shawkinshughes's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Silver Lake, Oregon

Crack in the Ground

A volcanic fissure over two miles long and up to 70 feet deep.
Valley Falls, Oregon

Abert Rim

This spectacular fault escarpment, a popular hang-glider launch point, extends some 30 miles long and towers about 2,500 feet over the valley floors to the west.
Aberfoyle, Scotland

Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe

This enchanting hill is home to fairy lore and a sinister local mystery.
Laconia, Greece

Pyramid on Mount Taygetos

The top of the holy mountain for the ancient Spartans looks like a pyramid—is it man-made or a natural phenomenon?
Peachland, British Columbia

Okanagan Lake

The large fjord lake is thought to be the home of "Ogopogo," a giant sea serpent.
Coulee City, Washington

Summer Falls

This large artificial waterfall in Washington state was merely an incidental byproduct of a technological megaproject.
Sydney, Australia

Paddington Reservoir Gardens

A former drinking water storage reservoir transformed into a sunken garden.
Vilminore di Scalve, Italy

Gleno Dam

The sinister ruins of one of the worst dam failures of the 20th century lie in this astonishing alpine setting.
Helsingør, Denmark

Gamle Færgestræde

Just off the city’s central station hides a quaint lamp-lit alley into medieval Elsinore.
Wellington, New Zealand

Hiakai

This fine-dining restaurant features native New Zealand ingredients and Māori cooking.
Wellington, New Zealand

Taranaki Wharf Jump Platform

A winding staircase that appears to lead to nowhere is actually a diving platform into the Wellington Harbour.
Wellington, New Zealand

Wrights Hill Fortress

Anyone wanting to know what a dwarven mine sounds like need only visit the tunnels of this New Zealand artillery compound.
Wellington, New Zealand

Zealandia

The world's first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary is a haven for New Zealand's rare and endangered species.
Skyros, Greece

Vrykolakonisia (Vampire Islands)

The alleged vampires after which these islets are named may have actually been plague victims.
Columbia Falls, Montana

Shepard Memorial Fountain

Crystal clear, drinkable mountain spring water by the side of the road.
Walla Walla, Washington

Pioneer Park Aviary

The oldest city park in Walla Walla is home to hundreds of birds, from wood ducks to white peacocks.
Wellington, New Zealand

Moai Statue

One of the iconic moai of Rapa Nui stands guard in Lyall Bay as a symbol of the friendship between New Zealand and Chile.
Waitomo, New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Tubing through a cave lit with glowworms is a magical underground experience.
Ojika-chō, Japan

Nozaki Island

A deserted island in southwest Japan that once sheltered persecuted Christians.
Veitshöchheim, Germany

The Geographical Center of the European Union

This tiny German village has staked claim to being the center of the union following Brexit.
Mackay, Idaho

Borah Peak

This highest peak in Idaho can only be reached by traversing a formation known as "Chicken-Out Ridge."

Null Island

A busy island at the center of the world that doesn’t actually exist.
Suzhou, China

The Seven Cats of Shantang Street

Thanks to a bit of wordplay, seven auspicious stone cats guard this ancient canalside street.
Suzhou, China

Map of Pingjiang

You can still find your way around Suzhou with this 800-year-old stone map.