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On our jaunt to Vegas, I introduced my husband to Atlas Obscura. I was shocked he didn’t know about them yet.
In case you’re not familiar with Atlas Obscura, here’s what it’s all about: it’s a website loaded with curious and wondrous travel destinations. Or, as Wikipedia puts it, “It catalogs unusual and obscure travel destinations via user-generated content.”
I didn’t find it surfing the web. Not exactly. I first discovered it in Bas Bleu, one of the many catalogs that finds its way into my mailbox. Each issue is loaded with literary gifts and books.
Among the books that caught my eye in a Bas Bleu issue a few years ago was Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders.
Marvelous! That sounded like a must-have right up my alley!
Then a couple years back I realized Atlas Obscura had a website with even more awesome travel info. That revelation did come from surfing the web.
Looking for Cool Things to Do
I don’t remember what I typed in exactly, but it was something about Things to Do in ___??? I wish I remember what city I was about to visit. Maybe I even included the word “weird” or “unusual” in the search?
That doesn’t really matter, I guess. The thing that is important is, whatever I typed in, it led me to Atlas Obscura’s site –and, even more importantly, it’s Cool and Unusual Things to Do lists.
Now it’s my go-to for travel planning –whether it’s a city I’ve been to before or not.
Since it’s still fresh in my mind, let’s use Las Vegas as an example.
Example
There was only one thing I knew I for sure wanted to do while we were in Vegas: Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum. But what else did Vegas have to offer? Any other cool or unusual things?
Before we left, I Googled “Unusual Vegas Atlas Obscura.” That resulted in these three hits:
- 31 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Las Vegas
-
17 Hidden Las Vegas Spots It Would Be a Sin to Miss
-
6 Unusual Museums and Collections in Las Vegas
After reviewing them, I created a personalized list of what appealed most to me.
Basically, there’s not much difference between them. The 17 and 6 ones are just more theme or topic specialized and highlight various things found in the larger 31 listing.
Side note: Something I thought was curious, however, was that the Haunted Museum was on the 31 Cool and Unusual Things list, but not on the 6 Unusual Museums one.
More Atlas Obscura
But in addition to finding the Cool & Unusual lists, you can find so much more on Atlas Obscura, including:
Trips
They coordinate specialized trips to destinations all over the world, which “brings their collection of 20,195 unique places to life in a new way.”
For the most part they’re guided, small group tours inspired by a certain interest, like food, history and culture, or photography.
They take care of the activities, food (most meals, but not all), lodging and transportation. But there is also plenty of free time built in too.
Some of the guided, eclectic itineraries they’re offering as of this post include:
- Forgotten Greece: Ghost Cities & Sinking Ships
- Mysterious Manitoba: Ancient Ceremonies, Masonic Secrets, and the Unexplained
- Lemurs & Baobabs: Nature Photography in Madagascar
Experiences
Experiences include unique tours, workshops and events. As of this post, they only offer Experiences in these seven cities (but they’re working on adding more):
- Chicago
- Denver
- Los Angeles
- Philadelphia
- Seattle
- Washington, D.C.
- New York City
Examples of their Experiences include:
- Visit NYC’s Oldest Magic Shop After Dark
- Guided Absinthe Tasting and Salon
- Scent-Making and Hollywood History
- Guided Wine & Bug Pairing (That’s not a typo. Yes, bug!)
- Exploring a Secret Fort
Places
This is where you find all of the places on their site on one map. Or, as they put it, “The definitive map of the world’s extraordinary sights.”
Foods
Are you a foodie traveler? Gastro Obscura is for you!
This section is all about the food, and includes articles about specific restaurants, where to find unusual foods, how some foods came to be created and/or cultivated, etc.
Stories
Basically, this is where you’ll find the articles on their site about everything –places, food, history, etc.
Like a blog, but better.
Videos
Short videos that highlight unusual and wondrous aspects of a variety of places, things and events. Here’s an example:
For More Info
Visit their website: https://www.atlasobscura.com/
Check-In
Do you use Atlas Obscura? Have you ever taken one of their Trips or done one of their Experiences?
P.S.
Last year they released of an updated version of the book —Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders.
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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Wow, I tried the link and found two attractions in our little town!
Get out! That’s so exciting! And were they new-to-you attractions?
This has to be the coolest link ever. Thank you for sharing. I need to start traveling by tomorrow LOL
Oooh! {squeal} YAY! I’m glad you liked it too! You’ll have to tell me what kind of fun places you end up jaunting to!!!