This unassuming layer of clay boasts an out-of-this-world origin story.

Lured here by the promise of tens of thousands in gold, Jesse James started a quintessentially American trend of robbing trains in-motion.

An obelisk commemorating Lincoln's role in connecting the coasts.

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

This hand-carved wooden carousel in the Story City North Park was built in 1913.

World's largest collection of serial killer artwork and other macabre exhibits.

A collection of oddities including Dr. Kevorkian's suicide device, the Thanatron.

In 2010, Nicolas Cage purchased two plots in this cemetery using one to construct this strange pyramid mausoleum.

This knobby, drooping New Orleans oak is a favorite place both for climbing and for meeting giraffes.

This historic "City of the Dead" lies prominently in the center of New Orleans' famous Garden District.

A theme park that suffered massive flooding during Katrina was abandoned, and now proves irresistible to trespassing explorers.

The oldest cemetery in New Orleans, resting peacefully for over 200 years now.

A snapshot of the city's fascinating voodoo culture.

A rococo retro-futurist future-rustic vernacular between yesterday’s tomorrow and the future that never was.

Devilish landscape, once cinema home to giant alien bugs, now derelict roadside attraction.

One of the largest Buddhist stupas in North America is built of concrete designed to last 1,000 years.

A popular rock that acted as a waymarker for American pioneers.

The first declared National Monument in the United States.

A place where the laws of nature seem to have gone completely berserk... but of course haven't.

One of America's first dinosaur parks gives a window into Depression-era paleontology.

An experimental, automotive replica of Stonehenge.

This popular pilgrimage site offers a hole filled with holy healing dirt.

Made of giant chains and hung with shackles, this iron cross honors those unknowns who perished under American slavery.

A museum and shop on Bourbon Street located in the former home of the second Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.