Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations

The definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.

A flash mob in Turin, Italy, on March 15, 2020, involved brightly colored lights.

Balconies, Windows, and Rooftops Are the New Public Squares

The power of seeing and being seen, hearing and being heard.

Place of the Day

Jaime Duque Park

A little known Colombian theme park of giant curiosities.

The Charmed Second Life of Australia's Cursed 'Disco Dong'

The sculpture was loathed as a public-art installation. Now its 4,000 aluminum birds are treasured in private collections.

Are the Great Outdoors Off-Limits During a Pandemic?

How 'Shoebox Lunches' Made Black Travel Possible During Jim Crow

The spirit of discovery and community

Wonder From Home

The Chef Bringing Native American Flavors to Communities in Quarantine

Silent Films, Flower Festivals, and Cooking Classes to Enjoy at Home

Top Countries

Top Cities

Subotica, Serbia

Raichle's Palace

This dazzling art-nouveau mansion is now home to the Modern Art Gallery Subotica.

Added by alexplorer

San Martín de Montalbán, Spain

Santa María de Melque

This ancient Visigothic church, one of the most important in medieval Spain, possibly hides an ancient treasure.

Luis Morato

Added by Luis Morato

Lindon, Colorado

Abbott Church

This tiny nondenominational church harkens back to the days of the first homesteaders in the region.

Devin San Luis

Added by Devin San Luis

East Dean, England

Sherlock Holmes Retirement Cottage

In this quiet village, a blue plaque marks the spot where the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes retired.

honeytea

Added by honeytea

Lancashire, England

Oaks Hotel Stained Glass Window

This window celebrates the role of tea, coffee, cocoa, and cotton in creating the fortune of the man who commissioned it.

Dr Alan P Newman

Added by Dr Alan P Newman

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Top Place Tags

history & culture

Scotland: Highland Clans and the Trail of Tartan

From $6,780 USD

culinary adventures

Forest to Table in Alpine Slovenia

From $2,865 USD

Alongside local experts, we'll munch our way through Slovenia's stunning alpine pastures, forests, and lakes—gathering wild mushrooms, making mountain tea, and crafting a charismatic cheese.

art & performance

Santa Fe Weekend: New Art, Ancient Traditions

From $1,280 USD

Spend a weekend immersed in the rich history, deeply rooted tradition, and constantly evolving art-scape of northern New Mexico.

science & nature

Wildlife of the Ecuadorian Amazon

From $4,635 USD

Delve into this equatorial paradise for a week-long journey full of adventure and learning in some of the wildest corners of the Amazon basin.

Inside Look at The Bunny Museum

Altadena, California

New York City Clock Walk

New York, New York

Atlas Obscura's Wonders of FiDi

New York, New York

From 'Hell' to The High Line

New York, New York

White House Tales of Scandal & Intrigue

Washington, D.C.

Exploring a Secret Fort

Washington, D.C.

Walking the Hidden Wonders of Midtown

New York, New York

Studio Visit With Juan Alonso-Rodríguez

Seattle, Washington

The Abandoned Zoo Ruins of Griffith Park

Holllywood, Los Angeles, California

Scent-Making and Hollywood History

Los Angeles, California

The World of Beekeeping & Native Bees

Chicago, Illinois

Urban Parks Playdate

San Francisco, California

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A Healing Spirit From 19th-Century Japan Is Back to Face COVID-19

Artists are bringing back Amabie, a 'yōkai' associated with protection from disease.

Claire Voon March 25, 2020

The 'Pie Engineer' Who Designed a Dessert For the Jazz Age

With a new filling and a new crust, an American innovator changed pie forever.

Rossi Anastopoulo March 24, 2020

The Ocean’s Largest Shark Has a Little Something to Say

An online video raised a strange question: Do whale sharks make sounds? And would it matter if they did?

Claudia Geib March 24, 2020

For Sale: The Wooden Stage From The Beatles' First Concert

Including its old Victorian-era nails.

Matthew Taub March 24, 2020

The Ecological Mystery of a Stink Bug Swarm Far Out to Sea

The chance encounter has led to insights on how insects make it to distant islands.

Erica Tennenhouse March 24, 2020

Itsy-Bitsy Indonesian Rocks Are Rewriting the History of Ancient Art

The token-size stones offer insight into life 20,000 years ago.

Isaac Schultz March 24, 2020

How to Help Librarians and Archivists From Your Living Room

If you're cooped-up and curious, use your free time to decipher handwriting, tag images, and more.

Jessica Leigh Hester March 23, 2020

The True Origin Story of Madagascar's 'Forest Cat'

Turns out this big, striped lemur-eater didn't come from mainland Africa.

Jennifer S. Holland March 23, 2020

Why the World Overlooked Canadian Whisky

A preference for blending put the Great White North on the wrong side of industry standards.

Dan Nosowitz March 23, 2020

How to Stream the Animal Kingdom From Your Sofa

Your world might have shrunk—but you can still meet manatees, jellies, bears, and more.

Jessica Leigh Hester March 20, 2020

A Parade of 2,000 Ducks Keeps a South African Vineyard Running

For pest control, this South African farm enlisted a fowl army.

Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey March 20, 2020

The Birth of Avalanche Forecasting in North America

In 1910, the deadliest snowslides in U.S. and Canadian history occurred just days apart.

Justin Franz March 20, 2020

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