9,122 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in the United States - Atlas Obscura
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The Atlas Obscura Guide To

The United States

9,122 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in the United States

States & Territories

Unusual Attractions in the United States

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Upcoming United States Experiences

Experience

Exploring a Secret Fort

Washington, D.C.
Sun, Feb 27
$30 per person
+ 12 other dates
Members Only
Online Experience

A Pick-Your-Path Adventure Through St. Louis' Eccentric City Museum

Thu, Jan 20
Free
You choose the wonders we'll see on a pick-your-path adventure through the eccentric exhibits & immersive scenes at St. Louis' City Museum!
Experience

The Spies of Georgetown

Washington, D.C.
Sun, Jan 23
$42 per person
+ 18 other dates
Experience

A Walking Tour of Hollywood Jazz History

Los Angeles, California
Thu, Jan 27
$25 per person
+ 5 other dates
Members Only
Online Experience

Making and Moving Chinese Shadow Puppets

Thu, Jan 27
Free
Learn to assemble and manipulate your very own shadow puppet and immerse yourself in the history of this traditional Chinese art form!
Experience

International Church of Cannabis Art Tour

Denver, Colorado
Fri, Jan 28
$40 per person
+ 2 other dates
Experience

The Abandoned Zoo Ruins of Griffith Park

Holllywood, Los Angeles, California
Sun, Jan 30
$28 per person
Experience

The Spies of Embassy Row

Washington, DC
Tue, Feb 1
$35 per person
+ 15 other dates
Members Only
Online Experience

Atlas Obscura Members Only Trivia Night

Wed, Feb 2
Free
Gather your team and compete in Atlas Obscura’s contest of wits, smarts, and educated-guessing!
Experience

Exploring Historic Homes of the Stars

Santa Monica, California
Sun, Feb 6
$28 per person
Members Only
Online Experience

Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Succubi & Incubi

Tue, Feb 8
Free
Explore the world's greatest monsters, myths, and legends with paranormal author and cultural historian, Colin Dickey!
Online Course

The Living Art of Dead Things: Fox Taxidermy With Allis Markham

Starts Tue, Feb 8
3 Sessions
$70 per person
Online Course

How to Make a Murder: Writing Your Own Murder Mystery Party With Abi Inman

Starts Wed, Feb 9
5 Sessions
$85 per device
Members Only
Online Experience

Nina Nightingale's Charm School: Valentine's Day

Thu, Feb 10
Free
Nina Nightingale's Charm School is in session.
Online Course

Think Like A Museum: Curate Your Personal Collection with Alexis Hyde

Starts Tue, Feb 15
4 Sessions
$215 per person
+ 2 other dates
Members Only
Online Experience

The Secret Arts: Toy Photography

Thu, Feb 17
Free
Learn about the world's rarest arts from the most curious craftspeople. Enter the world of the Secret Arts!
Members Only
Online Experience

Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Clowns

Tue, Mar 8
Free
Explore the world's greatest monsters, myths, and legends with paranormal author and cultural historian, Colin Dickey!
Online Course

The Art of Death With Tessa Fontaine

Starts Wed, Apr 13
5 Sessions
$240 per person
In this five-part seminar with author Tessa Fontaine, we'll explore notions of death around the world, drawing from biology, history, and beyond.
+ 1 other date
Experience

Old Joliet Prison: History and Hollywood

Joliet, Illinois
Sun, May 1
$35 per person
+ 5 other dates
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Unique Experiences From Airbnb
Selected by Atlas Obscura
Partner Experience

Magical Monkey Experience at a Sanctuary

Gainesville, Florida
Mon, Jan 17
$65 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 466 other dates
Partner Experience

Hidden World of Miami Design District

Miami Design District, Florida
Mon, Jan 17
$35 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 258 other dates
Partner Experience

Kayaking in the Shell Key Preserve

Tierra Verde, Florida
Mon, Jan 17
$38 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 44 other dates
Partner Experience

Little Havana Rituals

Miami, Florida
Tue, Jan 18
$39 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 5 other dates

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in the United States

Atlas Obscura Trips
New Orleans: Roots of a Creole Kitchen
Learn More

Community Forums / United States

Top Discussions in the United States Travel Forum

Post Replies Views Activity
Map of New England Oddities
SoaringRaven AdventourGirl
 		15
What would you do on a time crunch in DC?
mclairebarroso
 		19
Carolina House with a Natural Cavern underneath
Shane McGraw
 		12
New Orleans suggestions?
patrocluswashere J Ginsberg MTMarino CiscoRamon22
 		15
Off the beaten path / hidden gems near Nashville?
9
New Post Visit the Forum

the United States Leaderboard

Recent the United States Activity

arfie8601 has been to Deer Island Treatment Plant
jamesforsyth11229 has been to Smith-9 Street Station
jamesforsyth11229 wants to go to Calvert Vaux Cove
binkiekitty has been to Louisiana’s Civil War Museum at Confederate Memorial Hall
shellisprague wants to go to Fargo Wood Chipper

Stories About the United States

Stack cakes are a classic Appalachian treat.

The Healing History of Appalachian Christmas Sweets

Cakes and cookies baked during the holiday were thought to have special powers.
by Sara Mellas
December 16, 2021
The finished cocktail.

Make the Crystal-Clear Milk Cocktail Loved by a Spy and a Founding Father

Upgrade your punch game with a 400-year-old science trick.
by Diana Hubbell
December 16, 2021
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Lists Featuring the United States

Bog Butter, Ancient Beef, and Other Remarkably Old Foods on Display in Museums
The "pet ham" is 119 years old.

Bog Butter, Ancient Beef, and Other Remarkably Old Foods on Display in Museums

Some of these foods are centuries past their expiration dates.

6

Including Ancient Bog Butter, Preserved Victorian Wedding Cake, and World’s Oldest Edible Ham

7 Places to Pay Homage to the All-American Hot Dog

7 Places to Pay Homage to the All-American Hot Dog

Float to a riverside stand for a frank or visit a Coney Island trailblazer’s tomb.

7

Including The Famous River Hot Dog Man, Jimmy Carter’s Hot Dog Bun, and Charles Feltman’s Tomb