The mastery of Channel 4’s It’s a Sin, which follows a group of friends navigating the early AIDS epidemic in 1980s London, is in its understanding that even the darkest periods in history are imbued with ambition and joy. That’s not to say that Russell T. Davies’ (Queer as Folk, Years and Years) newest drama series, now available to US audiences on HBO Max, diminishes the inescapable grief that plagued entire generations of queer people, but rather that in order to comprehend the full weight of the AIDS crisis, viewers would need to be privy to the thrilling moments that made life so precious.
In the show’s opening scenes, we’re introduced to three gay teens who each flee the nest to make a life for themselves in London. There, they find one another and soon move into a communal flat they dub the “Pink Palace,” which becomes something of a queer community hub where all are welcome. Over the course of five episodes and 10 years, residents of the Pink Palace find it increasingly difficult to ignore the fast-spreading virus that’s crept into their inner circle, oscillating between pop-filled nights to remember and abrupt visits to the hospital to hug another friend goodbye.
While every gay character on It’s a Sin finds something to live for in a decade when gay men’s lives were particularly fragile, it’s Roscoe Babatunde, played by television newcomer Omari Douglas, who most adamantly refuses to let the threat of HIV keep him from living the fearless and fabulous life he planned.
“If you need to forward any mail, I’ll be staying at 23 Piss Off Avenue, London W-Fuck.” | CHANNEL 4
Roscoe’s story begins under the reign of his conservative Nigerian parents, who vehemently condemn his homosexuality and make plans to send him away to “heal.” With some seed money from his sister and not much of a choice, Roscoe packs a bag, says he’s leaving, and stamps off in the rain to the tune of “Feels Like I’m in Love” by Kelly Marie. The pivotal moment sets the stage for Roscoe’s no-fucks-given attitude that empowers him to push through the difficult years to come.
“He’s fiercely proud and fiercely out, and has the confidence and bravery to express that in this really bold and innovative way,” says Douglas over a Zoom call, noting that Roscoe’s character arc isn’t about finding himself—he already knows exactly who he is—but rather one of finding a balance between being himself and fulfilling his duties as a friend, brother, and son.
Toward the end of Episode 1, Roscoe lays his full personality on the table when he unapologetically arrives late to a job interview at the local queer bar, where he’s asked what he wants to do when he’s older. “You wait,” he replies. “Give me five, six years, I’ll be stinkin’ rich. Every single teacher I’ve had, I want to drive past them in my big shiny car, like, ‘Fuck you.'”
“Roscoe is ambitious and he wants to achieve things and he wants to hit the high life,” confirms Douglas. “He’s going to go out and get it by whatever means necessary, and he does.”
“So, tell me. Mrs. Thatcher, does she drink tea or coffee?” | CHANNEL 4
When Roscoe has a run-in with a Member of Parliament, Arthur Garrison (Stephen Fry), he sees his ticket to obtaining status and begins sleeping with him in secret. He grows closer to the MP over time, bailing on the bar job he’s had for several years now and diving headfirst into a private world of wealth and power that even his friends aren’t privy to.
“Roscoe knows that some of what he’s doing is maybe a little bit questionable and he’s not going to share it with the group,” says Douglas, acknowledging that Roscoe is fully aware he doesn’t belong in Garrison’s world. Still, Roscoe needed to let himself get burned before returning to reality—and the core friends who truly care for him.
Thus is the mystery of Roscoe: How can someone who brings such vibrance to every room he enters manage to keep an invisible guard between himself and his friends? And where does his aggressive independence come from? Douglas sees Roscoe’s bravado as his shield, his independence a side-effect of his parents’ intolerance. “To be pushed out of your home by the people who bore you is the greatest kind of rejection, so he’s quite selective,” says Douglas. “You would be selective about the people that you let into your life.”
Roscoe has several friends, ones that he genuinely cherishes, but few understand the extent to which his strained family relationships still weigh on him. The person who got to know Roscoe the most intimately was Gregory (David Carlyle), affectionately known as Gloria, who becomes one of the show’s many casualties of AIDS.
“He trusted Gloria, and he disappeared,” says Douglas, leaving Roscoe even more hurt and shut off to his pain. As it often goes with people who are suffering, it became easier to maintain his strong front than to vulnerably open himself up and risk more judgment or, worse, abandonment.
“How’s mom? How’s things?” | CHANNEL 4
On the surface, Roscoe’s story never quite comes full circle, but Davies drops just enough breadcrumbs to suggest that, even if it takes time, Roscoe might one day have a relationship with his parents again.
First, there’s Roscoe’s subtle support of his mother from afar. “I think Roscoe still understands his duty as a son and he still wants to repair that,” Douglas says, describing why Roscoe would anonymously leave an envelope of cash at his mother’s door after learning through the grapevine that she was struggling. “It’s his mom, you know, and no one wants to lose that.”
Then, there’s the dramatic, cliff-hanging scene in the final episode when he runs into his father in the AIDS ward of a hospital and is asked for forgiveness. We never hear if Roscoe is willing to give his father a second chance, but according to Douglas, his dad’s apology is certainly a bridge toward mending the relationship—as long as one condition is met.
“Roscoe knew who he was from the beginning and [his parents] wouldn’t let him [be] that, so he’s not going to compromise for the sake of welcoming them back into his life,” says Douglas, explaining that while Roscoe would be open to the idea of reconciliation, he would rather have no contact with his parents than be forced to tone down any part of himself for them.
“La.” | CHANNEL 4
Roscoe Babatunde is just one piece of Davies’ narrative—one that’s perhaps not given as much weight as other characters—but the themes of Roscoe’s journey lend themselves to the greater picture of It’s a Sin. Much like the 1987 Pet Shop Boys song of the same name, it’s a story of spirited youth just trying to live, despite being told at every turn that their pursuit of happiness is shameful. And along the way, it becomes the story of not only battling an oppressive moral high ground, but battling a deadly illness that only validates the shame instilled in them as children.
“It’s kind of a retrospective on [Davies’] experiences,” says Douglas, describing how It’s a Sin captures the happy moments of being a queer 20-something in the ’80s, in addition to the hard moments. “Back in the ’80s when all of these [seminal works about AIDS] were coming out, I don’t think there was time to sit in the joy.”
Now that time has passed and progress has been made, Davies was able to adopt a tone for It’s a Sin that might have been irreverent at the time. The show features fun pop anthems from the era, steamy sex scenes, and moments of pure ecstasy—whether on the dancefloor or in the company of good friends—that humanize the characters. It’s hard for anyone to watch It’s a Sin and not see at least an element of themselves reflected in Ritchie, or Colin, or Roscoe.
“I’m glad that we can enjoy that stuff because it needs to be seen. We need to see what these people lost,” says Douglas. “People lost youth and innocence and all the things that they should’ve been able to enjoy.”
Do you remember the last time you went to a movie theater? What did you see? The Photograph? The Call of the Wild? For me, it was Downhill, and I have regretted ending on that note every day for the past 12 months.
Even in a city where live entertainment prevails, New Yorkers love a good cinema moment, whether it’s having an intimate dinner outing at Nitehawk or getting the full IMAX experience at AMC Lincoln Square. Now, after nearly a year of relying on at-home theatrical releases, Governor Andrew Cuomo decided that NYC movie theaters can join the rest of the state and open their revolving doors once again.
Starting Saturday, March 5, local cineplexes can fill their theater rooms to 25% capacity.
Cuomo’s decision to partially reopen movie theaters in the Big Apple is a big win for the film industry. Some movies that were set to release last spring still haven’t come out because they are banking on hitting big in the box office. And in order to hit big in the box office, leading markets need to be in business.
The National Association of Theater Owners, which has been urging Cuomo to loosen restrictions for quite some time now, was quick to comment about the decision that was announced during a Monday news conference.
“New York City is a major market for moviegoing in the U.S.,” NATO said in a statement. “Reopening there gives confidence to film distributors in setting and holding their theatrical release dates, and is an important step in the recovery of the entire industry. We look forward to expanding the capacity from 25% to 50% in the very near future so that theatres can operate profitably.”
Still, the public is divided about whether or not it’s safe and worth it to spend an extended period of time in a poorly ventilated room, with many people on social media vowing not to risk infection at a movie theater until they’re fully vaccinated.
Cuomo hopes that setting strict guidelines for cinemas and moviegoers will prevent COVID-19 cases from rising as a result of the decision. Not only will movie theaters have to max out their seating at 25% capacity, but they can’t allow more than 50 people to be seated in a single theater, everyone visiting must wear masks, and theater rooms must have air filtration systems that provide for better ventilation.
Movie theaters aren’t the only thing set to return to NYC in the coming months. Indoor dining has now resumed, and reopening dates for family entertainment centers and amusement parks have been set for early spring.
Cinema owners have long touted that zero COVID-19 infections have been traced back to movie theaters, and they’ll need that stat to remain true if they want government officials and members of the public to buy into expanding seating capacity as time goes on.
So, is New York City ready for the return of movie theaters? I guess we’ll find out soon.
THE MOST AWE-INSPIRING GHOST TOWN IN MISSOURI isn’t a ghost town at all. It checks most of the boxes, sure. It’s barely inhabited, positioned along Route 66, and contains its own cemetery—a rural fossil of another era—but it was never exactly abandoned. In fact, it’s still peaking.
Red Oak II sits northeast of Carthage, and describing it accurately requires effort. It’s an old-fashioned country settlement, an art installation, and a roadside attraction. It could be succinctly called an outdoor ghost town museum. Don’t worry, this will all make sense in a moment.
In 1974, artist Lowell Davis left his big-city job in Dallas to return to the bucolic southwestern Missouri landscape where he was raised. He and his first wife bought a rundown farm near Carthage for $18,000 with no expectation of what would happen next.
Davis was raised in the small community of Red Oak, about 20 miles east of the new farm. When he stopped by his childhood township to reminisce, he found it deserted, a victim of widespread 20th-century migrations to larger cities. And Red Oak wasn’t the only ghost town he came across. Many settlements along Route 66 had been abandoned while he was away, their buildings withering and stories fading into the countryside.
Unwilling to let history die, Davis began moving some of these marooned structures to his farm and restoring them—some from Red Oak, some from nearby. Using his cornfield as an unlikely canvas, Davis grew his collection. Soon, he realized he was onto something incredible.
Lowell Davis’ early restorations included (from left to right) the Red Oak General Store, Phillips 66 Gas Station, Salem Church, Belle Starr House, and Grandpa Weber’s Blacksmith Shop. | PHOTO COURTESY OF RED OAK II
Davis’ farm slowly became its own miniature city, which he dubbed Red Oak II. Here, fragments of nearby ghost towns would be immortalized together in an ever-evolving collection.
“I don’t believe that an artist should be restricted to use only paint or clay. It can be anything including junk, wood, even an old building,” Davis wrote on the attraction’s website. “To me, Red Oak II is a combination of a painting and a sculpture, and it is just made from things that someone else threw away.”
Among the early additions to Red Oak II were particularly sentimental pieces of Davis’ youth: the Red Oak General Store—formerly run by his father, and where the young Davis learned to sculpt and paint—and Grandpa Weber’s Blacksmith Shop, where his own great-grandfather worked.
Today, Red Oak II is a full-blown faux town owned and operated by Davis, his wife, Rose, and a few neighbors. Encompassing 11 acres of land, the town itself has a population of 12.
A building trucked over from the original Red Oak became a town hall for Red Oak II. | NICK FOX/SHUTTERSTOCK
One of the current part-owners is Larry Sernyk, who bought a stake in the project in 2004 after finding Davis through his art. Now a good friend of the Davises with a seasoned understanding of the founder’s philosophy, Sernyk has plans to keep growing Red Oak II—and a whole pasture to develop on should they ever run out of space.
Despite housing private residences, the Red Oak II grounds are open to the public from dawn till dusk. Some structures—like the General Store, Fort Hooker, and a cabin on the lake—can be toured inside and out, while others are admired solely from the outside. Once Sernyk, who currently lives out of state, retires at Red Oak II, he plans to furnish the train station as well.
Even buildings that are closed to the public are worth passing through to see. While Davis’ primary goal was to maintain the buildings’ integrity, he’s taken a few creative liberties.
“Red Oak II is trying to preserve the past, so [Davis] always tried to keep the character of the building as true as possible,” says Sernyk.
But Davis—who could not speak to Thrillist due to health reasons—believes that art happens when you break straight lines. Imperfections are welcome. So too are color changes, resulting in a bright landscape that’s equal parts rustic and refined.
“Those might not be the original colors, but they do add some character,” says Sernyk. “They make it into Lowell’s art.”
Davis’ other art, which includes handmade sculptures and smaller structures like a windmill and water tower, can be seen by touring the grounds on foot. In the next couple of years, one of the property owners plans to add a rideable train to the development so visitors can ride around the property via locomotive. He already acquired a railroad track from an amusement park.
“There’s places where they have living history, where people [re-enact] things from the era. We don’t really do that part,” Sernyk says. Red Oak II doesn’t need costumes or shows to paint a vivid picture of days gone by. Its history is its present. “I look at it as going back to the past.”
Before Canada’s Drag Race premiered in July, we feared it would lack a certain je ne sais quoi (i.e., drama) that its American cousin is known for. These are Canadian queens, after all. Imagine our surprise when we got a season full of feuding, tears, and online discourse about fans’ treatment of the judges and queens. One season alone produced four lip-sync assassins and infinite mentions of “mooseknuckles.” It’s been a rocky ride full of unusual twists and unforeseeable turns, but an end is near.
Now that the Top Three have been chosen, we gathered everything you need to know about next week’s finale, including how to watch it, what to expect, and who we think will become Canada’s first drag superstar.
Warning: This post contains spoilers for Canada’s Drag Race Season 1.
When and where can I watch the Canada’s Drag Race finale?
Canada’s inaugural drag superstar will be crowned on Thursday, September 3. The final episode begins at 9pm ET, and US viewers can stream it on WOW Presents Plus.
If you’re in Canada, stream the finale on Crave. If you’re not in the US or Canada, you still might be able to watch. Find out if Canada’s Drag Race is available where you’re at here.
Rita Baga in the Miss Loose Jaw Pageant | COURTESY OF BELL MEDIA
Which three queens moved on to Canada’s first-ever finale?
Canada’s inaugural cast has dwindled from 12 to three as we gear up for the final challenge of the season. Still standing are Priyanka, Rita Baga, and Scarlett BoBo.
Scarlett BoBo was first to secure a place in the finale after winning the week’s Maxi Challenge, a winter-themed ball that forced her to conquer her fear of the sewing machine. Up until the runway, Scarlett was the underdog. Her win left three of the season’s frontrunners to fight for only two remaining spots in the finals.
Two of Priyanka’s winter ball looks slayed, but the messy bodysuit she made from scratch prevented her from getting the Maxi win. (A bold outfit choice for the week that Michelle Visage was guest judging.) Still, she got overall positive reviews and became the next queen to secure a place in the Top Three.
Jimbo and Rita Baga were left to battle it out for the last spot in the finale. They lip-synced “Closer” by Tegan and Sara in a naughty performance that, uh, definitely made things physical. Rita scissored her dress, Jimbo scissored Rita, and viewers reminisced on how things weren’t always so close between the two. In the end, the judges chose to keep Rita and send Jimbo home, neglecting to use a double shantay this entire season.
How will the final episode be structured?
Despite airing well into the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada’s Drag Race finale was filmed last fall, meaning there won’t be a live virtual crowning like with RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12.
Expect the finale structure to be more in line with Drag Race UK than the American version. We anticipate that the Top Three will be asked to write and record original verses for the RuPaul song “U Wear It Well.” If it falls completely in line with Drag Race UK, the top two queens will then lip-sync for the crown, determining who’s a runner-up and who’s a winner, baby.
Priyanka | COURTESY OF WORLD OF WONDER
Who is poised to snatch the crown?
If there’s one thing we’ve learned with Canada’s Drag Race, it’s that nobody knows what’s coming next… and not just because the judges’ critiques are all over the place. This season featured an all-star cast of queens, making it anyone’s guess who will land in the top and bottom each week.
For a majority of the season, Priyanka, Lemon, Jimbo, and Rita Baga were the frontrunners, with Scarlett BoBo trailing safely behind (as in, she was nothing but safe every single week). Now that Scarlett finally nabbed a Maxi Challenge win and outlasted Lemon and Jimbo, we’re left wondering if she’ll continue picking off her challengers. After all, she’s the only queen who hasn’t lip-synced yet, which has to count for something.
Rita Baga has three Maxi Challenge wins, the most of anyone this season, but she’s lip-synced the past two weeks, proving she’s not as untouchable as we once believed. We know she’s capable of pulling off a win, but if she doesn’t give the final competition everything she’s got, it may not be enough to impress the judges.
Priyanka’s journey has been somewhat shaky, but despite having as many Maxi Challenge wins under her belt as she has lip-syncs, she has a mostly glowing track record and a personality that makes up for her shortcomings. Remember also that Priyanka won the singing challenge in Episode 3. With Scarlett’s limited experience ranking high and Rita’s recent decline, it’s looking like Priyanka might walk away with the crown next week, as long as she doesn’t fuck it up.
So the winner gets a crown… what else?
You really didn’t pay attention to RuPaul’s little intro before each episode? On top of the crown, the winner will receive a year of hotel stays from Hilton and a cash prize of $100,000.
COURTESY OF BELL MEDIA
Will Canada’s Drag Race crown a Miss Congeniality?
Sadly, no, but if there was one, we have some ideas of who it might be.
We can start by ruling out a few queens (no tea, no shade). Jimbo was a fan favorite with plenty of talents, but biting her tongue wasn’t one. Ilona Verley was both sensitive and fierce, but not the most unifying. Same story with Scarlett BoBo.
Sure Priyanka and Rita Baga threw their share of metaphorical punches, but their positive attitudes and sweet souls would make them strong contenders were they not already finalists. BOA and Lemon were famously feisty, but they had a handful of shining shoulder-to-cry-on moments; still, they may have gotten into one too many tiffs to earn the title.
If we had to guess, we’d say that the title comes down to Anastarzia Anaquway and Tynomi Banks. Tynomi, the lip-sync assassin whose reputation preceded her, was the season’s figurehead of drag success, and Anastarzia was the Bahamian pageant queen who assumed the role of mother. They struggled to find their footing in the competition before ultimately sashaying away, but in their short time on the show, the oldest queens of the season carried a gentleness that we can only assume translated to the workroom. Let’s just say it’s a tie. If RuPaul can do it, so can we.
WOW Presents Plus, World of Wonder’s streaming service for all things drag, houses the inaugural season of Drag Race UK, Season 2 of Drag Race Thailand, the BTS docuseries Werq The World, and other LGBTQ+ content. And if you’ve exhausted all those options, well, you have years and years of old Drag Race seasons to explore.
NYC is gorgeous. Period. Its skyscrapers, bridges, islands, and rivers are in leagues of their own, and for a so-called concrete jungle, there’s a shocking amount of green space where you can take it all in. Central Park and Prospect Park are the most obvious options for an outdoor day, but nothing beats a park along the water, where cool breezes and skyline views complete the experience.
With 520 miles of shore, the city has seemingly endless waterfronts to explore in every borough, yet people still fall back on spots like Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO, and Riverside Park in the UWS, and Domino Park in Williamsburg — and don’t even get us started on the chaos that is Pier 45 in the West Village.
Luckily there are plenty of lesser-known NYC waterfront areas worthy of your attention. If you’re not adding these underappreciated — and, frankly, under-respected — waterfront parks to your destination rotation, it’s time to diversify your outdoor routine. And that’s the tea.
Governors Island The artificial hills on this artificial chunk of island are genuinely amazing. Spanning only 10 acres, the expertly engineered outdoor space makes for a remarkable day trip. Roam Discovery Hill, a 40-foot-tall mound with trees, shrubs, and a permanent art installation; climb Outlook Hill, a 70-foot-tall lookout spot with unbridled views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and the Verrazzano Bridge; and ride NYC’s longest slide (57 feet long and three stories high!) on Slide Hill. When you’re ready to get off your feet, lie out on Grassy Hill, a slightly smaller hump with an equally breathtaking vantage point.
Astoria Rotating art installations transform this ordinary neighborhood park into an alluring spectacle in Queens by the East River and near the north end of Roosevelt Island. Even without the sculptures, though, the one-block-long landfill-turned-green space is worthy of a visit. There’s a grove of trees, pockets of plants, and open lawn space that make circling the perimeter of the park a pleasant experience. Plus, it sits between a Costco and a miniature beach. Talk about range.
Hell Gate Wildflower Meadow | COURTESY OF THE RANDALL’S ISLAND PARK ALLIANCE
Randall’s Island You probably associate Randall’s and Wards Islands with athletic fields and music festivals, but you don’t need an event to make visiting worth your while. The island’s gardens dress up an already scenic chunk of land, and one of its best is the 14,000-square-foot meadow beside the Hell Gate Bridge that’s known for its several species of native Northeast plants. Look out at Astoria beyond the East River as you breathe in fresh oxygen, and think about all the sorry New Yorkers who will never experience such serenity.
Greenpoint North Brooklyn knows it well, but to people who don’t frequent the area, the former radio transmitter site makes a stellar first impression as an urban oasis tucked behind an unsuspecting fence at the end of Greenpoint Avenue. Walk out on the dock to look out at Manhattan, claim a bench to read on, take a picture in front of the mural, or pop a squat on the ground along the East River shore. The space isn’t huge, but it’s big enough, and it fosters a neighborly feel that’ll make every fellow park-goer seem like an old friend.
Long Island City Easily one of NYC’s best waterfronts, Gantry Plaza (and it’s neighbor, Hunter’s Point South) boasts unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline — and plenty of spots to enjoy them, including benches of every shape and size, built-in lounge chairs that double as a lovers’ lane at dusk, and picnic tables beside the park restaurant. The famed Pepsi-Cola sign and restored gantries that read “Long Island” tastefully nod to the neighborhood’s industrial past. It’s a beautiful reading place, a romantic date spot, a calming breakup spot, and the perfect area for a grassy picnic, whether that’s in the mid-afternoon or after dark.
Washington Heights The fun doesn’t stop where Riverside Park ends; just north is a whole new territory to explore. Of course, there are the usual sports fields typical of most hotspots along the Hudson River Greenway, but there are also some unique sights that only Fort Washington Park can offer. Beneath the George Washington Bridge rests Manhattan’s only surviving lighthouse, and the fan-favorite Sisyphus Stones by artist Uliks Gryka provide peaceful environs to meditate and look out at the scenic bluffs of the Palisades.
North Shore Esplanade | MACIEJ BLEDOWSKI/SHUTTERSTOCK
St. George You should know by now that Staten Island has beautiful beaches, but if you don’t want to venture too far down the island, there’s a plaza near the ferry with stellar views of the New York Harbor and One World Trade. The best lookout point is at the Staten Island 9/11 Memorial (aka “Postcards”), which was intentionally positioned to frame the piece of NYC’s skyline where the Twin Towers once stood. The North Shore Esplanade is a little more gray and a little less green than some other local waterfronts, but it’s no less serene.
Astoria This enormous waterfront area isn’t exactly Queens’ best-kept secret, but it is a place that other boroughs foolishly overlook. Astoria Park has everything you’d hope for in an NYC gathering place: wide-open lawns, skyline views, a track and field, fourteen tennis courts, bocce courts, basketball courts, a skatepark, a mixed-use path, the city’s largest swimming pool, public restrooms, and not one but two photogenic bridges — the Triborough and the Hell Gate. It spans nearly 60 acres along the East River in northern Astoria, leaving plenty of space for visitors to sprawl.
Four Freedoms Park | SBWORLDPHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK
Roosevelt Island Remember Roosevelt Island? You know, that mysterious sliver of land between Manhattan and Queens that you visited for like three minutes when you first moved to NYC because your coworker lied and told you that riding the aerial tram is a rite of passage? Well this state park, located at the base of Roosevelt Island, gives you a good reason to return. Honoring Franklin D. Roosevelt, the tree-lined lawn points to a granite memorial, and the often-photographed staircase at the park’s entrance doubles as a canvas for periodic political exhibits.
East Bronx You thought Central Park was massive? Pelham Bay Park comes in at over three times the size of its Manhattan equivalent, making it NYC’s largest park. Its nearly 2,800 acres include just about everything you can imagine: hiking trails, barbecue areas, playgrounds, every type of athletic field/court/course/track, a historic mansion, a dog run, and 13 miles of shoreline primarily along the Eastchester and Pelham bays. Orchard Beach is the most notable waterfront area — and for good reason — but you don’t need sand to enjoy the area’s many waterways. Just about any of the park’s edges will tickle your fancy, but Hunter Island (which is actually a peninsula) steals the show.
Contrasted with the ancient ruins in Mexico and lost-and-found civilizations across Europe and Asia, the abandoned ore mines, mill towns, and Wild West outposts of the US look downright modern. As a young country, the abandoned settlements of the US reflect a history only a few generations removed from today. They’re endlessly fascinating. And often really, really creepy.
Amid the crumbling walls of America’s coolest ghost towns, you’ll find glimpses into each state’s history. They tell stories of tremendous booms and unfathomable busts. They’re victims of time, yes, but also of greed, changing roadways, and old-fashioned karmic retribution. Among them are restored villages humming with tourists and Colonial-era structures seemingly swallowed by nature. Some have rich histories of fleeting prosperity. Others take the designation of “ghost town” literally, with restless spirits rumored to relive past tragedies and atrocities nightly. Whether they’re roadside stop-offs of full-fledged attractions, each offers a side trip through time along America’s roadways. These are our favorites.
Spectre is perhaps the newest ghost town in America, and one of the weirder entries on this list. Director Tim Burton spent six months on Jackson Lake Island building the fictional, idyllic town of Spectre for his 2003 movie Big Fish. Afterward, landowners declined to tear it down and now charge $3 to tour what is essentially a ghost town. Only here, rather than a dusty old stretch of saloons, it’s a lush movie set, albeit in a state of decay: Much of it’s a facade and falling apart, but the designs are rich in detail with a full main street and surrounding “Enchanted Forest.” Don’t be surprised to see a herd of goats roaming the streets. Don’t worry. They’re locals. — Rob Kachelriess
Kennecott Mine Town near McCarthy, Alaska | INTENTIONALTRAVELER/SHUTTERSTOCK
Copper lured brave miners to this remote Alaskan outpost after two prospectors stumbled upon $200 million worth of the metal while resting their horses in the early 1900s. At its peak, one of Kennecott’s five mines contained the world’s richest copper concentration, aptly named “Bonanza.” By 1938, however, the copper supply was running low enough that the mines shuttered and the boomtown went bust. Today, it’s a National Historic Landmark in the heart of the massive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Its iconic red mill on the hill spans 14 stories above a glacier and can be explored by visitors who take the official Kennecott Mill Town Tour. — Kyler Alvord
This once mineral-rich town near the southern border — where prospectors flocked for zinc, copper, silver, lead, and gold — was named after the wife of general store owner Julius Andrew. But if you think that it’s all wholesome namesakes and mining, well, perhaps reading the book Ruby, Arizona: Mining, Mayhem & Murder will give you a better idea of what life was like in this busy town before water issues pushed most of its inhabitants out in the ‘40s. The Ruby Mercantile — site of the grisly crimes that give the book its name — still stands, along with a restored school, warehouse, and courthouse. — Andy Kryza
Arkansas: Rush
Rush was founded in the late 1800s as a mining community along the banks of what is now the Buffalo National River in the Ozark Mountains. Zinc ore was in high demand with production peaking during World War I. However, by the ‘60s, its residents were long gone, ending a pretty spectacular run for a boom town, which for the most part tend to live in cat years. The leftover homes and mining ruins, maintained by the National Park Service, endure as a fascinating detour while camping in the park or floating the river. — RK
The largest unreconstructed ghost town in America has a story that reads like Boom Tow 101: Founded in 1859. Gold. Mines. Miners. Red Light district. Saloons. And by 1942, all 2,000 (!!) buildings in the town were empty. But thanks to its designation as a National Historic Site, an obscene number of those buildings remain in a state of “arrested decay”: they only receive necessary maintenance that prevents them from collapsing. That means the explorable city’s saloons still have balls on the pool table as if abandoned mid-game, and the grocery remains stocked with extremely perished canned goods. — KA
Founded in 1880, St. Elmo this highfalutin whistle-stop and mining town was home to 2,000 residents, 150 mines, and enough hotels, brothels, saloons, and dance halls to keep everybody in town entertained. When the Alpine Tunnel closed in 1910, however, the party ended, and the last train whistled out in ‘22. Yet despite decades of abandonment and numerous fire threats, St. Elmo remains one of America’s best-preserved ghost towns. Several original structures are still intact, providing an unfiltered glimpse into life during the mining boom. Present-day visitors can tour the old mining roads in ATVs, fish along Chalk Creek, stay in a historic cabin, and shop from a general store that’s open through the summer. — Kastalia Medrano
Connecticut: Gay City
Connecticut’s is home to the remarkably restored mill town Johnsonville and the seriously dilapidated 500-year-old Dudleytown, though both are on private property (plus, Dudleytown is apparently a dark Vortex completely overrun with demons, so there’s that). Gay City is neither immaculately restored nor teeming with Satan’s legion, but it is accessible as part of Gay City State Park. Here, stacked stone structures in the forest offer a look at a town, the chimneys and walls serving as skeletal remains of rotted-away buildings cloaked in moss. Oh, there’s also rumored to be ghosts. This is, after all, a town where the blacksmith was rumored to have a thing for decapitation. Connecticut, it appears, is not messing around in the nefarious spirits department. — AK
Delaware: Woodland Beach
The northeast is full of great Atlantic vacation towns, but Woodland Beach never quite took. The secluded beachfront once had a resort and roller coaster that stretched over the water, yet a lack of interest and severe weather put an end to the fun. Little remains today, although the beach is still revered by locals, especially those who like to fish from the pier. Look around and you may spot an abandoned lighthouse, small wooden shipwreck, and leftover ruins of an old dancehall. Fair warning: the muggy weather and view of a nuclear power plant in the distance can be a buzzkill… unless you’re a scouting agent working on an American remake of Netflix’s Dark. — RK
Florida: Fort Dade
Located on Egmont Key near St. Petersburg, Fort Dade was built on the heels of the Spanish-American War in 1858. At its peak, it included 300 residents with about 70 buildings, including a movie theater and bowling alley, not to mention electricity and telephones — fancy stuff for the era. Fort Dade was deactivated in 1923 and although the lighthouse is still in operation, the rest of the town is in ruins, with deteriorating brick roads and staircases leading to military batteries that no longer protect Tampa Bay. To visit, catch a ferry from Fort DeSoto Park. — RK
Georgia: Scull Shoals
With a name tailor-made for a creepy abandoned place, buried in Oconee National Forest near the Tennessee border is the remnants of a ghost town that was once home to Georgia’s first paper mill, before flooding and soil erosion made everybody realize it was a pretty shitty place to live. You can still see the mill building and assorted chimneys that heat nothing through a fence, but stay on all the marked trails if you’re gonna hang around this abandoned village: there’s still hunting allowed in the area. — Mike Jordan
This remote community started as a leper colony in 1866, housing some 8,000 in quarantine until 1969, when — two decades after Hansen’s disease was cured — the state gave residents the option to live out their lives in Kalaupapa or reintegrate with society. Decades later, the peninsula is now a national historic park, one that requires advance planning to visit. It rests at the base of some of the world’s highest sea cliffs; there are no hospitals, stores, or overnight accommodations; and the dwindling community can only be reached by small aircrafts, authorized boats, or on a strenuous hike by foot or on muleback. The few who have visited encounter breathtaking views, plus a number of churches, more than 15 cemeteries, homes, and a post office that somehow hasn’t closed yet. — KA
Idaho: Bayhorse
A mountain town then overflowing with silver, lead, and copper, this Salmon River city became a hot spot in 1864, housing a blacksmith, general store, school, and church. There was even a three-story stamp mill and a Wells Fargo outpost to help everybody manage their riches. However, freight costs were high, and the ride was over by 1879. Nowadays, you can safely see it from the sidewalk, which is tested for safety, but visitors aren’t allowed inside the buildings due to contamination from the arsenic and mercury used to separate the metals. Smaller ghost towns Bonanza and Custer in the neighboring Salmon-Challis National Forest are about an hour drive from Bayhorse, in case you want to play ghost town bingo. — RK
No, it’s not a city. But it might as well be: There are 20 buildings within these forbidden walls just outside of Chicago, giving it a sinister, castle-like aurora. Built by convict labor with limestone quarried on site, the Joliet Correctional Center (as it’s officially named) operated from 1858 to 2002. There were a few fires over the year, including at least one arson, and some areas were eventually deemed unsafe for prisoners. The prison was abandoned after closing, but reopened for tours in 2018. Notorious murder clown John Wayne Gacy was probably the most notorious resident, but the facility raised its profile even higher as a Blues Brothers filming location. — RK
Indiana: Sloan
Indiana is apparently home to more than 50 ghost towns, though most of them are so ghostly that there are no structures remaining, only the wayward cemetery or traces of foundation buried in the ground. But Dunn — a tiny and extinct town in the northwestern corner of Hoosier Country that sported a post office and two general stores during its 6-year lifespan (1907-1913) — stands simply due to the fact that the only thing creepier than a cluster of century-old abandoned grain silos is those same silos casting a shadow over abandoned train tracks. — AK
Iowa: Gitchie Manitou State Preserve
Tucked tightly in the far northwest corner of Iowa, the Gitchie Manitou State Preserve is closer to Sioux Falls, South Dakota than any major Iowa city. The 91-acre park is beautiful but eerie, with woodlands, wetlands, and a prairie dotted with bright pink Sioux quartzite and at least 17 Native American burial mounds. The ruins of a brick post office, now covered with an overwhelming amount of graffiti, was part of Gibraltar, an old settlement by the Big Sioux River crossing. The park’s haunted reputation dates back to 1973, when three brothers killed four teenagers before being sentenced to life in prison. Unrelated, there are ample campsites available to visitors! — RK
Elk Falls, Kansas | PATRICK JENNINGS/SHUTTERSTOCK
Kansas: Elk Falls
Elk Falls embraces its unremarkable loneliness, billing itself as the “largest living ghost town in America.” More serene than spooky, a historic iron-truss bridge spans the Elk River near the town’s namesake falls. There’s also an old one-room schoolhouse, cemetery, and pottery shop renovated from an abandoned farmstead formerly called the Rock Garden. However, the southeast Kansas settlement is most famous (or infamous) for its annual Outhouse Tour, a two-day mini-festival with decorated outhouses on display throughout the extremely tiny community. — RK
Kentucky: Blue Heron
Blue Heron was a coal town near the Big South Fork National River that operated from 1937 to 1962. It was abandoned for years and rebuilt in the 1980s to preserve its history. The “ghost structures” include a coal tipper, train depot, and school. Exploring the old mines and creaky buildings with flashlights is fun, but the best way to visit is by taking the annual Ghost Tour Train, which happens just once a year every autumn. — RK
Despite having a rich history, Louisiana is surprisingly low on ghost towns that haven’t been completely lost to the elements. An exception is Longleaf, an old sawmill town that helped the south rebuild its economy following the Civil War. By 1969, business stalled and workers were fired without warning (on Valentine’s Day, no less). The population dwindled and the 50-acre site fell into disrepair for decades. The leftover buildings are now enjoying a new life as the Southern Forest Heritage Museum, with the old mill used for weddings and other events. A trio of steam-powered locomotives no longer work, but you can ride two miles of track on a small railbus. — RK
Swan Island is the main feature of Perkins Township, a ghost town in the Kennebec River that’s only accessible by kayak, canoe, or a five-minute ferry ride. Once inhabited by Native Americans, later used by explorers for farming and ice harvesting, and eventually popularized as a summer getaway (even visited by Aaron Burr and Benedict Arnold), Perkins underwent several phases before the 20th century. In the early 1900s, the town was disincorporated, and following the Great Depression and increased pollution in the Kennebec River its usefulness vanished, leaving the nature-rich island practically vacant by the 1940s. Nearly a century later, visitors can camp, hike, hunt, fish, see structures from the 1700s, and look out for native wildlife like bald eagles and white-tailed deer. There’s also an old cemetery, if you’d like to pay respects to the people left behind. — KA
Maryland: Daniels
Originally founded in the 1830s, the town was renamed after the C.R. Daniels company, which bought the land and took over the textile mill. Instead of bringing the facility up to code in the 1960s, the company evicted Daniels’ tenants and the mill closure effectively demolished the town. Karma played out a few years later, when Tropical Storm Agnes wiped out most of what was left. Although the mill is now out of sight on private property, you can still explore much of the land as part of Patapsco Valley State Park. The gothic Saint Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, struck by lightning in 1927, is down to just a couple walls of stone, and a cemetery. You’ll also spot a couple railroad bridges, scattered foundations, and staircases that go nowhere. There’s even a car left behind by flooding. Still, a dam for the mill remains in place and the river is popular for canoeing and kayaking. — RK
Massachusetts: Dogtown
Massachusetts is full of old abandoned places, but there’s just something cool and creepy about Dogtown. At first glance, there’s not much to see — just a thicket of woods and walking trails in a Cape Ann park. Take your time and you’ll stumble across leftover stones and cellar holes from an old colonial-era town known for its population of witches, prostitutes, and other hoodlums. (In case you’re wondering, the name comes from the wild dogs that roamed the streets.) The reservoir view is a nice bonus. Large boulders with inscriptions like “If work stops, values decay” and “Help mother” were meant to be inspirational during the Great Depression, but come across as oddly Orewellian today. — RK
Fayette, Michigan | FLICKR/SCOTT SMITHSON
Michigan: Fayette
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a pretty isolated place — that’s how the Yoopers like it — but Fayette was an early settlement that actually beamed with life. Established in 1867, it was a hub of the iron rush along the limestone bluffs of the southern Garden Peninsula. Alas, like temperatures over 70 degrees, it didn’t last long. The ruins of Fayette now reside in a state park, with nearly 20 remarkably sturdy buildings still standing, including a hotel, opera house, and a definitely-not-creepy industrial furnace complex whose eerie, towering brick frontage serves as a brutal contrast to the deep-blues of the shore from which it rises. — AK
Minnesota: Forestville
Forestville was doing pretty good for a while in the mid-1800s. The southeastern town had hotels, shops, and a couple of mills. Then it all fell apart when a new railroad bypassed the town in 1868. As population centers developed elsewhere in Southeast Minnesota, businesses closed and the area descended into ghost town status. Fortunately, it’s been preserved and restored in Forestville State Park with a farm, bridge, and fully-stocked general store. Feel free to also tour the 13-mile Mystery Cave, the longest known cave in the state. — RK
Mississippi: Rodney
Built on the cotton trade and slave labor in nearby plantations, Rodney was a thriving port town on the Mississippi River in the mid-1800s and saw its share of Civil War gunfire. Before all that, it was actually three votes away from being named the state capital. Eventually, the river shifted course away from the town and the population dwindled. Prone to flooding, much of Rodney has been washed away over the years, leaving behind a haunting, historic ghost town. A few buildings remain, including the Zion Baptist Church and a dilapidated cemetery. The most notable structure is the two-story Presbyterian church, which still has much of its interior in place behind broken windows. — RK
Phillips 66 Gas Station at Red Oak II | NICK FOX/SHUTTERSTOCK
After World War II, Red Oak was left to wither, vacated by residents seeking bigger and brighter locales. When former resident Lowell Davis moved back to the area in the ’80s, he was sad to learn that the places from his youth were wasting away… so he bought the abandoned buildings and moved them to his property about 20 miles away. Davis restored all the notable structures from his childhood, including his grandpa’s blacksmith shop and his father’s general store. He dubbed the cornfield-turned-refurbished-ghost-town Red Oak II, and now it’s a full-blown attraction, boasting a town center, a schoolhouse, a diner, a jail, a Phillips 66 gas station, houses, artifacts from other abandoned towns, and original art pieces created by Lowell himself. Part ghost town, part art installation, and part outdoor museum, it’s a colorful look at rural life before desertion. — KA
Former home of the famous frontierswoman Calamity Jane, this old gold-mining town (est. 1863) was known as a hub of lawlessness. Still, it briefly served as the capital of the pre-statehood Montana Territory and grew to a population of around 10,000. When gold ran out, though, the city lost momentum and became the Victorian-era time capsule it still is today. Here, you’ll find nearly half of the original buildings restored, and its status as a tourist attraction means there’s still life in the place. Want ghost stories? You’ve got ‘em. Fascinated by trains? There’s a scenic railway. Like luxury? Ride in style to the most important historic spots. Prefer novelty? Learn about the town on an old fire truck. It’s basically Westworld, minus the gross sex stuff and emo murder bots. — KM
Nebraska: St. Derion
The settlement of St. Derion ran a ferry service across the river separating Missouri from southeast Nebraska in the late 1800s. However, the economy turned south as more people turned to rail travel, and by 1911 a series of floods washed most of that good fortune away. Today, recreations of a log cabin, schoolhouse, and general store provide a glimpse of what life was like when settlers were exploring the Old West. St. Derion is popular with hikers passing through Indian Cave State Park and remains a source of folklore and spooky stories. The creepiness is elevated by the presence of two cemeteries. — RK
Rhyolite Mercantile in Rhyolite, Nevada | LAURENS HODDENBAGH/SHUTTERSTOCK
Nevada: Rhyolite
Founded in 1904, Rhyolite managed to become the third-largest city in Nevada, complete with hotels, a hospital, an opera house, a symphony, a red-light district, and its own stock exchange. But all good things must come to an end, and in Rhyolite’s case, the Panic of 1907 hammered the first nail in the coffin, causing banks to fail, mines to close, and newspapers to shutter. By 1916, it was deserted. Visitors will still see the skeletons of a three-story bank, part of the old jail, the general store, and the train station. Just outside of town lies another notable attraction: the free and open-to-the-public Goldwell Open Air Museum, perhaps the oddest roadside attraction in a state known for its off-highway weirdness. — KM
New Hampshire: Monson Center
As an early New England settlement in the 1700s, Monson Center was originally part of Massachusetts, but the land wasn’t suited to agriculture and was abandoned. The only home that remains, the Gould House, is now a small museum. Visitors can also explore old stone walls, cellar holes, and trails for hiking, biking, and dog walking in the surrounding park. Some ghost towns are spooky. This one is serene. — RK
Predating the American Revolution, Batsto Village is on two sides of a scenic lake deep in central Jersey’s Wharton State Forest. As far as ghost towns go, this one has been incredibly well-preserved, with rickety, wooden worker homes contrasting with a castle-like steepled mansion to highlight the differences between the haves and have-nots. The local economy was driven by an ironworks operation that made big bucks during the Revolution, but the 32-acre site also includes a dam, wheelwright shop, general store, and two mills. Sadly, we assume, the pre-colonial Dunkin’ has been lost to time. — RK
New Mexico: Dawson
After becoming a promising company town for Dawson Fuel Co. in 1901, Dawson was rocked by a series of explosions: Three lives were lost in 1903, over 250 perished in 1913, and 123 died in 1923. After that, the town’s population dwindled from 9,000 to zero. Today, this ghost town features more ghosts than town: The only notable landmark left is the Dawson Cemetery, where a sea of white crosses represents the nearly 400 people who died in the mine explosions. Visitors report seeing phantom mining-helmet lights and hearing moans, in addition to spotting specters among the graves. As such, it’s been declared one of the most haunted places in America. So, um, have fun with that! — KA
New York: Tahawus
Deep in the wilds of Upstate New York, you expect to encounter a lot of things, though typically the most jarring is a wayward Brooklynite shilling overpriced jams at a repurposed general store. But up near Newcomb, buried in the Adirondacks of Essex county, you’ll discover the lost town of Tahawus, which served as an ore-mining center in the early 1800s, but gradually fell to decay. The mining town’s verve is long extinguished, but you can still explore the remains of turn-of-the-century homes and the spooky shells of former blast furnaces, which definitely don’t come alive with the sounds of spectral pickaxes late at night. — AK
Brunswick Town in Winnabow, North Carolina | CHARLES CHADWICK TALTON/SHUTTERSTOCK
North Carolina: Brunswick Town
Lots to unpack here. Brunswick offers a unique glimpse into the history of both the American Revolution and the Civil War. After establishing itself as a Cape Fear River port town, the community was destroyed by the British in 1776. Left in ruins, it was turned into Anderson Fort as a stronghold for the confederate army in 1862. Between the foundations of colonial structures and what’s left of the fort, it’s a fascinating trip through time. The site was creepy enough to be used as a shooting location for the Sleepy Hollow TV show. — RK
North Dakota: Arena
South Dakota might have the more famous ghost towns, but the quieter Dakota brings some serious game in smaller doses, mostly harkening to the railway days. Many of these towns share the common feature of dilapidated schoolhouses, which somehow persevere after decades of being battered by the prairie winds and shows. Charbonneau has a particularly eerie one, but its real highlight is two wooden grain elevators rising from the chaff near the Montana border, twin monoliths from the town’s peak in the 1910s whose design makes them appear more like Colonial-era churches flanked by rolling plains. — AK
Ohio: Moonville
Nothing to see here: Just some crumbling foundations and an old cemetery tucked into the lush Zaleski State Forest. In fact, the most notable feature in this deserted southeastern outpost is a huge, dark, brooding train tunnel opening like a hellmouth into the forest of southeast Ohio. Oh, and inside there’s rumored to be an entire cadre of ghosts, among them dearly departed train workers, the mangled corpse of a bully who loves to give people bear hugs, and a woman in lavender with a habit of disappearing into thin air. Which is to say, if you’re looking to visit this ghost town, the cemetery is somehow the less terrifying option. — AK
Oklahoma: Shamrock
The Irish spirit remains strong in Shamrock, even if only a handful of people are still around to celebrate it. Old empty buildings line Tipperary Road, formerly a hub of activity and excitement during the rush for Oklahoma oil in the early 1900s. The last occupied building (half-painted green, of course) on the downtown strip is now a museum that glorifies the town’s history, both before and after the last proverbial milkshake was drunk. Don’t leave without a trip to the Blarney Stone, a large rock (also painted green) that serves as Shamrock’s unofficial selfie station. — RK
Antique fire truck in Shaniko, Oregon | IAN SANE/FLICKR
Oregon: Shaniko
Smack in the middle of Oregon, Shaniko was a shipping hub known as the Wool Capital of the World. That didn’t last. After 10 years as an incorporated town, Shaniko dried up in 1910, the victim of a new rail line and wildfires. A very small handful of people still occupy the, but it’s been officially called a ghost town since the ‘50s. The Shaniko Hotel was — and continues to be — the town’s main attraction. Other surviving buildings include the Sage Museum, Shaniko School, city hall, jail, post office, and a wool barn. Businesses along “Shaniko Row” open seasonally for summer visitors passing through, including decidedly non-frightening ice cream shop Goldies. — KA
Pennsylvania: Centralia
In the late 1800s, Centralia was a thriving coal-mining town with a population of around 2,700. Technically — technically — Centralia is not a ghost town, since as of 2017 “under five” people live there. However, it makes up for this in eeriness and potential for actual ghosts because Centralia is literally on fire… and has been for decades. See, an abandoned coal mine caught fire in 1962, and it’s been smoldering underground ever since. The coal seen fueling the fire beneath the heavily graffitied streets is expected to last another 250 years, and in the meantime there’s not a whole lot visitors can (or should) do there, given the presence of toxic chemicals.. — KA
Rhode Island: Hanton City
Even the smallest state in the nation has a ghost town, although just barely. The legend of Hanton City is far greater than its history. Some records don’t acknowledge its existence at all. Conversely, some maps include it. However, if you explore a trail off Decotis Farm Road in Smithfield, you may get lucky and stumble across a few remnants, including a well and crumbling stone walls. (Whether they really date back to colonial times, as rumored, is anyone’s guess.) The creepy cemetery on the other side of the road is a more compelling distraction. — RK
South Carolina: Dorchester
How far back do you wanna go? Dorchester was founded in 1696 and abandoned at the start of the Revolutionary War. Just 15 miles from Charleston along the Ashley River, it’s now part of a 325-acre park with a church bell tower and walls from an oyster-shell tabby fort providing a well-preserved look at life during the colonial south. Shipping wharves are often visible during low tide, too. — RK
McCahan Memorial Chapel in Mystic, South Dakota | R KULAWIAK/SHUTTERSTOCK
South Dakota: Mystic
The Black Hills pack enough ghost towns to populate an entire abandoned state, but Mystic (née Sitting Bull) takes the cake for managing to persevere, even in its abandonment. Founded in 1876, Mystic became known as an exporter of timber and gold. It endured destructive floods and fires and the Great Depression with panache. But once WWII ended and the trains stopped chugging past, it finally met its demise. What remains are a dozen buildings and a National Register of Historic Places, including the picturesque McCahan Chapel that’s still used for special events. — AK
Tennessee: Elkmont
When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created in 1934, residents were given two options: take a pay-off to move away or negotiate a long-term lease, the last of which expired in 1991. When it was all said and done, more than 70 structures were left over, creating a creepy ghost town of summer cabins and second homes. At least 19 were preserved for historical context near a large Smoky Mountain campground, including the Spence Cabin, which is rented out for weddings and other gatherings. Need a good excuse to visit that isn’t dependent on human love? Come during early summer when it’s mating season for a particular species of firefly that blinks in synchronicity. — RK
Texas: Terlingua
Texas has more ghost towns than any other state in union. If you only pick one, visit Terlingua, a few miles north of the Mexico border. Once the largest mercury mining operation in North America, the town fell into ruins, but was revived in the 1960s with the first-ever chili cook-off competition in the world. In recent years, the population has increased from 5 to 50, an old theater is now a restaurant, and the general store has become a gift shop. Overnight guests can stay at the historic Perry Mansion or casitas renovated from old miners’ homes (collectively the Big Bend Holiday Hotel). A Day of the Dead celebration takes place every November with candles honoring unmarked graves in the cemetery. And yes, the chili cook-off is still a thing. — RK
Utah: Grafton
Just south of Zion National Park, Grafton was settled in the 1880s by Mormon farmers who eventually abandoned the town due to unpredictable flooding from the Virgin River. The reddish-brown adobe clay used to build the two-story schoolhouse and church matches the road and contacts sharply with the colorful Southern Utah mountainscapes. Visitors can also see at least three homes and what’s left of a cemetery. Grafton has so much authentic scenery, it was used for filming in Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. — RK
Vermont: Glastenbury
Glastenbury is the center of the Bennington Triangle, a large area of Vermont wilderness where hikers mysteriously disappear. Let that be a warning. Glastenbury is far from tourist-friendly. The town was founded on logging and charcoal production, with the steepest train in the country required to reach its remote location. When the industry faltered, facilities were turned into a resort and casino with an electric trolley to bring in visitors. Yet the elements proved too harsh and the town was effectively abandoned and absorbed into what is now the Green Mountain National Forest. Ambitious hikers might come across some rail tracks, the ruins of charcoal kilns, and a few bricks left over from buildings decimated by mudslides. — RK
Mecklenburg, Union Level, Virginia | BECC KEEZEL/SHUTTERSTOCK
Virginia: Union Level
Travel the back roads of Southern Virginia and you’ll notice little of note among the stretches of farmland. Things take an ominous turn when passing through the old downtown neighborhood of Union Level. Formerly an active hub on the horse and carriage routes of the early 1800s, the area gradually faded over time, leaving behind a strip of unoccupied brick and wood businesses and abandoned homes. — RK
Washington: Bodie
Unlike its trendy ghost-town counterpart in California, this Bodie is falling apart, seemingly swallowed by the lush forests of northern Washington’s and slowly digested in plain sight since it was forced to close during WWII. The emphasis, though, is on “slowly.” Once a buzzing mining and mill town, there’s a remarkable number of buildings here just kind of slowly deteriorating, including bunk houses, log cabins, and the charred remains of the mill. Many are sunken into the ground. As this is private property, it’s advised that you glimpse this one from afar. Probably for the best. That earth looks hungry. — AK
West Virginia: Nuttallburg
Deep in the wilderness of New River Gorge is Nuttallburg, home to an elaborate coal-mining complex that’s been completely restored in recent years. The facility, dating back to 1870 and owned by Henry Ford at one point, includes a tipple and towering conveyor that dramatically crawls up the mountainside. Surrounding trails offer some of the most scenic hikes in West Virginia, passing by the ruins of an old church and schoolhouse. — RK
Wisconsin: Pendarvis
The southwest Wisconsin town of Pendarvis was founded by Cornish immigrants looking to cash in on lead and zinc mining in the mid-1800s. The homes, built of wood and limestone, held up long after the population dwindled in search of greater prosperity. Fully restored cabins and cottages are now a museum and preserved historical site. Cross the street and talk a walking tour of the Merry Christmas Mines that once fueled the local economy, if only briefly. — RK
South Pass City was founded on the Gold Rush and played a pivotal role as a stop on the Oregon Trail that crossed the Continental Divide. The town thrived in the mid-to-late 1800s before drying up due to the expense of mining and selling gold. Currently, the state preserves and maintains the community as an authentic tourist-friendly slice of the Old West. Visitors can explore what’s left of Main Street, where hotels, restaurants, saloons, and even a bowling alley once operated. The most imposing structure, the Carissa mine and mill, is just north of town. If you want to make a ghost town “crawl” out of it, visit Miners Delight and Atlantic City: All three towns, collectively the Sweetwater Mining District, are within 10 miles of each other. — RK
With so many people staying home to slow the spread of COVID-19, coffee beans are in high demand. Thankfully, roasters know how to please: Keep an eye out for their coronavirus updates, as many are temporarily selling beans in bulk to limit the number of deliveries and waiving shipping fees to make at-home brewing more affordable.
If you’re able, consider supporting food and beverage workers with a donation to the national COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, or check in with your favorite local coffee shop and see how you can support their baristas.
Coffee is ingrained in the very fibers of American life. Millions rely on their morning cup to stay afloat; skipping a dose could derail a person’s entire day. How has coffee become such a pillar of strength and stability? Obviously the caffeine boost plays a role, but beyond the physical effects, a morning brew satisfies a number of mental needs. In a world that evolves rapidly and unpredictably, coffee is a constant. We may not know where each day will take us, but we know that no matter what, our favorite roast will be waiting for us on the counter in the morning.
Dozens of coffee roasters deserve praise for their commitment to crafting the best cup of joe. California, New York City, and the Pacific Northwest are credited as leaders of the craft coffee movement, but some of the most impressive operations come from the least expected places. Whether you’re searching for the beans that supply your local cafe or on the hunt for a new favorite brew, we’ve compiled the best coffee roasters to order from. Some are industry tastemakers, some have regional cult followings, some are still on the rise, and all will ship right to your door.
Roasted in Durham, NC If you don’t know Counter Culture’s name, you probably know their flavor. The environmentally friendly coffee roaster has been supplying community cafes with beans since 1995, building a nationwide network of partnerships that now reaches both coasts. Their coffee can be shipped in whole-bean form anywhere in the US and Canada, arriving in standard 12-ounce bags or hefty 5-pounders. For a limited time, customers can enjoy free shipping on all new orders and orders of bulk bags.
Roasted in Portland, OR Heart doesn’t need the biggest name in the Pacific Northwest to boast the boldest flavors. The famously fruity coffees — sourced from Heart’s favorite regions in Africa and the Americas — are sized at 12 ounces, 16 ounces, or 5 pounds, and if you leave instructions at checkout, the staff will grind them however you need. Domestic orders over $65 qualify for free shipping; check out before 12pm PT on weekdays and they’ll be sent out the next morning.
Roasted in St. Louis, MO Legend tells of a ninth-century man named Kaldi discovering the coffee plant in Ethiopia after his goats grew hyper from eating its berries. When Kaldi’s Coffee opened its doors in ‘94 and paid tribute to the world’s goat-herding hero, St. Louisans assumed an important role in keeping his legend alive. Today, STL, CoMo, and Atlanta know Kaldi’s roasts rather well, but they shouldn’t be the only ones. Get a taste of the Midwest hype by ordering 12 ounces or 5 pounds of beans for yourself, ground however you’d like. Shipping for orders below $37.50 costs a flat $5.
Roasted in Santa Cruz, CA Bring Verve’s oceanside aesthetic to your home through their online coffee inventory. Verve’s founders lead with ethics and relationships in mind: They source directly from farmers, ensure sustainable growing practices, pay well above fair trade minimums, and have “Bean Bios” for each of their roasts so you can see exactly what you’re paying for. Order beans in whatever form you prefer in quantities of 12 ounces, 1 kilogram, or 5 pounds. And act soon because right now, Verve is offering free ground shipping on every order.
Roasted in Philadelphia, PA La Colombe’s canned lattes and cold brews show their inventive approach to coffee, but as cafe locations pop up around the nation, more and more people are getting in line for the basics: freshly-brewed coffee made with freshly-roasted beans. Normally, US customers need to spend $30 to earn free shipping, but La Colombe has canceled shipping fees for all online orders until the coronavirus pandemic blows over. All coffees are available in 12-ounce bags, and select beans come in 2.5- and 5-pound packaging.
Roasted in Bellingham, WA Seattle roasteries steal the espresso-hued spotlight in Washington state — and for good reason — but widen the frame a little and you’ll find the equally attention-worthy Camber Coffee nestled just a few towns short of the Canadian border. Camber offers their standard coffees and blends in 12 ounces or 5 pounds, shipped as whole beans or drip grinds. Right now, they’re also highlighting two vibrant fruit options from Kenya and Colombia, each packing so much flavor that they’re only sold in 8-ounce quantities.
Roasted in Portland, ME While Portland, Oregon, gets a lot of attention in the coffee world, its sister city out east refuses to take the backseat. First, Tandem Coffee stole the hearts of Mainers; then they infiltrated cafes across the nation; now, residents of countries all over have access to their treasured flavor. Beans arrive whole in 12-ounce, 2-pound, or 5-pound bags, and though domestic shipping generally costs $6, Tandem waives the fee if you spend more than $50.
Roasted in Chicago, IL & Los Angeles, CA Intelligentsia set a high standard among roasters when they began forming direct partnerships with coffee growers rather than relying on middlemen for product. Their direct trade practices have become commonplace in the industry, but true Intelligents remember who helped lead the charge. They sell seasonal single origin coffees and carefully crafted blends in two sizes — 12 ounces or 5 pounds — and give you the option to have them ground however you’d like. Now’s the best time to order: After Intelligentsia closed their cafes in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, they began offering temporary free shipping from both roasting locations for all US orders.
Roasted in Topeka, KS PT got their start in craft roasting back in 1993, long before many of the coastal coffee powerhouses, and continue to roast an impressive roster of beans from four different continents. PT’s collections run a little pricey, generally measured as 12 ounces or 5 pounds, but the satisfying taste of your morning brew will justify every penny. Shipping costs $5 for coffee orders below $30.
Roasted in Brooklyn, NY Everything Devoción touches turns to gold. Not only are their cafes some of the most beautiful coffee shops in the country, but their exclusive focus on Colombian beans allows them to master what they do. After cherries are picked in Colombia, Devoción dry mills the coffee at their Bogotá facility, exports it, and roasts the beans at the NYC flagship before shipping them your way. They sell their beans in 12-ounce portions, and if you add more than $50 to your cart, you’ll earn free shipping.
Roasted in Grand Rapids, MI Madcap exists in constant pursuit of quality. Their beans are carefully chosen — the result of about 3,000 tastings and several months abroad each year — practically guaranteeing a good cup with any roast. Beans are generally only shipped whole and in 12-ounce packaging, but select coffees are available in bulk sizing right now; as a reward for committing to 5 pounds of beans, bulk bags ship free. Don’t want that much of the same flavor? For a limited time, online orders exceeding $50 also qualify for free shipping.
Roasted in San Antonio, TX Any coffee company that gets their roaster custom-built in Germany can definitely be taken seriously. None of their 12-ounce roasts exceed $20, and each comes with an info sheet explaining its unique origin and merits. Shipping is only available to US addresses, but thanks to Merit’s generosity, shipping is free while people navigate the coronavirus outbreak — no promo code necessary.
Roasted in Portland, OR & Brooklyn, NY The roaster that captured the hearts of Portlanders at the turn of the century is now a household name nationwide. Stumptown has opened locations in NYC, LA, Chicago, Seattle, and New Orleans, and their beans are brewed at countless other coffee shops throughout the US. Their roasts are agreeable, generally falling in the “medium” range, and for a limited time, they’ve waived standard shipping fees so you can practice mimicking their drinks at home. Just don’t ask for them to grind the beans — Stumptown prides itself on quality, and they wouldn’t dare do anything to compromise freshness.
Roasted in Rogers, AR Onyx gives the South a strong presence in the roasting sphere. The award-winning operation is helmed by a husband-and-wife duo with a commitment to transparency. Of course their reach isn’t limited to Arkansas: Anyone can have their product shipped with a simple online order. They’ve got plenty of whole-bean options to choose from, including a $25 sample box for the indecisive. And to make quarantining a little more affordable, Onyx announced a “social distancing promotion,” giving US customers free shipping for orders over $25.
Roasted in Minneapolis, MN Spyhouse opened in 2000 as an independent coffee shop in Minneapolis’ Whittier neighborhood. In a matter of years, it grew into a Twin Cities mainstay with five locations and its own roastery. Spyhouse now caters to a much larger audience: If you want it, they’ll ship it. For a limited time only, they’re waiving shipping charges for domestic deliveries. Their beans typically come in 10-ounce increments, unless you’re looking to go big and order a 5-pound bag.
Roasted in Olympia, WA Housed in the humble capital of Washington state, Olympia Coffee is capital-A Amazing. Unlike a lot of popular roasters, Olympia began as a wholesale roasting company in 2005, opening their first retail shop a full two years later. You have plenty of size options when ordering some beans for yourself — Olympia fills 12-ounce, 3-pound, 4-pound, and 5-pound bags. Want to do some good for the employees who’ve helped the business thrive? All proceeds from their special Tip Jar roast goes right into the pockets of staff who’ve been financially burdened by the COVID-19 fallout; if you enjoy the taste of chocolate, caramel, and nuts, you know which coffee to get.
Roasted in Nelsonville, WI This rural Wisconsin roaster only recently entered the brick-and-mortar cafe game, but their beans are far from new to the scene. The bright Ruby logo perfectly represents the product — energetic, flavorful, and hard to pass over. Inventory changes seasonally based on harvesting cycles in the countries they’ve partnered with, so freshness is guaranteed. Coffees can be purchased as whole beans in 12-ounce or 5-pound quantities. US shipments over $50 come with zero additional fees.
Still can’t decide? You can always join a coffee subscription service while you find your footing! Companies like MistoBox and Trade Coffee will match you with a roast based on your coffee preferences and help you develop your taste.
You’d be hard-pressed to find an American who’s not familiar with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Every fourth Thursday of November, droves of folks and quite a few floats parade through Manhattan, ringing in the start of the holiday season for IRL spectators and at-home viewers around the globe. And while the singing celebs and costumed dancers bring plenty of excitement to the day’s festivities, the larger-than-life, unlike-anything-else-you’ve-seen balloons hovering overhead earn the most oohs and aahs.
Thursday’s famous parade is a beloved tradition, but few realize that the best opportunity to see the helium-filled balloons up close actually happens on Thanksgiving Eve. The Macy’s Balloon Inflation takes place in the shadows of the American Museum of Natural History on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. From 1-8pm on Wednesday, November 27, you can snap photos in front of the grounded polyurethane giants as they come to life in preparation for the main event.
We’ve answered the most burning questions about Thanksgiving’s most underrated celebration below, including which new balloons are joining the lineup this year.
PHIL ROEDER/FLICKR
How does the Balloon Inflation work?
Every year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons are transported from the Macy’s Parade Studio in Moonachie, New Jersey, and laid out in the Upper West Side. They’re ceremonially inflated on Thanksgiving Eve, when the public can get a front row sneak peek of the parade’s newest, biggest, and most beloved balloons. Guests will line up for the viewing at 73rd Street and Columbus Avenue, make their way through security, and be guided through the inflation area moving clockwise around the Natural History Museum, starting at 77th Street/Central Park West and ending at 81st Street/Central Park West.
How do I get there?
Subway is the fastest form of travel in NYC, and in this case, you’ll want to take the B or C lines to 72nd Street. You’ll be tempted to get off at the Museum of Natural History stop at 81st Street, but don’t! The lineup area is much closer to 72nd. You can also ride the 1, 2, or 3 lines to 72nd Street. If you’re coming from the east side of Central Park, you can take the 65th Street Transverse via bus or car.
PHIL ROEDER/FLICKR
What’s the best time to see the balloons?
If you’re looking for a less crowded viewing experience, arrive at the entry point earlier in the day. If you’re looking to see the balloons in their final stages of inflation, brave the crowds at night. The balloons begin taking their general form between 1 and 3pm, but by dark, they’ll look much more complete. If you’re leaning toward the later hours, just be sure to get in before 8pm or you’ll be turned away.
What should I bring?
November in NYC isn’t strikingly warm. The current forecast predicts occasional rain showers on Wednesday, with a high of 57 and a low of 43, so layer up, bring comfortable footwear, and grab a poncho to stay dry. Carrying a full camera might become a hassle, but make sure you have something to take photos with!
Note: Umbrellas, backpacks, large bags, alcohol, drones, and e-cigs will not be allowed through security, so plan accordingly.
What balloons are new this year?
This year’s parade will feature three new character balloons and two new heritage balloons. Get an early look at these five budding icons on Wednesday:
Astronaut Snoopy | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Astronaut Snoopy
The parade’s most prominent character got a redesign to commemorate 50 years since the moon landing. Dimensions: 43L x 29W x 49H # of handlers: 90
Green Eggs and Ham | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Green Eggs and Ham
A green “hammobile” the size of 4 million eggs, or 14,000 hams, joins the parade following the release of Netflix’s new Dr. Seuss-inspired show. Dimensions: 51L x 27W x 46H # of handlers: 90
Spongebob Squarepants & Gary | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Spongebob Squarepants & Gary
Spongebob’s speechless sidekick joins the festivities with this newly designed character balloon honoring the iconic cartoon’s 20th anniversary. Dimensions: 46L x 36W x 44H # of handlers: 90
Love Flies Up to the Sky | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Love Flies Up to the Sky
The latest entry in the Blue Sky Gallery series recognizes the talent of renowned contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. Dimensions: 30L x 36W x 34H # of handlers: 40
Smokey Bear | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Smokey Bear
The star of America’s longest-running PSA returns for the first time since 1993 to celebrate his 75th birthday. Dimensions: 16L x 25W x 51H # of handlers: 40
Power Rangers Mighty Morphin Red Ranger | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
What balloons are returning?
The new balloons might hog the spotlight, but there are plenty of other familiar characters you’ll catch a glimpse of on the Natural History Museum grounds, including The Elf on the Shelf, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, The Nutcracker, Olaf, Pikachu, Pillsbury Doughboy, and Ronald McDonald. And you won’t have to work hard to spot the tallest balloon, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, measuring 62 feet tall (5 stories high); the longest balloon, Power Rangers Mighty Morphin Red Ranger, measuring 77 feet long; and the widest balloon, Jett by Super Wings, spanning the width of an actual Learjet at 39 feet. See the full lineup of balloons, balloonicles, and trycaloons here.
Some traditions never die, and after 45 years of keeping New York weird, the Village Halloween Parade seems to be one of them. The only nighttime parade in New York City returns to Sixth Avenue on Thursday, October 31, for a highly anticipated celebration of all things spooky.
This year’s theme — Wild Thing! — calls for an exploration of the natural world, a hard lean away from civilization, an inventive take on your inner beast. Expect antlers, expect fur, expect tails, nails, leaves, and straw. And like every other year, you’ll still find giant puppets, whimsical dancers, and thousands of costumed New Yorkers donning their wackiest creations.
For one night only, almost anything goes. So request Friday off work and get ready for the wildest weeknight of the year. Here’s everything you need to know about the 46th annual Village Halloween Parade (and where to celebrate afterward).
Where and when is the parade?
If you didn’t gather from its name, the parade happens in Greenwich Village. The mile-long route is simple: Participants step off at Spring Street and move up Sixth Avenue to 16th Street. Marching begins at 7pm and wraps up around 10:30pm.
COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE
How do I get there?
Traveling underground is always your safest bet for events like these — streets are closed, and buses and traffic are rerouted to avoid the parade area. Rally with your crew before you head to the scene, and brave the subway on Halloween together. You can take the B, D, F, or M lines to the 23rd, 14th, or West 4th Street stations; the 1, 2, or 3 lines to 23rd, 18th, 14th, Sheridan Square, or Houston Street stations; or the A, C, or E lines to West 4th Street, Spring Street, or Canal Street.
What’s the best viewing spot?
The biggest crowd builds at Sixth Avenue and 10th Street, where TV crews set up camp. Arrive extra early to claim a spot if you’re looking to get in on the action. Otherwise, any place along Sixth Avenue will get you a decent vantage point, with the exception of the Ruth E. Wittenberg Triangle, where logistical issues will prevent you from nabbing a view.
COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE
Can I march in the parade?
Yes, but with a catch: Only those in costume will be permitted to march. To join the procession, line up on Sixth Avenue between Spring and Broome streets. Much of Sixth Avenue will be closed off, so it’s best to approach the line-up area from the south (coming up from Canal Street) or the east (entering from Broome or Sullivan). Line-up begins 30 minutes before the parade, at 6:30pm, and lasts until 9pm.
What should I wear?
You don’t have to dress as a “wild thing” to march in the parade, and you aren’t required to wear a costume at all if you’re planning to watch from the sidelines, but what fun is that?
This is an opportunity to flex your creativity muscles and show off the outfit you’ve spent all year brainstorming, wild or not! Take advantage of it and express yourself in whatever costume you see fit. If you decide to march, you’ll automatically be considered for the annual costume contest, so whatever you do, don’t half-ass it.
COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE
Can I bring booze?
No. Sadly, even on the most sinful night of the year, open container laws still apply. And the parade isn’t any more forgiving than NYC government: Its zero tolerance policy for alcohol means you should keep the tallboys to your apartment pregame. You’ve got a long night ahead of you, so pacing yourself is probably for the best.
New Yorkers jump on every opportunity to turn up, and Halloween night is far from an exception. Webster Hell, the parade’s official after-party, returns to the East Village this year, bumping tunes from 8pm till 4am to catch any late-night stragglers. Tickets cost $39.95, and the partygoer whose costume steals the show will walk away with $5,000 cash.
If you’d rather turn up on your own terms, the city has plenty of bars with Halloween spirit. Hunt ghosts at historic haunts like White Horse Tavern and Ear Inn, enter the “Temple of Terror” at beloved rooftop bar Mr. Purple, or find an interactive theatre experience at the West Village’s Jekyll & Hyde Club. Check out our full guide here.
Where can I watch if I can’t make it?
NY1 will broadcast the Village Halloween Parade live from 8-10pm on Halloween night. Click over to channel 1 if you’re in NYC, or sign in with your TV provider and watch online.
Remember when celebrating Halloween was as simple as slipping into a $12 costume from Party City, grabbing a pillowcase, and roaming the block with neighborhood kids in search of The Biggest Candy Bar? Now, as grown-ass adults in a city that knows how to party, trick-or-treating is out and the stakes are considerably higher. Costumes require weeks of preparation, events sell out quick, and Halloween-themed attractions are, like, actually terrifying.
Luckily, amidst the chaos that is Halloween in NYC, there are plenty of festive bars that you can take shelter in all week long: some with chilling pasts, some with extravagant decor, some with themed cocktails, all with Halloween spirit. So cut yourself some slack for waiting too long to buy House of Yes tickets this year and enjoy some old-fashioned debauchery. Here are the best watering holes in NYC for celebrating Halloween this week — because you’re going to need a few drinks to make it to November.
West Village Interactive barstaurant that’ll keep you on your toes Dr. Jekyll (and friends) take guests on a journey through a faux 1930s Explorers Club at this frightening West Village outpost. Whether you reserve a seat for dinner or pop by for drinks at the bar, you’ll come face to face with live actors and high-budget special effects all contributing to the near-famous theatre experience. The club haunts guests year-round, but makes the biggest waves at Halloween time when guests come in costume too.
Financial District A Founding Fathers favorite with present-day paranormal activity The Pearl Street tavern once frequented by George Washington and Alexander Hamilton opened in 1762, and its rich history lends well to a number of purportedly paranormal occurrences still happening today. Through the years, the building’s played host to a series of misfortunes: a supposed murder/suicide in the 1700s, multiple fires in the 1800s, and a bombing in the 1970s. Grab a happy hour drink from 4-7pm on weekdays and wait for the chill of dwelling spirits.
East Village Tim Burton-themed bar where Halloween never ends Known as the bar where every day is Halloween, Beetle House is perhaps the most obvious place to grab an All Hallows’ drink. The macabre decor stays up all through the year, drawing inspiration from the work of Tim Burton and other creepy filmmakers and authors. Reservations are recommended for dinner service, but if you’re in it for the booze, just walk on in. Get a peek inside.
Tribeca The best Halloween hideout for NFL enthusiasts Who said sports bars can’t have Halloween spirit? Warren 77 is decorated for the holiday all week long, but the best day to stop in is on Halloween proper. Screenings of The Shining and Silence of the Lambs kick off at 5pm, followed by Thursday Night Football at 8:20pm. Participate in the costume contest if you think you can steal the show, and be sure to try the “Boozed Up Blood,” a Jell-O shot in a syringe, available from October 31 to November 3.
Greenpoint Quaint Brooklyn bar that doesn’t even have to try For a bar that isn’t Halloween-themed, Black Rabbit is so Halloween-themed. It’s old, it’s moody, it has candles and a fireplace; it looks like the kind of place the Headless Horseman would stop in for a drink after a long day of terrorizing angsty townsfolk. Black Rabbit doesn’t do anything special for Halloween, but that’s because it doesn’t need to. If you’re looking for a no-frills drinking spot straight out of a storybook, you’ve found it.
Financial District Witchy wonderland brewing up boozy potions It’s only fitting that a high-tech bar dedicated to all things magic would get extra witchy for Halloween. Wander through the autumnal coven’s lair this month and choose from any number of themed specialty cocktails, with cute names like Sweet Agony, Necromancers Delight, Elixir of Blood Loss, and Ectoplasm. Think you can stomach it?
Hudson Square Haunted 19th-century tavern nestled in a designated historic landmark New Yorkers have been going to the James Brown House for liquor since before Prohibition; today, Ear Inn calls the historic building home along with a few “friendly” ghosts. Sit for a drink at the bar and see if you can catch Mickey, the ghost of a sailor whose ship never returned for him, stirring up trouble among the other patrons. Keep an eye on your drink though, or he just might sneak a swig!
Lower East Side Halloween spirit seizes a swanky downtown rooftop Mr. Purple’s no longer just a rooftop bar: From now through the end of the month, it’s been transformed into the Temple of Terror, a ghastly space with creepy cocktails, à la carte food options, live DJs, and city views. There’s no cover charge to enter the Temple, but if you’re piling in with a big group, you’d be smart to call 212-237-1790 and reserve a table.
Ridgewood Goth as f*ck venue with an October 31st birthday Will a visit to The Keep give you nightmares? Not quite. Will it weird you out? Definitely. The decor’s as extensive as can be, landing on a generally dark and gaudy vibe. This Halloween, the bar celebrates five years in business, making it an especially festive time to stop in for an evening drink. And if you’re looking to get wild, it’s hosting a neon body paint party on October 29 with a suggested donation upon entry.
White Horse Tavern | BRIAN LOGAN PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK
West Village Old writers’ hangout housing its own celebrity ghost Another historic pub, another rumored haunting; but what White Horse Tavern has that other rumored haunts don’t is the spirit of renowned poet Dylan Thomas. After drinking a few too many at the tavern one night, he collapsed and later died in a hospital. Even though he made it out of the bar alive, many claim he still hangs out at his favorite White Horse table trying to get his hands on another drink. There’s only one way to find out.
