This ancient jade mask depicting the Zapotec bat god was found in the ruins of the pyramids of Monte Alban.

This colossal ancient jaguar sculpture was used as a vessel for the hearts torn from sacrificial victims.

The striking jade death mask of an ancient Maya king is displayed in a replica tomb in Mexico City.

The most complete statue of this Aztec god sits a top a throne carved with images of hallucinogenic plants.

The turquoise-studded skull of a long-dead Aztec man sits within Mexico City’s Museum of Anthropology.

Dating back to the second century, vestiges of prehispanic mural paintings are found in this underground palace.

A jaw-dropping "megalibrary" that turns book-browsing into a geometric adventure.

Once home to an aristocratic family and a workers' organization, this intricately tiled building now houses a chain restaurant.

This "City of Books" holds a museum, library, and the complete personal book collections of five of Mexico's greatest thinkers.

Worm salt and other local ingredients are on the menu at this cult favorite ice cream shop.

The highest point in Virginia can only be reached by passing through ponies and flowers.

The land is home to swimming ponies and a legendary 18th-century treasure.

Heron, whitewater rapids, and urban industrialism all add to the beauty of this concrete nature walk.

The final resting place of two (or three) presidents, one vampire, and 18,000 Confederate soldiers.

Inspired by a foil-wrapped potato, (seriously) the Markel Building has been deemed one of the 10 ugliest buildings in the world.

This 29-ton granite ball spins around at the slightest touch thanks to a scientific phenomenon.

Inside this museum, the history of the Walt Disney Family empire is on full display.

I-95's Tijuana-style celebration of kitsch at the Carolina border.

This float factory takes the mask off of Mardi Gras and lets visitors see where the magic happens.

If New Orleans is the birthplace of the "cocktail," why does their own museum of cocktail memorabilia beg to differ?

Shop for books in the New Orleans house where William Faulkner once lived.

This distinctive Crescent City tradition dates back to the days of horse-drawn carriages.

The only rotating bar in New Orleans has been slowly spinning since 1949.

The oldest cemetery in New Orleans, resting peacefully for over 200 years now.