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Brian Shannon

Joined Atlas Obscura in 2026

Brian Shannon is a first-time author, aspiring adventurer, and unapologetic over-packer. Canadian by birth and American by ZIP, Brian has been a finance guy, software guy, entrepreneur, and occasionally “the guy who knows where the good coffee is.” With an MBA and a career of problem-solving and leadership, he’s also a lucky dad of five, a local-anything enthusiast, and a man with a restless wanderlust. In 1991, long before Wi-Fi, GPS, or social media, Brian quit his job, sold what wouldn’t fit in a backpack, and bought a Pan Am round-the-world ticket. What followed was an eight-month, pre-digital odyssey across five continents—equal parts misadventure, discovery, and detour—which inspired his debut memoir, A Continental Affliction. These days, Brian balances writing, running, hiking, traveling, parenting, and working. He lives in Maryland with his inestimable paramour, Stephanie, and is already dreaming of their next adventure.
shannonglobal.com

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Follow travelers to discover remarkable places through their journeys.

My Location Interests

  • Detroit
  • New Orleans
  • Paris
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco

My Travel Badges

  • Badge Earned!

    West Virginia Destination Challenge

    West Virginia Visitor

    As part of the West Virginia Destination Challenge, this badge celebrates the beginning of your journey through West Virginia's remarkable places. Every place you mark brings you closer to discovering more of what makes the Mountain State unique.

    West Virginia Destination Challenge
    Next Badge: West Virginia Adventurer You're just getting started. Mark 10 West Virginia places as Been There or Want to Go to unlock the Adventurer badge.
  • Badge Earned!

    Mark Your Map State Exploration Challenge

    Ford's Mark Your Map State Exploration Challenge

    You expanded your map during the Ford Mark Your Map State Exploration Challenge and reached the milestone required to unlock this limited edition badge.

  • Badge Earned!

    25 States Visited

    25 States Visited

    You've visited 25 U.S. states and are halfway to exploring all 50. Every state has its own hidden wonders, and you're well on your way to discovering them.

    50 States Visited
    Next Badge: 50 States Visited Visit all 50 states to earn the highest state exploration badge.
  • Badge Earned!

    50 States Visited

    50 States Visited

    You've visited every U.S. state. Few travelers reach all 50, making this one of Atlas Obscura's highest travel achievements.

  • Badge Earned!

    First Contribution

    First Contribution

    This badge celebrates your first contribution to the Atlas Obscura community and the role you play in helping others discover wonder.

    25 Contributions
    Next Badge: 25 Contributions Make 25 total contributions to earn your next badge.
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50

Places I've been

Places this traveler has marked as been there.

Al Capone Cherry Tree and “Caponette.”

Baltimore, Maryland

Al Capone Cherry Tree

This lovely tree was a thank you gift from the man known as "Public Enemy No.1."

House of the Black Madonna

Prague, Czechia

House of the Black Madonna

A significant example of Czech cubist architecture—a style you won't find anywhere else in the world.

The meridian line.

Prague, Czechia

Prague Meridian

The slender brass strip in Prague's Old Town Square was used to tell time from 1652 to 1918.

Prague Astronomical Clock

Prague, Czechia

Prague Astronomical Clock

Macabre astrological automaton clock dating to the late 1400s.

Old Jewish Cemetery of Prague.

Prague, Czechia

Old Jewish Cemetery

Around 100,000 bodies are buried below the medieval headstones, many of which mark graves with multiple bodies stacked up to 12 deep.

"The Machine," a display at the Kafka Museum.

Prague, Czechia

Franz Kafka Museum

An eerie, existential museum dedicated to the author of "The Metamorphosis."

The original wooden and coated wax statue of the Infant Jesus in Prague.

Prague, Czechia

Museum of the Infant Jesus

This Czech church doubles as something of a permanent fashion exhibition for a statue of the Infant Jesus.

The Water-Powered Mechanical Theater with nearly 200 moving wood carvings

Salzburg, Austria

Schloss Hellbrunn

Trick water gardens from 1619 featuring a 200 piece mechanical theater powered by water.

One of the lavishly decorated dining rooms.

Salzburg, Austria

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium

Epicurean and holy traditions converge in what may be the oldest restaurant in Europe.

Zwerglgarten (Dwarf Garden)

Salzburg, Austria

Zwerglgarten (Dwarf Garden)

Ugly 18th-century dwarf statues living in a perfectly landscaped Austrian garden.

Ann Arbor’s Fairy Doors

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor’s Fairy Doors

The city is full of whimsical portals to another world.

The historic Haarer Building.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

West Side Book Shop

For books about travel, whether factual or fictional, the perfect antiquarian does exist.

A view of the pineapple from a nearby parking structure.
Permanently Closed

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Metal Pineapple

A small welcome symbol for visitors to Ann Arbor.

Guardian Building Art Deco Lobby.

Detroit, Michigan

Guardian Building Art Deco Lobby

To truly appreciate Detroit's landmark skyscraper, you have to step inside.

Graffiti Ally seen from the 517 E. Liberty St entrance.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Graffiti Alley - Ann Arbor

An ever-evolving wall of graffiti art off East Liberty Street.

Jesse Owens Memorial

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Jesse Owens Memorial

Location of the “Greatest 45 Minutes in Sports History.”

Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry

Detroit, Michigan

Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry

These enduring murals depicting a distinctly Marxist tribute to capitalism could not even be defeated by McCarthyism.

The entrance decked out for the holidays.

Detroit, Michigan

Grand Trunk Pub

The grandiose interior of this bar speaks to its past as home to famous jewelers and railway offices.

Giant Boxing Arm of Joe Louis

Detroit, Michigan

Giant Boxing Arm of Joe Louis

Controversial tribute to the heavyweight champion boxer who grew up in Detroit.

The Tropical House.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Matthaei Botanical Gardens

These gardens recreate unique and endangered Michigan habitats.

McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel

Detroit, Michigan

McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel

Inside the Wayne County airport is an amazing collection of lights and sounds.

The roundhouse at Greenfield Village.

Dearborn, Michigan

The Roundhouse at Greenfield Village

One of the few working locomotive roundhouses in the United States.

The ornament collection spans decades.

Dearborn, Michigan

The Hallmark Collection at the Henry Ford Museum

A comprehensive archive of Hallmark Holiday ornaments.

A motorcade drives past the Uniroyal Giant Tire.

Allen Park, Michigan

Uniroyal Giant Tire

The 80-foot tire that looms over Michigan's I-94 was once a Ferris wheel in the New York World Fair.

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