June 21, 2022

SIGNAGE SECRETS Columbia’s Quirky Street Names “Turn left off Windharp Way onto Deep Calm. (No, not ‘Street’ or ‘Court,’ just ‘Deep Calm.’)” Anyone asking for directions through Columbia, Maryland’s residential neighborhoods could be forgiven for thinking a helpful local was pulling their leg. But this suburb between Baltimore and Washington, home to just over 105,000 people, really does have some of the wildest place names in America. A collection of place names that includes Fairest Dream Lane and Vast Ocean Pass (which is perhaps a little grandiose for a cul-de-sac) may sound whimsical, but the pattern is actually quite deliberate.  READ MORE → TRAVEL IDEAS Inspiration from North America Atlas Obscura catalogs the most unusual, surprising, and amazing places around the world, thanks to the discoveries shared by our intrepid community of travelers and explorers. There are now thousands of wonders listed in North America (as of writing this newsletter, there are over 10,000!), and we’ve plotted each and every one of them on this interactive map. Where will you explore next? READ MORE → HYRUM, UTAH Elite Hall This is one of the last dance halls with a functional spring-loaded dance floor in the state of Utah. The feeling of dancing on this floor makes anyone enjoy being a master at swing, cha-cha, or even the chicken dance. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES How to Read a Landscape The characteristics of a living environment can tell us mountains of information about the conditions and history of a place. In this three-part online course led by Annie Novak, learn to read the spaces around you by building an understanding of soil, plant, and ecology fundamentals. ENROLL NOW → UNEARTHING HISTORY Colonial Williamsburg’s Queer History A new committee at the Colonial Williamsburg living history museum is investigating the traces of 18th-century residents who did not conform to gender or sexual norms. The committee plans to create a sourcebook to educate the Colonial Williamsburg staff on the history of people centuries ago who lived lives we would now call queer. READ MORE → ALTAUSSEE, AUSTRIA Altaussee Salt Mines Salzwelten Altaussee is Austria’s largest active salt mine. It is remarkably old, having been mined almost continually since 1147. During World War II, the rock salt tunnels were turned into a storage facility holding hundreds of pieces of artwork stolen by Nazis. READ MORE → FREE MEMBERS-ONLY EVENT | TOMORROW! Trivia Night Join our popular Atlas Obscura Members Only Trivia Night! Our online trivia experience offers members of our community from all across the globe the chance to get together, and engage in an evening of brain-teasing, fact-finding, and curiosity-sparking competition. Teams of up to 5 players can join in for a two-hour contest of wits, knowledge, and general guessing, with a chance to win a first-place prize that will be mailed right to their home. And of course, bragging rights! If you aren't a member yet, you can sign up during the RSVP process for this event. RSVP TODAY → SWEET HISTORY Lanternfly Honey Well, you know what they say. When life gives you lanternflies, make lanternfly honey. For seven years, Pennsylvanians have been on high alert for an invasive species: the spotted lanternfly, which has caused an estimated $43 million in damage. Now, beekeepers have discovered that spotted lanternflies are affecting the region’s food supply in another way: They’re messing with its honey, creating a flavor profile that’s smoky, yet sweet. READ MORE → YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND Bolton Strid Part of the raging River Wharf, the Bolton Strid is a picturesque stretch of river that looks like the type of place one might find fairies frolicking in the heath. But just beneath the surface is a natural booby trap that has claimed a number of lives. READ MORE → SPONSORED BY DISCOVER PUERTO RICO 5 Culinary Gems In Puerto Rico  Influence from each of Puerto Rico’s historical inhabitants has made its way into the mouth-watering cuisine found across the Island. Between the rich mofongo awaiting you in one of Piñones’ many food stands and the enticing sight of empanadillas tucked in the weathered kiosks of Luquillo, there’s a whole world of flavor packed into this small Island. LEARN MORE →