Atlas Obscura - Places Newsletter

The newspaper that scooped American independence

07-04-2024

Plus, some unusual hot dogs to spice up your summer barbecues and more.
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	July 04, 2024

Gastro Obscura Lists

17 Places for Hot Dog-Lovers

Here’s a stunning fact: Americans eat some 7 billion of them between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. What makes a hot dog so appealing? Why, their accessibility, of course—but if you’re seeking a twist on the classic hot dog, there are plenty of weenies worth the journey. Might we suggest Reykjavik?

The Newspaper That Scooped American Independence

On the day Americans now celebrate as Independence Day, Heinrich Miller, a 50-year veteran of the newspaper business and publisher of Heinrich Miller’s Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote, learned that Congress had drafted and signed an official declaration renouncing British rule and naming the 13 independent sovereign states a new country. On July 5, 1776, the Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote was the first—and only— publisher to report the big news.

Lewes, Delaware

Sussex Tavern at Rabbit’s Ferry House

Welcome to Lewes, the first town in the first state in the United States. With historical ties like that, it’s only right that the Lewes Historical Society celebrates in style. On the first Friday of each month, Rabbit’s Ferry House, on the LHS’s Shipcarpenter Street campus hosts a drinking experience fit for a Founding Father.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Behold Iceland’s Winter Majesty

Join us for an 8-day journey through Iceland, tracing ancient legends and marveling at its most spectacular sights along the way. From visiting magical, glacier-capped stratovolcanoes to warming up with geothermal baked bread, Iceland’s wonders are everywhere in winter, glittering for the curious explorer to see.

Book Your Spot Now →

Tips For the Outdoors

How To Whip Up Pad Thai In the Wild

For backpackers, the goal is to keep bags as light as possible. This means packing foods with low weights and high calorie counts—but it doesn’t mean sacrificing delicious meals. Here are some tips on how to dehydrate food for travel, so that you too can enjoy the delectable taste of pad thai, angel food cake, turkey tacos, and other meals in the wild.

Spain's Oldest Postbox

On an exterior brick wall of an old home, you can find a plaque and a small slit, marking the oldest working letterbox in Spain. The stone mailbox was installed in 1793, and is accompanied by an inscription indicating its 18th-century origins. It is still used today by the inhabitants of Mayorga.

Sponsored by Enjoy Illinois

Pomona Natural Bridge

A natural wonder, this sandstone bridge spans 90 feet across a rocky ravine in the Shawnee National Forest. After a breezy hike past beautiful creeks, mossy walls, and caves, this natural bridge is easily accessible. However, be careful when crossing because it's only 8 feet wide at its widest point.

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Barbecue Entries

6 Historical Burgers

From a Prohibition-era speakeasy that still slings bitters-filled patties to a roadside stand that’s carrying on a century-old tradition of steaming burgers, American history is filled with unusual burgers born of unusual times. For anyone looking to mix things up at their July Fourth barbecue, here are six unique burgers that come with flavor and history.

Xerri’s Grotto

In 1924, Anthony Xerri was digging a well behind his home when he broke into a small set of chambers with multiple stalactites and stalagmites but also filled with other rock debris. Xerri and his sons built a spiral staircase into the cave, turning it into a tourist attraction. Even today, Xerri’s descendants continue to conduct tours of the cave.

The definitive guide to the world's hidden wonders.

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