Hidden Wonders
From ancient relics to roadside oddities, we connect you to the best of what’s out there.
Venture into nature's unseen realms with our new book Wild Life
From ancient relics to roadside oddities, we connect you to the best of what’s out there.
Engraved in stone on a little Island are the signatures of everyone who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
The United States isn't the only country that celebrates holidays with a bang.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The world’s largest street art museum.
Glen Arbor, Michigan
Swing by this brightly painted former cannery on the water for a crash-course in local boating history.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
This is the spot where the bloodiest battle in the American Civil War may have started.
Johnson City, Tennessee
This bottle-shaped monument pays tribute to the Appalachian drink that changed the pace of human life.
Havana, Cuba
A Cuban artist reclaimed his impoverished neighborhood as a dreamy folk art kingdom.
Datong, China
Explore this massive series of 45 caves and over 51,000 sculptures carved from cliffsides in China.
Hyden, Australia
This gracefully curving formation looks like a massive wave that was suddenly turned to stone.
Aveiro, Brazil
Henry Ford's failed rubber plantation in the middle of the Amazon rain forest.
Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina
A network of tunnels connecting Bosnia’s ‘ancient pyramids’—or maybe just an abandoned mine?
Monterrey, Mexico
The outdoor area of this contemporary art museum is a modernist reinterpretation of hacienda architecture.
South Africa
A million years ago, our ancient ancestors were cooking with fire in this cave.
Panaji, India
Panaji’s oldest surviving building, which was once a palace and viceroy residence, now houses the Goa State Museum.
İstanbul, Turkey
Step into the world of one of Turkey's most popular television series for a virtual trip through Ottoman Empire history.
Sliema, Malta
Malta’s oldest sea water distillation building is now an architectural anomaly on the Sliema waterfront.
Santa Cruz, Aruba
The Ayo Rock Formations stand out on the island of Aruba as a unique arrangement of giant boulders with interesting crawl spaces to explore.
Las Vegas, Nevada
A bizarre example of collective behavior resulted in thousands of shoe prints in Vegas parking lots.
The Atlas is always evolving thanks to our community. Here’s how to get involved:
Tell us about all the amazing places we don’t know yet. Anyone can contribute, anywhere in the world.
Join our community to get a members-only newsletter, receive credit toward your next Atlas Obscura trip, and more.
Explore our guide to over 24,000 curious and unexpected places, right from your mobile device.
mystery
nature
Wyoming’s Sacred Landscapes: A Journey Through Native American HistorySponsored by Travel Wyoming
rats
As Cities Get Warmer, Rat Populations Are on the RiseBy Matt Simon
victorian
Regency Londoners Were Obsessed With Pig-Faced LadiesPodcast
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mysteryfood
All Hail the Slop Bowl, Lunch of Our AncestorsPodcast
Schieks Cave Below Minneapolis Contains a Lake of Warm Sewagearchitecture
9 Ways to Experience Charlotte’s Vibrant Art SceneSponsored by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
Podcast
Podcast
The Jeremy Bentham Auto-Icon: Why This Legendary Philosopher Put His Own Body on DisplayPodcast
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)Podcast
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator ObsessionPodcast
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War EspionagePodcast
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder MysteryPodcast
Schieks Cave Below Minneapolis Contains a Lake of Warm SewagePodcast
The Ancient Greek Guide to Succeeding at Dinner PartiesWe travel to incredible, often overlooked places. Our global community of local experts grants you access to unique, small-group experiences.
View all Trips