Discover the gruesome but interesting stories keeping these places alive...
Welcome, thrill-seekers and lovers of the eerie and macabre! If you're the kind of traveler who craves spine-tingling adventures and wants to explore the mysterious and haunting side of America, you've come to the right place. In this blog, we'll be your guide through some of the most intriguing destinations in the USA, perfect for those who find beauty in the darkness. Make a road trip past ghost towns, deserted prisons and murder hotels - this is the world of dark tourism.
The haunted past of New Orleans
New Orleans is famous for its jazz music and spicy gumbo, but there's more to this city than meets the eye. Behind the charming facades of the French Quarter, you'll find stories of mystery and horror. If you're fascinated by voodoo, ghosts, and a unique culture, you'll love exploring this place. Don't miss St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where the tombs are built above the ground and decorated with ironwork. You'll also see the grave of Marie Laveau, the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. She was said to have magical powers and a loyal following. This cemetery is like a spooky history lesson, full of secrets and surprises. For more thrills, you can join a haunted history tour in New Orleans. You'll learn about the dark past of the city, from haunted houses to vampire legends. You'll also visit some of the most haunted spots in town, such as the LaLaurie Mansion and the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. These tours are not for the faint of heart, but they're perfect for those who want to experience the creepy side of New Orleans.
Eastern State Penitentiary: America's Most Haunted Prison
How would you like to explore a real-life horror movie set? That's what the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia feels like. This prison was built in 1829 and looks like a creepy old castle. It was the first prison to use solitary confinement, and you can still see the crumbling cells where inmates suffered in silence. Some of the most notorious criminals, like Al Capone, were locked up here. You can take a guided tour and learn about the dark history of this place, and how it influenced the American justice system. This is a must-see attraction for anyone who loves the darker chapters of our history, and is fascinated by these monuments of a different time.
The Villisca Axe Murder House
What kind of thrill-seeker would want to visit a place where a horrific murder happened in 1912? Believe it or not, there are plenty of people who are curious about the Villisca Axe Murder House in Iowa. This house has a dark past, where eight people, including six kids, were brutally killed by someone with an axe while they were sleeping. The case was never solved, and the house became a source of mystery and fascination for many people. The house has been preserved as it was on the night of the killings, with the furniture, clothing, and even the bloodstains still visible. You'll feel like you're stepping into a different era and a terrifying adventure. If you dare, you can take a tour of the house or even spend the night there. People who have stayed overnight have said they experienced creepy and unexplainable things, like hearing strange noises, seeing apparitions, and feeling cold spots. If you're looking for a real fright, this place is perfect for you.
Salem, Massachusetts: Witches, Trials, and Hauntings
If you're fascinated by the dark and mysterious, you'll love visiting Salem, Massachusetts. This is where the infamous witch trials took place in the 17th century, and you can learn all about them at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and the Old Burying Point Cemetery. These places will give you chills as you imagine what it was like to live in those times. But Salem is not just about history, it's also a fun and quirky destination for anyone who enjoys witchcraft and magic. You'll find plenty of shops and festivals that celebrate the occult and the supernatural, making Salem feel like a year-round Halloween party. One of the most popular festivals in Salem is the Haunted Happenings, which runs throughout October and attracts thousands of visitors. This festival offers a variety of events and activities for all ages, such as haunted houses, ghost tours, costume parties, live music, and more. You can also join the Grand Parade, which kicks off the festival with a colorful and festive procession of floats, performers, and witches.
Alcatraz Island - secrets of the rock
Are you a fan of crime and mystery stories? Then you should definitely visit Alcatraz, or "The Rock," as it was nicknamed. This small island in the middle of San Francisco Bay was the site of a notorious prison that held some of the most dangerous and infamous criminals in America. The island was surrounded by the frigid and turbulent waters of the bay, making it very hard for anyone to escape. In fact, only a few prisoners ever attempted to break out, and none of them succeeded. Some of the most well-known inmates, like Al Capone and the "Birdman of Alcatraz," spent many years in this gloomy and lonely place. You can take a tour and explore the cells where they lived, the isolation rooms where they were punished, and hear the spine-tingling stories from its past. This destination will give you a unique and thrilling experience of what life was like behind bars for some of the most notorious criminals in history.
The Clown Motel
Are you terrified of clowns? If you are, then you should stay away from the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada, unless you want to face your worst nightmare. This motel is not just decorated with clown pictures, memorabilia and statues, but also has real clowns roaming around the premises. And as if that's not horrifying enough, it's also next to an old cemetery, where restless spirits are said to haunt the night - the perfect combination of creepy. Many guests who have dared to stay here have reported seeing strange appearances and hearing eerie noises. Some have even fled in the middle of the night, unable to sleep at all. If you like to scream your lungs out, you'll love this motel. It's the ideal spot for thrill-seekers who want a good scare.
Museum of Death in L.A.
If you think Los Angeles is just about celebrities and sunny beaches, you might want to check out the Museum of Death. This place is a one-of-a-kind attraction that explores the dark and disturbing side of human history. You'll see displays of serial killers, crime scenes, and artwork made by murderers. One of the most popular sections is the one devoted to Charles Manson and his followers, who terrorised LA in the late 1960s. This museum is not for the squeamish or the easily offended, but it's not just about shock and horror either. The founders of the museum, Cathy Schultz and JD Healey, hope that their visitors will appreciate life more after seeing how much death surrounds us. They say: "every day is a blessing, with so much death surrounding us". If you have a curiosity for the macabre, this museum is a must-see.
Too creepy, or not enough?
Dark tourism is not just about making fun of spooky places or paranormal phenomena. It also has a lot of educational value. It helps us remember and learn from the weird and sometimes tragic events that happened there. Of course, you don't have to make your whole road trip a nightmare, but if you like adventure or history, you might enjoy visiting some of these places. They can add some variety and excitement to any ordinary USA trip. Whatever you have in mind for your next adventure, our expert road trippers are ready to assist you with the best travel plans, affordable rental car or motorhome and tips you don't want to miss out on!
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