Ghost Towns, Forgotten Resorts, Historic Buildings, and Hidden Road Trip Stops
Have You Ever Felt Forgotten?
My dad has always laughed about the day I was born. In all the excitement of rushing to the hospital on a bitter five-degree Michigan morning, he supposedly drove off before my mom climbed into the car. Thankfully, he realized his mistake before getting very far, but it has become one of those family stories that gets retold every chance it gets.
Then there’s Home Alone. Poor Kevin McCallister wasn’t forgotten for five minutes—he was left behind for an entire vacation.
Grandma Cooper used to smile whenever stories like these came up.
“People may forget places, Bobby, but history never disappears.”
That simple thought has stayed with me for years.
Across America are communities, churches, hotels, hospitals, rail depots, theaters, and entire towns that once buzzed with life. Families raised children there. Businesses flourished. Trains stopped daily. Music echoed through grand ballrooms.
Today, many of these places stand silent.
If you enjoy road trips as much as we do, these forgotten landmarks make unforgettable detours. Some have become protected historic sites. Others can only be admired from public roads or guided tours. Either way, they remind us that every place has a story.
Here are sixteen abandoned places across America that are worth adding to your bucket list.
- Abandoned St. Ambrose Church — St. Nazianz, Wisconsin
Hidden among rural Wisconsin, this beautiful church still showcases soaring vaulted ceilings and remarkable craftsmanship from the German immigrants who built it during the nineteenth century.
Although time has taken its toll, stepping inside feels like opening a forgotten chapter of Midwestern history.
- Bannack Ghost Town — Montana
If you’ve ever wanted to experience an authentic Old West mining town, Bannack should be near the top of your list.
Unlike many recreated attractions, Bannack remains largely untouched. Visitors can wander past original saloons, homes, hotels, and schools while imagining life during Montana’s gold rush.
- Belle Isle Zoo — Detroit, Michigan
Nature has slowly reclaimed Detroit’s former zoo.
Closed in 2002, abandoned animal exhibits now sit quietly beneath towering trees and thick vegetation. The contrast between wildlife and forgotten architecture makes this one of Michigan’s more unusual historic sites.
- Bodie State Historic Park — California
Bodie may be America’s most famous ghost town.
More than one hundred original buildings still stand, preserved in what historians call “arrested decay.” Dusty storefronts, weathered homes, and abandoned mining equipment make it feel like residents simply walked away yesterday.
- Centralia — Pennsylvania
Few abandoned places have a story as unusual as Centralia.
An underground coal mine fire ignited in 1962 and continues burning beneath the town today. Nearly every resident relocated, leaving behind empty streets and one of America’s most fascinating modern ghost towns.
- Grossinger’s Catskill Resort — New York
For decades, celebrities, entertainers, and vacationers flocked to Grossinger’s.
Today, broken windows, empty swimming pools, and fading murals tell the story of one of the Catskills’ most luxurious resorts before changing travel habits led to its decline.
- Hudson River State Hospital — Poughkeepsie, New York
The Gothic architecture alone makes this former psychiatric hospital unforgettable.
Towering stone buildings surrounded by overgrown landscapes create dramatic photographs while reflecting an important chapter in America’s mental health history.
- Kelso Ghost Town — California
Deep inside the Mojave Desert sits Kelso.
Originally a railroad depot serving steam locomotives, the remaining depot building stands as a reminder of how vital the railroad once was in connecting the American West.
- Murphy’s Ranch — California
Hidden in the hills outside Los Angeles lies one of America’s strangest abandoned sites.
Built during the late 1930s by Nazi sympathizers who expected Germany to win World War II, the compound never fulfilled its intended purpose. Today it has become an unusual hiking destination covered in colorful graffiti.
- North Brother Island — New York
Located quietly within New York City’s East River, North Brother Island remains off-limits to the public.
Once home to quarantine hospitals and later rehabilitation facilities, the island has been reclaimed almost entirely by wildlife and nature.
- Ohio State Reformatory — Mansfield, Ohio
Movie fans immediately recognize this incredible prison from The Shawshank Redemption.
Its towering stone walls, long cellblocks, and Gothic architecture have also made it one of America’s best-known historic prisons.
- Overlook Mountain House — New York
A hike through the Catskill Mountains leads visitors to the impressive stone ruins of the Overlook Mountain House.
The remaining walls frame spectacular mountain views, proving that sometimes abandoned places become even more beautiful with time.
- Silver City — Idaho
Unlike many ghost towns, Silver City still has dozens of original buildings standing.
With no modern development crowding its historic streets, visitors experience a remarkably authentic glimpse into Idaho’s mining past.
- The Great Saltair — Utah
The Great Saltair has been rebuilt several times after fires and flooding, yet it continues to stand beside the Great Salt Lake.
Its unique location and striking architecture make it one of Utah’s most recognizable roadside landmarks.
- Orpheum Theater — New Bedford, Massachusetts
Even in decline, the Orpheum remains stunning.
Its ornate balconies, painted ceilings, and elegant stage remind visitors of an era when theaters served as the centerpiece of community entertainment.
- Thompson — Utah
Just west of Moab sits the nearly forgotten community of Thompson.
Old homes, abandoned storefronts, and remnants of Route 6 create an interesting stop for travelers heading toward Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park.
Tips for Visiting Abandoned Places Responsibly
Exploring abandoned places can be rewarding, but safety and respect should always come first.
- Never enter buildings posted “No Trespassing.”
- Many abandoned structures are unstable.
- Wear sturdy footwear.
- Bring drinking water, especially in desert locations.
- Leave everything exactly as you found it.
- Photograph history—don’t remove it.
- Whenever possible, visit locations managed as state parks or historic sites.
Responsible visitors help preserve these places for future generations.
Final Thoughts
Grandma Cooper believed every old building had a story waiting for someone willing to listen.
Sometimes those stories are about booming mining towns that disappeared almost overnight. Other times they’re about magnificent churches, grand hotels, forgotten theaters, or entire communities overtaken by nature.
One thing they all have in common is this—they remind us how quickly time moves forward.
If your travels ever take you near one of these remarkable places, slow down for a while. Walk around, read the historical markers, and imagine the families who once called these places home.
You might discover that the most memorable stop on your journey isn’t the newest attraction at all. Sometimes it’s the one history nearly forgot.
Until next time, keep taking the scenic route. You never know what forgotten treasure is waiting around the next bend.
Happy travels,
The Cooper Shortcut Camping Journey Trio 😊 PlusOne!
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