The first patented shaved-ice machine heralded a snowy wonderland of iced treats at a favorite New Orleans summer shack.

A tiny red pebble marks what may be the quietest outdoor spot in the United States.

A glimpse into the "Logging Capital of the World" at a time when there was far more forest and far less machinery.

Stroll through a wonderland of stupendous moss-covered trees.

This semi-secret garden in south Seattle emulates a traditional Japanese garden using the plants of the Pacific Northwest.

This inanimate goat created by the "welding nun" has been helping to clean up the city of Spokane for more than 40 years.

This Italianate Villa-style castle is pretty to look at, just keep off the private property.

Chicago's Navy Pier on Lake Michigan was a training hub for aircraft carrier pilots during WWII.

Huge abstract sculptures of the Puerto Rican Flag.

Illegal drag racing two stories beneath Chicago’s streets.

To find the "unicorns of the deep" you've got to go downstairs.

Not to be confused with the iconic New York City skyscraper, this Chicago building is a vibrant hub for artists.

One-of-a-kind preserved ruins of an abandoned 1880s church in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.

The unluckiest U-boat in the entire German fleet is now on display in a Chicago museum.

The beloved home to all publications indie, erotic, and punky.

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

A display of magnificent stained glass windows is the first exhibit of its kind.

This historic hotel invented the chocolate brownie.

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

A gothic church spire sits atop this skyscraper, the tallest church in the world.

A Bibliophile's Dream.

A lush green oasis in the middle of Chicago.

A monument to the art of slicing people open.

A speakeasy takes on Chicago's drinking culture.