All United States

The Atlas Obscura Guide To United States

11,162 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in the United States

Updated July 17, 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 11,162 Things To Do in United States

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in United States

See all 10 Places to Eat in United States
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Explorer's Guide to Highway 36: The Way of American Genius

Sponsored by Visit Missouri

Spanning the state of Missouri, from St. Joseph to Hannibal, Highway 36 is full of intriguing stops packed with incredible stories of innovation. Known as “The Way of American Genius,” the route highlights inventions and individuals who left a lasting mark. From the starting point of the Pony Express and the bakery that introduced sliced bread to magical towns that sparked inspiration for creative geniuses Walt Disney and Mark Twain, these spots along Missouri’s Highway 36 will leave any traveler dreaming of the next big thing.

View Itinerary

Explore the United States

Architecture 1,123
Museums 1,091
History 914
Art 678
Architectural Oddities 659
History & Culture 658
Collections 564
Animals 534

The United States Leaderboard

Recent United States Activity

Stories About the United States

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, Big Think
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, Big Think
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, Big Think
The U.S. grabbed a whole lot of soil, but no fish.

The U.S. Just Expanded the Size of Two Californias

It’s like another Louisiana Purchase.
by Frank Jacobs, Big Think
Roosevelt's lemon "hat" gets thrown into the "ring" of the cocktail glass.

The Obscure Presidential Cocktail That Made You Pick Sides

In 1912, the way you drank a "Teddy Hat" signaled support for Roosevelt or Taft.
by Rachel Lane
The data from every state forms a map of the U.S.

A Map of Which States People Want to Stay In, Move To, or Leave

The population data of locals versus new comers is more easy to see than ever.
by Frank Jacobs, Big Think
Does the early bird actually get the worm?

Most States Start School Too Early in the Morning

This map shows which parts of the U.S. ignore the science.
by Frank Jacobs, Big Think

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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