ashaclarein's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Lombard, Illinois

Lilacia Park

This botanical garden outside Chicago boasts an array of more than 300 varieties of lilacs.
Washington, D.C.

Bare-Chested George Washington

Perhaps the most scandalous statue of America's first president.
Albuquerque, New Mexico

American International Rattlesnake Museum

A museum devoted entirely to the rattlesnakes and snake-related art.
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Blaschka Glass Flowers

Impossibly life-like natural history models created out of glass by a father and son.
Lafayette, Colorado

Vampire Grave of Lafayette

According to local legend, a tree grew from the stake that killed this alleged vampire. In reality, he probably died from influenza.
Strongsville, Ohio

Gardenview Horticultural Park

Acres of English cottage gardens, unexpectedly nestled in a Cleveland suburb.
Topeka, Kansas

Equality House

A rainbow-colored house promotes LGBTQ rights across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church.
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Cats of Longwood Gardens

These lush botanical gardens employ the most purrfect pest control force.
Karnack, Texas

Caddo Lake

Foragers once flocked to this big beautiful bayou to hunt for pearls.
Arlington, Virginia

DEA Museum

An extensive, if one-sided, history of U.S. law enforcement's war on drugs.
San Francisco, California

California Academy of Sciences Herpetology Department

Over 315,000 preserved amphibians and reptiles in jars.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Calla Lily Valley

This little valley along Highway 1 is engulfed by thousands of lilies during the spring season.
South Salem, New York

Wolf Conservation Center

Protecting the future of some of the rarest and most misunderstood mammals of North America.
Columbus, Ohio

Columbus Park of Roses

An unassuming 13-acre park is home to over 12,000 roses.
Carpinteria, California

Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve

Happy harbor seals frolic and snooze on this warm, sandy stretch of coast.
Arcadia, California

Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Arcadia is home to a haven for nature geeks and 80s TV lovers alike.
Sierra Madre, California

Sierra Madre Wistaria Vine

Gorgeous purple flowers drape from the world's largest blossoming plant.
Sebastopol, California

California Carnivores

Nursery with extensive collection of flesh-eating plants operated by the author of "The Savage Garden."
Edgartown, Massachusetts

'Jaws' Bridge

The filming location of a shark attack in Steven Spielberg's famous shark movie.
St. Augustine, Florida

Sacred Cat Rug

Possibly the world's oldest rug, this Egyptian relic is woven entirely from ancient cat hair and once carried a mummified human foot.
Chicago, Illinois

American Writers Museum

Small and slightly hidden, the American Writers Museum is preserving the legacy of America's finest authors.
Birmingham, Alabama

Museum of Fond Memories at Reed Books

A unique book shop with a collection of rare tomes and a nostalgia museum.
Vandalia, Illinois

The Kaskaskia Dragon

Buy a token from the liquor store and you can make this beast spew flames on command.
Denver, Colorado

The Terrorium Shop

A beautiful combination of living flora with preserved bones covers the shelves of this shop.