So, I was scrolling through my tireless and mostly irrelevant Facebook statuses a few weeks ago when I came across a post from a friend of mine, Dario Meli (who, as it turns out, is the successful entrepreneur behind Invoke Media, HootSuite and memelabs). Needless to say, when he posts something I usually perk up. This time it was a mention of a site called Atlas Obscura, the “definitive guide to the world’s wondrous and curious places.” I was intrigued. And now, it’s time to share.
A Different Way of Looking At the World
Atlas Obscura believes in exploration and discovery. So do I. Feverishly. We’re off to a good start. The site features obscure wonders of the world, including (but certainly not limited to):
- Pineapple houses
- Dragon Bridges
- Human imagination libraries
- Drunken Australian parrots
- Pumpkin spring pool
- Butterfly rooms
I could go on and on. The site has loads of eye-pleasing photos and is just so damn interesting. What I love the most though, is it’s fact-based content. You actually learn a thing or two about these curious and awesome places; you’d be hard-pressed not to be inspired to discover these places yourself.
A Collaborative Project
The site is powered by the collaborative effort of curious explorers around the world. After all, it’s always the (slightly crazy) locals that know about the off-colored people, places and things in their community. Are you one of those crazies with a discovery to share? Atlas Obscura wants you to hook the world up.
The Obscura Beliefs
The team over at Atlas Obscura have four key beliefs that make their site so awesome:
- There is something new under the sun, every day, all over the world.
- Around the corner is something that will surprise the hell out of you.
- Atlas Obscura is for people who still believe in discovery.
- The team hope that’s you.
The Fascinated Founders
The duo behind the brilliant site have some serious world discovery creds between them. Joshua Foer is a former science journalist, a career that has taken him all over the world, and the author of bestselling memory-improving book MoonWalking With Einstein. Dylan Thuras started his exploring early in life, and after co-producing an evening of wonders with Josh decided to embark on the Atlas Obscura project and share these wonders with the world.
I really love this site. I’m currently looking at obscure places in Florida for a potential wedding venue for my friend. Did you know there was an underwater lost city of the dead in Miami called Neptune Memorial Reef? I didn’t either. But now you know. Thank you, Atlas Obscura. Go visit the site. Discover obscure places. Share your own. Thank me later.
