Kong winters, crowds flock to small diners with serpents in their cupboards.
Prepared Foods

Boiled Green Peanuts

Roadside vendors in the Deep South soften fresh goobers with bubbling brine.
Drinks

Turkish Coffee

Locals joke that you should be able to “float a horseshoe” on the thick brew.
Fruits & Vegetables

African Horned Cucumber

The spiky, fruit cup-flavored orb made an appearance on “Star Trek.”
See More Food & Drink
Upcoming Events
Once a ferry, now a rusting hulk.
May 28

Nanjemoy, Maryland

In Search of the Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay

Join us for a kayak exploration of the Western Hemisphere's largest ship graveyard.
The Enigma machine, developed by Arthur Scherbius in 1923.
May 30

Annapolis Junction, Maryland

Secrets Revealed at NSA's National Cryptologic Museum

Travel through cryptologic history breaking some codes along the way.
The city's Main Pumping Station, circa 1905.
May 30

Washington, D.C.

From Waste to Water

During Infrastructure Week, get an inside look at the historic Main Pumping Station and D.C. Water's new yet-to-be-opened headquarters.
Resurrectionists in the process of digging up a fresh corpse.
May 30

Chicago, Illinois

Grave Robbing 101

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!
From the book "We Have No Idea."
May 31

Los Angeles, California

We Have No Idea

Celebrate all the unknowns of the universe with Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater.
The gardens and backdoor view of Tudor Place.
Jun 2

Washington, D.C., United States

Where They Lived, Where They Lie

The story of the lives and deaths of Georgetown's illustrious Peter family.
See All Events
More Stories
The Artist Who Imagined Zaire as a Miniature Utopia
story
future

The Artist Who Imagined Zaire as a Miniature Utopia

In his multimedia sculptures, Bodys Isek Kingelez offered a fantastical vision for the freshly independent country.
May 24, 2018
The Wit and Wisdom of Ancient Jewish Graffiti
story
judaism

The Wit and Wisdom of Ancient Jewish Graffiti

Researchers in the field have uncovered related messages ranging from "Lasius is a pervert" to “Good luck in your resurrection.”
May 24, 2018
Tell Us About Your Hometown's Hidden Tunnels
story
underground

Tell Us About Your Hometown's Hidden Tunnels

We want to hear your local stories about secret underground passages—real or rumored.
May 24, 2018
We Have Probably Been Imagining Pterosaurs All Wrong
story
anatomy

We Have Probably Been Imagining Pterosaurs All Wrong

New research suggests we've misunderstood the legs of these prehistoric flyers.
May 24, 2018
Read All Stories
Leaderboards

Places Added

Members who have added the most places in the past 30 days

Places Edited

Members who have edited the most places in the past 30 days

Places Visited

Members who have marked Been Here the most in the past 30 days