An artsy hidden staircase leads to breathtaking views of San Francisco.

A beautiful and abandoned New York subway station from 1904, complete with chandelier.

A huge musical instrument played by the ocean.

Non-profit time travel mart sells goods you would need for a trip through the fourth dimension.

This iconic L.A. bookshop is housed in an abandoned bank—both symbolic and chic.

This titanic oil company sign is a reminder of the Americana boom of the 1970s and also its commoditization.

Quirky water tower advertises the long-gone Brooks Tomato Products Co.

In Edwin Hubble's hometown, a scale model of the groundbreaking telescope that was named in his honor.

Where the author wrote her beloved "Little House" books.

A 35-foot-tall fork stuck in the ground outside an office building in Missouri.

The show pony of cave systems, Fantastic Caverns manages to live up to its name.

Less a museum than a bizarre fantasy world created by artists and engineers.

This is not your typical jungle gym.

Its eclectic exhibits range from the world’s first motorcycle to Luke Skywalker’s Land Speeder.

To find the "unicorns of the deep" you've got to go downstairs.

Rifle through images of skyscrapers, Worlds Fairs, and more in the largest public postcard repository in America.

The multinational Burger King chain is banned from operating within 20 miles of a family restaurant filed under the same name.

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

Half-sized replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa built to honor Galileo.

A curious collection of miniatures in a quiet corner of the Chicago Children's Museum.

You have to love a museum with a truly dedicated focus. A focus on Superman, for example.

Small and slightly hidden, the American Writers Museum is preserving the legacy of America's finest authors.

Eclectic collection of rare and beautiful stones in a historic home.

The 40-year-old machine serves soda quicker than you can catch it for a mere 75 cents a pop.