vonbuxter's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa

Maharishi Vedic City

An unlikely Transcendental Meditation haven in the American Heartland built around the ancient Vedic principles of balance and harmony.
Shullsburg, Wisconsin

Gravity Hill in Wisconsin

A remote hill on a stretch of country road where the laws of physics are defied... or so it seems.
Columbus Junction, Iowa

Lover's Leap Swinging Bridge

A warning to the weak-kneed: This narrow bridge does its swinging eight stories high.
Des Moines, Iowa

'Better Homes and Gardens' Test Garden

The magazine keeps a perfectly groomed display garden for its photo shoots.
Walcott, Iowa

Iowa 80 Truck Stop

The world’s largest truck stop includes a barber shop, chiropractor, and a huge museum with antique trucks.
Des Moines, Iowa

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Millions of dollars worth of sculpture decorate this Iowa city center.
Des Moines, Iowa

World Food Prize Hall of Laureates

The headquarters of the prestigious World Food Prize celebrates the heroes in the fight against hunger, has no cafeteria.
Des Moines, Iowa

Zombie Burger + Drink Lab

This zombie-themed restaurant stands out in the heart of corn country.
Madrid, Iowa

High Trestle Trail Bridge

A half-mile long and three stories high, this bridge over the Des Moines River Valley mimics a descent into a mine shaft.
Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin

Bathtub Spring

A roadside spring pooling in an old bathtub where anyone can stop and sip.
Dickeyville, Wisconsin

The Dickeyville Grotto

A tribute to the twin ideals of religion and patriotism, built by a Catholic priest from rocks, glass, and innumerable found items.
Pella, Iowa

Vermeer Windmill

An Iowa town celebrates its heritage with the tallest working Dutch windmill in North America.
Riverside, Iowa

Captain James T. Kirk Future Birthplace

A place of great reverence for Trekkies everywhere, a hero's future birthplace.
Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque Shot Tower

This long unused shot tower on the Mississippi remains a point of pride for a small city in Iowa.
Dubuque, Iowa

Fenelon Place Elevator

For just a few bucks, this Iowa funicular will let you feel like an 1800s fat cat.
What Cheer, Iowa

What Cheer

No one knows the origin of this small town’s unique name.
Britt, Iowa

National Hobo Convention

Largest gathering of hobos in the country has been meeting annually since 1900.
Britt, Iowa

The Hobo Museum

An old town theater converted into a celebration of the hobo legacy.
Austin, Minnesota

Spam Museum

Ever wanted to can Spam?
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa Museum of Natural History

The oldest university museum west of the Mississippi retains its 19th century feel.
Harmony, Minnesota

Niagara Cave

This large midwestern cavern features impressive rock formations and an underground waterfall.
Ames, Iowa

Elwood, the World's Tallest Concrete Gnome

Beating out all other concrete competitors, this massive garden feature's pointy hat has earned it a world record.
Ames, Iowa

Grant Wood Murals

The “American Gothic" artist's largest works hang in an Iowa State University library.
Dyersville, Iowa

National Farm Toy Museum

The farm toy capital of the world hosts a museum filled with toy tractors dating back to the late 1800s.