One of the first historical sites of an alternative universe was installed in the town of Paris, Illinois—which is now home to an annual spelling bee of Kcymaerxthaereal words.

The dream home of an iconoclastic renaissance man still stands as a monument to his domestically mundane vision.

The site of a 19th century "dream city" that almost rivaled Chicago before being swallowed by the Indiana sand dunes.

A six-story-tall golden pyramid, surrounded by a moat.

Arguably the best example of an authentic Dutch windmill in the United States, rivaling its counterparts in the Netherlands.

A replica viking ship from the Chicago World's Fair is still in dry dock in an Illinois park.

This old steel industry company town has a tradition of parking cars on the sidewalk so people can walk in the narrow streets.

This elaborate Hindu temple is located in a Chicago suburb, but looks like it was transported directly from India.

The face of a woman pushes its way through the earth.

What's left of the ruins of the 1893 Columbian Exhibition, or World's Fair, also known as the White City.

A hollow cement depiction of time's inexorable effect on the human body.

This unauthorized stone mermaid was secretly carved out of public stone before being permanently preserved.

Despite its name, this fast food museum is actually a replica of the ninth McDonald's store.

In one Chicago park, a trio of werewolves are waiting to devour their fallen brethren.

Each of these gorgeous, intricately decorated rooms is painstakingly crafted to the scale of 1 inch: 1 foot.

This museum celebrating the almighty dollar lets visitors literally stand in the shadow of a million bucks.

This massive stained-glass masterpiece is thought to be the largest Tiffany dome in existence.

Four glass boxes hover over 1,000 feet in the air to give visitors an unparalleled view of Chicago.

The iconic Chicago sculpture hides a beautiful and easily overlooked plaque on the backside.

The palatial McDonald's that inspired Wesley Willis.

A monument to the art of slicing people open.

A lush green oasis in the middle of Chicago.

Parking lot where a Chicago mayor was inaugurated under very sketchy circumstances.

Huge abstract sculptures of the Puerto Rican Flag.