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It was very kindly recommended to me that I make a post here about the top 5 creepy destinations I’d like to visit. I could hear the excited tone in my own voice as I commented how fun that would be to write. Ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated with creepy and haunted locations from all around the world. As you will see, they all have two things in common: they’re scary as hell and have major history under their belts.

5. Chernobyl – Ukraine

credit: npr.org

Chernobyl, the first Russian nuclear power plant, was a proud thing for the Soviets when it was built. The neighboring town, Pripyat, was home to many workers and their families. It was like any other city, except it was doomed to become an abandoned shell. In 1986, after an experiment went horribly wrong, there were explosions in the core of a reactor plant. The town then became an empty time capsule, filled with only material goods that were left abruptly, never to be touched again in the same casual manner.

Letters that will never be delivered litter the floor of a local post office. Trains rust away on their tracks. Apartment buildings sit vacant with their windows busted out, while small plants and ivy grow inside, as if demanding the land back after human error destroyed the nearby environment. Electric bumper cars sit motionless in all different directions on their square track, weeds growing all around them and into the empty ticket booth. But perhaps the most haunting visual of a hopeful future being cut short is a ferris wheel that sat, brand new, as the world around it fell apart. Few things are as unnerving as seeing the most fundamental locations and human comforts we know in our daily lives, sit rotting away without a soul in sight. Radiation levels have lowered enough that people can now visit the abandoned city, but not for long. I can’t imagine what it would be like to visit this place, but I plan on finding out.

4. Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, CO

credit: stanleyhotel.com

Anyone that has seen The Shining has heard about this hotel in Estes Park. After being diagnosed with tuberculosis, Freelan Stanley and his wife Flora moved to Colorado, where they built the hotel in 1909. It’s also the hotel Stephen King stayed in that inspired him to write one of the scariest novels ever written. He was there in the offseason, and was lodging in room 217. It is now the most famous room in the entire building, and is also where a housekeeper was almost killed after an explosion in 1911. They say that after she passed, she decided to stick around and still keeps a watchful eye out to this day.

Room 418, however, is the most notoriously haunted room. You can request to stay in either room, and haunted tours are aplenty. Book a stay soon, as rumor has it you might even run into Mr. Stanley himself. It should be noted that while The Shining itself wasn’t filmed here, the made-for-TV miniseries was, along with my favorite comedy of all time, Dumb and Dumber! (Many scenes of their fancy Aspen hotel were actually the Stanley hotel)

3. Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, PA

credit: artandarchitecture-sf.com

“Dude, run!”

I apologize. I had to… Now that we have that out of my system.
Once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, this old Pennsylvania penitentiary is beyond legendary, both for its history of famous inmates and the many ghosts that are said to haunt the now museum/tourist attraction. It is perhaps most known for the luxurious accommodations for Al Capone when he was “imprisoned” there. His old cell can still be seen today, and it’s shocking how cozy it looks.

But the real focus here is the scare factor. This place is insane. Pictures alone of this decrepit fortress are enough to send chills down your back. My first introduction to this place was in the very early days of SyFy’s Ghost Hunters, where the formerly-loved-yet-dorky Brian saw a shadow while investigating, and proceeded to shout to the nearby investigator “DUDE, RUN!!” All laughs aside, this place looks creepy enough to scare anyone in broad daylight, and I desperately want a shot at going in there at night by myself to truly get a feel for it.

2. Waverly Hills Sanitorium – Louisville, KY

credit: ghostlyactivities.com

In the early 1900s, tuberculosis was spreading like wildfire in Jefferson County. To help keep it at bay, Waverly Hills Sanitorium was opened in 1910. They treated many, and most were subjected to peculiar and controversial treatments like lobotomies, electroshock therapy, and hydrotherapy. Due to these heinous practices, it is said that many spirits still roam the halls and rooms of the massive structure.

The focal point of paranormal investigators is what’s called “The Tunnel.” Built at the same time as the main structure, the underground tunnel was created as a means of transport for the hospital workers without having to tread the dangerously steep hill leading down from the hospital. After the death rate skyrocketed, they decided to start using it as a way to transport dead bodies, without being seen by the other patients. In 2001, Waverly was sold to Charlie and Tina Mattingly. They now hold tours and host a haunted house attraction every Halloween.

1. Alcatraz – San Francisco, CA

credit: wikipedia

The Rock.

Alcatraz island’s most prominent time period was when it was a federal prison from 1934 to 1963, housing some of the most dangerous and unruly inmates of its time. Including “The Birdman” Robert Stroud, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Al Capone. Yes, this is his second appearance on my top 5 list. What can I say? The man got around.

Alcatraz is most known for being virtually inescapable. The cold bay water surrounding it almost guaranteed any escapee would die by drowning long before reaching freedom, either by hypothermia or simply tiring in the choppy water. But in July of 1962, four men hatched a scheme to escape, and three of them made it off the island. It is unknown to this day if they actually made it to the mainland or died trying, as they were never seen again. The prison itself has seen so many disturbing, violent characters, and so much history that the many reports of paranormal activity are no surprise. They offer night tours, and THAT is where the magic would be. Just thinking about walking through an old federal prison at night, where spirits are sure to lurk around every corner gives me chills. This place is #1 on my list, and extremely high on my bucket list.

What is the scariest place you’ve ever visited? Tell us in the comments below!

Stay scared,
Dark Princess