Once upon a time, the forests of Indiana were endless. In the 1700s and 1800s, Philadelphia was the center of medical scholarship in the United States. But it wouldnt be so intrepid to simply highlight Nevadas underbelly, would it? Cities Attractions Food & Drink Map Leaderboards Stories Unusual Attractions in Virginia Williamsburg, Virginia President Heads Giant busts of 42 U.S. presidents are sitting in a field in Virginia.. Or a metal sculpture with big Victorian-steampunk energy. You can learn a lot about turquoise and nice interactive displays. Everyone knows Albuquerque is famous for its tram and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, but what about the more obscure attractions of the city? You may even meet Louie, one of the brothers who owns the Monte Carlo. the Extra Terrestrial, a 1982 video gamethatan embarrassed Atari Company was desperately trying to offload. With its mountain ranges, deep forests, and proximity to the nations capital, the state is filled with unusual corners and overlapping histories. 146 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in New Jersey - Atlas Obscura Albuquerque sounds like it has something for both of you. 89 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Oklahoma - Atlas Obscura New York has been described as a playground for the rich and powerful, but the state's history is full of ordinary people who have overcome extraordinary struggles. We hope you make it back to New Mexico soon. If youre in town during October check out the massive 3.8 mile, 8 acre maize maze at Los Poblanos Open Space. Visitors to this library are in for a real-world education in modernist architecture. From a Cold War bunker turned recording archive to a Styrofoam Stonehenge, these places in Virginia are more than meets the eye. Combined with the Missouri River, one of its tributaries, the Mississippi is the fourth-longest river in the world, trailing the Nile, Amazon, and Yangtze. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. In 1909, newspapers published accounts of a monster known as the Jersey Devil said to be prowling the Pine Barrens. It doesnt get much quirkier than the Tinkertown Museum on the way up to Sandia Peak. According to the cosmological principle of physics, the universe is expanding in all directions at onceimplying that any given reference point is technically the center of the universe. In a city where everything is inspired by alienseven street lamps and mailboxesthe McDonalds fits right in. From an Illinois watering hole once frequented by Al Capone to an Albuquerque restaurant specializing in pre-Columbian cuisine to a steakhouse born of Tulsas once-booming Lebanese community, these spots showcase the delicious diversity of Americas most iconic road. Scattered throughout the city limits are wonderfully bizarre murals, sculptures and public art displays. I visited a friend and family there once and missed out on most of these attractions and the way it looks now I wont have a second visit there, so thank you for all this information along with the pix. A small museum filled with unique fossil finds, including one of the oldest specimens of ground sloths found in Colombia. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Bisbee, Arizona: The Funkiest Town You've Never Heard Of January 3, 2020 By Ryan Victor 107 Comments In our experience, most people haven't even heard of Bisbee, Arizona. Wedding chapel's mysterious spiral staircase said to be miraculously constructed. This award-winning, hands-on science museum is a favourite of both kids and adults. The latest incarnation of the De Anza consists of luxury apartments and modern short term rentals. In reverence of their sanctity, future tours will include an educational introduction to Zuni Pueblo and its culture. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask. Find the musical rumble strip between mile markers 4 and 5. See. Maine had plenty of it, and the states rivers became swollen with the fallen bodies of pine and spruce, much of which was hauled by rail. (Read more. Tours will be announced on the De Anza ABQ Facebook page or you may enquire about potential upcoming tours by contacting [emailprotected], [emailprotected] or messaging the De Anza ABQ Facebook page. In the era of witch hunts, terrified townspeople accused their elderly neighbors of speaking with the Devil, and local lore has it that the stones around a frothing waterfall in the woods once served as Satan's kitchen, where he cooked a pot of beans with the flames of Hell. magical. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask. The state has long had pride of place in the paleontology world for the dinosaurs and mammoths that have been excavated there. American International Rattlesnake Museum. Michigan is famous for its steep, sweeping sand dunes, freckling of lakes, and unique fossilsbut across the state, you'll find slews of automated wonders, past and present. Hopefully this article gives the city a fair shake when it comes to visitors many folks simply bypass Albuquerque for other spots and we think thats a shame. The Downtown Growers Market is very similar but can be done in an hour or two. A recent renovation along Central Avenue has breathed new life into a forlorn yet historically significant motel. Center of the Universe - Albuquerque, New Mexico - Atlas Obscura 233 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Los Angeles - Atlas Obscura There's a psychedelic church, a 231-pound sticker ball, and a cryogenic mausoleum. Eventually the outrage died down, and the constant graffiti eventually became only small markings on the interior of the structure. Once your mind wanders across the epic landscapes and into town, the mythic scene you might imaginethe saloon, the general store, the bankwill likely consist of wooden structures, ones thrown hastily up as settlers headed west in search of mining wealth, land, and work on the expanding railways. Here at Atlas Obscura, we have a fondness for the forbidden, a hunger for the hidden, a gusto for the grim. From old animatronic toys to the ruins of early assembly lines, here are seven places to be dazzled by industry. Updated May 8, 2023 The City of Angels is full of sites that are known by sight the world over. Coffees are available in a variety of roasts, each with the distinct nutty aroma and flavour of the pion nut for which its named. One man has carved a number of natural New Mexico caves into psychedelic sandstone temples. Where: 3916 Central Avenue SW, Albuquerque. Atlas Obscura, a Travel Site Focused on the Weird and Obscure, Digs More than half of Utahs population is Mormon, which translates to more than 1.5 million citizens who eschew coffee, alcohol, and cigarettes. But as anyone who's been there knows, the country's largest, most sparsely populated state can absolutely burst with color, from the luminous green of the Northern Lights, to the deep aqua of its glaciers, to the flourish of wildflowers fed by its long summer days. Of all the trails in Albuquerque to choose from our favourite is Los Poblanos Open Space. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask. Yet trees hold a hallowed place here. Coffee and doughnuts are available at this converted British double-decker bus where you can grab a seat upstairs to chow down. A burnt-out motel with priceless Native American artwork in the basement, redeveloped into apartments. Saluda. We suggest booking with Hotels.com for a wide range of options in Albuquerque. Over tens of thousands of years, these geological hotspots have left many holes in their wakes, including deep craters, narrow canyons, and subterranean lava tubes. Id love to rent a bike and ride around Albuquerque, it looks like itd be way safer than San Francisco. Theres a time-tested saying about things being large in Texasand it certainly holds true for the states artworks, many of which are so huge or sprawling they could only reasonably live outdoors. This granite monument at the site of an ill-conceived tourist attraction is built from the same stone as the Mormon Temple. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. I honestly never had the desire to go to Alburquerque, but this post totally changed my mind. It turns out that no one really knows how Idaho got its name. What you might not realize, though, is that there's a lot of fascinating science happening in Illinois. But some entities that seem slated for cultural demolition are kept alive in Arkansas. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. This treasure trove of ancient trash is a favourite hunting grounds of local artists, especially those who work with glass. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore Americas wonders. Sugar, however, is not restricted. Your email address will not be published. First rate, very well done. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. ), Roswellis world-famous forrumors about itsextraterrestrial visitors, andthe local McDonalds gets in on the act with a UFO-shaped location. We should have planed more time to spend there. Perhaps the Devil got his best turn in The Devil and Daniel Webster, a 1936 short story by Stephen Vincent Bent. An abandoned amusement park based on the popular 1940s Red Ryder comic strip. This fast-food outlet is the only space and UFO-themed McDonalds in the world. Youll never get bored in Albuquerque. Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Las Cruces - Atlas Obscura They're hereat the International UFO Museum. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask. Indeed the very salvation of the De Anza Motor Lodge is due in large part to the one-of-a-kind murals decorating the walls of a single room. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Things to Do in Albuquerque, New Mexico | Visit Albuquerque See More in this Section: Things to Do Share Arts & Culture Balloon Rides & Air Adventures Casinos & Nightlife Events Sports & Outdoor Recreation & Fitness Spas & Wellness Tours & Sightseeing Zoos & Nature Centers Family Fun & Kids Growers' Markets Shopping Coupons From brewing beer using the spring water of a once-infamous bathhouse to serving historic Appalachian home-cooking hot off of diner skillets, these seven Arkansan spots savor and celebrate relics of regional heritage. Swan Valley, Idaho. Theres more to the state than extraterrestrial-themed brothels and nuclear bomb test sites. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore Americas wonders. The state of Colorado is a gold mine of natural beauty: It's famous for its picturesque deserts, dramatic canyons, and shimmering, snow-capped peaks. When most people think of New Mexico, they think of Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Note: Alas the Musical Highway has fallen into rack and ruin, and only small parts of it remain. (Plus rainbows. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. And today, streets and signs suggest ominous origins with names like Ghost Lake and Shades of Death Road. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask. According to local news sources, Atari rolled in between 10-20 truckloads of the gameamong other systems and electronic junkand had it crushed. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. 16 Fun Things to Do in Albuquerque, New Mexico - U.S. News Travel Although it may lack the glitz and glamour of the Kentucky Derby you can still enjoy the excitement of a live horse race from the grandstand. We are glad that you enjoyed your visit. Discover 21 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Santa Fe from House of Eternal Return to Haiku Pathway. He knew everything about turquoise. Atlas Obscura - Anne Ewbank. Discover hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Lake Havasu City from Lake Havasu's London Bridge to Lake Havasu Lighthouses. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. In 1938, a radio broadcast declared that aliens were invading the small community of Grovers Mill. Updated June 2, 2023 Email Cities Attractions Food & Drink Map Leaderboards Stories Lists Unusual Attractions in New Jersey Ogdensburg, New Jersey Fluorescent Rocks of Sterling Hill Mine Hundreds. Yes, there are many unique things to do in Albuquerque; dont overlook this city. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore Americas wonders. The upper terminal of the tram provides space and lockers to store your belongings. Taste of Greece: Culinary Traditions & Ancient Ruins, The Kingdoms of Andalusia: Secret Gardens and Haunted Palaces, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Freemasons, Antiques and Their Afterlives at the Armour-Stiner Octagon House, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Spring-Heeled Jack, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, The Truth About Sharks With Melissa Cristina Mrquez, Designing Soft Circuits & E-Textiles With Linh My Truong, Get Real: Defining Reality With Ashley Christine, Starting Point of the First Mardi Gras Parade, The 7 Best Travel Books for Summer Road Trips, The World's Oldest Glaciers Are Buried Under South African Gold, https://unm-campus-histories.github.io/spaces/essays/center-of-the-universe.html. This on-site restaurant offers a menu of pre-Columbian cuisine served with a modern flourish. This quirky, fun-filled autumn celebration is spread over a few weeks and offers something for all ages. And in Savannah, two gravestones appear on an airport runway. We hope to see you again soon.Jacob Lowry, Turquoise Museum Executive Director. Discover Calabacillas Arroyo Artificial Fossils in Albuquerque, New Mexico: From a T-rex to a teapot, a cast of artificial fossils illustrates New Mexico's history. As a city it has one of the highest percentages of open space in the country. Tours must be organised well in advance. Albuquerque wasnt even on my radar, but sounds like we may need some time there on our Santa Fe trip! So perhaps its fitting that Georgia, the Peach State, holds a wealth of stone-based treasures of a different sort. As America industrialized in the 19th century, there was an insatiable demand to build and a hunger for lumber. Take your time and stay curious while exploring this walking tour of New Mexico history. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore Americas wonders. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 15 Hidden Gems In North Carolina Perfect For Day Trip Adventures Give it a try next time and thanks for the comment! It could be a bottle of mustard. Id love to see all of the murals! Discover 25 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Albuquerque from The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History to Auto Hawk. In some cases, potatoes and dessert become one. When:10:00 am 2:00 pm Sunday, May through October. The valuable trees went first, such as black walnut and white oak. This classic neighbourhood bar and restaurant is tucked away at the back of a liquor store. Gynecologists Break the Silence On 'Hair Down There' Over 50 All Your Questions Answered To hear the music you must be travelling east on NM route 333. Ive spent time in New Mexico, but havent had the opportunity to visit Albuquerque. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Salt Lake City Public Library. Were here to tell you about some of the lesser-known highlights, from a mysterious hotel with a dark. You can drive to the ski area but for a truly unusual way of getting there why not take the Sandia Peak Tramway? At the start of European settlement, 90 percent of what is now Indiana was forest. Unique Things to Do in Albuquerque - A Couple of Drifters It works for me, when knowledge is displayed so well organized, I take it all in. 1. 2023 Atlas Obscura. That number plummeted to a measly 6 percent by 1922. (In one analysis, it placed third, after Illinois and Florida.) national parks, and it doesn't have any particularly well-known attractions. Where: 4307 Central Avenue NE, Albuquerque. Buy Now Payment Secure transaction Ships from Amazon.com Sold by Amazon.com Returns Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt Payment Secure transaction We work hard to protect your security and privacy. In the 1920s, a number of oil reservoirs were discovered in Oklahoma, and the promise of riches led to a population boom. Heres a link for more information and a schedule of events for Explora Adult Night. In Walker County, a labyrinth of limestone passages leads to the deepest cave drop in the continental United States. Required fields are marked *. Winner will be selected at random on 08/01/2023. 40 miles south of Asheville, Saluda is a quaint (population 500) hidden gem that takes you back in time. Every year throughout September and October, come join the locals and pick your own chile here. Previous events have included pumpkin carving, a bike-in movie night and a music festival complete with food trucks and local craft breweries. Be cautious of heavy rainfall as the channel can flood quickly. One of the "twins" in these falls on the Snake River was sacrificed for hydropower generation in the 1930s. Where: 111 Louisiana Boulevard SE, Albuquerque. From immigrant sanctuaries to the Survivor Tree, here are sites where New York has shown its resilience. From the volatile effects of the Manhattan Project to the otherworldly possibilities of Roswell's UFO, the Land of Enchantment has never shied away from the controversial or far-reaching. But the Centennial State also deserves some love for its many unnatural wonders. In the arid and remote expanses of New Mexico's landscape, booms and zooms abound. Discover 23 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Albuquerque from The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History to Auto Hawk. Thanks for your comment. A hidden garden of stones engraved with scriptures, a Joseph Smith Sphinx, all carved by one man. Thanks for your support, too. Website:Visit www.nmpinoncoffee.com for addresses of multiple locations throughout Albuquerque. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask. The Continental Divide runs through Montana, separating the mountains and glaciers on the west from rolling plains to the east. Where: Rio Grande Valley State Park, Albuquerque. wants to go to (You get the point.) Good thing I am local as I am going to have to come back when the rest of my party is not wanting to leave to eat. One man's collection of found art, sculpture, and ephemera adorns his two side-by-side homes. 11 Encounters With Aliens and Explosions in New Mexico These Pre-Columbian petroglyphs contain representations of birds, deer, hunters, and even some early Native flute players. While the forests have significantly recovered, there are still only about 2,000 acres of old-growth forest left in the state. Reviewed by Ann Henson | Last updated on June 2, 2023 This attractions guide was updated by Ashley M. Biggers, an Albuquerque native, in collaboration with U.S. News & World Report editors. Picture Wyoming during its Wild West days.