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15 Astonishing Things You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Do in the U.S.

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The U.S. has many world-famous attractions, but beyond the typical tourist spots, there are so many experiences that few even know are in existence. From thrill seekers to history buffs to those just looking for something off the beaten path, there is a never-ending list of extraordinary destinations to explore.

So many of these hidden gems can be found in small towns, forgotten museums, and even the great outdoors. Some are quirky and lighthearted. Others are breathtaking and one-time only. These mind-boggling activities are proof that there’s more to the US than its world-famous landmarks. It’s a country of surprises, creativity, and adventure.

Explore Alabama’s Unclaimed Baggage Center

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Have you ever wondered what happens to luggage that never gets claimed at the airport? The Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama, breathes new life into lost luggage. From high-end fashion to rare gadgets, this massive store sells everything found in lost airline baggage. It’s kind of like a thrift store, estate sale, and a treasure hunt all rolled into one deal.

Experience Weightlessness in the Zero Gravity Flights

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Zero gravity flights allow those who have ever dreamed of floating in mid-air like an astronaut to make that fantasy a reality. With parabolic maneuvers, companies like Zero-G offer true weightlessness for brief periods of time. It’s like a sci-fi movie come true, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Go to the International Banana Museum in California

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There is a museum devoted entirely to Bananas in Mecca, California. There are more than 20,000 banana-related items. The International Banana Museum includes banana-shaped harmonicas, furniture, and even salt shakers that are banana-themed. Visitors will come away slightly baffled, and amused.

Dive Into the Depths With Shark Cage Diving

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There are few things that will get the heart going quite like coming face to face with a great white shark. Adventurers can swim off the coast of California in a sturdy underwater cage, and observe these magnificent creatures at close range. What a thrilling way to glimpse the world below: from the safety of a barrier behind reinforced bars.

Discover the Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas

Weirdly Wonderful U.S. Attractions
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All neon signs don’t last forever, but in Las Vegas, the Neon Boneyard showcases collections of retired signs from casinos and hotels that have become famous. It’s like walking back in time through this outdoor museum for a nostalgic look at what used to glitter about this city.

Attend a Drive-In Movie Theater

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Although streaming movies is the more popular option, drive-in movie theaters still provide a classic way to enjoy your night out. Big outdoor screens like the Bengies Drive-In Theatre in Maryland allow movie fans to enjoy films under the stars, from the comfort of a car. This is a retro experience that adds a bit of nostalgia to modern entertainment.

Take Part of a Cattle Drive in Wyoming

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Do you ever wish you could be a cowboy for a day? In Wyoming, ranches offer real cattle drives, giving people the chance to ride horses and drive cattle across open fields as far as the eye can see. It’s a rare chance to walk in the boots of the Old West and experience a life that helped build American history.

Go to the Museum of Bad Art in Massachusetts

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Masterpieces are typically celebrated at art museums, but in Somerville, Massachusetts, there’s a Museum of Bad Art dedicated to the opposite. These are the worst paintings and sculptures ever that prove that artistic passion can exist without talent. It’s a refreshingly fun take on the art world.

Visit Winchester Mystery House in California

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The Winchester Mystery House of San Jose, California is known across the world for its weird design and ghost stories. Sarah Winchester, the widow of the rifle magnate, built the mansion filled with stairs leading to nowhere, hidden doors, and mazy hallways. If you like a good mystery or a possible ghost sighting, it’s a must-see.

Walk Through the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah

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The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah look like something from another planet. The gorgeous, unbelievably harsh landscape of white salt crust stretches for miles. Also, famous for high-speed car racing on the smooth, endless surface, drivers try to break the land speed record on the flats.

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Visit Massachusetts’ Paper House

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In Rockport, Massachusetts, you’ll find the Paper House which was built in 1922 from thousands of layers of varnished newspapers, even the furniture is made of piles of newsprint. This is an example of creative, sustainable architecture, and it’s fascinating.

Explore House on the Rock in Wisconsin

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A mind-bending attraction found in Spring Green, Wisconsin, the House on the Rock features odd collections, swirling corridors, and a wacky design. Its most famous feature is an Infinity Room – a glass-walled walkway that appears to go on forever over a valley. It’s magical and slightly unsettling.

Check Out the Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard in Vermont

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Once you’re in Waterbury, Vermont, ice cream fans can visit the Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard, which gives tombstones and witty epitaphs to the flavors that died and were discontinued. “Peanut Butter and Jelly” and “Makin’ Whoopie Pie” flavors are gone, but not forgotten. The sweet nostalgia of such a store is a stop for dessert lovers.

See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Breathtaking Retreats for the Anti-Social Explorer
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It’s true you’ll need to travel to Iceland or Norway to see the Northern Lights, but Alaska offers some of the best views within the U.S. Starting in September and lasting through April, the night skies glow with swirling color in a natural display so beautiful it is hard to not feel like you’ve entered another world.

Go to the National Hollerin’ Contest in North Carolina

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In rural communities, people used hollering to communicate across great distances long before telephones. This forgotten skill is toasted at the National Hollerin’ Contest in Spivey’s Corner, North Carolina, where competitors crow out calls as loud as they can, heard for miles. It’s a quirky, fun tradition that keeps an old way of life going.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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