Tourist Attractions for Horror Film Fans
How much would you love to be a part of your favorite horror movies, see the action take place, or witness a bit of the terror that inspired the film? Well, be careful what you wish for. While you probably shouldn’t take part in the action, you can visit many horror movie locations and create nightmares of your own!
Horror Hotels
Fans of The Shining can actually book a stay at The Overlook! The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO was the inspiration for the film and offers rooms specifically for fans of horror. They also offer guided night tours. While the hotel offers much more than a look into the film, it will also cost you around $400 per night for one of the “spirited” rooms. You can also stay at the Timberline Lodge in Government Camp, OR, where some of the filming was done. This cheaper option runs $175-$390 per night on average.
Ghostbusters may not be a horror film, but I think we would all agree that it fits here. The Bitlmore Hotel in LA is home to the beautiful ballroom where the Ghostbusters managed to catch Slimer! This hotel was in multiple films and the pricing is average (I could find a basic room under $100).
Twin Peaks (1992) features two hotels in Washington State, the Salish Lodge and Spa and the Kiana Lodge. Salish Lodge and Spa is the hotel that you see in the opening credits and will run you $259+ per night, depending on the night and time of year. The Kiana Lodge was used for the pilot episode and only seems to be available to rent for weddings and events.
Fans of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre will be ecstatic to hear that they can book a cabin behind the gas station from the film. The gas station was turned into a themed BBQ restaurant with the occasional horror event and the cabins are located behind the restaurant and go for under $150 per night.
Spooky Photo-Ops:
Nightmare on Elm Street fans can take a trip to the “Elm Street House” on Genesee Ave. The house is located at 1428 N Genesee Ave in Los Angeles, but this is a photo op only. The house is lived in, so make sure that you respect the owners and do not infringe on their privacy or go on their property. The house was featured in many of the Nightmare on Elm Street films and hasn’t been changed much since the filming!
It and It: Chapter Two was filmed in Port Hope, Ontario and the city is full of photo ops! The library is a significant part of the film, as well as the Paul Bunyan statue. A trip to the city is sure to give you plenty of exciting photos and sights.
The Great Outdoors
The Blair Witch Project was filmed at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland. While it doesn’t look like you can camp overnight, you can visit the state park for only $5 (less for state residents) and hike the trails to find the Blair Witch yourself.
Friday the 13th fans will be happy to hear that Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco in Hardwick, New Jersey (the location of the first film) hosts events for fans of the series. The events are extremely limited and vary, but if you can snag a ticket, I’m sure you are in for an exciting time! If you do find yourself able to visit the camp, the Blairstown Diner (Crystal Lake Diner in the film) is only about fifteen minutes away.
Jaws’ Amity Island, NY was actually filmed in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. You can take a trip to the beaches, but beware of sharks! An entire vacation can easily be planned around your trip to the Jaws’ beach, with plenty of hotels and restaurants to choose in the area.