Places Emily J Dudek Wants to Go

This beautiful building in the heart of Manhattan's Financial District was empty for decades.

A piece of solitude and tranquility in the heart of East Saint Paul.

This Boston medical museum features the skull of the famous medical case of Phineas Gage.

A gift from Japan, 17th-century lantern stands among the cherry trees at D.C.'s Tidal Basin.

"The only replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3."

Three vintage horses survived a 1976 inferno and found a home on a sister carousel.

A carousel trades in its classic horses and calliope for endangered species, native flora and fauna, and a modern soundtrack.

A one-of-a-kind collection of a unique medium.

Historic marionette theater features thousands of handmade puppets and free cups of ice cream.

This nondescript tunnel has been featured in a number of iconic movies, from “Roger Rabbit” to “Back to the Future.”

This “living museum” at UCLA exhibits thousands of plant species from all over the world.

Sitting in the arguable birthplace of the Wild West, this museum holds the largest collection of bronco busting bric-a-brac in the world.

A family agreed to sell their property to Disney on the condition that this tree, planted as a wedding gift, would not be removed.

Resting place of Hollywood's immortals is also site of summer film screenings.

The mall's looks were inspired by the cowboy extras who used to meet up—and cause real trouble—at this Hollywood hub.

Church and home-museum of a 1920s female revivalist preacher with a very sordid past.

The blinking light atop the iconic landmark has been sending secret messages for decades.

A Cold War site complete with rusty structures, hiking trails, and beautiful views.

Outposts of this restaurant chain were shaped like jaunty chapeaus.

This store is dedicated to unique found footage and the strangeness of pre-internet pop-culture.

The famous animator's private station house and man-cave was the birthplace of imagineering.

Though tiki culture has gone in and out of fashion, the Tonga Hut has always been flying the flag in Los Angeles.

A fashion designer's dazzling world of Japanese collectibles is hidden in a warehouse downtown.

This star-studded Old Hollywood restaurant is where fettuccine Alfredo made its United States debut.