Worst Vacation Spots in Horror

If horror films have taught us one thing, it’s that going on the road is almost a sure way to get yourself killed, which got me thinking, when it comes to the movies, “What are the worst places for a vacationer to visit?”

Horror films have long captivated audiences with their ability to evoke fear and suspense, often utilizing eerie and atmospheric settings to enhance the chilling narrative. Behind the bloodcurdling screams and heart-pounding moments lies a crucial element: the locations where these tales unfold. From ominous forests to decrepit mansions, horror film locations play a pivotal role in shaping the mood and intensity of the story, immersing viewers into a world where the line between reality and nightmare blurs. Below is a list of places that are a must-see for fans of horror.

• Camp Crystal Lake – “Come for the canoeing, stay for the killing.” Though the series is called Friday the 13th, this particular campsite is best avoided any day of the week.

• The Bates Motel – If you are a young woman getting room number one in Hitchcock’s Psycho, there’s a good chance you’ll never check out, especially if you take a shower.

• The Overlook Hotel – The brochure for Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining clearly left out the fact that the hotel was built on an ancient Indian burial ground, and that kind of information is very important.

• Motel Hello – This entrepreneur-run establishment in Motel Hell traps travellers and harvests them for the owner’s human sausages and redefines the term “Secret Garden.”

• The Appalachian Mountains – Going spelunking in Neil Marshall’s film The Descent is a scary and dangerous vacation spot even before the blind cannibals appear.

• The Starlight Hotel – This quaint little rest stop from Tobe Hooper’s Eaten Alive has the bonus of containing a Nile Crocodile capable of quick and bloody waste disposal.

• Mayan Ruins—A vacation in Mexico should be fun, with lots of free-flowing Tequila and inhibition-free women. But in Carter Smith’s The Ruins, a group of Americans have a bad experience with an ancient temple and some nasty plants.

• Rural Tennessee – If we learned anything by watching Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead films, it’s that the worst place to plan a vacation has to be a cabin in the woods, bad shit is just bound to happen.

• Backpacking in Europe – In Eli Roth’s Hostel, the porn supplied isn’t of the pay-per-view variety; instead, it’s nasty torture porn.

• The North York Moors in England – “Stay off the moors” is good advice and could save you from becoming An American Werewolf in London, and will prevent you from having a Blue Moon.

• Amity Island – A seaside trip on the 4th of July may sound like a fun idea at first, that is, until a Great White Shark puts the tourists on the menu in Spielberg’s Jaws.

• New Mexico – Wes Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes proves that the Griswolds aren’t the worst family planners. And if we learn anything, it’s not always the journey that is important but the kind of people you meet along the way.

• Room 1408 – In this Stephen King adaptation, while the guests may check into the fabled 1408, getting a wake-up call for horror is the best they can hope for.

• Roadside Attractions – While on route you a vacation spot, you may decide to make a pit stop and check out local attractions, but it’s best to avoid David Schmoeller’s Tourist Trap.

Horror film locations are more than just backdrops – they are integral components of the storytelling process, imbued with symbolism and atmosphere that heighten the tension and suspense. From their ability to amplify atmosphere to their cultural significance, these settings play a vital role in shaping the narrative and eliciting fear in audiences. As long as there are horror films, these enigmatic locations will continue to captivate and terrify viewers, reminding us of the enduring power of place in the realm of cinematic terror.