But what happens to these locations once the cameras stop rolling? In many cases, they are preserved and turned into tourist attractions for fans who want to experience the thrill of stepping into the world of their favorite horror films. From spooky houses with dark histories to entire towns that served as backdrops for some of the most terrifying scenes in cinema history, these horror movie locations have been given new life as tourist destinations.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore horror movie locations that have been preserved and transformed into attractions that thrill-seekers and horror fans can visit. Not only will we take you through the iconic places that live on in horror history, but we'll also give you all the details on how to experience them for yourself.
While Stanley Kubrick's The Shining was filmed primarily on sound stages and in other locations, the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel came from The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. This historic hotel is said to be haunted, and it's no wonder that Stephen King was inspired to write one of the most iconic horror novels of all time after spending a night there.
Today, The Stanley Hotel embraces its spooky reputation and offers ghost tours, paranormal investigations, and even a chance to stay in the infamous Room 217. It has become a bucket-list destination for horror fans worldwide.
Camp Crystal Lake, where the infamous Jason Voorhees first appeared in Friday the 13th, has become one of the most iconic horror locations ever. Although the camp is fictional, the real site, Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, located in New Jersey, is a functioning Boy Scout camp. However, it opens its doors to Friday the 13th fans during special events.
Visitors can experience the real cabins, the lake, and even participate in tours that recreate the film’s most terrifying moments. It's an unforgettable experience for anyone who's been haunted by the hockey-masked killer in their nightmares.
The Amityville Horror House is one of the most notorious haunted homes in American history. Located in Long Island, New York, this house gained infamy after the Lutz family claimed they experienced paranormal activity following the brutal murders of the DeFeo family. The story inspired the 1979 film The Amityville Horror, which remains a classic in the horror genre.
While the house is privately owned and not open to the public, it still draws curious onlookers and paranormal enthusiasts who want to catch a glimpse of the infamous house that continues to haunt popular culture.
John Carpenter’s Halloween introduced audiences to Michael Myers and the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois. While the story takes place in Illinois, the real Myers House is located in South Pasadena, California. This unassuming house became the setting for one of the most terrifying killers in film history.
Today, the house has been restored to its original condition and is available for private tours. Fans of the Halloween franchise can experience the chills of standing where some of the most iconic horror scenes took place.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho introduced the world to Norman Bates and the chilling Bates Motel. The set, including the infamous Bates house, has been preserved at Universal Studios Hollywood, where it serves as one of the major attractions in the studio’s backlot tour.
Visitors can see the towering house where “Mother” resides and relive the tension that made Psycho a cornerstone of the horror genre. The attraction also includes the Bates Motel, giving fans an opportunity to see both iconic locations from the classic film.
The original farmhouse from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has been preserved and relocated to Kingsland, Texas, where it now operates as a family-friendly restaurant known as the Grand Central Café. Though it may seem odd to dine in the very house where Leatherface and his family committed their horrific crimes, fans of the film will appreciate the opportunity to visit this piece of horror history.
The owners have kept the exterior of the house intact, allowing visitors to recognize the infamous location instantly. Inside, however, the atmosphere is much more welcoming.
The fictional story of three filmmakers getting lost in the woods while hunting for the Blair Witch became a worldwide phenomenon when The Blair Witch Project was released in 1999. While much of the film’s eerie atmosphere is due to the dark forests, the actual shooting locations were in and around Burkittsville, Maryland.
Today, visitors can hike through the same forests featured in the film, making it a spooky experience for those who want to recreate the unsettling feeling of being watched by the unseen Blair Witch.
The 2013 film The Conjuring brought to life the story of the Perron family and their terrifying experiences living in a haunted house in Rhode Island. Based on real events, the house has since become a major destination for paranormal enthusiasts and fans of the film. The current owners offer overnight stays and ghost tours for visitors hoping to encounter some of the supernatural activity that inspired the movie.
The eerie, fog-covered town of Silent Hill, featured in the 2006 film adaptation of the popular video game series, was inspired by the real-life ghost town of Centralia, Pennsylvania. Centralia has been abandoned for decades due to an underground coal mine fire that still burns today, creating a post-apocalyptic atmosphere that perfectly fit the chilling landscape of Silent Hill.
Though most of the town’s buildings have been demolished, visitors can still walk along the abandoned streets, see smoke rising from the ground, and explore the few remnants that remain of the once-thriving town.
The Dakota, a historic building in New York City, was featured prominently in Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby. The building’s Gothic architecture and dark history made it the perfect setting for this disturbing tale of occultism and paranoia. The Dakota has since become a legendary landmark, known both for its cinematic significance and for being the place where John Lennon was tragically murdered.
While the building is a private residence, fans of Rosemary’s Baby often visit the exterior to photograph the setting that gave the film its unsettling atmosphere.
These famous horror movie locations have been preserved and transformed into must-see attractions for fans of the genre. Whether you’re seeking a paranormal experience, a taste of cinematic history, or simply a thrill, visiting these destinations offers an unforgettable journey into the world of horror.
As you explore these preserved locations, you’ll not only walk in the footsteps of iconic characters but also immerse yourself in the eerie atmosphere that made these films so terrifying.