Carnivorous plants, medieval aphrodisiacs, and the largest original wood structure glass conservatory in the western hemisphere.

A 140-year-old castle with underground caves hidden in San Francisco.

A collection of 20th-century automata, penny arcade games, and musical contraptions.

Its buzzing collection honors vibrator history.

This shop specializes in oddities and Victorian-inspired wonders.

This whimsical group of statues is a favorite of children who love to climb all over Lewis Carroll's beloved characters.

This small New York museum examines Chinese history from its origins right up to its arrival in the city.

This former crime corner has been turned into an eclectic community center.

For over 30 years the walls of this Harlem schoolyard have been a gallery of street art by "Kings and better."

Slyly buy a shake in the Parker Meridien lobby.

A living archive of urban activism and space reclaimed.

The oldest operating apothecary in the US has treated everyone from Thomas Edison to Mark Twain.

A New York garbage depot holds a secret collection of weird and wonderful refuse.

Mysterious 500-year-old tapestries depict a unicorn hunt.

Order scoops of pandan, lychee, and black sesame at this family-run institution.

Elevated freight railway turned wildly successful urban park.

New York's oldest magic store.

Tucked in the back of this amazing antique store is an important piece of medical history.

A terrific purveyor of natural history objects and curios.

A prime example of New Orleans' unique architecture these early 20th century homes were built to look like steamboats.

Tiny historical streetcars wind through a small scale version of Crescent City in this whimsical train garden.

A private museum dedicated to preserving the heritage of Mardi Gras' most beloved underdog parades, open by appointment.

The greatest collection of New Orleans masking and processional traditions covering everything from Baby Dolls to Skull and Bone gangs.

This float factory takes the mask off of Mardi Gras and lets visitors see where the magic happens.