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

Gastro Obscura
Covering the world's most wondrous food and drink.
Fruits & Vegetables

Blenheim Apricot

Snap judgments may spell trouble for what was once the king of California apricots.
Ingredients & Condiments

Chile Cobanero

This signature pepper has been a hot commodity since the Maya era.
Prepared Foods

Andarinos di Usini

Made only in one Sardinian village, these sun-dried pasta spirals are crafted twist by painstaking twist.
Beans drying at Kona Premium Coffee Company.
Drinks

Pure Kona Coffee

Grown only on the volcanic soil of Hawaiʻi’s Big Island, this coffee is known for its subtle, rich flavor and hordes of unscrupulous imitators.
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Upcoming Events
International Museum of Surgical Science.
Jul 16
Chicago

Empty Bottle Presents Music for The Never Quartet at the International Museum of Surgical Science

Join legendary Chicago producers Empty Bottle for an evening of Michael Morley's unusual instruments in a most unusual location.
Merz Apothecary.
Jul 18
Chicago, Illinois

The Stories Behind the Scents

Explore your senses with an evening of niche fragrances and perfumery at Chicago’s oldest apothecary.
Archie McPhee building.
Jul 19
Seattle, Washington

After Hours at Archie McPhee

Explore the whimsical world of a Seattle institution with Archie McPhee founder Mark Pahlow.
Old Joliet Prison.
Jul 20
Joliet, Illinois

Old Joliet Prison Tour: History and Hollywood

Trace the footsteps of inmates, guards, wardens, and, yes, movie stars on this tour of a 160-year-old suburban Chicago prison.
Historic photo of the Octagon House from the late 1880s.
Jul 20
Washington, D.C.

A Skeptic’s Guide to D.C.’s 'Haunted' Octagon House

Step inside the iconic 19th century home to learn the truth behind the spooky legends.
Anatomical tools of yesteryear.
Jul 20
Philadelphia

The Return of Dissecting History at The Legacy Center

Spend an afternoon exploring the secretive and sometimes sordid world of 19th century anatomical dissection at two historic Philadelphia medical schools.
The gallery space.
Jul 20
Los Angeles, California

A Hidden Repository of Curious Craft

Gain access to a largely secret gallery where junk materials are reincarnated as wondrous sculptures.
Mysterious Chicago.
Jul 20
Chicago, Illinois

Architecture of Mysterious Chicago

Author Adam Selzer highlights the histories and unsolved mysteries of the city's landmarks.
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More Stories
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snails

Can a Snail Too Tiny to See Save a Kentucky Forest From a Gas Pipeline?

Sometimes the little things matter.
July 12, 2019
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for sale

For Sale: A Home Built in an Old Train Depot

House-hunting rail enthusiasts, rejoice.
July 11, 2019
Gastro Obscura
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farming

The World’s Only Traditional Māori Garden Was Made From Memories

Once gardens, then a garbage dump, then back to gardens.
July 11, 2019
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paris

Why the City of Light Is About to Get a Lot Greener

Paris’s ambitious “urban forest” plan includes tree-planting near iconic landmarks.
July 11, 2019
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