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
vampires
The Strange Endurance of Consuming Human Blood for Our Health
From draining slain gladiators to modern-day "sangs," people have long looked to blood as a panacea.
By Mark Hay
haunted
Podcast: Scary Stories From Real Places
Our contributors share stories from spooky locations they’ve visited and which continue to haunt them.
By The Podcast Team
cemeteries
A Cookbook for Dining With the Dead
Learn to make amaranth skulls, “buried” tamales, and other regional Día de Muertos recipes.
By Sam O'Brien
mountains
The Transformation of Pamola, the Protector of Mount Katahdin
How a fearsome Penobscot Nation legend became a mascot of outdoor adventure seekers.
By Sam Schipani
witchcraft
Podcast: Witch Cakes
A baked good thought to ward off evil might have kicked off one of America's most notorious witch hunts.
By The Podcast Team
haunted
Why a Popstar Wanted to Go Ghost Hunting
Haunted places have a lot to tell us about ourselves.
By Kesha
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 >>