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.

7 Historic Dishes Born From Tough Times That You Can Make at Home

What Do California Otters and Virginia Opossums Have In Common?

The spirit of discovery and community

Wonder From Home

3 Transportive Documentaries That Can Take You Away

Lose Yourself in a Mesmerizing, Meticulous Map of the Met

Top Countries

Top Cities

Kansas City, Missouri

Dalí Collection at Hallmark Visitors Center

The famous greeting card maker owns a collection of paintings by the famed surrealist.

Added by Tom Varner

Maglič, Serbia

Maglič

The ruins of this medieval castle on a foggy hill tell the story of a once-mighty empire.

alexplorer

Added by alexplorer

Barnard Castle, England

The Butter Market

This building was once a town hall, a fire station, a prison, a dairy market, and the target for two marksmen.

Dr Alan P Newman

Added by Dr Alan P Newman

Somerset, England

Wells Cathedral Clock

This astronomical clock is the second oldest in England.

Dr Alan P Newman

Added by Dr Alan P Newman

Thoptewadi, India

Sinhagad Fortress

This ancient fortress was once the setting for a strange battle won with the help of a lizard.

SamR

Add a Place to the Atlas

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

View All Experiences

Found: The Cold War Wreck of a World War II Submarine

A training exercise in 1958 sent the USS Stickleback to the ocean floor.

Isaac Schultz March 26, 2020

Inside One Distillery’s Pivot to Hand Sanitizer

The small Massachusetts outfit supplies local police, firefighters, and hospitals.

Luke Fater March 26, 2020

How to Help Scientists Without Leaving Home

Gaze out the window or at your computer, in the name of data.

Jessica Leigh Hester March 25, 2020

An Ancient Ballcourt in Oaxaca Expands a Sport’s Footprint

3,000 years before the Aztecs, Mesoamericans were already playing ball.

Isaac Schultz March 25, 2020

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

Read All Stories