7,878 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in the United States - Atlas Obscura
Help us give a voice to the lesser-known stories and places around the world. Become a Member
What's near me?
All   /  the United States
The Atlas Obscura Guide To

The United States

7,878 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in the United States

States & Territories

Unusual Attractions in the United States

Upcoming United States Experiences

Online
Wonder From Home

The Secret of Seattle's Disappearing Hill

Live from Washington
$4 per device
A virtual walk through a Seattle land alteration project.
Online
Wonder From Home

Accidental Discoveries: Physics

Live from New York
$7 per device
Science is full of accidental discoveries. Dive into a rabbithole of missed targets; will it end in a Nobel Prize or a melted chocolate bar?
Online
Wonder From Home

Backstage with a Magician

Live from New York
$25 per device
Online
Wonder From Home

Dino 101

Live from New York
$7 per device
Who says dinosaurs are just for kids?
Online
Wonder From Home

Gastro Obscura: Stirred Classics & Their History

Live from California
$20 per device
Learn the history behind The Martinez while stirring up its ingredients.
Online
Wonder From Home

Step-by-Step: Writing A Personal History

Live from California
$60 per device
A 3-part workshop by historical journalist and author Hadley Meares.
Online
Wonder From Home

Almost Forgotten: Transylvania Songs

Live from
$5 per device
Experience

Dinosaur Ridge History Walking Tour

Golden, Colorado
$25 per person
Online
Wonder From Home

Christie's x Atlas Obscura: Ancient Astronomy by Aldus

Live from New York
$8 per device
Join us for a deep dive into historic art and its rich history with Christie's art specialists.
Online
Wonder From Home

The Secret Arts: Silhouette Portraits

Live from NY
$10 per device
Learn about the world's rarest arts from the most curious craftspeople. Enter the world of the Secret Arts!
Online
Wonder From Home

Members Only: Supernatural Cats of Japan

Live from Washington
Free
Our most popular online experience to date, brought back exclusively for members!
Online
Wonder From Home

Accidental Discoveries: Inventions

Live from New York
$7 per device
Science is full of accidental discoveries. Dive into a rabbithole of missed targets; will it end in a Nobel Prize or a melted chocolate bar?
Experience

Explore the Secrets of the Sewage Garden

Los Angeles, California
$30 per person
Experience

Japanese Mochi Rice Cake Making

Seattle, Washington
$40 per person
Online
Wonder From Home

Gastro Obscura: Acid Trip, Travels in the World of Vinegar—Japan

Live from New York
$25 per device
Explore the vinegar-making practices, recipes and traditions of Japan with Michael Harlan Turkell.
Experience

Rare Herb Tasting Tour at FarmOne

New York, New York
$50 per person
Online
Wonder From Home

The Hidden Lives of Owls

Live from Washington
$5 per device
Online
Wonder From Home

Weird Homes Tour: Ghosts in the Machines

Live from Texas
$10 per device
Step inside Brandon Hodge's home with his Mysterious Planchette archive and massive collection of historical spirit communication artifacts.
Online
Wonder From Home

Christie's x Atlas Obscura: Lost and Found Paintings

Live from New York
$8 per device
Join us for a deep dive into historic art with Christie's art specialists.
Online
Wonder From Home

The Secret Arts: Crystal Synthesis

Live from New York
$10 per device
Learn about the world's rarest arts from the most curious craftspeople. Enter the world of the Secret Arts!
Online
Wonder From Home

Amabie and Japanese Creatures of Contagion

Live from Washington
$7 per device
Experience

Sexual Fluidity Beneath the Sea

Santa Monica, California
$18 per person
Experience

Discover Greenbelt Town of Tomorrow

Greenbelt, Maryland
$20 per person
Experience

Portland’s Mayoral Walking Tour

Portland, Oregon
$25 per person
Experience

Explore a Wild and Weird Urban Volcano

Portland, Oregon
$25 per person
Experience

A Hands-on History of Printing

Carson, California
$30 per person
Online
Wonder From Home

Meet the Owner of the World's Largest Pizza Box Collection

Live from New York
$8 per device
Online
Wonder From Home

Behind the Scenes at Wharton Esherick Museum

Live from Pennsylvania
$7 per device
Online
Wonder From Home

The Secret Arts: Chlorophyll Photography

Live from NY
$10 per device
Learn about the world's rarest arts from the most curious craftspeople. Enter the world of the Secret Arts!
Online
Wonder From Home

Camera Tricks

Live from California
$25 per device
A Virtual Magical Experience by Ben Seidman.
View All
Unique Experiences From Airbnb
Selected by Atlas Obscura
Partner Experience

Hidden World of Miami Design District

Miami Design District, Florida
$35 per person
View on Airbnb
Partner Experience

Kayaking in the Shell Key Preserve

Tierra Verde, Florida
$38 per person
View on Airbnb
Partner Experience

Magical Monkey Experience at a Sanctuary

Gainesville, Florida
$65 per person
View on Airbnb
Partner Experience

Little Havana Rituals

Miami, Florida
$39 per person
View on Airbnb

Unique Food & Drink in the United States

Atlas Obscura Trips
Shifting Tides: Art in New Orleans
Get to know the art, history, and dynamic culture of New Orleans—and the people who bring it to life.
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 wierdlover11
 		15
Off the beaten path / hidden gems near Nashville?
9
New Post Visit the Forum

the United States Leaderboard

Recent the United States Activity

debrabetz2 has been to Daniels
debrabetz2 has been to St. Mary's College
debrabetz2 has been to The Arbutus Oak
SarahSaysStuff SarahSaysStuff has been to Declaration Sculpture
debrabetz2 has been to National Electronics Museum

Stories About the United States

Bena, Minnesota's Big Fish Supper Club took its name quite literally.

Revisiting a Classic Photo Compendium of Giant Roadside Curios

John Margolies played an outsize role in memorializing America’s outsize attractions.
by Isaac Schultz
February 28, 2020
Thiago Mendes and Mariela Aponte, of the International Potato Center, study blight-resistant potatoes bred from wild relatives.

On the Hunt for the Wild Relatives of America's Favorite Produce

Popular crops’ untamed cousins are genetic gold mines, but they're at risk of disappearing.
by Reina Gattuso
February 24, 2020

Lists Featuring the United States

The Most Wondrous State Parks to Visit During the Government Shutdown
View from one of Green Lake's limestone reefs
'Akaka Falls
The pyramid.
The quote.

The Most Wondrous State Parks to Visit During the Government Shutdown

Check out these state-run alternatives to the United States’ national parks.

70

Including Green Lakes State Park, ‘Akaka Falls, and Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park

10 Ethical Animal Places to Visit in 2019
Fierce little cat.
Elephants playing in the mud at Elephant Nature Park.
Oh, hello!
Little Spotted Kiwi

10 Ethical Animal Places to Visit in 2019

Unique experiences from Nairobi to Chiang Mai.

12

Including Cat Island, Elephant Nature Park , and India’s Giant Technicolor Squirrels