maxwellktracy's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Eastern State Penitentiary

World's first "penitentiary," meant to be humane, drove men insane.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Swann Memorial Fountain

A tour de force of a fountain, memorializing a man who loved fountains more than anything else.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia City Hall

This elaborate towering structure was once famed for its revolutionary height.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wanamaker Grand Court Organ

The sounds of the world's largest fully functioning pipe organ dazzle shoppers at a Philadelphia Macy's.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wanamaker Building

The first American department store, and home to the largest operating musical instrument in the world.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

A layered tribute to the work of mosaicist Isaiah Zagar.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Tiffany Glass Mural "The Dream Garden"

Mural made of 100,000 pieces of hand blown glass, and until recently, the largest glass mural in the US.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Elfreth's Alley

This charming colonial alleyway is one of the oldest continuously used residential streets in the U.S.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

SS United States

The fastest transatlantic ocean liner sat abandoned in a Philadelphia shipyard for decades.
Oak Park, Illinois

Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Museum

The famous author's birthplace is preserved in a town that he once described as narrow-minded.
Oak Park, Illinois

Unity Temple

After an Illinois church was struck by lightning and burned down, Frank Lloyd Wright designed this replacement.
Chicago, Illinois

Inez Clarke Monument

A strange and haunting monument of unknown origin in the historic Graceland Cemetery.
Chicago, Illinois

Oz Park

This whimsical Oz-themed park had a wonderful impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
Chicago, Illinois

Thorne Miniature Rooms

Each of these gorgeous, intricately decorated rooms is painstakingly crafted to the scale of 1 inch: 1 foot.
Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room

Once at the center of U.S. finance, the historic Trading Room was meticulously recreated piece by piece and rebuilt in the Art Institute.
Chicago, Illinois

Hot Doug's

Hot Doug's "Hot Dog" Stand.
Montreal, Québec

Paris Métro Sign at Victoria Square

The only example of a Paris Métro sign in use at a subway station outside of the French capital. 
Montreal, Québec

Marché Jean-Talon

Montreal's giant farmer's market is a foodie's best friend, especially in the winter months.
Montreal, Québec

Oratoire St. Joseph

City law dictates that this mountaintop cathedral containing the heart of a saint is to remain the tallest building in town.
Montreal, Québec

Farine Five Roses Sign

Two thirds of this Montreal neon icon has survived to flash another day.
Montreal, Québec

'Di-Octo II'

This mesmerizing kinetic sculpture blossoms endlessly in the breeze.
Montreal, Québec

Wooden Squirrel Carvings

The vaulted ceiling is home to a scurry of “squirrelgoyles.”
Montreal, Québec

The Murals on Saint Laurent Boulevard

Every year, the colorful murals of Montreal get a complete makeover.
Montreal, Québec

La Sala Rossa

From lefty Jewish gathering site to hip cultural site in just 80 years.