cryptozoology
Beware the Thunderbird, Badass Cryptid of the Skies
The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters.
By J.W. Ocker
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Halloween FeatureToday's Creepy Clowns Have Roots in Bawdy and Crass 19th-Century Circuses
By Madeline Steiner · October 31, 2022
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Halloween FeatureWhy Horror Is So Damned Fun
By Samir S. Patel · October 26, 2022
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Halloween FeatureReal Zombies and Body Snatchers Live Among Us
By Gemma Tarlach · October 20, 2022
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Halloween FeatureThe Ancient Art of Kitchen Divination
By Diana Hubbell · October 17, 2022
Weird Wondrous Wicked Halloween
Welcome to Atlas Obscura's Most Haunting Halloween Ever
We love October, a time of chills and thrills that builds all month to that spookiest of days, Halloween. Join us as we explore the wonder and weirdness afoot, from ancient monsters to very modern ways of studying fear itself.
Tales of Terror: Ghost lights, cursed ships, haunted mirrors, and more. Don't read alone.
monsters
The Rougarou, Beast of the Louisiana Bayou, Gets a Makeover
One man hopes to turn the wolfish cryptid into a mascot for saving the state's imperiled wetlands.
By Joel Balsam
lighthouses
5 Haunted House Stories That Will Make You Scream
There are jump scares, tragic tales, and even real estate angst.
By Line Sidonie Talla Mafotsing
An Extra-Creepy Atlas: Create your own Road Trip of the Damned with these unsettling Places you can visit IRL (in this life or the next).
Nienhagen, Germany
Gespensterwald (Ghost Forest)
Twisted trees shaped by coastal winds make this woodland look like something from a spooky story.
Moux, France
Tomb of Henry Bataille
The haunting cadaver tomb of a famous French poet, playwright, and filmmaker.
Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Mothman Statue
This red-eyed chrome beast pays homage to the popular modern myth of West Virginia's insectoid monster.
You Are Fearless. You Have Scrolled Deep Into the Atlas Obscura Crypt.
Venture even deeper into the shadows for more spine-tingling Stories, positively paranormal Places, and other spooky surprises.
Scroll down at your own risk
plague
Venice Is Almost One Big Plague Graveyard
A city built on water was always going to struggle with burials—especially when a deadly pandemic came to town.
By Vittoria Traverso
forests
Podcast: Spooky Places
Our Places Team shares spooky legends from both Transylvania and Appalachia.
By The Podcast Team
paintings
6 Cursed Objects, and the Legends Behind Them
Maybe it's best to just steer clear of white lighters, medieval books, and Robert the Doll.
By April White
natural history museums
Podcast: Luomus Spiders
The tale of a Scandinavian museum's 50-year infestation with Chilean recluse spiders.
By The Podcast Team
witchcraft
The Secret History of Female and Nonbinary Occultists
A new book examines how supernatural beliefs have often offered a voice, visibility, and vulnerabilities.
By Sarah Durn
radioactive
Can Glowing 'Ray Cats' Save Humanity?
There are some strange ideas about how to send a warning to our descendants 100,000 years from now.
By Kate Golembiewski
Still hungry for more mischief and mayhem?
Satisfy your appetite for all things Halloween, from tasty treats to unsolved mysteries, with these classics from years past.
Explore Now >>