Visiting abandoned and so-called “lost” places is quickly becoming a firmly common part of travelling in the 21st century. There are countless YouTube channels showcasing daredevils and even your average local teens visiting abandoned buildings and spots that have fallen into disarray after seeing better days. This type of exploration has a name: Urbex. Urbex stands for ‘Urban Exploration’and has become a sort of travel phenomenon.
Although it can be done worldwide, there are plenty of spots throughout the USA that are worth visiting to take in their history and ponder their history. There are countless ghost towns and abandoned buildings that are perfect for urbex photography. While you plan which of these spots you would like to explore yourself, don’t forget to apply for an ESTA before travelling to America.
From Texas and New Mexico to Alaska and from the East Coast to the West Coast, abandoned places can be found in almost every American state. These include mysterious hospitals, dilapidated churches, theatres, amusement parks that are no longer in use, but also entire villages that are deserted. You just have to know where to find these buildings and villages. Here is a highlighted list of abandoned locations in throughout the USA.
Abandoned buildings
Michigan Central Station – Detroit, Michigan
Michigan Central Station was built between 1910 and 1913. During the construction period it was the tallest train station in the world. The building consists of a train depot and a thirteen-storey office tower. The station hasn’t been used since 1988, and has consequently fallen into disrepair. Although there are plans to renovate the station, restoration work has not yet begun. The station has been used in various American films and TV series, such as 8 Mile, Transformers and Arrow.
Gothic Variety Theatre – Cleveland, Ohio
Built in the Spanish-Gothic style, this building is filled with lush chandeliers and colourful tapestries. The theatre opened in 1920 and was used as a concert hall from 1980 onwards, mainly for rock and metal concerts. Since 1990, the theatre is no longer in use and the interior is frozen in time.
Dark Dogma Church – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This former Catholic Church in Pittsburgh appeared in the Hollywood film Dogma. The church has been unused for more than 20 years. The light shining through the broken stained-glass windows and the walls covered with graffiti provide for a haunting and artistic atmosphere perfect for those interested in urban photography.
Dogpatch – Marble Falls, Arkansas
Dogpatch was a theme park in Arkansas based on a vintage comic strip called “Li’l Abner” that saw some success in its early years, but later began to lose visitors and eventually closed. In September 2021, it was announced that the amusement park is to become a nature park, where visitors can learn more about the history of the region. Until then, you can see the dilapidated attractions there, which is quite unique.
Ghost towns and abandoned villages
Rhyolite – Nevada
Rhyolite is an abandoned town near Death Valley National Park in Nevada. The town grew rapidly in 1904 when gold was discovered in the area, but like so many other gold mining towns throughout the west, many people left a few years later when everything ran dry.. Many bars and saloons in Rhyolite are still standing today.
Calico – California
Calico is a mining town in the Mojave Desert in California, which was founded in 1881. When the demand for silver ore decreased, the town gradually emptied and fell into disrepair. The town’s buildings were later restored in the original old west style.
Preparing for a trip to America
Travelling to different spots of the USA to visit these strange, historic spots is a way to bring these abandoned places back to life. It is especially handy that there are a variety of locations peppered throughout the country, so you can still experience more traditional holiday activities, while adding one or two of these spots to your list. Keep in mind that if you do go urban exploring to check if what you are doing is allowed or permitted. There are still plenty of opportunities to explore these places safely with groups and a bit of research.
Like any holiday, you should ensure that you have the proper documentation before you leave. In order to travel to the USA, you must apply for an ESTA or US visa. Applying for an ESTA is much easier than applying for a visa, and you do not have to visit any embassies or consulates. Filling in the ESTA form takes only a few minutes and the travel authorisation will then be sent by e-mail within 3 days.
The ESTA is valid for two years, and each stay within those two years can last a maximum of 90 days. This gives you enough time to visit multiple locations, possibly even in different states. Do you want to travel through America for longer than 90 days? Then you need to apply for a visa for America at the American consulate.
