November 03, 2022

GASTRO OBSCURA  9 Haunted Restaurants  Eerie history is back on the menu at these 9 eateries. From a mischievous spirit named Mr. Bubbly, found in the oldest gay bar in New Orleans, to a Milwaukee cigar bar that’s now a haven for ghost hunters, reports of spectral appearances often become part of the macabre aura surrounding these places. The only way to find out if they’re truly haunted is to visit for yourself—if you dare.  READ MORE → ANCIENT TECHNIQUES Did Our Ancestors Use Echolocation? There’s one reason why University of Huddersfield sound archaeologist Rupert Till and his team have gathered at the mouth of Bédeilhac Cave, located in southwestern France. They’re here to perform an acoustic archaeology experiment on the human ability to use echolocation—a skill that ancient humans might have used to aid in exploring the caves both for safety and to expand the area available for them to use. Could untrained volunteers find their way around pitch-black caves using nothing but their voices? READ MORE → EMINENCE, MISSOURI Wild Horses of Shannon County Mostly dappled gray and white, these wild horses have roamed Missouri valleys for more than a century. No one knows exactly where the horses came from, but some believe that the horses were released when farmers fell on hard times during the Great Depression. The horses thrived in the wilderness—but their survival has not been without adversity. READ MORE → SPONSORED BY THE MAINE OFFICE OF TOURISM Asticou Azalea Garden East meets West in this Japanese-style garden featuring plants native to Maine’s Mount Desert Island. Unlike in most Western gardens, Asticou leverages the natural landscape, emphasizing rather than flattening the anomalous boulders, hills, and waterways around the property. Smooth, circular walkways encourage slow strolling, while benches and shady nooks inspire restful contemplation. LEARN MORE → FROM THE ARCHIVES The Last Library Apartments There used to be apartments on the top floors of New York City’s branch libraries. When these libraries were built, about a century ago, they needed people to take care of them. These buildings were heated by coal, so each had a custodian, who was tasked with keeping those fires burning and who lived in the library, often with his family. But many of these apartments have vanished; today there are just 13 library apartments left in the New York Public Library system. READ MORE → PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND ‘Time Wave’ “Time Wave” is a unique, undeniably modern piece, appearing to be on the verge of toppling, collapsing, and melting away all at once. It’s an homage to an iconic clock that stands outside the Shepard Company Building on Westminster Street, an iconic landmark of Providence. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Play Ancient Games Who said stones and runes can’t be all you need to have fun? Certainly not the gamers of ancient times. In this course led by mythologist Dr. John Bucher, we’ll explore the symbols, cultural context, and uses of games played over 1000 years ago. Along the way, we'll test out different games with ancient origins each week. ENROLL TODAY→ FAVORITE FRUITS Around The World in 300 Fruits For years, Argentinian student Pablo Salvatierra had been struggling with a severe case of a skin disease called psoriasis. With no true cure, in 2015, his doctors suggested a four-week fast of no solid food. After the fast, Salvatierra ate some fruit—and decided to never stop doing it. Fast forward to today, where Salvatierra has traveled to 15 countries and tasted nearly 300 different kinds of fruits, including fruits with skin like snakes, and giant fruits that taste like white chocolate. READ MORE → DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS Maine North High School Open for just 11 years, Maine North High School shuttered permanently in 1981 due to low attendance. However, a few years later, it reopened its doors temporarily to a handful of students: a brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel, and a recluse. Thoughts on what movie filmed here? READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Secrets of Sudan Sudan is home to some of the most spectacular historical artifacts and ancient sites—whose numbers exceed those found in all of Egypt. Following the Nile from Khartoum northward into the desert, you'll unlock the secrets of the ancient Nubian Kingdom of Kush and encounter the majestic pyramids at Meroe and Jebel Barkal, in search of the stories contained in its vast desert landscape. BOOK NOW →