A lovely aquatic park built by a one-armed Civil War veteran who made a fortune from lotuses.

Largest Roman Catholic church in North America.

Giftshop catering to cryptozoologists and anyone with a sense of humor.

One of the dwarven trees dates back to 1625 and survived the Hiroshima bombing.

A wondrous old library overlooking the nation's capital.

This imposing Masonic temple a mile from the White House was the first public library in Washington, D.C.

With over 100 jam-packed rooms to explore plus elaborate tea services and events, the Mansion on O Street is a hidden treasure.

Long-abandoned trolley tunnels just a mile away from the White House are turning into an art space.

During the Industrial Revolution this “Temple of Invention” was full of intricate miniature machines and gadgets.

At 929 pounds and 26 feet tall, this stainless steel fork can only be used by the likes of King Kong.

Bubbling up from deep underground is the warm crystal clear water that fills the Warm Springs Pools, America's oldest spa.

Built in 1870 at the bridge that connected Buda and Pest, this spectacular incline railway was almost lost forever during World War II.

A gigantic sculpture garden is packed with innovative oddities.

For two weeks every June, fireflies in the Smoky Mountains perform an astonishing light show.

On the side of a remote mountain, a stone face bearing an inscription of mysterious origin.

A futuristic temple of light uses prisms and rainbows to create an atmosphere of peace.

Eighteen miniature death-scene dioramas.

The United States Capitol's former columns still stand.

A super-sized promotional trick that is now a D.C. landmark.

Home to items never before seen by the public.

Bring your own cardboard to the slippery slopes of concrete hidden in a neighborhood park.

Staircase winds down the side of Telegraph Hill through gardens, wild parrots flying overhead.

In this century-old literary safehouse, print is alive and well.

Perched on a spindly rock spire in a Greek archipelago, this lighthouse would make a perfect wizard's tower.