Sean J Allen's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Tampa, Florida

Phoebe the Flamingo

The larger-than-life art installation at Tampa International Airport welcomes travelers to town.
Sinaia, Romania

Peleș Castle

This elaborately decorated, fairytale-like Romanian royal palace is one of the most striking castles in Europe.
Bran, Romania

Bran Castle

The possible imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler here earned the medieval castle its nickname, "Dracula's Castle."
Istanbul, Turkey

Pera Palace Hotel

This historic hotel preserves many treasures from its heyday hosting passengers on the Orient Express.
Istanbul, Turkey

Camondo Stairs

A gorgeous, Gaudí-esque stairway constructed in the city of Istanbul by a prominent Jewish family.
Istanbul, Turkey

Tünel

Climb a steep hill in 90 seconds on the second-oldest urban subway in the world.
Istanbul, Turkey

Tombs of the Sultans

Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.
Istanbul, Turkey

Viking Runes at Hagia Sophia

A small etching on the white marble parapet was written in runic script by a Viking mercenary.
Istanbul, Turkey

Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.
Istanbul, Turkey

Obelisk of Theodosius

This remarkably well-preserved Egyptian plinth is pretty well traveled for a giant piece of stone.
Arlington, Virginia

Pentagon Taxi Tunnels Stubs

The Pentagon is so large that it was planned like a city, complete with internal highway infrastructure.
Arlington, Virginia

George Washington Memorial Parkway

This isn't your average roadway—it's actually a National Park and a transportation pioneer.
Arlington, Virginia

Gravelly Point Park

This lovely picnic spot featuring thunderous jet landings is an aircraft spotter’s dream.
Arlington, Virginia

Pentagon Hot Dog Stand

Rumor has it the hot dog stand was targeted by two Russian nuclear missiles.
Chantilly, Virginia

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

At Washington's Dulles Airport is a satellite museum (no pun intended) with three quarters of a million square feet of aircraft history.
Washington, D.C.

Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega

The "lovely red Vega" of the legendary record-settling pilot.
Washington, D.C.

Starship Enterprise NCC-1701

The actual model from the original "Star Trek" series is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum.
Washington, D.C.

NASA Full Scale Wind Tunnel Propeller

While most wind tunnels test scale models, the "Cave of Winds" was large enough for actual airplanes.
Washington, D.C.

Bare-Chested George Washington

Perhaps the most scandalous statue of America's first president.
Takoma Park, Maryland

Bird Calls Phone

An old pay phone rewired to play local bird calls and songs at the press of a button.
Takoma Park, Maryland

Roscoe the Rooster

The rooster who crossed the road lives on forever in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Washington, D.C.

The K-9 of the Korean War Veterans Memorial

Those with a sharp eye can find the hidden image of a German Shepherd on the memorial's Mural Wall.
Washington, D.C.

D.C. War Memorial

An overlooked memorial honoring the local Washington residents who died in World War I.
Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument Commemorative Stones

Ruins from the Parthenon and petrified wood line the interior of one of the world's most famous monuments.