Atlas Obscura is a joyful antidote to the creeping suspicion that travel these days is little more than a homogenized corporate shopping opportunity. Here are hundreds of surprising, perplexing, mind-blowing, inspiring reasons to travel a day longer and farther off the path. . . . Bestest travel guide ever.”

The world is full of wonderful and magnificent things, from spectacular beaches, to amazing vistas, beautiful creatures and breath-taking waterfalls. But look a little harder and you can find a whole lot of other remarkable, wonderful and weird thing to amuse and entertain. If you are looking for those sorts of things, then this is the book for you. Embracing curiosity and seeking out the unusual and offbeat can lead to unexpected and enriching experiences. This book is so rich with information, research, and photographs. It brings new locations, objects, and monuments to light in a unique way with showcasing the strange and outstanding corners of the world that will bring out numerous emotions from disbelief to wonder. It is an entertaining travel book that makes me want to reach out of my comfort zone and begin exploring the world, but it is also filled with history on places and people that I would have not otherwise learned, which makes it all the more captivating. Born in Lancaster, Massachusetts in 1809 to a struggling family, Allen fell into a life of crime at the age of fifteen, after a chance meeting with a master thief. He spent most of his life in and out of different jails: while incarcerated, he would read books, learn trades, and get on well with everyone, but as soon as he got out, he would return directly to burglaring and highway-robbing. Eventually, he died of tuberculosis at the state prison in Charlestown, MA.

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Foer's work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, and The Nation. In 2007, the quarterly art & culture journal Cabinet began publishing Foer's column "A Minor History Of." The column "examines an overlooked cultural phenomenon using a timeline." Beholding hundreds of off-the-beaten-path gems, this book is a treasure chest of wanderlust where readers are transported to places they’re certain to have never encountered.” — Marie Claire Atlas Obscura may be the only thing that can still inspire me to leave my apartment. . . . This resource is essential for exploring the world and engaging adventure with wit and style (often from the comfort of my bed).” For those who have always yearned to travel, experience new cultures, and discover the untold stories of our world, Atlas Obscura by Joshua Foer is the perfect guide. This extraordinary book stimulates the imagination and encourages readers to explore the hidden gems that lie beneath the surface, providing a glimpse into the rich tapestry of human creativity and the wonders of nature. In London- Highgate cemetary (apparently on friday the 13th of March,1970. Two "magicians" and a mob overpowered the Police lines and broke into Highgate to "kill vampires")

First off, a confession. I didn't read the whole book. Normally I'd hold off on a review, but due to the unique structure of this book I feel comfortable giving my review without completing it. Shortly I’ll be heading out on a book tour, with visits planned at dozens of schools across the country. I will also be speaking at bookstores and libraries in Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, Washington, D.C., Denver, and Salt Lake City, among others. If I’ll be in your city, I wholeheartedly invite you to come out and see me—kids and adults alike.

Like Atlas Obscura’s first book, this one is big and beautiful—the main difference being that it’s written specifically for 8-12 year-olds. That said, anyone who loves beautiful illustrations and the world’s hidden wonders will like it. (Don’t be ashamed to buy it for yourself, I wrote it just so I could have it!) A selection from The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid shows an enormous cave and abandoned water park in Vietnam. Workman Publishing Company Expand Your Palate: Explore the world through your taste buds by trying new and unusual foods. Seek out restaurants or markets specializing in international cuisine. Be adventurous and sample dishes with exotic ingredients or from lesser-known cultures. Expand your culinary horizons and engage in cross-cultural connections.

Not to mention the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, Turkmenistan’s 45-year hole of fire called the Door to Hell, hanging coffins suspended off a cliff face in the Philippines, eccentric bone museums in Italy, or a weather-forecasting invention that was powered by leeches, still on display in Devon, England. Atlas Obscura is a joyful antidote to the creeping suspicion that travel these days is little more than a homogenized corporate shopping opportunity.Here are hundreds of surprising, perplexing, mind-blowing, inspiring reasons to travel a day longer and farther off the path. . . . Bestest travel guide ever.” Another fascinating example highlighted by the book is the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles. This peculiar museum is like no other, dedicated to showcasing a collection of strange and captivating artifacts that blur the line between fact and fiction. Visitors to the museum are greeted with exhibits such as the Micromosaics of Harold Napoleon, which features intricate mosaics made from the tiny wings of butterflies. The Olfactory Archive is another exhibit that captures the imagination, exploring the complexities and nuances of human scent. The Museum of Jurassic Technology stands as a testament to the hidden wonders that can be found even in our everyday surroundings, encouraging readers to see the beauty and fascination that surrounds them. Connect with Like-minded Individuals: Join clubs, organizations, or online communities centered around shared interests, hobbies, or exploration. Attend meetups, workshops, or seminars where you can connect with others who value curiosity and adventure. Engaging with like-minded individuals can provide new perspectives and opportunities for collaborative exploration. My favorite travel guide! Never start a trip without knowing where a haunted hotel or a mouth of hell is!”My favorite travel guide! Never start a trip without knowing where a haunted hotel or a mouth of hell is!” But these, I freely admit, are just a few scattered examples—and they're among the easiest for U.S. residents like me to visit, to boot. Many of the landmarks in Atlas Obscura are significantly less accessible—even if you're a wealthy and seasoned world traveler, even if you happen to be in the same country (or even on the same continent) they're in, or near. The presence of an entry in the Atlas must not be read as encouragement, a promise of availability, or any guarantee of safety. Geography, politics, radiation, wild beasts, structural issues... the barriers are as diverse as the entries themselves—which is exactly why (or at least one big reason why) this collection is such a treasure. Encourage Serendipity: Embrace the unexpected and allow yourself to stumble upon hidden gems. Take spontaneous detours, strike up conversations with strangers, or choose activities randomly to foster serendipitous discoveries. Embracing the element of surprise can lead you to fascinating places, people, and experiences.