Wlra
Wlra

FOLLOW US

My Picture

trip planning

Forbidden Places in the USA for Tourists

Steve Jennifer
Updated: May 16, 2024

SHARE

The United States, a vast canvas of diverse landscapes and cities, offers a travel experience for every taste. Whether you're drawn to the rugged beauty of Alaska, the cultural depth of Chicago, or the iconic skylines of New York City, America has it all. However, woven into the fabric of this great nation are several places shrouded in mystery and strictly off-limits to tourists and unauthorized personnel. From top-secret military bases to guarded data centres, these locations stir the imagination and add an aura of the forbidden to the American landscape.

Advertisement

01. Google Data Centers

My Picture
Imagine where all your searches, emails, and digital data end up. Google's highly secured Data Centers across the U.S. are the nerve centers of the internet, storing an immense volume of global data. With locations like Douglas County, Georgia, and Mayes County, Oklahoma, these facilities are fortresses equipped with advanced security measures to protect the data integrity of millions. Although these centers operate non-stop to support our incessant internet use, public access is a no-go, ensuring the operations within remain confidential and uninterrupted.

02. Area 51

My Picture
Area 51 in Nevada is the quintessential American mystery, often associated with top-secret aircraft and, more tantalizing, aliens and their technology. This remote military base has fueled countless conspiracy theories and captivated public interest for decades. In 2019, the curiosity peaked when a Facebook event proposing to storm Area 51 attracted millions of intrigued followers, turning into a sizable desert gathering. While the base’s true purpose remains under wraps, the fascination with Area 51 is evident, as it continues to inspire books, movies, and spirited discussions among those eager to know what's really going on out there.

03. Robins Island

My Picture
Robins Island, a private sanctuary off the coast of Long Island, is an example of conservation coupled with exclusivity. Purchased for $11 million by financier Louis Bacon, the island has been transformed from a neglected area into a thriving natural reserve. Today, it hosts a vibrant ecosystem, including a significant turtle population. Access is strictly limited to Bacon, his family, and authorized guests, preserving its tranquility and natural beauty against outside disturbances and ensuring its pristine conditions remain untouched.

04. Coca-Cola's Secret Formula Vault

My Picture
The secret behind Coca-Cola’s iconic flavor is possibly the best-kept corporate secret in history, locked away in a special vault within the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta. The legend claims that only a handful of people have ever laid eyes on the complete recipe. For visitors hoping to uncover this mystery, the closest they’ll get is the vault’s exterior and a series of historical exhibits about the drink’s storied past, but the actual recipe remains a closely guarded secret, contributing to the mystique and legacy of this beloved beverage.

05. North Brother Island

My Picture
Once a quarantine hospital treating dangerous infectious diseases, North Brother Island in New York City is now a deserted sanctuary. It's infamous for being the long-term residence of "Typhoid Mary," who was isolated here to prevent further outbreaks of typhoid fever. Following its closure as a hospital, it briefly served as a drug rehabilitation center, which was also mired in controversy. Today, access to the island is prohibited, aimed at protecting the wildlife that has reclaimed the area and perhaps, to keep its darker past hidden from public view. This island stands as a haunting reminder of the city’s complex history with disease, treatment, and isolation practices.

06. Granite Mountain Records Vault

My Picture
Beneath Utah’s Granite Mountain lies a massive repository of human history—the Granite Mountain Records Vault. Established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this vault houses the world’s largest collection of genealogical records. While the public can access many of these records online via FamilySearch.org, the vault itself remains a highly protected facility, safeguarding millions of microfilms and documents from physical and environmental threats, thus preserving a crucial link to our global heritage.

07. Raven Rock Mountain Complex

My Picture
Also known as "Site R," Raven Rock Mountain Complex is a military installation in Pennsylvania that serves as an alternate Pentagon. Constructed in the early 1950s during the Cold War, this underground bunker was designed to withstand a nuclear blast and is equipped to house up to 3,000 people in the event of a national emergency. The complex spans several million square feet, ensuring ample space for operations, living quarters, and command centers. Its exact operational details and the extent of its capabilities remain classified, with entry strictly limited to authorized military personnel and government officials, making it a center of speculation and intrigue.

08. Fort Knox

My Picture
Fort Knox, synonymous with impenetrable security, is located in Kentucky and serves as the United States Bullion Depository. Since its establishment in 1936, it has been one of the most secure locations in America, famously housing the largest portion of the country's gold reserves. Reports suggest that the vaults contain over 147 million ounces of gold, worth billions of dollars. Access to Fort Knox is famously restricted, with layers of security that include solid granite wall linings, blast-proof doors, and a 22-ton vault door ensuring the gold—and any other contents—are securely locked away. The mystique of Fort Knox is enhanced by its near-mythical status in American culture, often referenced in popular media as the standard for unmatched security.

09. Vatican Apostolic Archive

My Picture
The Vatican Apostolic Archive, historically known as the Vatican Secret Archives, holds a vast collection of documents pertaining to the Catholic Church's history, some dating back to the 8th century. While the main archives are in Vatican City, there is a highly restricted access point in the United States, specifically tailored for scholarly research. Located within a nondescript facility in Washington, D.C., this access point houses replicas and digital versions of select documents. Entry is limited to a very few, accredited scholars who can justify their research needs, ensuring the preservation and confidentiality of these precious documents. The archive's contents include papal decrees, historical correspondences, and other religious texts that are crucial to understanding the global history of Catholicism.

10. Cheyenne Mountain Complex

My Picture
Located in Colorado Springs, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex is another bastion of U.S. military might and preparedness. Built under 2,000 feet of granite, it was originally designed in the 1960s as the hub for NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) and the United States Space Command missions. This facility is essentially a city underground, equipped with facilities to sustain its personnel for weeks without outside contact. While it primarily serves as a training and backup center today, the complex's original mission to detect and respond to nuclear threats positions it as a critical national security site. Public access is, understandably, not permitted, preserving its operational integrity and secrecy.

Share

TAGS: trip planningquirky

Read More

Recommended

14 Free Things You Can Get at Airports

11 Celebrity Homes You Can Stay at Through AirBnB

Go to Bar Harbor For Outdoorsy Fun

Wlra logo

Get inspiration sent straight to your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

About

About Us

Terms

Privacy

Contact Us

Get inspiration sent straight to your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

@ 2024 Aalpha Media. All rights reserved.