Order Atlas Obscura: Wild Life today!
Venture into nature's unseen realms with our new book Wild Life
Destinations from the Atlas
Iceland in Winter: Northern Lights & Geothermal Marvels
Trip
Decoding the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Tombstones With Dr. Nicky Nielsen
Course
Death as a Child: The Modern Legend of the Black-Eyed Children
death
First described in Texas in the mid-90s, what are these disturbing figures—and what do they want?
Iceland in Winter: Northern Lights & Geothermal Marvels
Trip
Decoding the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Tombstones With Dr. Nicky Nielsen
Course
More Stories
The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Get your daily burst of wonder with all-new episodes of The Atlas Obscura Podcast.
All EpisodesGet wonder in your inbox
Wonder delivered to your inbox
Sign up for our Newsletter
Explore the Atlas
Hidden Wonders
Howick Falls
Howick, South Africa
Local lore says a serpent-like beast lurks in the deep basin below the falls.
Join the Community
The Atlas is always evolving thanks to our community. Here’s how to get involved:
Add & Edit Places
Tell us about all the amazing places we don’t know yet. Anyone can contribute, anywhere in the world.
Become a Member
Join our community to see far fewer ads, get a members-only newsletter, receive credit toward your next Atlas Obscura trip, and more.
Download the App
Explore our guide to over 24,000 curious and unexpected places, right from your mobile device.
Discover Our Stories
Articles, Videos, and Podcast
31 days of halloween
Meet Spring-Heeled Jack, the Leaping Devil That Terrorized Victorian England
Man or devil, he cut a swath of terror across 19th-century London.
presidents
Drink Like a Founding Father
Make one of President George Washington's favorite cocktails.
Plan Your Adventure
Guides, lists, and itineraries
Top Countries
Explore the World
Trips, experiences, and courses
Discover Our Trips
We travel to incredible, often overlooked places. Our global community of local experts grants you access to unique, small-group experiences.
View all TripsDiscover Our Courses
Atlas Obscura Courses offer opportunities for students of all ages to explore niche topics and skills, in both live and on-demand formats.
View all Courses