All United States

The Atlas Obscura Guide To United States

11,362 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in the United States

Updated November 20, 2024

America is ancient and new, constantly remade and reimagined, and there are unsung, overlooked treasures everywhere, From natural wonders that boggle the mind, to visionary art projects in the middle of nowhere, to historical gems nestled in urban areas, Atlas Obscura can help you plan your next road trip or visit to a city. You might even find something surprising right around the corner.

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States & Territories

Top States
All States & Territories
  1. Alabama
  2. Alaska
  3. Arizona
  4. Arkansas
  5. California
  6. Colorado
  7. Connecticut
  8. Delaware
  9. Florida
  10. Georgia
  11. Guam
  12. Hawaii
  13. Idaho
  14. Illinois
  15. Indiana
  16. Iowa
  17. Kansas
  18. Kentucky
  19. Louisiana
  20. Maine
  21. Maryland
  22. Massachusetts
  23. Michigan
  24. Minnesota
  25. Mississippi
  26. Missouri
  27. Montana
  28. Nebraska
  29. Nevada
  30. New Hampshire
  31. New Jersey
  32. New Mexico
  33. New York
  34. North Carolina
  35. North Dakota
  36. Northern Mariana Islands
  37. Ohio
  38. Oklahoma
  39. Oregon
  40. Pennsylvania
  41. Puerto Rico
  42. Rhode Island
  43. South Carolina
  44. South Dakota
  45. Tennessee
  46. Texas
  47. The U.S. Virgin Islands
  48. Utah
  49. Vermont
  50. Virginia
  51. Washington
  52. Washington, D.C.
  53. West Virginia
  54. Wisconsin
  55. Wyoming

Unusual Attractions in United States

See All 11,362 Things To Do in United States

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in United States

See all 752 Places to Eat in United States
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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

9 Watery Wonders on Florida’s Gulf Coast

Sponsored by VISIT FLORIDA

With all its tidal pools, mangrove islands, and estuaries, Florida’s Gulf Coast shoreline is one of the most dynamic in the country. Throw into the mix almost a thousand natural springs, and Florida truly is a place with as much to explore both above water as below. This ten-stop itinerary is by no means exhaustive. The mermaid shows, cave-diving, underwater museums, mangrove-kayaking, and wildlife-watching opportunities presented here still only scratch the surface – and the depths - of the myriad activities possible along this wondrous coastline.

View Itinerary

Explore the United States

Architecture 1,138
Museums 1,114
History 943
Art 683
History & Culture 670
Architectural Oddities 663
Collections 568
Animals 536

The United States Leaderboard

Recent United States Activity

Stories About the United States

How a Newspaper Revolution Led to the 'Wide Awakes'—and the Civil War

In the mid-1800s, a boom in media outlets created a massive political movement—and plenty of disinformation.
by Jon Grinspan
Vanishing hitchhiker legends are just the latest version of a folktale that may go back millennia—and continues to spread and evolve.

The Vanishing Hitchhiker Legend Is an Ancient Tale That Keeps Evolving

The classic creepy story—a driver offers a lift to a stranger who is not of this world—has deep roots and a long reach.
by Mark Hay
‘The Travellers’ Tour Through the United States’ is the earliest known board game to depict a map of the U.S.

America's First Board Game Was an Idealized 'Travellers' Tour' Through a Young Nation

The 1822 board game, the first to feature a map of the United States, was forgotten for nearly a century.
by Matthew Wynn Sivils
Boats and other river traffic follow the Mississippi's curves near New Orleans; the mighty river is part of The Great Loop, a 6,000-mile circle around the Eastern United States.

'Loopers' Say the Great Loop Is Their Appalachian Trail

Every year, scores of boaters travel the 6,000-mile route around the Eastern United States. Why do they do it?
by Shoshi Parks
Parking lots eat U.S. cities.

These U.S. Cities Have More Parking Lots Than Housing

They paved paradise again and again and again.
by Frank Jacobs
Is your state in danger of an earthquake? Well, yes.

Not Even Minnesota Is Safe From Earthquakes

Was the recent New York quake really all that uncommon? Here's a state-by-state map.
by Frank Jacobs
Retro, poppy posters capture the feel of America under the shadow of the moon.

NASA Artists Are Creating Eye-Popping Posters for the Eclipse

They’re continuing a long, prehistoric tradition of science art.
by Colleen Kelly

Which States in America Have the Oldest and Youngest People?

Either way, everywhere in the U.S. is seeing a common trend.
by Frank Jacobs

Lists Featuring the United States

The Capitol Records building.
The newly named alleyway.
Cahuenga Building
Museum of Death

The 11 Best Places to Visit Near the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Curious Travelers

11

Including Capitol Records Building Morse Code, Chaplin Keaton Lloyd Alley, and Cahuenga Building

World Famous Giant Shoe Museum
Gum Wall window ledge
The giant sequoia.

The 11 Best Places to Visit Near Pike Place for Curious Travelers

11

Including World Famous Giant Shoe Museum, Psychic Chicken of Seattle , and Gum Wall

View to Marshall Street from Creek Square.

The 11 Most Interesting Places to Visit Near Faneuil Hall

11

Including AHAC Headquarters, Faneuil Hall Weathervane, and Creek Square

Courtyard monument.
Flamingos on Flamingo Island
The High Roller

The 11 Most Unusual Places to Visit Near the Las Vegas Strip

11

Including Bugsy Siegel Monument , Flamingo Habitat, and High Roller

Book Corner.
The Final Cross
Edward Dean Adams Power Station
Clifton Hill

The 11 Best Places to Visit Near Niagara Falls for Curious Travelers

11

Including Book Corner, Prophet Isaiah's Second Coming House, and Edward Dean Adams Power Plant

The Conjuring Arts library
Keen's Steakhouse
The New York Herald Monument.

The 11 Best Things to do Near the Empire State Building for Curious Travelers

11

Including Tannen's Magic Shop, The Conjuring Arts Research Center, and Keen's Steakhouse

A standard photo op involves thrusting your candy into the snow.

Ski or Hike Your Way to These 6 Adventurous Treats

Dry martinis are best served in the middle of a snowy forest.

6

Including Ski-Slope Tree Martinis, Bilberry Soup, and Flämmli

Thor's Well.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
The lake (2)
Horsetail Falls.

Jessica Mendoza's 16 Watery Wonders of the Western United States

Sponsored by Land Rover
16

Including Thor's Well, Paint Mines Interpretive Park, and Hanging Lake

Ice cream cone from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.
Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
A perfect place for cocktails.

Tim Howard's 11 Music and Food Destinations to Fuel the Soul

Sponsored by Land Rover
11

Including Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum, and Radio City Music Hall's Secret Apartment

The "pet ham" is 119 years old.

Bog Butter, Ancient Beef, and Other Remarkably Old Foods on Display in Museums

Some of these foods are centuries past their expiration dates.

6

Including Ancient Bog Butter, Preserved Victorian Wedding Cake, and World’s Oldest Edible Ham

9 Places to Pay Homage to the All-American Hot Dog

Float to a riverside stand for a frank or visit a Coney Island trailblazer's tomb.

9

Including The Famous River Hot Dog Man, Jimmy Carter's Hot Dog Bun, and Charles Feltman's Tomb

The orange roof is still shining, with the iconic weathervane standing tall.
1950s Brown Derby on Wilshire Boulevard.

6 Relics of Forgotten Fast-Food Dynasties

These retro remnants are the last of their kind.

6

Including The Last Howard Johnson's, The Last Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken Restaurant, and Brown Derby

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