Los Angeles, California
Stone Gates of Hollywood
These two monoliths have stood at the entrance to the neighborhood since the days it was called "Hollywoodland."
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Places I've been
Places this traveler has marked as been there.
Los Angeles, California
Capitol Records Building Morse Code
The blinking light atop the iconic landmark has been sending secret messages for decades.
Chicago, Illinois
U-505
The unluckiest U-boat in the entire German fleet is now on display in a Chicago museum.
Washington, D.C.
Capitol Bollards
The 5.5-mile ring of steel posts around the Capitol Building is one of the largest (and most uniform) of its kind in the world.
Permanently Closed
Washington, D.C.
Government Printing Office
Need a hardcopy of the 50-title Code of Federal Regulations? This is the place.
Washington, D.C.
Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe
A museum cafe showcases Native American dishes and indigenous ingredients from across the Western Hemisphere.
Washington, D.C.
Renwick Gallery
The first purpose-built art gallery in the United States is once again open as a center of craft arts.
Washington, D.C.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Largest Roman Catholic church in North America.
Washington, D.C.
Washington Mini Monument
There's a 12-foot-tall replica of the Washington Monument hidden under a manhole nearby.
Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin
World's Heaviest Ball of Twine
Tirelessly maintained by a Wisconsin man named JFK.
Minnesota
Grassy Point Railroad Bridge
A haunting army of decomposing, moss-covered stuffed animals and dolls guard this swinging truss.
Atlanta, Georgia
Coca-Cola Secret Formula Vault
One of corporate America's best-kept secrets is also one of the most publicly displayed.
Rome, Italy
Passetto di Borgo
The Pope’s secret escape route.
Rome, Italy
Lacus Curtius
A mysterious chasm in the heart of the ancient Roman Forum, the Lacus Curtius was once believed to be a gateway to hell.
Rome, Italy
Via Appia
2300-year-old Roman road connecting the empire.
Rome, Italy
Pyramid of Cestius
The only "Egyptian" pyramid in Europe and the legendary tomb of Remus.
Rome, Italy
Torre Argentina (Roman Cat Sanctuary)
Hundreds of lucky felines haunt the ruins where Caesar was murdered.
Barcelona, Spain
FC Barcelona Coat of Arms
Barça football fans might see the insignia hidden in a church window as a divine sign.
Barcelona, Spain
Mirador de Colom (Columbus Monument)
A vista of the city and sea from atop the little-known viewing deck on an unassuming Columbus statue.
Barcelona, Spain
Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor
Possibly the oldest church in Barcelona, this basilica has its pagan and Christian mythologies all mixed up.
Barcelona, Spain
The Giants of Santa Maria del Pi
The oldest giants in Catalonia are now displayed in a 14th-century Gothic church.
Barcelona, Spain
Columns of the Temple of Augustus
The 2,000-year-old Roman columns are hidden within Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.
Barcelona, Spain
Casa Batlló
One of Antoni Gaudí's most classic buildings is well-known for its "dragon-back" design.
Barcelona, Spain
Sagrada Família
Construction of Barcelona’s iconic (but controversial) church was finally completed in 2026—a century after the death of its architect.
