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Travel

Camel statues mark the Desert of Maine, which is actually not a true desert.

The Science of a Tourist Trap: What’s This Desert Doing in Maine?

Maine’s “most famous natural phenomenon” is also a reminder about responsible land use

The Capital Wheel has 1.6 million programmable LED lights.

Washington, D.C.

A New 180-foot Observation Wheel Opens Near Washington, D.C.

National Harbor’s newest attraction offers sweeping views of the Potomac River and an LED light show

The Thailand display at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Photos: Impressive Floral Displays Unveiled at the U.K.’s Most Prestigious Garden Show

Flower sculptures and elaborate themed gardens are on display at London’s annual Chelsea Flower Show

New Research

A 20,000-Plus Room Resort Threatens This UNESCO Site in Mexico

For twenty years, conservation efforts have protected the beach and its coral reef; a new development could harm them both

The crater measures almost 230 feet across.

This Hellish Desert Pit Has Been On Fire for More Than 50 Years

In the Turkmenistan desert, a crater dubbed “The Door to Hell” has been burning for decades

Riverbank of the Mississippi River as the dusk sun sets on a summer evening.

My Life as a Mississippi River Rat

A half century spent on, in, and around our most all-American body of water

Kayakers paddle along the roadway of the historic waterfront of Annapolis, following Hurricane Isabel. As much as four feet of water flooded the historic capital city.

Which of America’s Most Precious Historical Sites Are Threatened By Climate Change?

A new report warns that rising sea levels could destroy many of the nation’s important—and beloved—locations

The northernmost statue of Lenin.

A Soviet Ghost Town in the Arctic Circle, Pyramiden Stands Alone

This outpost in the high north looks much as it did when it was abandoned in 1998, providing visitors with a glimpse into Soviet-era life and culture

Cool Finds

Dracula’s Castle Is for Sale

Bran Castle can be yours for a rumored $80 million

In March 2012, shipwrights at the Mystic Seaport Museum replace planks in the hull of the Charles W. Morgan. The restoration of the ship required more than 50,000 board feet of live oak and other woods for framing, planking and other structural elements.

For the First Time in 93 Years, a 19th-Century Whaling Ship Sets Sail

Built in 1841, the Charles W. Morgan is plying the waters off New England this summer

Monks lead a candlelight procession around the ordination hall during Vesak celebrations in rural Nakhon Nayok, Thailand.

Photos: Vesak, Buddha’s Birthday, As Celebrated All Across Southeast Asia

One of the holiest Buddhist holidays, Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha

Tuberculosis Pavilion Lobby

Exploring New York City’s Abandoned Island, Where Nature Has Taken Over

Nestled in between the Bronx and Manhattan, North Brother Island once housed Typhoid Mary, but now is an astonishing look at a world without humans

Cool Finds

How to Make Hitchhiking Safe Again

A new system of background checks could make catching a ride safer and easier

Washington, D.C.

Last Call For Metro-North’s Bar Car!

The last bar cars left in America ride the rails for the last time tonight

Advertisement for a United stateroom trunk, 1911, with the familiar proportions of a modern suitcase.

The History of the Humble Suitcase

Modern luggage has been constantly reinvented during its short 120-year history

A view in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Cool Finds

An Expansive, Privately Funded Park in Patagonia Will Open to Visitors This Winter

This beautiful park—which foreign conversationists love—is putting wild animals and local gauchos at odds

Cool Finds

This Radio Station Broadcasts All Over the World, But Only at Breakfast Time

Global Breakfast Radio operates in every time zone on the planet

Trending Today

Stroll Along A Glass Walkway 918 Feet Above the Ground

Glacier Skyway is Jasper National Park’s newest attraction

Trending Today

Yosemite National Park Bans Drones

The Park says that the use of drones can disturb other visitors and wildlife

Santa Barbara Church, built in the late 16th century.

Cool Finds

Mompox Does Exist: A Town Captured by Garcia Marquez Isn’t Just a Dream

Once a center of commerce, Mompox is now an isolated city in Colombia

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