I dreamed of going to Seattle for most of my adult life. I couldn’t really tell you why. Perhaps it’s because the PNW reminded me of the west coast version of New England. Maybe it was my love for Practical Magic or The Ring? Or perhaps it’s because, in my opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful areas in the country. Either way, my wish was about to come to fruition and I was getting there in style — the Coast Starlight.

If you’re anything like me, then you probably live and breathe punk rock. Before my trip to NYC, I knew I had to visit a place that screamed old school punk. My teen dream was to feel as close to the punk revolution as humanly possible. For me, that meant seeing an epic rock concert inside one of the most iconic venues in underground music history—CBGB’s. Unfortunately that day never came, due to its permanent shutdown on October 15, 2006. The death of its founder, Hilly Kristal, following soon after in 2007.

In a remote corner of a small town known as Perryopolis, lurks the home of infamous movie villain, Buffalo Bill. John “Buffalo Bill” Gumb was inspired by a plethora of serial killers, but the murderer that took the most precedence in his creation was Ed Gein. Just like Gein, Buffalo Bill skinned his victims alive to make bodysuits for his own pleasure. To the ordinary passerby, it’s just a quaint home; but to film buffs, this lovely three-story victorian home is terrifying…

1968 was a historical year for horror films, and it was all thanks to horror movie icon, George A. Romero. The legacy that Romero left behind is an important one to know. With the help from screenwriter John A. Russo, he created zombies as we now know them. As a result, he invented an entirely new sub-genre in the process.

If you have an affinity for the real life malevolence that happens in the world like I do, Alcatraz East is a dream come true. Located in one of the biggest tourist traps in Tennessee, this museum combines all of your favorite elements of true crime. How I managed to find my way to this magical museum of the macabre is simple: some glorious person on Reddit posted about it.