Autumn is a beautiful time to explore places around the world, thanks to several leaf-peeping and camping opportunities. October is easily the best time of the year to go sightseeing. But horror buffs love more than just breathtaking sceneries full of gorgeous autumn views. For them, spending some of their travel nights in some of the scariest hotels would do them justice. Whether one is into real-life horror stories that happened, for sure, there are locations to have an unforgettable vacation. These destinations are must-visits for horror lovers.
10 The Island Of Dolls, Xochimilco, Mexico
Nestled just outside Mexico City, along Xochimilco canals, the Island of Dolls is a must-visit for horror lovers. The tiny island is home to hundreds of dolls and is believed to have been haunted by the spirit of a young girl who drowned there several years ago. Don Julian, a resident of the island, found the body of the drowned girl and was later haunted by her spirit. This is why he hanged the numerous dolls from the trees to honor the spirit. Julius drowned in the same spot after fifty years of hanging the dolls. The island is now a world-famous destination, and the dolls are believed to be possessed. Some vacationers claim to have witnessed them in motion.
9 Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California, USA
Winchester Mystery House in California is known to be one of the most haunted places in the United States. Boasting more than 160 rooms, 40 bedrooms, and several doors with staircases, this house is one of those destinations to explore at least once in a lifetime for horror lovers. The house looks so beautiful but has a tragic and mysterious story behind its elegance, including ghosts believed to be haunting the place. Sarah Winchester built this mansion to protect herself from vengeful ghosts who would seek her out. William Wirt Winchester warned her wife that she must continue building to live. So, Sarah built this house and included winding staircases meant to confuse the tormentors while she spent her nights in a separate bedroom. Tours guides claim to have heard voices whispering their names in the third floor's corridors.
8 Stephen King’s Home, Bangor, Maine
Every horror buff would definitely enjoy spending time exploring the home of Stephen King, one of the best-known horror authors in the United States. Located just downtown Bangor, this homestead entices thousands of tourists who visit Banger to see what the author's home would look like. Even after decades, people are still fascinated by this house, which brings a lot of horror stories to life. People are always looking to immerse themselves in the atmosphere that they find in Stephen’s most beloved books. Any Stephen King fan would feel right at home upon entering Banger, Maine. The town is mysterious, and travelers will notice that almost all buildings have creepy appearances.
7 Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic
From the outside, Sedlec Ossuary appears like a gothic church. It's actually decorated with 40,000 to 70,000 human skeletons and a hanging chandelier that comprises almost every type of human bone. Also referred to as the ‘’bone church,’’ six huge bone pyramids, two large bone chalices, four baroque bone candelabras, and two bone monstrances are displayed in the Ossuary. The church's history dates to the 13th century when the Abbot of the Sedlec Monastery brought a handful of sacred soil from Jerusalem and spread it in the church cemetery, making the place among the most popular places to be buried.
6 Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania
It is believed that this castle was once a prison for Vlad the Implaner, Walachian Prince from the book, ‘’Dracula.’’ The surrounding villages claim that the building is haunted, with people who lead normal lives during the day but turn into tormentors by night. The Dracula character was derived from the villages' myths, hence the name, ''Dracula Castle.'' Bran Castle is a must-visit for horror lovers, as it allows them to immerse in the horror story.
5 Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
Located in Estes Park, Stanley is known to offer breathtaking views, thanks to its position a few miles away from the world-famous Rocky Mountains National Park. Stephen King and his wife spent a night in room 217 of this hotel back in 1973. They were the only guests at the hotel that night, yet Stephen had some feelings that they weren't alone. According to Stephen, the hotel was an incredible setting for a horror story. Other guests have also reported the creepiness of the place and feelings of spiritual energy. His stay in Stanley Hotel was the inspiration for the book, ''The Shining,'' which is one of his bestselling novels. Everyone visiting the hotel is always hoping to stay in room 217.
4 The Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo, Italy
Capuchin Catacombs is one of the scariest places in southern Italy, and only a true horror fan would dare to explore the place. Travelers will find long galleries that collectively cover an area of 300 square meters. There are about 2,000 skeletons and mummified corpses kept from the 17th-20th centuries. Guests who've been there report having seen the corpses stretching and moving their bodies like they're alive again. Rosalia Lombardo's body, popularly known as the ''Sleeping Beauty,'' a two-year-old, is one of the most recent additions to the monastery. Visitors claim that they've seen the young girl blinking.
3 Hoia Baciu Forest, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Hoia Baciu Forest, named after a shepherd who disappeared together with his entire flock comprising 200 sheep, is one of the creepiest places that horror buffs should visit at least once in a lifetime. The locals believe that the forest is haunted by ghosts, which explains the weird appearance of the vegetation. It's also been reported that there are mysterious burn and char marks on the plants, making it one of the scariest destinations in Romania.
2 Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana, USA
Myrtles Plantation is one of the United States' most haunted places that horror buffs shouldn't miss on their bucket lists. It is believed that the place has nine ghosts haunting it, and one of them is a spirit of a slave girl, hanged after serving the lady of the house a poisoned meal in 1823. A picture was captured in 1922 that appeared to be a slave girl standing between two buildings. Some guests have also reported being haunted at night by the ghosts.
1 Aokigahara (The Suicide Forest), Mount Fuji Japan
Apart from being an ideal location for horror lovers, Aokigahara is exceptionally gorgeous. The forest is full of mystery and involves ghost and suicide stories. The forest served as a death destination for the locals who brought the elderly to starve to death, a custom called ubasute. The forest is the setting for the famous ‘’Black of Trees,’’ a horror novel that involves a couple committing suicide there. Now, the forest is claimed to be possessed by spirits who haunt the place.