8,741 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in the United States - Atlas Obscura
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The United States

8,741 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

The Spies of Embassy Row

Washington, DC
Wed, Jul 28
$35 per person
+ 56 other dates
Experience

The Spies of Georgetown

Washington, D.C.
Thu, Jul 29
$35 per person
+ 11 other dates
Online
Experience

Art & Evolution: Drawing Animals w/ Megan McGrath

Thu, Jul 29
$15 per device
Learn to draw the natural world from the inside out, along with animal scientist and artist, Megan McGrath!
+ 1 other date
Online
Experience

Learning the Language of Art w/ Art Muse L.A.: Sound In Art

Thu, Jul 29
$15 per device
Demystifying the world of art and discovering a whole new world of cultural appreciation!
Online
Experience

Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Legend of the Dog Man

Thu, Jul 29
$12 per device
Explore the world's greatest monsters, myths, and legends with paranormal author and cultural historian, Colin Dickey!
Online
Experience

Atlas Obscura Trivia Night

Fri, Jul 30
$7 per person
Gather your team and compete in a weekly contest of wits and educated-guessing.
+ 7 other dates
Experience

A Walking Tour of Hollywood Jazz History

Los Angeles, California
Sat, Jul 31
$25 per person
+ 2 other dates
Experience

The Spies of Arlington National Cemetary

Fort Myer, Virginia
Sat, Jul 31
$60 per person
+ 2 other dates
Online
Online Course

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

Starts Tue, Aug 3
4 Sessions
$215 per person
+ 1 other date
Online
Experience

Anchoring the Intrepid: Inside an Aircraft Carrier's Chain Room

Tue, Aug 10
$20 per device
Explore the titanic chains and hidden sailor graffiti of an aircraft carrier in this rare tour behind the scenes at the Intrepid Museum!
Online
Experience

Global Moves: Learn Indian Kuchipudi w/ Yamini Kalluri

Thu, Aug 12
$20 per device
Learn the graceful moves and fascinating history of Kuchipudi, a classical Indian dance, in this interactive experience with Yamini Kalluri!
Online
Experience

The Secret Arts: Paper Engineering

Wed, Aug 18
$15 per device
Learn about the world's rarest arts from the most curious craftspeople. Enter the world of the Secret Arts!
Experience

The Abandoned Zoo Ruins of Griffith Park

Holllywood, Los Angeles, California
Sat, Aug 21
$28 per person
Experience

Exploring Historic Homes of the Stars

Santa Monica, California
Sun, Aug 22
$28 per person
Experience

White House Tales of Scandal & Intrigue

Washington, D.C.
Tue, Aug 24
$25 per person
Online
Experience

Nina Nightingale's Charm School

Tue, Aug 24
$15 per device
Join curiosity artist Nina Nightingale for an evening of crafting, history, and impolite discourse.
Online
Experience

Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Mongolian Death Worm

Thu, Aug 26
$12 per device
Explore the world's greatest monsters, myths, and legends with paranormal author and cultural historian, Colin Dickey!
Experience

Lost and Long-Gone Graveyards of L.A.

Los Angeles, California
Sun, Aug 29
$35 per person
Online
Online Course

Natural Dyes: Creating a Plant-Based Palette With Aaron Sanders Head

Starts Sun, Aug 29
4 Sessions
$220 per person
In this four-part workshop with Aaron Sanders Head, you'll learn how to turn kitchen scraps and foraged plants into natural dyes.
Online
Experience

Global Moves: Learn the Haka of New Zealand w/ Amelia Butler

Thu, Sep 9
$20 per device
Discover the empowering movements of the Haka, a war dance of New Zealand's indigenous people, the Māori!
Online
Online Course

The Art of Death With Tessa Fontaine

Starts Mon, Sep 13
5 Sessions
$245 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.
Online
Experience

The Secret Arts

Wed, Sep 15
$15 per device
Learn about the world's rarest arts from the most curious craftspeople. Enter the world of the Secret Arts!
Online
Experience

Nina Nightingale's Charm School

Tue, Sep 28
$15 per device
Join curiosity artist Nina Nightingale for an evening of crafting, history, and impolite discourse.
Online
Experience

Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Zombies

Thu, Sep 30
$12 per device
Explore the world's greatest monsters, myths, and legends with paranormal author and cultural historian, Colin Dickey!
Experience

Tour of a Shoemaker's Workshop

Seattle, Washington
Sat, Dec 4
$25 per person
+ 1 other date
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Unique Experiences From Airbnb
Selected by Atlas Obscura
Partner Experience

Hidden World of Miami Design District

Miami Design District, Florida
Wed, Jul 28
$35 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 236 other dates
Partner Experience

Magical Monkey Experience at a Sanctuary

Gainesville, Florida
Wed, Jul 28
$65 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 885 other dates
Partner Experience

Kayaking in the Shell Key Preserve

Tierra Verde, Florida
Thu, Jul 29
$38 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 23 other dates
Partner Experience

Little Havana Rituals

Miami, Florida
Sat, Jul 31
$39 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 4 other dates

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in the United States

Atlas Obscura Trips
Only in Queens: Tasting Our Way Through New York’s Most Diverse Borough
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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
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the United States Leaderboard

Recent the United States Activity

dmariem89 dmariem89 wants to go to Devil's Den
angelarmullins wants to go to Internet Archive Headquarters
dmariem89 dmariem89 wants to go to Weeki Wachee: City of Live Mermaids
dmariem89 dmariem89 wants to go to Neptune Memorial Reef
angelarmullins wants to go to Dutch Windmill

Stories About the United States

Gregory, with Dr. Alvenia Fulton, one of his nutrition mentors.

The Legacy of a Civil Rights Icon's Vegetarian Cookbook

Dick Gregory was an activist, comedian, and trendsetter for Black vegans.
by Shea Peters
July 21, 2021
The first—and only—kitchen computer ever sold looked like something out of <em>Star Trek.</em>

When Americans Dreamed of Kitchen Computers

The ultimate appliance turned out to be expensive and impractical.
by Alex Ketchum
July 21, 2021
Most recipes centered around the theme of substituting or supplementing lean rations of sugar, flour, and animal products.

Bake Victory Cake, the Simple, Inspiring Treat of Wartime America

Born in an era of rations, these scrappy recipes relied on cheap pantry staples.
by Hannah Selinger
July 2, 2021
Gospel singers, clad in red, for an Arizona Juneteenth celebration.

Introducing Gastro Obscura's Juneteenth Series

Celebrate Emancipation with stories of food and Black liberation.
by Michael Twitty, Guest Editor
June 15, 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, World’s Oldest Edible Ham, and Speyer Wine Bottle

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