1

Edinburgh Manor, Iowa

Image: Yener Ozturk

Thanks, in no small part, to horror movies and documentaries, asylums make great abandoned places. So, we might as well start our list with Edinburgh Manor , a once-bustling institution located in Iowa. Built in the early 1900s, this huge building served as a home for the mentally ill, the elderly, and the indigent, until 2010.

Today, Edinburgh Manor continues to harbor visitors but in the form of thrill chasers who seek to experience the paranormal within the mysterious walls of the immense asylum, even daring to stay the night on its premises. Would you dare to be one of them?

2

Dinosaur Mini Golf Ruins, California

Image: Dan Meyers

Dinosaurs and golf are two entirely different things. But in the cultural melting pot that is California, it seemed like a good idea to build a dinosaur-themed mini golf course in the town of Apple Valley, complete with 15-foot-tall creatures rendered in concrete.

Alas, the economics of the whole endeavor proved too much for its creator, who was forced to abandon his dream to the desert. Today, the deteriorating remains of these dinosaurs can still be visited, as an attraction that lures travelers off the highway.

3

Space Shuttle Fuel Tank, Green Cove Springs, Florida

Image: SpaceX

Picture a humongous 154-foot-long space fuel tank sitting alone in the middle of nowhere. For many years, this tank stood on display at the Kennedy Space Center. But after the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, NASA announced that they would remove the test fuel tank to make room for the retired space shuttle Atlantis, along with a new exhibition facility. The tank was auctioned off and sold to the Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum in Keystone Heights, Florida.

It took a 200-foot barge, two tugboats, and cranes to transport the massive tank to Green Cove Springs, where it would be temporarily held before moving to its final destination. But the logistics of moving such a massive structure proved difficult, and that temporary staging site seems to have become the fuel tank’s final home.

4

Meigs Field Tower and Terminal, Illinois

Image: Mads Eneqvist

An abandoned airport ranks high amongst the personal goals of any urban explorer worth its salt. And, to anyone close to Chicago, Meigs Field certainly delivers. Built on an artificial peninsula, the airport functioned as such from 1948 to 2003.

Today it no longer works as an airport but the stubby control tower is still very much recognizable as such, standing watch over the breezy park and its native grasses and birds.

While the tower is closed to the public, the old terminal building is not; it houses a Parks Department Visitor’s Center.

5

Old Zoo Nature Trails, Texas

Image: Matthew Cabret

A long-abandoned zoo repurposed as a hiking trail? Sign me up! The Cisco Zoo in rural Texas functioned as such for only a few years starting in the 1920s until it closed its doors due to a poisoned bear, a mysterious deer death, and other factors.

Visitors can walk through the rusted enclosures and concrete shelters where the animals were once kept, and even find the remains of what were once offices used by zoo staff. The ruins form an eerie backdrop to an otherwise tranquil 1.5-mile track still in the shadow of the dam.

6

Redstone Coke Ovens, Colorado

Image: Nadia Jamnik

Picture a mysterious "town" made up of several lines of man-made caves of equal dimensions, with open entrances like dark mouths. Now place it in a mountainous terrain, in the middle of nowhere. Welcome to Colorado Fuel and Iron coke ovens , in Coal Basin.

Built in 1899, the 249 ovens worked only for a few years, until 1908. In recent decades, the site was recognized as a historic one, and nowadays, many ovens remain intact and open to the public.

7

Black River Ghost Ship, Ohio

Image: zhao chen

Another high-ranking site in the books of any urban explorer is a ghost ship . Located on the banks of the Black River outside of Cleveland, lies a bit of a nautical mystery for the residents of Lorain, Ohio. Sinking into the muddy water along the shore and listing to one side, rusting away a little more each season, is a 90-foot-long Canadian automobile ferry that mysteriously appeared docked under the bridge sometime around 2003.

For the last 20 years, the ship has remained where it dropped anchor all those years ago. No one knows what will happen to the ship. But, for now, it serves as a decaying piece of maritime history that is well worth the walk to the top of the bridge in Lorain to view.

8

Lando School, South Carolina

Image: Evgeny Matveev

Going back to your former school as an adult is a recurring dream for many. Going back to your former school and walking through its ruins is a slightly less common dream, but it is also known to happen. And, if you went to school before the year 1955 in the Lando Schoolhouse in South Carolina, you can live the dream.

The school ruins feature classrooms, an auditorium, and balcony seatings above, all on three floors full of eerie corners, dusty blackboards, and forgotten tables. Quite creepy, right?

9

Abandoned Castle Video Games, South Carolina

Image: Chris Anderson

A defunct casino building fashioned as a castle, complete with a stone exterior, an arched wooden door, a looming knight statue, turrets, and other cliché castle features. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Castle Video Games was a video gambling center in the late 80s and early 90s until the Carolina Supreme Court ruled video gambling illegal, thus shutting the casino castle doors forever.

10

Camp Hayden, Washington

Image: Greg Panagiotoglou

Bunkers are gloomy places by design, with very little room for windows, if any, and an oppressive atmosphere. Now, imagine being in a World War II abandoned bunker at the end of a thickly forested road inside the Salt Creek Recreation Area west of Port Angeles, Washington.

One of seven locations in Washington’s system, this bunker featured a fire control radar and harbor entrance radar. Constructed of steel-shielded concrete, the structure was designed to withstand a direct hit. All of the bunkers still stand, and portions of the interiors are accessible to explorers.

1

Chewbacca ( Star Wars )

Chewbacca, an over seven-foot-tall Wookie covered in fur, is a character that never needed words to steal our hearts . He’s been Han Solo's faithful companion since the beginning of the Star Wars saga in A New Hope (1977), helping the heroes not only with his knowledge of starships and combat skills, but also adding a warm sense of humor and unbreakable loyalty.

Chewbacca (played by Peter Mayhew in the first three original Star Wars films) doesn’t appear on camera nearly as much as protagonists Han, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia, yet he’s become a symbol of Star Wars and a familiar face we always enjoy seeing again.

2

Doc Brown ( Back to the Future )

While it was never clear how a cool high school student who rides a skateboard is friends with an eccentric inventor, Marty McFly and Dr. Emmet "Doc" Brown are one of the most iconic movie duos . And though Marty (Michael J. Fox) is the lead character, all the events of the Back to the Future movies (1985-1990) are set in motion by Doc (Christopher Lloyd) and his time-travel machine.

His crazy white hair and energetic personality fill the movie with plenty of funny scenes as well as emotional and reflective moments that have made Doc Brown as memorable as the hero.

3

Robin ( Batman )

Robin is probably the most recognizable sidekick of all. He first appeared on the big screen in the 15-chapter Batman theatrical movie serial released in 1943, though he was a known character from the DC comics before that. Over the following decades, Robin appeared in several Batman television shows, animated series, films, and other adaptations.

Robin is Batman’s young crime-fighting partner, who adds a little bit of optimism and humor to the dark and solemn world of the hero. He contributes with his agility, courage, and a more easygoing personality, making him an iconic Gotham figure hard to separate from Batman.

4

Samwise Gamgee ( The Lord of the Rings )

"Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam," says Frodo (Elijah Wood) in The Two Towers (2002), and we all agreed. Few sidekicks have the strength and courage to remain loyal as Sam did in the face of an evil much greater than himself.

The epic journey of the two hobbits in The Lord of the Rings ’ saga is centered around Frodo and his struggle with the One Ring, but Sam’s (Sean Astin) commitment and never-give-up attitude were the key reason the duo succeeded — but his humility and kind heart were what won ours.

5

Donkey ( Shrek )

Just thinking about Donkey can make you laugh. Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) is impossible to ignore, and he’ll make sure of that. He’s the fast-talking, nonstop-chattering companion of the grumpy ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) in the Shrek films (2001 - 2010, with a fifth film slated for 2027), and honestly, the movies wouldn’t be nearly as fun without him.

One of the best things about this duo is seeing how Donkey drives Shrek up the wall , though he can’t bring himself to dislike him. The clash of their personalities created the most hilarious scenes of the series and has made Donkey as essential as Shrek.

6

Toto ( The Wizard of Oz )

Small in size but unforgettable in spirit: that’s little Toto. He’s Dorothy’s companion throughout her journey in the magical Land of Oz in The Wizard of Oz (1939), and he taught us that even the smallest fellow can make a big difference .

But Toto was not just adorable (though that’s a good reason we love him); he actually helps Dorothy (Judy Garland) many times throughout the movie, exposing the Wizard’s secrets and getting her out of danger time and time again.

7

Jiminy Cricket ( Pinocchio )

Jiminy Cricket serves as Pinocchio's conscience in Disney’s Pinocchio (1940), but in a way he became the voice of everyone’s conscience. The little cricket (voiced by Cliff Edwards) tries to help Pinocchio understand right from wrong and always encourages him to do good, even when it isn’t easy.

His wisdom and charisma make him responsible for much of the film’s humor and heart, and he evolved into a symbol of integrity in pop culture. None of Pinocchio's growth would’ve been possible without this little fellow.

8

Goose ( Top Gun )

Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) is Maverick’s (Tom Cruise) best friend in Top Gun (1986), bringing warmth to the movie and also contrasting Maverick’s recklessness with a more grounded personality. Their unique bond and friendship make each character grow throughout the film.

Goose became a fan favorite (despite having much less time on camera than the protagonist), especially due to the tragic events he’s involved in, which represent some of the most emotional moments in the entire movie and a turning point for Maverick.

9

Dr. Watson ( Sherlock Holmes )

While Sherlock Holmes is indeed the star of the story, with his brilliant mind and sharp observation, Dr. Watson plays a key role when it comes to solving the duo’s cases, as he brings a bit of "humanity" and common sense to Holmes’ cold calculations and eccentricities.

Dr. Watson also contributes with subtle touches of humor , giving funny remarks that clash with Holmes’ quirks. From the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle to the many adaptations for film and television, Watson became as iconic as Sherlock, making it impossible to think of one without the other.

10

Short Round ( Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom )

The charming, fearless boy who proved that he could save the day despite his age and be more than just the comic relief of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) — that’s Short Round, played by future Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan.

His quick wit and funny banter with Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) added a necessary share of humor to the film, and his relationship with the archaeologist felt more like a father-and-son kind of thing, which was enough for Short Round to steal the show. And while he has only appeared in one of the many Indiana Jones movies, he became a fan favorite from day one.

1

The moon landing: staged in Arizona?

Image: NASA

Back in 1969, Americans watched Neil Armstrong take one small step for man on TV. But not long after, rumors started floating around that it was all filmed on a Hollywood-style set somewhere in the desert. Books and even a movie helped the idea spread. Still, with hundreds of pounds of moon rocks and decades of scientific study to back it up, it seems pretty clear the only thing fake was the rumor itself.

2

The dead internet theory: bots gone wild

Image: Waldemar

According to this theory, you might be talking to a wall online. The idea is that most of the internet isn’t run by people at all but by bots—that is, automated programs pretending to be humans. They supposedly post, reply, and argue, all to keep clicks coming. Even if bots are increasingly popular on some sites and apps, it’s evident that this is nothing but a crazy conspiracy theory!

3

Subliminal advertising: blink and you’ll miss it

Image: Wojtek Witkowski

Remember when people thought ads were sneaking messages into our brains? Some authors were convinced that companies were hiding secret images in movies and commercials to mess with our minds. This theory hit headlines in the ’70s, but most of those claims didn’t hold up under scrutiny. Marketing and advertising do know some tricks around our minds, but your sudden craving for popcorn probably has more to do with the smell than secret mind control.

4

Paul is (not) dead

Image: IJ Portwine

Back in the swinging ’60s, a bizarre rumor began circulating: Paul McCartney had supposedly died and been replaced by a lookalike. Fans claimed to find hidden clues in Beatles albums, like barefoot walks and cryptic lyrics. The theory quickly crossed borders and spread worldwide. But don’t worry, Paul was (and still is) very much alive, touring, and giving interviews.

5

Roswell: crash course in confusion

Image: Rishabh Sharma

Something definitely fell near Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947—remember that? The question is, what was it? The government first hinted at flying saucers , then changed the story to a weather balloon. That was all it took for conspiracy theories about aliens to bloom. Years later, it turned out the object was actually a Cold War–era military balloon from a classified program. No aliens—just some top-secret tech.

6

Chemtrails: clouds of confusion

Image: Val Vesa

Those streaks behind planes? They’re called contrails, and they’re mostly made of water vapor. But some believe they’re really "chemtrails" (chemical agents sprayed into the sky). Theories range from weather control to population mind games. Scientists have tested the air and found nothing unusual, but some folks still keep looking up and wondering. What do you think?

7

COVID and 5G: a confusing combo

Image: Shiwa ID

When the pandemic hit, it brought more than just a virus. With so much uncertainty, conspiracy theories spread just as fast. One unusual claim linked COVID-19 to 5G technology, even suggesting that vaccines contained tracking chips. Researchers and doctors around the world quickly debunked it all, but it just goes to show how fear and confusion can breed some pretty wild ideas.

8

Birds aren’t real... or are they?

Image: Gareth Davies

This one takes the cake. A satirical movement claims that birds are actually government surveillance drones . What started as a joke by a college student quickly went viral, billboards and all. While some people mistook it for a real conspiracy theory, it’s actually a commentary on how misinformation spreads.

9

Flat Earth: going against the grain

Image: Elena Mozhvilo

Despite centuries of science and countless space photos, some people still believe the Earth is flat . They point to the horizon, question gravity, and invent creative explanations for eclipses and orbits. It’s a belief often fueled by mistrust or ideology, but the round Earth, seen from space, keeps on spinning just the same.

10

Denver Airport: baggage and bunkers

Image: Rocker Sta

Denver’s airport has some… interesting décor. Murals of chaos, red-eyed horses, and creepy gargoyles have sparked rumors that it’s hiding secret bunkers for the Illuminati. While the truth is less exciting (just over-budget construction and bold public art), the place does have a weird vibe that fuels the fun of imagining a secret space beneath the baggage claim. If only!