Xmas with Kirsten

23 Places

Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Yerkes Observatory

Home to the world's largest refracting telescope and the birthplace of modern astrophysics.

Trevor

Added by Trevor

Woodstock, Illinois

George Stickney House

This softly rounded mansion was built without corners not to avoid evil spirits, but to make them more comfortable.

EricGrundhauser

Added by EricGrundhauser

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Mars Cheese Castle

Wisconsin's most celebrated export gets the royal treatment on I-94.

Leslie McIntyre

Added by Leslie McIntyre

Palatine, Illinois

Ahlgrim Acres

Take a break from all the boring business of death at this funeral home mini-golf course.

Added by ssantowski5881

Barrington, Illinois

Place de la Musique

With 8,000 pipes this giant instrument is the most versatile theatre pipe organ ever built.

Josh

Wadsworth, Illinois

Onan's Gold Pyramid House

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

Dylan

Racine, Wisconsin

The Golden Rondelle

The spaceship-like theater, which is still in use, was one of the most popular exhibits at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Added by Briebree

Waukesha, Wisconsin

M-74 Nike Missile Tracking and Control Site.

A forgotten Cold War relic hidden in the outskirts of a Wisconsin city.

Emma Kumer

Added by Emma Kumer

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

American Science & Surplus

Robots, lasers, and whoopee cushions, oh my!

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Kingdom of Talossa

A trailblazing sovereign nation tucked in the American state of Wisconsin.

Rachel

Added by Rachel

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Holler House

The oldest certified bowling alley in the United States is in the basement of this century-old bar.

AaronNetsky

Added by AaronNetsky

Lincolnshire, Illinois

Par-King Skill Golf

This sprawling mini-golf empire is an impressive testament to a disappearing attraction.

aerienne

Added by aerienne

Geneva, Illinois

Illinois State Training School Cemetery

This cemetery is all that remains of a school for "wayward" girls.

Survivalnotguaranteedcom

Added by Survivalnotguaranteedcom

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Orson Welles Birthplace

The birthplace of a titan of American cinema.

Added by christianisgroovy

Winnetka, Illinois

The 'Home Alone' House

Recognized the world over as the home of the McCallisters in the 1990 movie "Home Alone."

TrevorShawnElia

Added by TrevorShawnElia

Batavia, Illinois

Fabyan Windmill

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

Collin

Added by Collin

Chicago, Illinois

Abandoned Brach's Candy Factory

What was once one of the country's largest confectionary plants is now an abandoned ruin, but is still pretty sweet.

EricGrundhauser

Added by EricGrundhauser

Berwyn, Illinois

World's Largest Laundromat

The clothes-washing king doubles as a community center with some unusual features, including an aviary filled with finches.

lewblank

Added by lewblank

Maywood, Illinois

Underground Railroad Memorial at McDonald's

A plaque marks a former safe house on the secret route, now hidden next to a McDonald's.

lewblank

Added by lewblank

Chicago, Illinois

Stan Mansion

Built to house a chapter of the Knights Templar, this grandiose building is a relic of Freemasonry in Chicago a century ago.

Amy Weber

Added by Amy Weber

Chicago, Illinois

Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co.

This shop for all your super spy needs hides an educational secret.

HJHausman

Added by HJHausman

Chicago, Illinois

Alinea Restaurant

The subtle science of a master molecular gastronomist.

stanestane

Added by stanestane

Chicago, Illinois

Couch Tomb

No one knows how many bodies are in this vault in a Chicago public park.

jessicahester1

Added by jessicahester1