Connecticut is one of the oldest states in America. Over time, buildings and businesses have been left behind as society has moved on. While many of the buildings have fallen into disrepair, memories of what once still remained.

Urban exploration is a popular activity for many photographers, adventurers and more who wish to explore abandoned sites and uncharted grounds. People have marked these areas with inappropriate graffiti, vandalism and theft. This has made it much harder for urban explorers to enjoy the sites as they once were, and often find that these places are heavily guarded by round-the-clock security.

Connecticut is filled with countless abandoned places. I have yet to get to all of them, but I’ve seen my fair share of some of the most notable abandoned sites in the state.

1. Fairfield Hills Hospital of Newtown

This previous state facility operated from 1931 until the mid '90s. More than 4,000 patients passed through this hospital, receiving all sorts of questionable treatments and enduring rough visits. This eerie, 100-acre campus still resides in the hills of Newtown. It’s important to note that this area is heavily guarded and there's always some type of security around the premises, because there's now an active recreational center there. I highly advise those not to enter at this time, since getting caught is much higher.

2. Seaside Sanatorium of Waterford

This is actually quite a beautiful setting. The campus resides right on the water’s edge, hence the “seaside” aspect of it. The salt water and air has eroded the buildings over time. The institution opened in the mid-1930s and was originally used to treat children with tuberculosis. Over time, the hospital also cared for the elderly and mentally disabled. It’s pretty interesting to be inside and imagine what it was like to be a tuberculosis patient there. Anyone is allowed to walk around the campus and explore the outdoors, but going inside the buildings isn't permitted.

3. Mansfield Training School of Mansfield

Surprisingly, not many people know about this late 1800s mental retardation hospital. It resides on UCONN’s Depot campus. In fact, the UCONN bus system drives through this campus on a daily basis. That’s what makes it so hard to get into this place. In recent months, the state has taken action and put up steel fences around the premises. What I saw were dozens, if not hundreds, of old patient files lying around. The hospital closed in 1993.

4. Norwich State Hospital of Preston and Norwich

If there’s any place that has spooked me the most, it’s this one. There’s a common misconception that the buildings of this hospital no longer stand and that the state has torn them all down. This is only partially true, and there are still several buildings that stand and remain vacant. As the hospital closed in 1996, the residents were asked to leave and many were left to fend for themselves. Many even ended up homeless.

5. J.R. Montgomery & Co. of Windsor Locks

I recently visited this extremely large, vacant factory. There are remains of letters that make out the name “J.R. Montgomery.” This factory opened in 1871 and manufactured cotton warps for the use of union cashmere. Every floor is filled with large, concrete pillars with long, empty hallways. The open spaces and big windows really give it that true, factory-like feeling. It really puts into perspective how much our world has changed and how our needs are changing, too.

6. Holy Land USA of Waterbury

This strange phenomenon resides on a hilltop in the city of Waterbury. This Roman Catholic theme park thrived in the '60s and '70s and attracted more than 40,000 visitors a year. The park closed in 1984, but the remains are still watched over by the nuns that own it. Visitors are welcome to walk around the area and view the small, ceramic statues, wooden crosses and the large light-up cross that you can even see from the highway at night. It’s important to be careful in this area, as this was the setting of a horrible crime scene only a few years ago.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to explore these places and continue to find the hidden gems that Connecticut has to offer. It’s important to remember that urban exploring is extremely dangerous and, often times, illegal. Exploring the right and safe way is very fun and fulfilling. Take it from this urban explorer.