Art abounds in every major city around the world, but visitors don’t always need to visit art galleries and museums to find creative inspiration. Many alleyways, parking garages, building exteriors, streetboxes, and other liminal spaces in urban areas have been reinvigorated by street art, graffiti, and sculptures. And other, more unusual, places are following suit. From bathroom stalls to subway stations, these surprising places to see art will make your next city getaway one to remember.

Cisternerne – Frederiksberg, Denmark

The dark, cavernous tunnels of the Cisternerne once formed a subterranean reservoir that stored some 4 million gallons of water for Greater Copenhagen from 1859 to 1891. The reservoir, located beneath Frederiksberg Hill, was permanently closed due to contamination in 1933, but it earned new life as an art museum in 2001. 

The only indication of the Cisternerne’s presence below is the pair of modern glass pyramids that serve as entrance and exit points. Once you descend beneath the park, you’ll explore a fascinating world of contemporary art exhibits and immersive installations that are open to the public year-round. Even the air inside — consistently 47 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity near 100% — is unusual. The chambers are also not particularly well lit, so be sure to watch your step as you explore this unique collection.

Metro Station Murals – Stockholm, Sweden

Each of Stockholm’s 100 metro stations is a work of art, and together they form what many consider to be the longest art gallery in the world — 68 miles, to be exact. Since 1957, artists have illustrated and installed pieces through the underground tunnels, stairwells, and platforms, and even the city’s older stations have received a creative restoration. 

Some of the most striking stations include T-Centralen, adorned with blue flowers and vines painted by artist Per Olof Ultvedt, and Kungsträdgården, with walls featuring red, green, and white whimsical shapes painted by Ulrik Samuelson. The latter is lined with statue replicas of the exterior art at Makalös Palace, which burned down in 1875 and was converted into one of Stockholm’s most famous parks. 

Mmuseumm – New York, New York

Dedicated to exploring the modern world and the human condition, Mmuseumm in Tribeca may be the world’s only official art museum located in a former freight elevator shaft. Featuring shelves of curiosities, the 36-square-foot space is officially open Fridays to Sundays, but it is also accessible 24 hours a day via peepholes in the front door. The exhibits within Mmuseumm rotate seasonally, so New Yorkers and anyone visiting the Big Apple can obtain a new perspective with each repeat trip.

The Vaults – London, England

Beneath the Waterloo Tube station in London, a maze of former railway arches has become an immersive theater and alternative arts space. Known as the Vaults, the space includes the Leake Street graffiti tunnel, which was founded by the famous anonymous artist and political activist Banksy. Its large-scale works rotate often, and the tunnel has become one of the most popular places to experience the street art scene of Britain’s capital. 

Sammlung Boros – Berlin, Germany

Sammlung Boros in Berlin is a bit different from your typically opulent art gallery. It’s housed within a former Nazi bomb shelter erected in 1943 that also served as a prisoner-of-war camp after Germany fell to the Russian Red Army in 1945. However, the structure’s fortified walls don’t overshadow the impressive private collection owned by German entrepreneur Christian Boros. The space was converted into an exhibit to display his art in 2008, and the collection features works solely by international artists dating from 1990 to present-day. It is open to the public by appointment only.

Crypt Gallery – London, England

The former Crypt of London’s St. Pancras Parish Church once served as an air raid shelter during both world wars, but it has an entirely different purpose today. In 2002, the final resting place of 557 people was converted into a gallery space for contemporary 21st-century artists. The exhibit might seem spooky at times, but the contemplative works are sure to calm viewers who venture underground to wander these mesmerizing passageways. 

Bathrooms at John Michael Kohler Arts Center – Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Perhaps the last place you’d expect to see a work of art is behind a toilet, but at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, you’ll find just that. In the late 1990s, the art museum — known for its impressive collection of works from Wisconsin artists — commissioned six artists to transform its public restrooms into works of art. With tiled walls, carefully designed plumbingware, and other unique features, each stall showcases a creative and seamless blend of fine art and utilitarian design.

Lasco Project at Palais de Tokyo – Paris, France

As the largest contemporary art museum in Europe, the Palais de Tokyo holds many wonders within its walls, but the Lasco Project is perhaps one of the most riveting exhibits. Designed to showcase urban art in the form of graffiti and murals, the subterranean corridors are a nod to Paris’ eclectic art scene. Part of the exhibit is not even open to the general public and is for private viewing only. It contains pieces by renowned photographer and street artist JR and duo Os Gemeos, among other works.

Culture House – Washington, D.C.

Built in 1886, the Friendship Baptist Church in southwest Washington is one of D.C.’s oldest African American congregations. It received a colorful makeover by artist HENSE in 2013 and is now known as Culture House. A unique events venue with rotating contemporary exhibits, the former place of worship has become a beacon of creativity and community in this D.C. neighborhood.

Do you love hunting for vintage goods and antiques? You probably already know you often have to hit the road to find the best treasures, and luckily, there are dozens of annual yard sales to explore from coast to coast. Some of these shopping events even span multiple states, drawing thousands of antique hunters in search of one-of-a-kind items. And as an added benefit, you’ll be able to explore some of the country’s most charming small towns during your search. So, gather your cash and jump in the car to check out six of the best yard sales across the U.S.

127 Yard Sale – Alabama to Michigan

The world’s longest yard sale spans six states and covers 690 miles from Addison, Michigan, to Gadsden, Alabama. Taking place the first Thursday to Sunday of August each year, the event transforms stretches of rural highway into a haven of antiques and vintage treasures. The 172 Yard Sale isn’t just a shopping event — it’s a cultural and social phenomenon, drawing veteran vendors with fascinating stories and histories, as well as thousands of eager shoppers. To make the most of your shopping experience, pinpoint which regional items most appeal to you before you hit the road. Also consider planning your bargain hunting around other local tourist attractions to round out your visit once you’ve finished shopping.

100-Mile Yard Sale – Virginia 

On the first Saturday of July, Virginia hosts its highly anticipated 110-Mile Yard Sale, drawing enthusiastic crowds from across the region. Established in 2009, this sale has steadily gained popularity in the years since, extending beyond Route 360 to include neighboring towns. The result is a meandering route, so download a map to keep yourself on course. While the focus is on antiques and vintage treasures, vendors offer a diverse array of other goods for sale, too. 

Historic Highway 80 Sale – Georgia to Texas

Hundreds of vendors gather along historic U.S. Route 80 in this annual highway yard sale that runs across five states from Mesquite, Texas, to Savannah, Georgia. The East Texas Tourism Association has hosted the sale for 25 years running, and turnout in the Lone Star State is especially strong. Look for stalls set up in fields, churches, and parking lots along the route, and keep your eyes peeled for signs pointing to off-highway sales. Within the 400-mile stretch, you’ll find a host of antiques, collectibles, farm equipment, tools, houseware, furniture, toys, vintage goods, and other handmade crafts. The biannual event takes place during the third weekends of April and October.

301 Endless Yard Sale – North Carolina

North Carolina’s biggest annual yard sale covers a 100-mile stretch of U.S. Route 301. Hundreds of vendors flock to sell their antiques and vintage wares across five North Carolina counties, spanning from Weldon to Dunn. Held annually since 2013 on the third weekend in June, the 301 Endless Yard Sale is an ideal place to find vintage Americana goods, in addition to baby and children’s clothing and toys, antiques, collectibles, and crafts. The event was originally put together to promote travel, tourism, and economic development in many of the participating rural towns along U.S. Route 301. Today, the annual sale draws shoppers from around 20 states, while boosting hotel and restaurant sales all along the route. 

50-Mile Garage Sale – New York

Set in the picturesque Finger Lakes region of New York, the 50-Mile Garage Sale along U.S. Route 90 is the state’s largest yard sale. Held annually on the last weekend of July along the shores of Cayuga Lake, this event has been a local tradition since 1987, when founders Connie Reilly and Barbara Noden recognized the potential of uniting individual garage sales across New York state’s small towns into one coordinated event along Route 90. Today, the sale draws treasure hunters from California to Canada. A wide array of items, including antiques, handcrafted goods, household items, and even vehicles are all on offer.

Antique Alley – Indiana 

If your timing doesn’t align with the above garage sales, antique enthusiasts can always visit Antique Alley, Indiana’s year-round destination for vintage treasures. Two interlocking loop trails host hundreds of dealers offering their one-of-a-kind goods throughout the towns of Cambridge City, Centerville, and Richmond in Indiana, along with Lewisburg in Ohio. Cambridge City is considered the main hub of Antique Alley, with over a dozen antique vendors and several malls in a two-block radius, but visitors should follow the map to ensure they hit the shops they want. Expect to find handcrafted wood items, stained glass pieces, vintage clothing and furniture, glassware, and more. 

When conversations about road trips come up, famous journeys along the Pacific Coast Highway, Route 66, and Australia’s Great Ocean Road are often mentioned. But for an epic road trip adventure to beat all others, there’s really only one option: the Pan-American Highway. The world’s longest motorable road stretches for a whopping 19,000 miles across the Americas, starting in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina. Below, discover the fascinating history of the Pan-American Highway and the highlights you shouldn’t miss on your epic road trip.

The History of the Pan-American Highway

The concept for the Pan-American Highway dates back to the First International Conference of American States in 1889. At the event, U.S. officials put forward an idea to build a transcontinental railroad to provide closer transport links and facilitate trade between neighboring countries. However, nothing came of the proposal until it was reintroduced as a motorable road at the Fifth International Conference, held in Chile in 1923. The idea was eventually approved in Cuba in 1928, and the participating nations signed the Convention on the Pan-American Highway in 1937.

Rather than being one official continuous road, the Pan-American Highway is an interconnected network of national highways in 14 countries. Starting in Alaska, it crosses through Canada, the lower 48, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, before ending in Argentina’s southern Patagonia region. The first completed section was the 3,400-mile-long Inter-American Highway that connects Nuevo Larredo, Mexico, with Panama City, Panama. 

Since the highway’s inception, adventurous travelers have been lured by the opportunity to drive all the way from the Arctic Circle to the edge of Antarctica. While some take it slow, others take on the challenge of getting from the start to end in record-breaking times. In 2003, Tim Cahill and Garry Sowerby drove from south to north in 23 days, 22 hours, and 43 minutes. It is often cited as the record for the fastest trip by car. In 2018, Austrian cyclist Michael Strasser completed the journey on bicycle in 84 days, 11 hours, and 50 minutes — a Guinness World Record. Perhaps even more impressive is George Meegan, who walked the entire length from Ushuaia to Prudhoe Bay in a record 2,426 days.

Driving the Pan-American Highway Today

The beauty of traveling the Pan-American Highway is the ability to discover a huge variety of natural and urban landscapes along the way, along with myriad cultures, climates, and ecosystems. Among these many highlights are the glaciers and icefields of Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory, and major cities such as Albuquerque and Denver. Farther south, there are dramatic Andean peaks, verdant jungles, and the world’s driest nonpolar desert. The highway also passes through Quito, one of the world’s highest capitals.

An end-to-end road trip isn’t without its limitations, however. The Pan-American Highway terminates abruptly in Yaviza, in southern Panama, before picking up again 60 miles south in Turbo, Colombia. The space between these two locations is called the Darién Gap. It’s a region of difficult terrain — swampland and thick forested jungle — that is home to communities of Indigenous groups such as the Embera-Wounaan and Kuna peoples. There are no paved roads here, thus no vehicle access, and it’s also notorious for criminal gangs and smuggling. Instead, drivers have to ship their vehicle in a container and fly between Panama and Colombia. 

Those tackling the entire highway have one other water crossing to navigate: In southern Chile, it’s necessary to cross the Strait of Magellan, which separates the mainland from the island of Tierra del Fuego. Fortunately, it’s a short 30-minute crossing, and the ferries are vehicle-friendly. 

5 Must-See Highlights of the Highway

Whether you’re planning to cruise down a short portion of the Pan-American Highway or it’s on your bucket list to tackle the whole route, here are five stops you shouldn’t miss along your journey.

Whitehorse – Yukon Territory

After crossing the glacier and mountain-filled backcountry of Alaska, the highway enters the remote wilderness of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Whitehorse, the capital of the territory, offers insights into the daily lives of those who call these barren landscapes home. It was once an important stop during the 1898 Klondike gold rush, and legend states that the town got its name when prospectors mistook the rapids of Miles Canyon for horses. Paddle the Yukon River or follow the Yukon River Loop Trail to the decommissioned steamwheeler at the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site. Surrounding Whitehorse are 435 miles of hiking trails and more than 50 miles of cross-country ski trails. 

Cerro de la Muerte – Costa Rica

At almost 11,000 feet above sea level, the zigzagging mountain pass that climbs over Cerro de la Muerte (Hill of Death) marks the highest elevation on the Pan-American Highway. Nestled amid the Talamanca Mountain Range, it’s named after the perilous crossings that were once made on foot, which were often hindered by dramatic temperature changes and landslides. Driving the pass entails navigating steep curves and switchbacks, but along the way are a number of pullouts and viewpoints, where you can gaze over the jungle-clad Talamanca mountains toward the Pacific Ocean. The region is also rich in birdlife, notably emerald toucanets and quetzals.

Nazca Lines – Peru

In the desert lands of southwestern Peru, the highway passes one of South America’s most mysterious sites. The UNESCO-listed Nazca Lines are a collection of hundreds of giant geoglyphs that were etched into the sand sometime between 500 BCE and 500 CE. Measuring up to 985 feet in length, these geoglyphs depict everything from birds, flowers, and trees to a monkey and a fishermanlike figure. Who made them remains unknown, which only adds to their magical aura. One of the best ways to see them is from an observation tower located roughly 15 miles from the city of Nazca. Another way is to take a 35-minute scenic flight over 13 of the most important geoglyphs. 

Atacama Desert – Chile

From the Peruvian border, the highway continues into Chile and the Atacama Desert. Bounded by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, the desert sits at around 8,000 feet above sea level and is one of the driest places on Earth. Cruising through the 600 miles of this region involves long, lonely drives past ethereal, often inhospitable landscapes that resemble something from another planet. (In fact, NASA used the region for testing to replicate conditions on Mars.) Humberstone — a ghost town that was once a thriving saltpeter mining community — is now home to abandoned grocery stores, a hotel, and a theater that sit isolated beneath the scorching desert heat. Farther south, Chañaral is a gateway to penguin watching in Pan de Azucar National Park and surfing at Portofino Beach and Balneario Flamenco.

Ushuaia – Argentina

The journey on the longest road in the Americas reaches its terminus in Ushuaia, which proudly calls itself the Fin del Mundo (End of the World). Considered the world’s southernmost city, Ushauia sits on a hillside above the shores of the Beagle Channel at the bottom of Tierra del Fuego Province. It honors its extreme southerly location with a set of unique attractions such as the End of the World Train and Cerro Castor, the southernmost ski resort in the world. Visitors can also access nearby Patagonian forests and glacier lakes in Tierra del Fuego National Park and wildlife-spotting cruises on the Beagle Channel. Ushuaia is also a starting point for arduous sea voyages across the Drake Passage to Antarctica. 

How do you measure the peacefulness of a city? Is it a lack of traffic? An abundance of parks? An overall sense of safety? A recent study from the finance website Insider Monkey looked at a city’s tranquility based on two important factors above all else: low noise levels (those pesky city sounds contribute to stress, after all) and easy access to the outdoors (since being in nature is shown to reduce mental fatigue). Read on to see which cities promise peace of mind on your next visit with 10 of the most peaceful cities in the U.S.

Portland, Maine

Portland is not only one of New England’s most charming coastal cities but also one of the most peaceful cities in the country. Its picturesque location on Casco Bay — a quick two-hour drive from Boston — contributes to Portland’s tranquility, as do its numerous walking trails, bike paths, and beaches. Since Maine is home to a bevy of organic farms, farmers markets abound in the summertime, and fresh produce is available from local farms throughout the year. When the city’s population swells with visitors during the summer, the Casco Bay Island Ferry helps locals get out onto the water and away from Portland’s bustling waterfront.

Fort Collins, Colorado

Famous for its bike-friendly culture and local craft brews, Fort Collins is located 60 miles north of Denver. With 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes and 50 miles of marked bike routes, many of the city’s 170,000 residents choose to travel on two wheels, which may contribute to the low noise levels in Fort Collins. In terms of outdoor access, nearby nature can be found in the Horsetooth Reservoir — a popular spot for camping, fishing, and swimming — and the Poudre River Trail, a 21-mile trail that meanders through diverse landscapes and into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Green Bay typically offers an abundance of peace and quiet to its residents — with the notable exception of Green Bay Packers home games. This northern Wisconsin city boasts outdoor activities during all four seasons. There’s cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowmobiling in the winter; come summer, residents and visitors can enjoy nearby places for hiking, swimming, and biking. The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary provides 700 acres of pristine trails and bird-watching opportunities, while the 25-mile Fox River Trail is a favorite among local cyclists and runners.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Surrounded by acres of farmland and leafy suburbs, Grand Rapids is a low-key city with a strong emphasis on nature and the arts. It’s home to the annual ArtPrize, an international art competition, and public works of art are stationed throughout town for locals and visitors alike to enjoy throughout the event. As for public green spaces, Fred Meijer Millennium Park has an extensive network of walking and biking trails, while the White Pine Trail runs from Grand Rapids to Cadillac, stretching 92 miles in total.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Home to the prestigious University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a tranquil college town with a high quality of life, low noise levels, and plenty of green space — all factors that make it one of America’s most peaceful cities. At the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, visitors will find a network of riverside trails that meander through natural woodlands and landscaped gardens. There’s also the Bird Hills Nature Area, which offers the largest natural terrain in the city, and the Huron River, home to several launch points for relaxed tubers who want to spend a day on the water.

Boulder, Colorado

Colorado’s famous outdoor lifestyle is highly accessible in Boulder, an active community situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Regardless of the season or the weather, residents of this laid-back city are likely to find reasons to be outside. From downhill skiing at the nearby Eldora Mountain Resort to the challenging climb up Mount Sanitas, Boulder’s outdoorsy lifestyle draws many of its residents and visitors. With plentiful hiking trails and recreation areas, the city’s focus on well-being and balance also contributes to its relaxed vibe.

Rochester, New York

Despite being the third-largest metropolis in New York state, Rochester ranks as one of the most peaceful cities in the U.S., largely thanks to its abundance of open spaces. Of its many parks, Highland Park is especially popular with residents. The 150-acre space is located approximately 2 miles south of Rochester’s downtown, with leafy trees, large lawns, the Lamberton Conservatory, and the Sunken Garden situated inside a castle. Held annually in the spring, the annual Lilac Festival celebrates both the olfactory and visual beauty of the park’s many lilac bushes, which number over 1,200 in total.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster is home to the largest Amish settlement in the world. Since Amish culture calls for an avoidance of modern technology, locals tend to prefer horses and buggies over cars, and candles over power lines. It’s no surprise, then, that the community’s noise levels stay relatively low. Lancaster also offers easy access to peaceful outdoor activities, including hiking trails and waterfalls along Tucquan Creek and bird-watching at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Madison, Wisconsin

Ranked as one of the best cities for quality of life in the U.S., Madison is a vibrant city of approximately 290,000 people. Madison’s location on Lake Mendota contributes to its residents’ contentment and the city’s peaceful vibe. Thanks to easy access to the outdoors, the average local boasts an active outdoor lifestyle throughout all four seasons, with opportunities to paddle, ski, and hike throughout the year. The city’s extensive bike trail system, including the Lake Monona Loop, helps locals and visitors alike make use of Madison’s ample outdoor space.

Reading, Pennsylvania

Despite its proximity to two major metropolitan areas, Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley, Reading continues to remain a peaceful enclave in southern Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill Valley. The city scored highest in terms of access to outdoor spaces — which include Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, home to numerous hiking trails and bird-watching opportunities, along with the nearby Appalachian Mountains. The Schuylkill River is also a popular recreational area for paddlers, anglers, and boaters, or anyone who seeks quiet respite from their busy lives in Reading.