6,397 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in the United States - Atlas Obscura
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The Atlas Obscura Guide To

United States

6,397 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in the United States

States & Territories

Unusual Attractions in the United States

Atlas Obscura Trips

Dark Skies, Desert Beasts: A Night Photography Workshop in Borrego Springs, California

May 2—May 5, 2019

Journey deep into the desert of Southern California to explore and photograph the Dark Sky Sculptural Oasis of Borrego Springs.

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Unique Food & Drink in United States

Explore the United States

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Upcoming United States Events

Jul
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Sep
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Brooklyn, New York

See/Saw

An Immersion into a Magician's Mind.
Gernman actress Hedwig Reicher portraying "Columbia" in front of the Treasury Building.
Aug 18
Washington, D.C., United States

Following in the Footsteps of Suffragists

Join author Rebecca Boggs Roberts as we retrace the path of the famed 1913 Suffragists March.
MotoArt.
Aug 18
Torrance, California

Aviation Creation

From desert discovery to reclaimed materials, explore MotoArt—a company that transforms decommissioned airplanes into fashionable, functional art.
Stained glass adorns the mausoleums inside.
Aug 19
Chicago, IL

Rosehill Cemetery Walk

Take a stroll through history in Chicago's largest cemetery.
The Chapel of Radiance.
Aug 19
Altadena, California

Mountain View Cemetery

Wind your way though a labyrinth of crypts and niches, a corridor with ceilings depicting scenes from the Bible, and hallways illuminated by beautiful stained glass.
Beverly Hills.
Aug 19
Beverly Hills, California

Beverly Hills Obscura

You don’t have to be rich to live in Beverly Hills, but you do have to be weird.
Along The Astonishing Architecture Boat Tour.
Aug 21
Chicago, Illinois

The Astonishing Architecture Boat Tour

Atlas Obscura presents a very special twist on Chicago's beloved architecture boat tours, revealing the unknown tales hidden inside the city's most famous landmarks and locations.
A meal aboard the International Space Station.
Aug 22
Washington, D.C., United States

(G)astro on Tap

Join Astronomy on Tap for food talks that are out of this world.
Aug 23
Chicago, Illinois

Edible Insect Movie Night!

What’s crunchy, high in protein, and tastes great fried, or covered in chocolate? Bugs!
Is this signature a real or a fake?
Aug 25
Mount Vernon, Virginia

The Fakes, Forgeries, and Frauds of George Washington

Join us at George Washington's Mount Vernon as we enter the world of deception where fraudulent artifacts and signatures can elude even the experts' eyes.
Lemon Hill inset.
Aug 25
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

East Park Hill Walk

Explore the landscape, genesis and distinctive, hidden features of East Fairmount Park, including the unknown topography of Lemon and Brewery Hills.
Drew Lobenstein's private home in Reseda.
Aug 25
Reseda, California

Homeward Bound: Pigeon Navigation

Meet a flock of homing pigeons and explore the mystery of bird navigation with the L.A. Pigeon Club.

United States Leaderboard

Recent United States Activity

natashazaleski wants to go to The Church by the Sea
truddietrixy has been to Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis
Evadee wants to go to Fence of Doors
kyjlm2 wants to go to The Museum of Interesting Things
kyjlm2 wants to go to Babycastles

Stories About the United States

The Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn don't disappoint.

Our Favorite Reader Stories of Surprising Roadside Hotels

It's check-in time for your memories of unforgettable travel lodgings.
by Eric Grundhauser
June 18, 2018
A Depression-era dinner plate.

The Depression-Era Glassware That Came in Boxes of Oatmeal

These vibrant dishes helped cheer up Americans during a bleak time.
by Beth Ward
April 26, 2018

Lists Featuring the United States

The Quirkiest Local Landmarks in Small-Town America
Albino Squirrels of Olney, Illinois
Courthouse tree
Rooster and pedestrian-friendly median

The Quirkiest Local Landmarks in Small-Town America

21 oddities that became iconic neighborhood fixtures for those in the know.

21

Including The Church by the Sea, Albino Squirrels of Olney, Illinois, and Courthouse Tree