We're nowhere near October, but I love scary stories and places. It's always good to know about these places in case you ever stumble upon them. I don't consider myself a "ghost" expert, but I have seen my fair amount of "Ghost Hunters," so I've acquired some skills. If you ever go to these places, you should take some time and visit these historic (yet haunted?) locations that are sure to give you the creeps. This isn't like Disney's "Hollywood Tower Hotel" ride; these are legit places that may very well be haunted or just plain creepy. From Stanley Kubrick's inspiration for "The Shinning" to Lizzy Borden's house, be sure to prepare yourself for some of the creepiest places.
10. Pripyat, Ukraine
The city was founded in 1970 but in 1986 was evacuated due to a nuclear incident. The city was a part of eight other nuclear cities in the Ukraine in the Soviet Union that served the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The whole city is still abandoned, but radiation levels aren't as deadly as they were in 1986. However, it's still unlivable.
9. Islands of the Dolls, México
Don Julian Santana was the caretaker of this island and it is said he found a girl that drowned in the surrounding waters. Shortly after, a doll was floating
8. Abandoned psychiatric hospital in Parma, Italy
Normally, when you mention abandoned psychiatric hospitals people instantly get creeped out. There's no need to go in because just by seeing the outside, you already know that the possibility of it being haunted is off the charts. The creepy level of this hospital wasn't enough for an Italian
7. West Virginia Penitentiary
Riots, murders, violence, and overall horrible living conditions occurred in this prison. Around 100 executions did take place at the facility during its use, and today it's a museum and has training facilities. It is considered to be one of the most actively haunted places in the United States.
6. Shades of Death Road, New Jersey
This seven miles (11.2 km) long road in New Jersey has many legends surrounding the origin of its name – all have some reference to unsolved murders that took place around the area. There are also some paranormal activities that are said to take place around the area. Legends of a bridge where, if drivers stop past midnight with their high beams on and honk their horns three times, they will see the ghosts of two young children who were run over while playing in the road. So go to Shades of Death Road...if you dare!
5. Borley Rectory, England
Legend says that a monk from Borley fell in love with a nun from a nearby convent. They planned to elope, but the monastery's elders discovered their plans. He was hanged, while she was buried alive in the vaults beneath the rectory -- and their ghosts have haunted the site ever since.
4. Lizzie Borden's house
Everyone knows about Lizzie Borden's story. Lizzie apparently murdered her father and her step-mother by bashing them on the head with an ax multiple times. Lizzie was acquitted and no one else was charged with the crime, but Lizzie's changing statements and weird behavior led many to believe that she committed the murders.
Guests and staff members alike have had their share of strange experiences in the house. Some have reported the sounds of a woman weeping and others claim to have seen a woman in Victorian era clothing dusting the furniture and straightening the covers on the beds. Occasionally, this even happens when the guests are still in the bed! Others have heard the sounds of footsteps going up and down the stairs and crossing back and forth on the floor above, even when they know the house is empty. Doors open and close as well and, often, muffled conversation can be heard coming from inside of otherwise vacant rooms.
3. The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
This hotel was the inspiration for Stephen King's chilling novel "The Shining." The idea came to King during a stay in room 217, but it's room 418 -- believed to be visited by the ghost of Lord Dunraven -- that is considered to be the hotel's most haunted. Guests and staff have also reported hearing children playing in the corridors late at night, and piano music coming from the empty ballroom. The weirdest thing? People still stay in this hotel... Heeeeeere's Johnny
2. Helltown, Ohio
Another abandoned town but this one definitely takes the cake for being the creepiest abandoned town of all. The place was largely abandoned after a number of houses were compulsorily purchased by the US National Parks Service. Locals theorized that authorities were attempting to conceal a chemical spill, with some even claiming that some kind of mutant monster had been created. Other legends suggest that Satanists carry out rituals in the village, and an escaped mental patient roams the woods at night. The cemetery is also supposedly haunted. Sounds of babies crying in the middle of the night and an abandoned school bus whose driver is still in there smoking his last cigarette can be seen (and heard) when you visit this hella creepy place.
And now, for numero uno. Drumroll.....
1. Catacombs in Paris
Because there is nothing creepier than walking through tunnels filled with human skulls. These subterranean quarries had been used to store the remains of generations of Parisians in a bid to cope with the overcrowding of Paris' cemeteries at the end of the 18th century. Here are some pictures.
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