D.C.'s first central library was born out of a chance encounter with the philanthropist whose name it bears.

Welcome to old Florida, where a 1940s mermaid show is still enchanting visitors.

The giant squid's 27-foot-long corpse lies preserved within a Sarasota aquarium.

A mysterious monument meant to be a guide into "an Age of Reason" was destroyed after an apparent bombing.

The most famous location in China was home to whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers.

A mine fire has been burning under the deserted town since 1962, but this church is still going strong.

The only geyser in the state of Pennsylvania is caused by pressure from an abandoned coal mine outside of the ghost town Centralia.

A Japanese concept restaurant that feels like a party thrown by the monsters in your closet.

A bronze statue dating back as far as 1252, still has remnants of gold on its right cheek from ancient gilding.

The only pachinko parlor in the United States.

The sole remaining outpost of a once-thriving South Carolina chain still sells “pic-a-nic” baskets.

The second-largest cave chamber in the world was discovered in 1898 by a 16-year-old and a friend known as "Pothead."

This faux-seedy Japanese arcade is made up to look like a maze of alleys straight out of a cyberpunk dystopia.

Possibly the most beautiful carillon in the world, set atop Iron Mountain in Florida.

A toxic ghost town sitting atop a massive coal fire.

The ancient dwellings of the Puebloans, located in the cliffs of majestic mesas.

Explore the largest pure gypsum deposit in the world, and go dune sledding while you're at it.

In all of the 29 years it was in operation, no prisoners ever escaped successfully... or so they claim.

This brick-lined pedestrian walkway was once a railway tunnel used during the Civil War.

This colonial tavern played host to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other famous early Americans.

Heron, whitewater rapids, and urban industrialism all add to the beauty of this concrete nature walk.

Belgium’s famous peeing statue has worn many hats (and coats, and pants), which are on display at this small museum.

Brussels' favorite peeing boy has a sister.

From Tintin to the Smurfs, Europe's greatest graphic icons are celebrated in a grand Art Noveau gallery.