Have you ever wished for the tangible thrill of Hitchock’s Psycho set? Or the haunting chill of The Amityville Horror house? When it comes to our favorite frightening flicks, gruesome possibilities lurk in every shadow and creep around every corner — so, how cool would it be to see these shadows and corners with our very own eyes? And maybe even get a visit from Norman Bates in the process? Check out some accessible horror houses after the jump, and plan your next road trip (or Google Maps binge) accordingly.
Psycho (1960), Bates Motel and House
Here we find the legendary Bates Motel and, of course, the accompanying house belonging to Norma Bates and her beloved son, Norman. Want to see Hitchcock’s lot with your own eyes? Easy!
Step 1: Go to Los Angeles Step 2: Drive to Universal Studios Step 3: Get on that Studio Tour Step 4: Resist any urge to shower
The folks over at Universal Studios even add some fun theatrics to your visit, so kick back, relax, and enjoy some Psycho treats.
The Shining (1980), Overlook Hotel
Recognize this big ol’ place? It’s the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, better known as the exterior for The Shining‘s Overlook Hotel. It’s a great place to stay and chase your family around for a few days, but make sure you’re immune to Jack Torrance’s cabin fever; you’ll have to hop in a car for about 20 hours if you really want the full Shining effect. Your next stop? The Stanley Hotel in Colorado, the place where it all started. Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining after staying at the Stanley, which is known to be haunted with children and ballroom party-goers. The best part? Turn your guest room TV to channel 42, they’re showing The Shining on loop, forever and ever and ever…
The Amityville Horror (1979), Lutz House
Would you like to hear the infamous Amityville Horror “GET OUT” with your own ears? Well, you missed your chance to buy the real 112 Ocean Avenue in 2010, but the place where they shot the 1979 film is up for sale! You should probably buy it, because, y’know, it’s the kind of house they don’t build anymore.
The Others (2001), Stewart House
If you ever find yourself in Cantabria, Spain, why not stop by Palacio de los Hornillos to see if you can find Nicole Kidman and her creepy kids in the windows? The castle and the landscape play a huge role in The Others, and we’d like to know how eerie this place feels in real life. Try not to become an old woman while you’re playing with your puppets in the house — we don’t want to anger Nicole again.
Poltergeist (1982), Freeling House
Make sure you have your Tangina equivalent on speed dial, because you never know what could happen when you check out the Poltergeist house in Simi Valley, California. For all we know, the Poltergeist curse is probably alive and well at the age of 30, so be respectable to the house’s current family (and demons) when you’re shouting, “They’re here!” as you drive by.
The Haunting (1963), Hill House
Planning a Shakespeare field trip to Stratford-upon-Avon? Why not stay at Ettington Park Hotel! It’s where 1963’s acclaimed The Haunting was filmed. But don’t think you can sleep soundly just because the flick was fiction. Ettington Hotel is known to be incredibly haunted by a number of Victorian ghosts. The classier, the scarier!
The Evil Dead (1981), Cabin
The directions to The Evil Dead spot involve some tricky navigation, but hey — it was filmed in an abandoned cabin in the woods, so what else would you expect? The folks over at fast-rewind have the lowdown on how to get there. Don’t get lost, and don’t let the trees take advantage of you, y’hear?
The Exorcist (1973), McNeil House/Stairs
A horror buff hotspot, Georgetown’s 3600 Prospect Street is where all The Excorcist magic happened; the head-spinning, the blood-spewing, the levitating. Try not to go head-first down the iconic outdoor staircase from the final scene, unless it’s like this. That’d be pretty cool.
Hell Night (1981), Garth Manor
Hell Night, a cult classic slasher flick about fraternity initiations gone wrong, was set at the Kimberly Crest House and Gardens in 1981. The mansion is currently used for tours, events, and weddings. A Hell Night-themed marriage? Sounds good to us!
Donnie Darko (2001), Cunningham House
We’ll end on a psychological thriller note with Donnie Darko ’s house, prone to scuffles with inexplicable jet engines. Down the block you’ll find Patrick Swayze’s character’s child porn haven, also known as the house from Weird Science. Wild stuff has gone on in that place, folks.