American Places — EXPLORE THE ATTIC

Like citadels against modernity, 19 shacks stand on the edge of America. Can they survive?

American PlacesThe AtticNovember 30, 2023Dune shacks, Peaked Hill bar, Provincetown, Cape Cod, Dune shacks of Peaked Hill Bar, Dune Shacks of Provincetown Comments

DEEP DOWN IN CARLSBAD CAVERNS

A century after becoming famous, America’s biggest hole in the ground has yet to touch bottom.

American PlacesThe AtticOctober 20, 2023Carlsbad Caverns, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico travel, Southwest travel, Jim White Comment

CHUGGING THROUGH THE PAST

The Attic rides Colorado’s narrow gauge RR through mountains and magic.

American Places, WONDERSThe AtticSeptember 2, 2023Narrow gauge railroad, Denver and Rio Grande, Durango, Colorado, Silverton Colorado, Railroad history, Historic railroadsComment

DOWN THE OFF-BEATEN PATH

Tired of traditional travel? Wander the world’s weirdness with Atlas Obscura.

American PlacesBruce WatsonAugust 10, 2023Atlas Obscura, Travel, Vagabonds, Gastro Obscura, Joshua Foer, travel websites, travellogues, travel blogs Comment

AMERICA'S FIRST PLAYGROUND

Before Disney, before Six Flags, the capital of fun was Coney Island.

American PlacesThe AtticAugust 2, 2023Coney Island, George Tilyou, Luna Park, Steeplechase Park, Brooklyn, Amusement parksComment

TAKE THE WORLD OUT TO THE RODEO

This was, in fact, their first rodeo. And when 20 teachers from 20 countries cheered cowboys and cowgirls, new trails were blazed.

American PlacesThe AtticJuly 13, 2023rodeo, Cross-cultural, Western history, American West, Oakley Rodeo Comments

TAKE THE WORLD OUT TO THE BALLGAME

When 20 teachers from 20 countries went to a baseball game, the rules didn’t matter. Play ball!

American PlacesThe AtticJuly 5, 2023baseball, Americana, International, Cross-cultural Comments

VIEQUES RISING

Twenty years ago, after decades of protest, this Puerto Rican island ejected the U.S. Navy and restored peace. And paradise perhaps.

American PlacesThe AtticApril 20, 2023Vieques, Puerto Rico, Vieques Puerto Rico Comments

THE CATHEDRAL OF BASEBALL

In April 1923, the national pastime welcomed a stadium, a legend, and the first field of dreams.

American PlacesThe AtticMarch 30, 2023Yankee Stadium, Babe Ruth, New York Yankees, Old Yankee Stadium, The House that Ruth Built Comments

THAR SHE DOESN'T BLOW -- YET

Ahoy, mates, all hands on deck for the Moby Dick Marathon! Bring sleeping bag and chowdah!

American Places, BOOK-ISHBruce WatsonJanuary 12, 2023Moby Dick, Herman Melville, Moby Dick Marathon, New Bedford, New Bedford Massachusetts Comments

HARPER'S FERRY -- HISTORY'S PERFECT FRAME

Two rivers and three states converge to make Harpers Ferry astonishing. But John Brown also made it historic.

American PlacesThe AtticAugust 25, 2022Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Civil War, John Brown, American history Comment

WHERE TOM AND HUCK WERE BORN

Mark Twain roamed the world, but came home to an astonishing house. “There ought to be a room in this house to swear in.”

American Places, Arts &, BOOK-ISHThe AtticAugust 24, 2022Mark Twain, Mark Twain Homestead, Huckleberry Finn, Writers' homes in America, Hartford, Hartford Connecticut, Samuel Clemens Comment

THE STEAMER, "THE SHINING," AND THE STANLEY HOTEL

F.O. Stanley needed a place to die. Stephen King needed a plot. Together they haunt the Stanley Hotel. (As seen in “The Shining.”)

American Places, ATTIC AT THE MOVIESThe AtticAugust 18, 2022Stanley Hotel, Steven King, Stephen King, The Shining, Colorado Comments

DARK SKIES OVER DRIPPIN’

As Texas grows and glows, Hill Country towns are dimming the lights and saving the night sky.

American PlacesThe AtticAugust 16, 2022Dark Skies, Dripping Springs Comments

RIDING THE MIRACLE RAILS -- "NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD"

The Attic journeys over the Sierras on the trackbeds of America’s epic Transcontinental Railroad.

American Places, BUILDERSThe AtticAugust 11, 2022Transcontinental Railroad, Amtrak, Trains, Train rides, Sierra Nevadas Comments

ART + INDUSTRY + INNOVATION = MASS MOCA

Turning an old factory into a cutting-edge art museum was just the start of Mass MoCA’s magic.

American Places, ART-ISHThe AtticAugust 5, 2022Mass MoCA, Contemporary Art, Art museums Comment