A storybook European village in Berkeley.

A playground built by the kids that is a child's wonderland, and a helicopter parent's nightmare.

Julia Morgan's Moorish-Gothic labyrinth of fountains, trees, natural light and Oakland's notable dead.

Dive bar built out of the remains of a whaling ship.

This Oakland fairytale kingdom, fiercely devoted to childlike whimsy, was an early inspiration for Disneyland.

International delicatessen has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 110 years.

Artifacts fill the old headquarters of the hugely influential political movement to ban alcohol in the United States.

The oldest house in Chicago certainly doesn't look the part and there are some who say it doesn't deserve its title either.

Pizza with a side of fine art.

The young Black revolutionary was killed before getting to see a non-segregated pool in his hometown.

A plaque marks a former safe house on the secret route, now hidden next to a McDonald's.

An avant garde art museum at the University of Chicago.

The unluckiest U-boat in the entire German fleet is now on display in a Chicago museum.

A science teacher's dream.

This modest post office sits on the site of H.H. Holmes' famous murder castle.

Chicago's museum dedicated to the history of bondage and fetishism is more textbook than titillation.

The clothes-washing king doubles as a community center with some unusual features, including an aviary filled with finches.

Cemetery featuring rare glass-fronted columbarium.

The original Garfield station is the oldest station facility on the "L", with the station house dating from 1892.

This historic-shipwreck-cum-diving-spot can still be seen poking its boiler out of the Lake Michigan waters that claimed it.

This morbid, delightful curiosity shop offers everything from animal bones to human teeth.

An antiquated German apothecary on Chicago's North Side.

This unauthorized stone mermaid was secretly carved out of public stone before being permanently preserved.

A haunting statue called "Eternal Silence" has quite the reputation among visitors with active imaginations.