8,956 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in the United States - Atlas Obscura
THE GASTRO OBSCURA BOOK An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Just released! The Gastro Obscura book is here! Order Now
What's near me?
All   /  the United States
The Atlas Obscura Guide To

The United States

8,956 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in the United States

States & Territories

Unusual Attractions in the United States

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Upcoming United States Experiences

Experience

The Spies of Embassy Row

Washington, DC
Sun, Oct 17
$35 per person
+ 11 other dates
Online
Experience

A Taste of the New York Public Library’s Unseen Culinary Collections

Thu, Oct 21
$20 per device
Dig into a helping of rare menus, cookbooks, and more gastronomical ephemera from the stacks of the New York Public Library!
Experience

Gastro Obscura Presents: The World's Most Unusual Vending Machine

Chicago, Illinois
Sat, Oct 23
Free
Calling all food adventurers!
Online
Experience

Trick-or-Treat: A Pick Your Path Adventure at the Academy of Natural Sciences

Tue, Oct 26
$20 per device
Experience

White House Tales of Scandal & Intrigue

Washington, D.C.
Wed, Oct 27
$25 per person
Online
Experience

Inside the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Collections

Wed, Oct 27
$20 per device
Unpack stories of global Black history, arts, and culture through some of the 11 million unique items housed in this research library!
Online
Experience

Atlas Obscura Trivia Night

Wed, Oct 27
$10 per device
Gather your team and compete in a weekly contest of wits and educated-guessing.
+ 4 other dates
Experience

The Spies of Arlington National Cemetery

Fort Myer, Virginia
Sat, Oct 30
$60 per person
Experience

The Spies of Georgetown

Washington, D.C.
Sun, Oct 31
$42 per person
+ 3 other dates
Experience

Lost and Long-Gone Graveyards of L.A.

Los Angeles, California
Sun, Oct 31
$35 per person
Online
Experience

Global Moves: Learn the Flamenco of Spain w/ Xianix Barrera

Wed, Nov 3
$20 per device
Learn about the cultural traditions and fiery moves of the Spanish Flamenco!
Online
Experience

Creating Curiosities at NYC’s Evolution Store and Fabrication Workshop

Thu, Nov 4
$20 per device
Go behind the scenes to discover how the curious natural history collectibles of The Evolution Store are created!
Online
Online Course

The Art of Death With Tessa Fontaine

Starts Mon, Nov 8
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.
+ 1 other date
Online
Experience

Navigating the Rare Maps & Atlas Collection at The New York Public Library

Tue, Nov 9
$20 per device
Explore the NYPL's collection of rare maps and atlases that span the globe and over six centuries of history!
Online
Online Course

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

Starts Tue, Nov 9
4 Sessions
$215 per person
Experience

Gastro Obscura Presents: The World's Most Unusual Vending Machine

Portland, Oregon
Sat, Nov 13
Free
Calling all food adventurers!
Experience

A Walking Tour of Hollywood Jazz History

Los Angeles, California
Sun, Nov 14
$25 per person
+ 4 other dates
Online
Experience

An Evening Inside the Rare Book Room at The New York Public Library

Wed, Dec 1
$20 per device
Discover some of the oldest and most rare printed materials from the NYPL's collection!
Experience

Tour of a Shoemaker's Workshop

Seattle, Washington
Sat, Dec 4
$25 per person
+ 1 other date
Experience

Old Joliet Prison: History and Hollywood

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

Magical Monkey Experience at a Sanctuary

Gainesville, Florida
Sun, Oct 17
$65 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 690 other dates
Partner Experience

Kayaking in the Shell Key Preserve

Tierra Verde, Florida
Sun, Oct 17
$38 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 36 other dates
Partner Experience

Hidden World of Miami Design District

Miami Design District, Florida
Sun, Oct 17
$35 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 220 other dates
Partner Experience

Little Havana Rituals

Miami, Florida
Tue, Oct 19
$39 per person
View on Airbnb
+ 3 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
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

Glen Prentice Glen Prentice wants to go to Split Rock Lighthouse
aribarahya97 wants to go to Brooklyn's Forgotten Gage & Tollner Restaurant
aayunan wants to go to Spanish Monastery Stones
aribarahya97 wants to go to Atlantic Avenue Tunnel
aayunan wants to go to Urbano Sundial

Stories About the United States

A massive sushi carousel in North Kent, England.

Sushi Carousels and the Future of Contact-Free Dining

Inside the creative world of conveyor-belt restaurants.
by Anne Ewbank
September 28, 2021
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
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

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