Our world is full of weird places. Some are both weird and beautiful. Some are weirdly beautiful, like something that should be ugly but somehow isn’t. Others are just plain weird. Most of these weird places aren’t worth much more than a mention. However, some of them are absolutely worth seeing. Here are 15 of them.
1. The Nazca Lines– Peru
In the desert of southern Peru, there are huge lines and figures etched into the landscape. They were created by ancient inhabitants (some say aliens), and no one knows their purpose. You can see some of them from a viewing tower, but the best way is to charter a flight.
2. Greater Green River Intergalactic Spaceport– Wyoming, U.S.A.
If you’re from Jupiter, you’re in luck because this place is for you! NASA determined that space fragments would crash into Jupiter in 1994, so the people of Green River constructed this airstrip as a safe place for fleeing Jupiterians to land. Not a joke!
3. Island of Dolls– Mexico
People who find dolls creepy might want to skip this destination. Here, thousands of mutilated dolls hang from trees and lie in bushes. Legend has it that a local recluse created this sanctuary to help the ghost of a drowned girl find peace.
4. The Catacombs of Paris– France
Under the streets of Paris are miles of tunnels lined with skulls and bones. Cemeteries could no longer contain all the dead by the 1600s, and the stench of decaying corpses was a public health problem. Transferring the remains of some 7 million bodies to the catacombs took 12 years.
5. Fly Geyser– Nevada, U.S.A.
In the Black Rock Desert, locals dug deep in search of water. They found it, but it was boiling hot and unusable, so they abandoned it. Over the years since, mineral deposits have built up, and algae adapted for surviving such conditions have painted the deposits in vibrant colors.
6. Giant’s Causeway– Ireland
There are places where basalt columns have hexagonal bases and are interlocking. In Northern Ireland, about 40,000 hexagonal “stepping stones” lead to pillars rising from the sea. Legends hold that a powerful giant built this landscape in an effort to create a path to Scotland.
7. Socotra Island– Yemen
The trees and plants here look like something out of a storybook or fairy tale, and they have to be seen to be believed. Some maintain this was the site of the original Garden of Eden or the inspiration for the idea.
8. Akodessewa Fetish Market– Togo
Do you need to stock up on shrunken heads, animal skulls, and other strange items for voodoo rituals? If you do, you’ll be a satisfied shopper at this market in Western Africa.
9. The Republic of Molossia– Nevada, U.S.A.
Founded in 1999 by His Excellency Kevin Baugh, this micronation occupies 6.3 square acres in the Nevada desert. Tourists are welcome in this “nation” of 30 people and four dogs that has its own currency, space program, and time zone.
10. Thor’s Well– Oregon, U.S.A.
At the edge of the Oregon coast is a huge sinkhole that never fills all the way despite being surrounded by the sea. During high tide, water comes in from beneath and then bursts forth with high intensity.
11. Lake Natron– Tanzania
One of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, this lake also reaches temperatures up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Most species would quickly die in these waters, but the lake is home to halophiles, microorganisms that produce pigments that give the lake its red color.
12. Eternal Flame Falls– New York, U.S.A.
Erie County is home to a waterfall that has a cave at its base. That’s not so unusual, but what distinguishes this site is that there’s always a flame burning inside the cave. It’s the result of carbon molecules emitting natural gas as they break down. Heat from rocks that are close to the boiling temperature for water then ignites the gas.
13. Roopkund– India
Also known as Skeleton Lake, Roopkund is a frozen lake high in the Himalayas and filled with hundreds of human remains. The people there died from blows to their heads, but no one knows why or how. Some research points to hail, but other research suggests two separate death events.
14. Avanos Hair Museum– Turkey
The lady friend of a potter moved away and left him a lock of her hair to remember her by. Touched by the sentiment, women passing the shop began leaving their own locks. Today, this museum has locks of hair from more than 16,000 women from around the world.
15. Lake Hillier– Australia
Colorful algae and bacteria give the waters of this lake close to the ocean a pink color. You can appreciate the scene from the shores, but it’s better from the air due to the contrast with the intensely blue sea waters so close by.
The World’s Most Beautiful Mountain Ranges
For as long as humans have existed, mountains have inspired and daunted us. They’re the basis for countless legends, and although they can be deadly, have an irresistible pull on us, drawing millions of sightseers, hikers, climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts every year. Making a definitive list of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world is subjective, but the ones here are certainly strong contenders.
Lagoons at Ko Olina: Best Beach on Oahu For Families
Visiting the lagoons at Ko Olina was one of our favorite things about our vacation in Oahu. If you’re considering whether or not to spend time there, I’m here to give you the rundown on why I think you absolutely should!
Maybe.
Although we absolutely loved the lagoons at Ko Olina, there’s a specific reason why. Read on and I’ll explain why while answering all your questions.
Then you can decide if visiting the most popular lagoons in Oahu is what you want to do, too.
Best Place to See the Grand Canyon Sunrise at South Rim
If you’re wondering where the best place to see the Grand Canyon sunrise at South Rim is, you’re not alone. With more than six million visitors to the national park each year, there are plenty of people trying to find the best place to see the show.
And what a show it is! Mother Nature does not disappoint. It was easily one of the most memorable sunrises we’ve ever seen! There are some things you should know before you go, though, and we’ll do our best to answer all your questions for you.
Best Cities to Vacation in That Don’t Require Renting a Car
When planning a vacation, there’s enough to worry about without stressing over renting a car, where to park it, and whether you can afford the extra insurance. What if you simply choose a location designed for people without cars and skip the rental car altogether? You could plan on walking, rent an e-Bike, or Uber when the occasion calls for it. It will still be cheaper than renting a car. Here are some of the absolute best cities for vacationing without getting behind the wheel.
Step Into the Past: 10 American Ghost Towns to Explore
America may not have a history as old as other countries, but we do have our share of ghost towns. Around 3,800 of them, according to a recent report by the New York Times. From the largest ghost town in Jerome, Arizona, to quirky ghost towns like Calico, California, here are ten of the most well-known in America.
Featured Image: Pirate doll decorated in old town in Koh Kred island, Nonthabur, Thailand
Credit: Blanscape/Shutterstock
Robert Sihler is an educator, freelance writer, and rock climbing guide and instructor living with his family in Driftwood, Texas. In his spare time, he enjoys reading fiction, streaming films, completing crossword puzzles, and rock climbing. When he goes on vacation, he likes to visit the mountains of the West and climb remote, obscure peaks that have seen few or no prior ascents.