Stories - Atlas Obscura

Watch 1,000 Kyrgyz Musicians Play their National Instrument, the Komuz

Forget Rio, it's the World Nomad Games.

September 6, 2016

Incredible Photos of the Hermit Crabs Who Live In Trash

Instead of shells, these hermit crabs used plastic bottle caps and other trash.

September 6, 2016

Why Are Thousands of People Watching This Livestream of a Wyoming Town?

No one knows, but here are some theories.

September 6, 2016

The Story Behind the Most Famous Photo from Hurricane Andrew

How do you keep a flamingo flock safe in a major storm?

September 6, 2016

the exit interview

Exit Interview: I Played With LEGO for a Living

A former LEGO master model builder talks about taking toys seriously.

September 6, 2016

This Library Is Threatening Jail Time Over Overdue Books

Those late fees are no joke.

September 6, 2016

space exploration

Found: Philae’s Final Resting Place

The lander on Comet 67P was finally located.

September 6, 2016

essential guide

Atlas Obscura's Guide to the Longest Running Scientific Experiments

"Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

September 6, 2016

Take a Trip with Traveler

The winner of this sweepstakes will get $5000 to put towards their travel fund.

7 Nuclear Test Sites You Can Visit Today

Where to see the vestiges of nuclear weapons tests around the world.

September 3, 2016

This Dog Fell Overboard and Was Rescued After Swimming Six Miles to Shore

September 2, 2016

Swedish Government Boards Achieve Gender Parity After 28 Years of Work

Solid work, Sweden.

September 2, 2016

Inside a Comedy Writer’s Treasure Trove of Mid-Century 3-D Photos

Eric Drysdale's stereoscopic collection plunks you right down in the middle of the 1950s.

September 2, 2016

Listen to the Mystical Music Box Version of Haddaway's 'What Is Love'

This paper-tape music box puts a new spin on the classic dance number.

September 2, 2016

abandoned opera houses

Inside an Abandoned Connecticut Opera House With a Jail Beneath its Stage

At one time in the U.S., almost every town had their own opera palace.

September 2, 2016

A Hacker From South Africa Rescued the First NASA Computer in Space

The 1966 Apollo Guidance Computer paved the way for the moon landing—and then sat in a scrap heap for decades.

September 2, 2016

Found: The First Television Interview Nelson Mandela Ever Gave

During the Treason Trial of the late 1950s, Mandela spoke to a reporter about ANC goals.

September 2, 2016

colonial america

The Odd Hybrid Businesses That Defined the Early American Service Sector

Multi-tasking establishments were once the norm in America. What happened to them?

September 2, 2016