Top 6 Horror Movie Locations You Can Actually Visit

Everyone has destination vacations that they hope to one day travel to. For some, it's the rolling hills of Ireland; others may wish to see the majestic buildings in Tokyo. Horror fans are no exception, although their preferred destination may be a bit on the spookier side.

Horror fanatics are known to gravitate to the sets where their favorite flicks were filmed. The houses in iconic slasher films, such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, are always a popular tourist attraction. But you can't actually visit these destinations because it would disrupt the people who live there. So, we went ahead and curated a list of famous horror locations you can spend some time with. We hope you enjoy them.

1 The Hotel from the Shining- Oregon

Stephen King is a master of horror. The man has penned over 60 novels, with his total book sales reaching over 400 million. The Shining is one of King's more personal books as it conveys his own struggles with alcoholism and trying to be a good husband and father. Stanley Kubrick's film of the same name didn't touch on these themes in the way that King wanted, but the film is still regarded as one of the best horror films ever made.

Most of the film is set within the imaginary Overlook Hotel. Fans can see the actual historic building for themselves at the Timberline Lodge, located in Government Camp, Oregon. It should be noted that the Timberline Lodge was only used for the exterior shots of the hotel. Unfortunately, horror fans will not be able to locate the elevator of blood if they take the trip down to Oregon.

2 The Blair Witch Woods- Maryland

Although it didn't invent the genre, The Blair Witch Project brought found footage into the mainstream. This iconic film terrified fans and audiences with its realistic settings and convincing advertising tactics. The film achieved this by intentionally getting the actors lost in the woods, restricting their access to food, and keeping the cast in the dark about what would happen next. This allowed for an authenticity from the actors that no other film has been able to rival.

The iconic woods from the film are set in Burkittsville, Maryland. This location is in the heart of the Black Hills forest and belongs to Seneca Creek State Park. Eager horror fans can visit the state park and explore its dense woods and beautiful scenery. The park even occasionally hosts guided tours to highlight areas used in the filming of The Blair Witch Project.

3 Texas Chainsaw Massacre's Last Chance Gas Station- Texas

Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a film mired in controversy, between being banned in many locations and possibly having ties to the mafia, the film was off to a rough start. Despite this, the franchise has become an essential part of the franchise and has risen to the ranks of cult classic.

One of the film's locations, simply called The Gas Station, has decided to profit off of the movie’s success. Located in Bastrop, Texas, The Gas Station is filled with horror movie memorabilia. As a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor, The Gas Station goes so far as to sell barbecue for hungry visitors. Fans can even book an overnight stay at a local cabin to further entangle themselves in the world of horror.

4 Interview With the Vampire Mansion- Louisiana

Ann Rice is credited with creating the Romantic Vampire subgenre in horror. Love it or hate it, this subgenre became wildly popular and led to the creation of films such as Twilight. Interview With the Vampire highlights a need in the genre that wasn't being filled. Sometimes, a villain needs to be more than terrifying; sometimes, they need to be charming and drop-dead gorgeous.

The film's first act takes place on a sprawling plantation with a beautiful mansion. Oak Alley Plantation is located in Vacherie, Louisiana, and is open to the public via scheduled tours. The plantation offers cabins for visitors to stay in, but guests are not permitted to remain in the mansion itself.

5 Cemetery from Night of the Living Dead- Pennsylvania

George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead is required viewing in the world of horror. This film created the modern zombie genre that we have all come to appreciate. Not only that, but Night of the Living Dead is an essential piece of cinema relating to the civil rights movement of the time, as the film is the first to cast a person of color in the lead role.

The film opens with Barbra and Johhny visiting a cemetery before they are soon attacked by the living dead. This location is the Evans City Cemetery, and the grave featured in the iconic shot, Nicholas Kramer, is still located in the graveyard. Horror fans can visit this location as a roadside attraction in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

6 The Exorcist Steps- Washington D.C.

This iconic horror film has stood the test of time as one of the most influential horror films ever made. The Exorcist is responsible for the entire Catholic horror subgenre as we know it. During its deeply moving ending, audiences witness Father Damien Karras hurl themselves down a flight of stairs. This act of sacrifice prevents the demon Pazuzu from reentering and killing young Regan.

This scene was shot at the steps of Georgetown University, which has since become a cultural landmark. Horror fans can visit the steps if they so choose, but climbing them can be quite a feat. Because of their difficulty, the university's sports teams have been known to use them as training exercises.