Six Awesome Abandoned Places In New York That You Definitely Want To Visit

If you're a burgeoning urban explorer, these six easily accessible relics are a great way to spend an afternoon without running the risk of getting busted for trespassing.

1. Floyd Bennett Field - Brooklyn

Daniel Berek / Via flickr.com

Floyd Bennett Field was New York City's first municipal airport, opened in 1931. After LaGuardia Airport opened in 1939, the field was sold to the Navy and used on and off until 1971 when it was deactivated. Today, the field is owned by the National Parks Service and is used as a camp ground, but is also home to a plethora of abandoned buildings including the decommissioned hangars and terminal.

2. Dead Horse Bay, Bottle Beach - Brooklyn

Elizabeth Russo

You can consider Dead Horse Bay a bonus round for your visit to Floyd Bennett Field because it is located directly across the street! It isn't technically an abandoned place, but it's definitely a picker's paradise. Dead Horse Bay gets its name from a time when the bay was home to horse refineries in the 1850s, and the beach gets its name from the fact that it is quite literally covered in vintage bottles and other interesting garbage from the turn of the century. You'll want to bring shoes you don't mind getting dirty and a bag to bring home some of the treasures you'll find.

3. Overlook Mountain House - Woodstock, NY

Michelle Enemark / Via assets.atlasobscura.com

The Overlook Mountain House was originally built in 1833 when the Catskills were the happening place for wealthy vacationers in New York. The resort was unlucky, however, and had to be rebuild three times because of fires before it was finally boarded up in 1940 (although it was again damaged by fire multiple times in its boarded-up state). The skeleton of the hotel stands at the top of Overlook Mountain and, although the hike is said to be a schlep, is well worth visiting.

4. Fort Totten - Queens

New York City Parks / Via nycgovparks.org

Fort Totten is a former army fortress that dates back to the Civil War. The base was used in various different ways by the U.S. military up until the Cold War, but today much of the installation is used as a underfunded but incredibly fascinating public park. There are dozens of dilapidated buildings that sit inside the park, including a farm house that dates back to 1829 that is currently a candidate for historical preservation.

5. Rolling Hills Asylum - East Bethany, NY

Anne Holliday / Via yourbradfordradio.com

Rolling Hills Asylum was originally opened as a poor house in 1827 and housed anyone down on their luck from the unemployed to the disabled to the insane. All of those who resided there were referred to as inmates and those who were able bodied worked the surrounding farmland. The Asylum finally closed in 1974 and remained unused until Genesee County opened it up to tours. Today, you can go on guided tours of the grounds and structures and for a hefty price, can even explore the grounds on our own ghost hunt.

6.

Garrett Ziegler / Via blogger.com

Bannerman's Castle was built in 1901 by Francis Bannerman VI as a storage facility for his military equipment company. He also built a smaller castle on the island to be used as his residence, but died in 1918 before construction was finished. Two years later, gunpowder and shells detonated in the arsenal, causing a large amount of damage. More damage occurred over the next few decades due to vandalism and fire, leaving the castle in the state it is in today. During the summer months, visitors are welcome to take a short cruise down the Hudson to take walking tours of the island and the remaining structure.