America Obscura: A Travel Guide and Curated Soundtrack
Explore hidden American landmarks paired with a custom, location-specific musical playlist.
1New Guidebook Released
The new book, America Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States, has officially launched. It highlights unique, lesser-known locations across the country, ranging from eccentric statues to historical oddities. The guide encourages readers to visit these real, tangible sites that define the diverse and quirky American landscape.
2Curated Musical Companion
To complement the travel experience, the authors created a comprehensive soundtrack where every song is tied to a specific location mentioned in the book. Whether traveling by car, train, or plane, readers can stream this curated playlist on Spotify. Each track aims to capture the unique atmosphere of its corresponding destination.
3West Coast Highlights
The playlist features iconic tracks like Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit for the Institute of Illegal Images in San Francisco. It also includes John Cage’s 4'33 for Olympic National Park’s One Square Inch of Silence. These selections bridge the gap between regional history and the cultural resonance of the music associated with them.
4Southwest and Texas Sites
In the Southwest, the guide points to the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City and the National Museum of Nuclear Science in Albuquerque. Texas entries include the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo and the Congress Bridge Bats in Austin. Each location is paired with tracks like Blondie’s Atomic or Bruce Springsteen’s Cadillac Ranch.
5Mountain West Wonders
The Mountain West section covers diverse spots like the International Church of Cannabis in Denver and the I.B. Perrine Bridge in Idaho. The playlist incorporates songs such as John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High and The Police’s Walking on the Moon. These tracks reflect the specific character of these unique western landscapes.
6Great Plains Landmarks
The Great Plains chapter explores sites like the Big Well in Greensburg and the KVLY-TV Mast in North Dakota. Musical pairings include The Buggles’ Video Killed the Radio Star and Willie Nelson’s On the Road Again. These selections highlight the vast scale and historical significance of the region’s most unusual structures.
7Midwest Cultural Oddities
Midwest locations range from the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois, to the Sputnik IV crash site in Wisconsin. The playlist features tracks like AC/DC’s Highway to Hell for the town of Hell, Michigan. These pairings emphasize the playful and often surreal nature of the landmarks found throughout the American heartland.
8Mid-Atlantic Historical Sites
The Mid-Atlantic section includes the National Cryptologic Museum in Maryland and the site of the 1916 shark attacks in New Jersey. Musical choices include John Williams’ Jaws theme and Barrett Strong’s Money. These tracks provide a thematic backdrop to the complex history and cultural stories embedded within these specific eastern locations.
9Northeast Regional Curiosities
Northeast entries feature sites like the Desert of Maine and Mystery Hill in New Hampshire. The playlist includes tracks such as Olivia Rodrigo’s traitor for the Benedict Arnold burning and R.E.M.’s It’s the End of the World. These songs mirror the eccentric and historical nature of the region’s most curious attractions.
10Southeast and Florida Gems
The Southeast chapter highlights the LIGO Livingston Observatory in Louisiana and the Trap Music Museum in Atlanta. Florida entries include the Fountain of Youth and Weeki Wachee. The playlist features songs like Elton John’s Rocket Man and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, connecting the region’s vibrant culture to its most famous landmarks.
11Territories and Final Thoughts
The guide concludes with locations in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico, such as Point Udall. The playlist ends with The Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun. This project serves as a unique intersection of travel literature and music, offering a thematic, auditory journey through the hidden and fascinating corners of America.
Original article: Atlas Obscura — America Obscura: A Travel Guide and Curated Soundtrack