What are some epic abandoned or otherwise secluded places in NJ, NY or PA that I could use for my climactic scene?
I wrote the first draft of a fantasy novel set in modern times. Like early 2000’s. The problem is I want this particular novel to be strictly set around the NJ area. It’s so populated now that I’m having trouble finding a good place that’s abandoned that I could set the climactic final battle in without the public interfering. So I figured I’d widen my search to the surrounding states. The main characters are middle school kids so I can’t have them wander so far off or else it would create plot holes, which is why I’m limiting it to PA and NY other than NJ.
I’d preferably want a place that could be a hideout, and if possible have some dangerous heights, either on buildings like towers or natural hazards like cliffs.
Any places relating to urban legends or hauntings is a plus, since this novel deals with those things.
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How about the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnels is central and western PA? They still exist, and go under the Alleghenies.
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Speaking of tunnels, there are lots of impressive and colossal sites along the hundreds of miles of New York City water supply infrastructure.
Two suggestion. Somewhere along the Old Mine Road in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Lots of deserted farms and a village since it was taken over by the government.
Also, the old Casino building on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Great wreck of a thing.
This might be a little far for you but I own some property in NY Southern Tier, . near Dansville – Cohocton area. It is isolated, has a pond a high ravine. You can shoot guns without anyone bothering you. There is an old trailer, 1977, that looks like an Airstream that can be used. It is lit and heated with bottled gas. There are no utilities. No well. You can go into town about 10 miles away and eat at a restaurant and go to the grocery store. If you are interested I will send you GPS coordinates.
Warning: the area is inhabited by bears. Really!
@Adirondackwannabe is somewhat familiar with this area and can verify the “remoteness”.
This might add to the creepiness/spookiness factor. A couple of years ago a college student from the area had car trouble while driving on the road. A hunter found his remains a month after he disappeared. They figure he started walking to reach the main road (Rt 21) got disoriented and froze to death.
Yeah. It’s that isolated.
We have trails cut so you can drive in with 4WD and then use motorcycles or 4 wheelers to travel up and down the hills.
If it doesn’t have to be an urban setting we have nine mile swamp to our north. It was the hideout of the Loomis Gang, a bunch of local outlaws. It’s about as remote as @LuckyGuy ‘s place.
There’s always the NJ Pine Barrens(nice and isolated) which was used to great effect by David Chase for an episode of the Sopranos.
And then there’s also the legend of the Jersey Devil. Nice and spooky.
Around the Meadowlands amidst the oil refineries and the co-generation plant by the NJ Turnpike could be great. Maybe Jimmy Hoffa could even rise from the dead.
I think that one of the great hotels in what used to be called the Borscht Belt, Grossinger’s. is sitting out there abandoned. \
Anyone local who could chime in on this?
SRM
There are a few borscht belt resorts that have been vacant, but don’t wait to long, they’re reclaiming them fairly quickly.
I’m sorry to hear about Grossingers. I actually went to a convention there back in the day.
The food was incredible and you could pretty much order unlimited amts. It was all included in the price. No wonder they went out of business :)
But, what a great place !
@Buttonstc Give them a bit, I think they’re coming back.
Really?
But I’ll bet they won’t be doing the unlimited food thing anymore :)
And it was really good quality food too, not just cheapo crap.
@Buttonstc Yes give them a bit. People are looking at the big population nearby and trying to remake them in a contemporary fashion.
My place offers five advantages:
1) You can shoot guns and make special effects without bothering anyone.
2) You can set up and work there as long as you like.
3) You do not need to worry about being arrested for trespassing.
4) There is ample parking for cars and trucks
5) It is free.
Four disadvantages:
1) You do have to worry and watch for bears.
2) It is absolutely unsafe during deer hunting season.
3) During the winter the snow and cold is life threatening. (Altitude 2000 ft.)
4) There are no utilities except for the gas bottles in the trailer. If you need electricity you’ll need to carry your own generator (I can lend you a 4kW unit.)
Speaking of western PA, it’s isolated enough that there are abandoned coal mines out here. A coal mine fire near a small town was the inspiration for Silent Hill.
I’m nearby in western Maryland right now, and it is soooooo quiet. Lots of wooded hillsides, ramshackle houses, small towns untouched by time, things like that. Our outside trash can is a reinforced bear-proof metal thing bolted to the ground.
A lot of Delaware is pretty quiet too.
I recently went to Bear Mountain in NY. I think you would be able to do your shoot there and there is also the Perkins Tower. I also know that there’s the Devil’s Tower in Alpine, NJ. I don’t know if you’d be able to go in, though.
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