10 Forbidden Places in the World

There’s one thing adventurers can’t resist — the forbidden places. The off-limit places. The more hidden, and remote, the more travel enthusiasts want to go there. Sometimes, with a little luck and some hard-earned cash, you can finagle your way into one of these prohibited areas. Other times, no matter how hard you try to work your way in, these places will forever elude you. But you’ll only love them all the more for it.

Here is our list of the top ten forbidden places in the world. If you can find a way in, take the chance and go. You won’t regret it.

 

1. Area 51, Nevada, USA. If you’re looking for secrets, you’ve found the right place with Area 51. Not that you’ll ever be allowed to visit. This United States Air Force base located at Groom Lake is home to some of the most top-secret aircraft in the world. Conspiracy theories regarding the alien technology housed here are popular among sky-watchers throughout the country. Surveillance cameras and security guards will keep you out, but if you know where to go, you can watch from a distance.

 

2. Heard Island, Australia. An island near Antarctica with two raging volcanoes doesn’t sound fragile, it sounds dangerous, but Heard Island is the one place where you can find both types of environment. Made up of limestone and debris from its many volcanic eruptions, the Australian government forbid anyone from stepping foot on this place for their own safety as well as the island’s. Too many people will destroy its delicate ecosystem, and too much lava will destroy you!

 

3. Coca-Cola Vault, Georgia, USA. It’s virtually impossible to go anywhere in the world without finding find Coca-Cola. The fizzy, sweet soda has been making generations smile for over a hundred years. And guess what? They’ve got a secret. Their trademark flavor has a top-secret recipe that has never been revealed and never will. The recipe is kept closely guarded in the vault of the World Coca-Cola Museum in Georgia. Don’t even think about trying to sneak a peek or you’ll get arrested!

 

4. Isla de las Munecas, Mexico. To some, Island of the Dolls is one of the creepiest places on Earth. To thrill-seeking adventurers, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Every tree on the island is decorated with dolls. They hang from ropes, from twine, from thread, whatever is on hand when a new doll is placed. The dolls are meant to appease the spirit of a drowned girl who washed ashore on the island. Technically, the island is off-limits to tourists, but you can always find boatmen willing to make the journey if the price is right.

 

5. Mount Weather, Virginia, USA. Ever wonder where high-ranking government officials, and some ultra-powerful, super-rich civilians, would go if the world suddenly came to an end? They’d come to this secret underground military compound. You’ll find hospitals, power plants, and even a transit system to help people get around, and it’s all underground. Armed guards protect it night and day. Come too close, and you’re liable to get arrested.

 

6. The Lascaux Caves, France. If you’re a history buff, the Lascaux Caves are right up your alley. Over 600 works of art dating back 17,000 years make this cave a living piece of history. When first discovered, it was open to the public, but soon after problems began to arise. Microbes and fungi made the caves their new home, and the constant light began to deteriorate the ancient artwork. Viewing was cutoff in 1963, and only the most well-respected scientists are allowed entry.

7. North Brother Island, New York, USA. This island has a dark history that draws fascination as much as it does sorrow. Once a typhoid quarantine hospital, it housed the most famous victim of the disease, Typhoid Mary. She was the first American girl to carry typhoid and became synonymous with the illness. When the disease was abolished, the island was turned into a rehabilitation center for teenagers with a drug problem. Like the hospital, the rehab center did not last. Now, it’s a bird sanctuary, and the birds are the only ones allowed to visit.

 

8. Poveglia, Italy. This small island not far from Venice is often described as the most haunted place in the world. For years, the island acted as a mass burial site for plague victims. When the plague finally ended, it became home to an asylum for the mentally ill. The doctor who ran it is rumored to have conducted experiments on the his patients. With its many condemned buildings, it’s not safe for visitors, though there are always locals willing to make the trek if you dig far enough into your wallets.

 

8. Dulce Base, New Mexico, USA. Near the border of Colorado, Dulce is a tiny town inhabited by less than 3,000 Native Americans. But under the town lies a massive underground government base. Officially, the base doesn’t exist, but eye witness accounts are too numerous to discount. Said to house UFOs, alien-human hybrids, cryptozoology creatures like Bigfoot, and alien technology, this base is one place tourists will never be admitted entry.

 

10. Metro 2, Russia. If you’re looking for a place that’s like something out of a James Bond movie, check out this secret underground train system. It runs under Moscow and has even got a codename, D-6. Although it runs parallel to the official Moscow metro system, no one’s allowed entry. Built when Stalin was still in power, the tracks connect several important government buildings including the Kremlin and Vnukovo-2 Airport.

Forbidden places can be enticing but also dangerous. If you visit one of the spots on our list, be careful and only go with an experienced guide. Most importantly, make sure to have fun and create lots of new memories.

When you get back from your trip, preserve your memories with pictures, a scrapbook, or even a travel map like Newverest’s Trek Scratcher™. The maps are a fun, interactive way for your family to keep their memories alive. Chart your journey on the map and start planning tomorrow’s adventure today!