So an interesting conversation people have sparked up with me is how I find locations without being intrusive and potentially bothersome to other urban explorers.
Here's what I do:

1) (I find this cheating though and stray away from using this technique) Look at local area forum posts. Try to find clues in pictures of where it may be (A house address number, a billboard, a sign, etc.)

2) (This will require scouting) Google maps. Hover over a business districts and industrial districts. Look for any visible graffiti, empty and poorly maintained parking lots, partially collapsed structures. Drive out to the location at night and try to see if lights are on, if at night lights are on it may be possible the place has an alarm system. (Assume that since it's a commercial building and the building has electricity the prior caretakers installed an alarm system, I've tripped two already and narrowly made it out before a police officer rolled up.)

3) Ask a hobo. I've found three local locations I would have never noticed before nor found a P.o.E. to it if it weren't for stumbling upon a hobo's sleeping spot under a bridge and as well in abandoned buildings. Start by sparking a conversation and offer them a pack of cigarettes before bringing up the question. WARNING: Try not to mistake cracked out wackos and drug manufacturers for hobos.

4) Record any information on a piece of paper or smart phone. If you spot a nearby building with windows smashed out, graffiti, boarded up windows, write down the nearby streets to it or if you have an app such as TapTag for Android which allows you to record your GPS location and save it. Re-investigate the location if it's a big industrial or commercial building at night to see if lights are on.

5) Ask a friend. On Face Book, I have a friend who is obsessed with urban art and I took the time to message her and ask her about a couple locations which turned out to be abandoned and absolutely stunning. Also a local modeling company did a few shoots in an abandoned warehouse and I messaged them asking for the location.

6) Craigslist. Look at properties for sale on Craigslist. I managed to find a couple cool smaller spots from Craigslist this way.

7) Google Search. I've found a couple interesting locations by simple searches such as 'California abandoned' and '*insert city/town name here* abandoned' and have had a few good results. Just remember, research locations by typing them into Google Maps before you get too excited, most the ones I've found this way are already torn down.

These are my methods for finding locations. It's always interesting to hear from other people how they discover places as well.

Even though it results in 90% failure, I find myself getting out of my car in some areas, and just walking around, following a river or stream, I just hunt for hours on end.

Only then, if I think something is near by, I use good old Google maps, to find any hidden areas I may not have been able to access on foot.

To me, this way is so incredibly rewarding. Because when I finally find something, I feel so accomplished!

Rivers, railroads and Sanborns.

Craigslist never occurred to me, so that's a pretty cool tip! The rest seems common knowledge, though.

For me, I just drive around. If I see a place that looks abandoned and interesting, I pull in and drive close to the entrance. If there is any sign of activity, I keep driving and pull a U-turn, going back the way I came on the main street. If nothing, I wait a bit, messing with the maps on my phone in case someone comes out to see what I'm doing. After that, I just go for it and knock. 100% success rate so far. I've even "turned around" in a lot with a cop hiding out of sight from the road, and he didn't bother to follow. It's a pretty safe way to search thoroughly, but I suppose it does have its risks.

I take the train everyday for work.. So so many along the way. Tracks in cities are always good.

Tap Tag for Android? Hmm-You learn something new every day. Thanks!

And about the hobos, yes, they are always helpful. They are at the bottom of their luck, they'll give you any info for some change, food, or a "square".

I get a lot of tips from friends and family that know (in general) about my hobby but are not interested/brave/crazy enough to get involved themselves. All I've had to do is tell a story or two about things I have seen, and now people text and call me with possible locations. It seems like many people like to live vicariously by hearing about explores or looking at the photos.

I want to make it clear that I am NOT leading tours or giving specific locations or anything like that. If someone I knew in my personal life wanted to get into UE, they'd have to run the streets at night like a madman, searching for leads, just like I do. No free rides off my back!

Posted by TunnelRunner33 I get a lot of tips from friends and family that know (in general) about my hobby but are not interested/brave/crazy enough to get involved themselves. All I've had to do is tell a story or two about things I have seen, and now people text and call me with possible locations. It seems like many people like to live vicariously by hearing about explores or looking at the photos.

Definitely good advice. A lot of people seem to be afraid to talk about exploring openly, but I talk about it constantly to all different kinds of people. Even people I don't know that well. And it's amazing how often I get new leads on locations from doing that. And it's very rare that anyone responds negatively when I explain it properly.

Posted by DJ Craig Definitely good advice. A lot of people seem to be afraid to talk about exploring openly, but I talk about it constantly to all different kinds of people. Even people I don't know that well. And it's amazing how often I get new leads on locations from doing that. And it's very rare that anyone responds negatively when I explain it properly.

Lucky you. I actually get negative feedback more often than not.

"Yes, I'm aware that it's illegal, but those laws are intended to-"
"Yeah yeah, you're above the law. Sure."
"Well, either way, it's not like I leave the place any different than I found it."
"Maybe not yet, but you'll slip up."
"I would only damage something if I would be put in immediate danger otherwise."
"Why put yourself in these dangerous situations at all?"

And it goes on. Oddly enough, though, my parents are the most supportive people I know.

I talk about it in the most nerdy way possible. I emphasize the "historical preservation" and photography aspects of it, and, depending on who I'm talking to, don't even mention that it's illegal or dangerous. If I simply don't say that it's illegal or dangerous, it surprises me how many people just don't even make the connection that it would be!

I also emphasize the "online community" part (because if there's an online community of people that do something then it must be legit) and talk about how we "all" follow a strict "code of ethics" of not damaging locations, stealing, vandalizing, etc.

And if they ask me "Is that illegal?", my response to that, which seems to satisfy most people, is "Well, yeah, and I've been caught plenty of times, but what happens generally is you just get asked to leave. Worst case scenario, occasionally a small fine, but even that's rare."

The more you can sound like a socially inept nerd with internet friends, and the less like a rebellious teenager, the better.

Posted by HipsterKitty "Yes, I'm aware that it's illegal, but those laws are intended to-"

This line will get you into a pointless moral debate. It's better to just downplay the actual legal consequences.

Posted by DJ Craig This line will get you into a pointless moral debate. It's better to just downplay the actual legal consequences.

Yeah, I realize that now. Usually I follow it up with how carrying a camera almost guarantees a warning at worst.

I talk about UE fairly frequently with family/friends and haven't really had a negative reaction to it. Most people are just curious about why I explore and want to see a few pictures. The worst I've ever had to listen to is my parents telling me I'm going to get shot whenever I go exploring in Youngstown. Sometimes I'll hear about locations from people who know about my hobby. I found out about one of my favorites because my ex-girlfriend (of all people) sent me a picture of an abandoned school she saw.

I have friends who are Paramedics / asbestos removers and I have found new spots that way.

Other than that, just exploring places and google...and train tracks...

In big-ish cities, there are often many condos or such buildings going up. These construction sites are great places to go. The best time is when most of the building is up already, but it's still pretty interesting after they have dug out most of the foundations and after they have started laying down concrete.

Important note: regarding the construction sites, beware of random nails sticking out everywhere. Personal experience has shown these nails to be dangerous.

Posted by jtan In big-ish cities, there are often many condos or such buildings going up. These construction sites are great places to go. The best time is when most of the building is up already

see here
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Driving down a 4 lane street and some odd signage catches my eye.

Yep, sure enough, not your normal church signs.




When I got home, I did a little a research and found out it's been vacant about 2 years and is supposed to be torn down to make way for a nursing home.

2 & 7

Encouraging. Each time I've found a good site I've gotten depressed, convinced I'll never find one that good again.