Halloween isn’t just for costumes and candy—it’s the perfect time to chase chills and thrills in the real world. For fans of horror cinema, North America offers a terrifying treasure trove of filming sites that have become pilgrimage spots for those seeking a brush with the macabre. These horror movie locations aren’t just backdrops—they’re characters in their own right, steeped in eerie ambiance and unsettling lore. Whether it’s haunted hotels, cursed cabins, or sinister staircases, each site invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of fear.
Below are five iconic horror movie locations that can be visited this Halloween, each offering a unique blend of cinematic history and real-world creepiness.
1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
Featured in: The Shining (inspiration). The Stanley Hotel is the crown jewel of horror movie locations in North America. Though Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining was filmed on a soundstage, the story was born from Stephen King’s stay at this remote Colorado hotel. Room 217 is infamous for ghostly encounters, and the hotel now offers theatrical tours that delve into its haunted history. Nestled near Rocky Mountain National Park, Stanley’s grand architecture and isolated setting make it a perfect Halloween destination.
2. Camp Crystal Lake – Hardwick, New Jersey
Featured in: Friday the 13th (1980). Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco served as the real-life Camp Crystal Lake, where Jason Voorhees began his reign of terror. Located in Hardwick, New Jersey, this private youth camp opens for limited guided tours and VIP overnight experiences. Visitors can explore cabins, the lake, and filming spots from the original movie. For horror fans, it’s a rare chance to relive the slasher classic in the very woods where it all began.
3. The Exorcist House – Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Featured in: The Exorcist (1973). At 3600 Prospect Street NW stands one of the most infamous horror movie locations in cinematic history. The house used in The Exorcist is deceptively ordinary, but the adjacent staircase—now a historic landmark—is etched into horror lore. Fans can visit the site and descend the steep steps where Father Karras met his fate. The surrounding Georgetown neighborhood adds a gothic charm that enhances the eerie experience.
4. Bates Motel – Aldergrove, British Columbia
Featured in: Bates Motel (TV series), Psycho (inspiration). While the original Psycho set was built in California, the Bates Motel series recreated the iconic house and motel in Aldergrove, British Columbia. Though not open to the public year-round, the site is part of studio tours and special events. The looming Victorian house and roadside motel evoke the psychological dread that made Norman Bates a household name. For Halloween travelers, it’s a chilling stop that blends homage with modern horror storytelling.
5. The Witch Forest – Kiosk, Ontario
Featured in: The Witch (2015). Robert Eggers’ The Witch was filmed in the remote wilderness of Kiosk, Ontario. The stark, haunting landscape of this folk horror masterpiece is as unsettling in real life as it is on screen. While there’s no official tour, adventurous visitors can explore the surrounding forest and imagine the eerie isolation that drove the film’s Puritan family to madness. It’s one of the more obscure horror movie locations, but perfect for those seeking atmospheric dread.
Final Thought
These horror movie locations offer more than just photo ops—they’re immersive experiences that blur the line between fiction and reality. Visiting them during Halloween adds an extra layer of thrill, turning a seasonal celebration into a cinematic journey through fear. Whether drawn to psychological horror, supernatural tales, or slasher classics, each site invites brave souls to step into the story and feel the chill of the unknown.
