1

Seattle Underground City

Did you know the remnants of Seattle's original streets are still accessible? Beneath the bustling streets of modern-day Seattle lies the Underground City , a network of subterranean passageways that formed the ground level in the 1800s.

By the end of the 19th century, after the Great Seattle Fire, it was decided to rebuild the city at a higher elevation to combat frequent flooding . So, these original streets, sidewalks, and storefronts were buried, and with it, much of their history.

Guided tours take people through tunnels and ladders and retell real and eerie stories about the history of the Underground City.

2

Luray Caverns

Image: Robert Thiemann

Have you ever heard of the underground Stalacpipe Organ ? Not only is it a one-of-a-kind interaction between keyboards and cavern stalactites, but it is also the largest musical instrument in the world, according to Guinness World Records.

This instrument lives in the Luray Caverns, Virginia. It consists of an electric console that taps on these ancient stalactites of varying sizes to produce musical tones. A subterranean wonder, these caverns are also known for their extraordinary size , housing towering stalactites and stalagmites, mirrored pools, and delicate drapery-like calcite formations.

3

The Underground Gardens of Baldassare Forestiere

Image: Adrian Botica

This stunning subterranean retreat was built entirely by hand. Tucked under the sun-scorched landscape of Fresno, California, lie the Underground Gardens of Baldassare Forestiere . They are the life’s work of Baldassare Forestiere, a Sicilian immigrant who started digging in the early 1900s to escape the Central Valley's oppressive heat.

Over 40 years, drawing inspiration from ancient Roman catacombs , Forestiere carved an elaborate network of underground rooms, passageways, grottoes, and courtyards that span 10 acres.

A unique masterpiece, the gardens are open with guided tours that lead guests through beautifully designed spaces featuring skylights, arches, and alcoves. This oasis also boasts an array of fruit trees, including citrus, figs, and olives.

4

Ruby Falls

Image: Goodfreephotos_com

Colorful and breathtaking, the Ruby Falls is a geological wonder located inside Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Hidden over 1,000 feet below the mountain's surface, this waterfall cascades 145 feet into a pool , making it one of the tallest underground waterfalls open to the public.

Visitors enter the mountain and descend via elevator. Then, they walk through stunning cave formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. At the waterfall chamber, multicolored lights –powered by renewable energy– illuminate the falls. Lantern-lit tours are also offered as a chance to visit the marvel with a different charm.

5

The Catacombs of Green-Wood Cemetery

Image: Joy Ernst

Arched tunnels of tranquil, sacred vaults lie beneath the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Built in the mid-19th century, these catacombs were designed as a prestigious resting place for the city’s elite , prominent families.

While the catacombs are typically closed to the public, special events are sometimes organized to welcome visitors, such as art expositions, guided history tours, and candlelit tours seasoned with live music and storytelling.

Outside, where the sun does reach, await the serene landscapes and remarkable monuments of the cemetery, which is itself a National Historic Landmark .

6

The Lost Sea

Image: Roberto Nickson

The largest underground lake in America is in Tennessee. Hidden within the Craighead Caverns in Sweetwater, this enormous body of water lies in a cave system filled with fascinating formations, such as stalactites, stalagmites, and rare anthodites, also known as "cave flowers."

A National Natural Landmark, this lake marvels scientists, who are yet unaware of the exact extension of its waters. Those who visit can embark on a boat ride called "The Lost Sea Adventure," first walking inside the cavern before reaching a boat to navigate these ethereal sights.

7

Mammoth Cave National Park

Image: Sherin Jacob

The Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the longest cave system in the world . Located in central Kentucky, it extends over 420 miles of explored passages and many more likely undiscovered. Enormous chambers, underground rivers, a labyrinth of tunnels, and gypsum crystal formations can all be found at this site.

The park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. It also includes over 52,000 acres of protected land on the surface, renowned for its lush forests and diverse wildlife.

8

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Image: Cason Asher

A large bat colony lives in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, but that’s not its only charm. The park boasts over 100 caves, with its centerpiece being the immense Carlsbad Cavern.

The cavern includes the Big Room, one of the largest underground chambers in North America, spanning 8.2 acres. Visitors can descend via an emblematic natural entrance or by elevator, dropping 750 feet underground. Stalactite formations like the Giant Dome, the Hall of the White Giant, and the Chandelier are some of the caves' breathtaking highlights.

9

Indian Echo Caverns

Image: Magda Ehlers

The Indian Echo Caverns, which have been open to the public since the early 1920s, are carved into the limestone of the Appalachian Mountains. Located near Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, this site gets its name from the echoes heard within the cavern’s chambers , which were once believed to be mystical by Native American people in the area.

Unique, immersive sections of the caverns have names like the "Crystal Palace," the "Echo Room," and the "Wedding Room," where, yes, real weddings are sometimes held!

10

Wind Cave National Park

Image: Francesco Ungaro

Wind Cave National Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is one of the world’s largest caves, but that’s not what it’s most famous for. One signature sight here is the boxwork formation , a rare lattice-like pattern formed by calcite deposits.

The cave system stretches for over 140 miles, though much of it remains unexplored. Popular tours take guests through captivating features like the "Ribbon Room" and the "Crystal Palace."

Why is Wind Cave called that? Mainly due to the "wind" phenomenon that occurs at its entrance. The cave's air pressure causes the entrance to draw in or expel air, depending on atmospheric conditions.

1

Elvis & Priscilla

Image: pasja1000

Elvis (2022) is an original script based on the life of Elvis Presley, directed by Baz Luhrmann, starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks. On the other hand, Priscilla (2023) is based on the autobiography Elvis and Me, written by Priscilla Presley and directed by Sofia Coppola.

Although based on the life of the same public figure, the two films have their unique tone, extremely distinct executions, and different goals in mind. While Elvis focuses on the King of Rock and Roll himself and covers a lot more ground, Priscilla is much more intimate and has his wife and her experience at the center of the plot.

2

Top Gun & Iron Eagle

Image: LCdr. David Baranek, U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

You've almost certainly seen Top Gun at some point. The 1986 hit that launched a young Tom Cruise to stardom as naval aviator Pete "Maverick" Mitchell was the highest-grossing title of that year, even though it was not only competing with a very similar film but wasn't even the first to be released.

Four months earlier, Iron Eagle , the story of brave fighter pilots battling in the skies, had been premiered. Although the Jason Gedrick-starring film had three sequels, none came close to the $1 billion mark that Top Gun grossed.

3

The Truman Show & EDtv

Image: Nathy dog

The Truman Show (1998) and EDtv (1999), both about a man whose life is filmed 24 hours a day for a TV show, were inspired by the then-emerging reality television.

While Truman is unaware that his life has been broadcast since he was a baby, Ed Pekurny is fully willing to air his daily life on TV —at least at first. Perhaps that lack of mystery, combined with a premiere just a few months after The Truman Show , meant that EDtv couldn't win over the audience. Would it be more popular if it had premiered earlier? Maybe, but it's hard to deny that The Truman Show is a masterpiece that will go down in cinema history.

4

Capote & Infamous

Image: Eric Koch for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Truman Capote was a seminal writer in American literature. His life is full of exciting stories, so it's not surprising that his biography inspired several movies and TV series. Yet, in the case of Capote (2005) and Infamous (2006), this happened almost simultaneously.

Even more unusual, both films chose to tell the author's process that led him to interview the killers of the Clutter family and that would later become his most successful work, In Cold Blood . Capote stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toby Jones gives an excellent performance in Infamous . Which was your favorite?

5

Deep Impact & Armageddon

Image: Javier Miranda

In the summer of 1998, Deep Impact hit the cinemas, and just a few months later, Armageddon was released. Since both movies have similar plots —basically a comet or asteroid threatens to destroy the Earth—we can focus on which one had the better cast. On one side, you have Robert Duvall, Elijah Wood, Tia Leone, and Morgan Freeman. On the other, Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Billy Bob Thornton, Steve Buscemi, and Liv Tyler team up to save the world.

Looking at the box office returns, however, it's clear which one reigned supreme. Armageddon became the highest-grossing film that year, even though it received mostly negative reviews and was criticized for its scientific inaccuracies. All that said, Armageddon and Deep Impact are the pairing to go with if you're ever in the mood for a double feature.

6

Saving Private Ryan & The Thin Red Line

Image: Chief Photographer's Mate (CPHOM) Robert F. Sargent, U.S. Coast Guard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1998, Saving Private Ryan was one of the defining films of the year and captivated audiences with its heart-wrenching story and realistic portrayal of World War II. Shortly after making a fortune at the box office and scoring 11 Oscar nominations, The Thin Red Line hit the cinemas.

Both films feature similar themes and setups, but while Steven Spielberg’s take is a bit commercial and has a more straightforward narrative, the nearly three-hour-long version of Terrence Malick is more on the artistic side. That said, and despite the unfortunate coincidence, both movies are worth seeing if you like crude, realistic depictions of war.

7

The Prestige & The Illusionist

Image: jasper benning

For some reason, magic, a centuries-old form of entertainment, had its revival at the beginning of the 21st century thanks to cinema. While The Illusionist (2006) tells the story of Eisenheim, a Viennese magician who must confront Prince Leopold to avoid being discredited, The Prestige (2006) focuses on two rival magicians competing to win over late 19th-century London audiences. The two films, though different in style and tone, are excellent for any magic enthusiast.

8

Churchill & Darkest Hour

Image: Barthelemy de Mazenod

England's most famous Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, is one of the most revered leaders of World War II. Proof of that are the biographical films Churchill and Darkest Hour , released in 2017. Although both follow the same historical figure, they are very different in style, tone, and setting.

Churchill , starring Brian Cox, focuses on the last period of his wartime career, before the Normandy invasion. Released later but set earlier in time, Darkest Hour portrays Winston Churchill, played by Gary Oldman, as he holds the fate of Western Europe at the beginning of the war. The latter film turned out to be the more successful of the two, even winning an Academy Award for best actor.

9

K-9 & Turner and Hooch

Image: Martin Podsiad

In 1989, there were not one but two films that portrayed police officers teaming up with a dog to fight crime. The first was K-9 , starring Jim Belushi as the angry police detective Michael Dooley. Instead of taking a human partner, Dooley decides to get a German Shepherd named Jerry Lee. From there, all kinds of antics ensue.

Just a few months later, Tom Hanks played a meticulous police investigator who's forced to take a troublesome dog who's the only witness to a horrible crime in Turner and Hooch . Obviously, a lot of the humor from both of these movies stems from the erratic behaviors of their titular canines. So, if you are into dog jokes, then you'll probably find something to like here.

10

No Strings Attached & Friends with Benefits

Image: cottonbro studio

In 2011, two romantic comedies were released centered around the idea of friends casually hooking up to end up realizing they were in love. No Strings Attached had Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher in the leading roles, while Friends with Benefits starred Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake.

Although they are practically the same movie, they had some success. Both of them made about 150 million at the box office. However, if you have a problem telling them apart, don't worry, you are not alone!

1

Compression packing cubes

These zippered fabric cubes let you sort your clothes by category—shirts in one, pants in another, underwear in a third—and then compress them down by squeezing out excess air. They keep everything tidy and surprisingly compact . Most come in sets of different sizes, so you can mix and match depending on what you're packing.

Imagine you're flying to visit family for a long weekend but want to avoid checking a bag. Without packing cubes, that's a puzzle. With them, you'd be amazed what fits into a carry-on.

2

Portable luggage scale

This little handheld device hooks onto your bag's handle and gives you an instant weight reading. It costs about $10and weighs almost nothing itself. Use it the night before your flight, and you'll never get blindsided by an excess baggage fee of $50 (or more) again.

Picture this: you've spent a week in Florida and picked up a few things for the house. You think your bag is fine. The airline disagrees—to the tune of $75. A luggage scale would have caught that before you ever left the hotel room, giving you time to rearrange or ship something home instead.

3

Doorstop alarm

This wedge-shaped gadget slides under your hotel room door and sounds a piercing alarm if someone tries to push it open. It's a simple, inexpensive way to add a layer of security that the hotel deadbolt alone doesn't always provide. It fits in the palm of your hand and weighs almost nothing.

If you're traveling solo or in an unfamiliar area, peace of mind matters . Prop one of these under your door at night, and you'll sleep a lot better, knowing that if anyone tries to come in uninvited, the whole hallway is going to know about it.

4

Foldable tote bag

A lightweight tote bag that folds into a tiny pouch is one of those things you'll reach for constantly once you have it . Use it as an overflow bag on the way home when your suitcase is full of souvenirs, or as a beach bag, a grocery bag, or a day-trip bag when you don't want to lug your whole luggage around.

Say you're on a cruise with a port stop in a charming little town. You want to browse the market and pick up some local olive oil and pottery. You didn't plan for that. But if you've got a foldable tote tucked in your bag, you won’t have to scramble for a bag at the gift shop.

5

Travel clothesline

This is a simple elastic or bungee-style cord that stretches between two points—a towel bar, a bedpost, a shower curtain rod—so you can hang hand-washed clothes to dry overnight. No suction cups, no hardware, nothing complicated.

If you're on a two-week trip and trying to pack light, being able to wash a few things in the sink and hang them up makes a real difference . Woke up in Rome and realized you need your shirt for the following day? Wash it, and it will be dry by morning.

6

Universal travel adapter

Different countries use different outlet shapes and voltages. A universal adapter handles all of it— Europe, Asia, South America, the UK—in one compact device . Most modern ones also have built-in USB ports, so you can charge your phone directly without needing a separate plug.

You've landed in London, and your phone is at 8%. Your American charger is useless in a British outlet. One universal adapter, and that problem will never exist again. It's a one-time, ten-dollar fix for something that can otherwise ruin a morning.

7

RFID-blocking pouch

Modern credit cards and passports have chips in them that can, in theory, be scanned wirelessly by someone nearby. An RFID-blocking pouch or wallet liner prevents that from happening by creating a simple signal-blocking barrier around your cards .

Crowded airports, busy subway stations, tourist hotspots; these are exactly the environments where electronic pickpocketing is a concern. Slipping your passport and cards into an RFID pouch takes two seconds and gives you one less thing to worry about in a busy place.

8

Portable hard drive

A compact external hard drive is no bigger than a deck of cards and lets you back up your photos and documents while you're still on the road. You don't need Wi-Fi, you don't need cloud storage, and you don't need to worry about your phone running out of space at the worst possible moment.

Imagine you've spent eight days photographing the national parks out West. You have thousands of pictures and irreplaceable memories, but your phone gets lost or stolen on day nine. Without a backup, those photos are simply gone. With a portable hard drive, you plug in each night, transfer the day's shots, and travel with the peace of mind that your memories exist in more than one place .

9

Compact extension cord with USB ports

Hotel rooms have a frustrating habit of putting their one or two outlets in the least convenient spots: behind the bed, across the room from the desk, nowhere near where you actually sit. A compact extension cord with built-in USB ports solves this instantly. You plug it into whatever outlet exists, and suddenly you've got four or five charging options right where you need them .

Picture arriving at your room after a long travel day with a dead phone, a tablet that needs charging, and a CPAP machine to plug in before bed. One outlet, three needs. A compact extension cord turns that into a non-issue in about ten seconds, and it takes up barely any space in your bag.

10

Collapsible water bottle

When it's empty, a collapsible silicone water bottle folds flat, thin enough to slip into a jacket pocket . When you need it, it expands and holds a full 20 ounces or more. It's TSA-friendly when empty, and you can fill it right after security.

Staying hydrated on a long travel day matters more than most people realize, especially if you're dealing with heat, walking a lot, or spending hours in dry airplane air.