Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations
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The definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.

Discover the Unexpected With Our Stories
Our fascinating articles will transport and inspire you.
food

How a Big Mac Became a 'Historical Artifact' in Iceland

A 12-year-old Big Mac, to be exact.
Alexandra Yingst January 21, 2022
food

Inside the Decades-Long Effort to Build a Barbecue Trail

The Southern Foodways Alliance is documenting the oral histories of pitmasters.
Diana Hubbell January 21, 2022
gates to hell

Will the Gates of Hell Be Closed Forever?

Turkmenistan’s Darvaza gas crater has been on fire for decades. The inferno may finally be extinguished.
Sarah Durn January 19, 2022
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Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide
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Unlock the World With Our Small-Group Trips
Our immersive, curiosity-driven experiences take you to the hidden side of the world.
history

Mexico City to Oaxaca: Tracing the Threads of Frida Kahlo’s Dresses

Mexico
Feb 25–Mar 4, 2022
From $3,215 USD
Learn about Frida's life, iconic aesthetic, and the cultural fabric of Central Mexico and Oaxaca.
+ 1 other date
history

Subterranean Slovenia: Caves, Cellars, and Secret Tunnels

Slovenia
Oct 9–15, 2022
From $3,205 USD
Descend into the storied labyrinth of the Slovenian karst to explore winding caves, historic tunnels, cellar-like spaces, and even ancient bear fossils.
art & culture

Small Wonders and Good Eats Along Spain's Orange Blossom Coast

Spain
May 13–19, 2022
From $3,920 USD
In the true spirit of the Mediterranean lifestyle, we’ll take the time to truly connect with each other and also with the people we meet along the way.
+ 4 other dates
food & drink

Lisbon: Tracing the Roots of an Imperial Cuisine

Portugal
Jul 11–17, 2022
From $3,920 USD
Journey beyond the city’s tiled buildings and narrow streets to discover the long legacy and vibrant present of culinary inventiveness in Lisbon.
+ 1 other date
wildlife & nature

By Land & Sea: Explore Alaska’s Prince William Sound

Alaska
May 14–20, 2022
From $5,970 USD
Explore the magical sheltered waterways of Prince William Sound.
wildlife & nature

Swim with the Singing Whales of Tonga

Tonga
Aug 3–10, 2022
From $6,550 USD
Accompanied by conservation experts, you’ll spend five full days swimming alongside humpback whales as their song fills the ocean.
+ 2 other dates
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Place of the Day
34.0903, -118.3464
Back Lot
Peek inside Howard Hughes' garage at this Hollywood-themed art installation.
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Find Wondrous Places on Every Continent
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Destination Guide

London, England

86 Articles
416 Places
Destination Guide

Marrakesh, Morocco

15 Places
Destination Guide

Mexico City, Mexico

15 Articles
147 Places
Destination Guide

New York

177 Articles
704 Places
Destination Guide

São Paulo, Brazil

28 Places
Destination Guide

Tokyo, Japan

12 Articles
138 Places
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Explore Our Collection of Hidden Wonders Around the World
Our community-driven database of 22,000+ amazing places grows every day.
Dharavandhoo, Maldives

Dharavandhoo Fish Market

When the sun sets, the customers arrive—but they’re not human.
Gishora, Burundi

Gishora Drum Sanctuary

This century-old site established by King Mwezi Gisabo preserves the art of Burundi's ancient drum rituals.
Evinston, Florida

Wood and Swink General Store and Post Office

This general store is stocked with memorabilia from the 1930s onward—almost none of it for sale.
Paisley, Scotland

Barshaw Park

A Paisley park where little has changed since its early 20th-century creation.
Opelika, Alabama

Melanin Cafe

At this coffee shop, each drink celebrates African-American history and luminaries.
Grasonville, Maryland

Maryland Watermen's Monument

This statue of two men in a rowboat was erected to honor those who died while fishing in the Chesapeake Bay.
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Enroll in a Course to Explore New Skills and Niche Topics
Our deep and dynamic online learning will expand your horizons.
Online Course

How to Read a Landscape: Botany & Ecology With Annie Novak

Starts Tue, Jan 25
3 Sessions
$65 per person
Online Course

Stories in the Stones: How to Read a Gravestone With Dr. Elise M. Ciregna

Starts Sat, Jan 29
4 Sessions
$265 per person
In this four-part course, learn how to decode the stories in gravestones and deepen your understanding of America’s cemeteries.
+ 1 other date
Online Course

Storytelling Through Social Media With Dr. Earyn McGee

Starts Thu, Feb 3
3 Sessions
$75 per person
Online Course

Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown

Starts Mon, Feb 7
3 Sessions
$215 per person
+ 1 other date
Online Course

The Living Art of Dead Things: Fox Taxidermy With Allis Markham

Starts Tue, Feb 8
3 Sessions
$70 per person
Online Course

How to Make a Murder: Writing Your Own Murder Mystery Party With Abi Inman

Starts Wed, Feb 9
5 Sessions
$85 per device
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