Showerthought: My summer dead mall tour through the Midwest... any must-see spots?

I'm hitting the road in June to check out some forgotten malls in Ohio and Indiana... I've got a list from old forums, but things change fast. Last year, I went to the Sunrise Mall and it was already half-demolished, which was a bummer. I love capturing that sad beauty before it's gone forever... it's like history fading away. I'm looking for places that still have that eerie, frozen-in-time feel... like the food court with chairs still stacked. Any tips on malls that are safe to explore and not totally locked down? Also, what gear do you guys bring for photos? I use my phone but thinking of upgrading.

3 comments

3 Comments

sage_lopez10d agoMost Upvoted

Seriously though, they're just some old buildings, not some lost ancient city.

the_hugo10d ago

True, they aren't some huge discovery. But people act like it's the only history that matters. Those "old buildings" are someone's actual past, just a newer kind. Gets a bit over the top sometimes.

julia_butler6d ago

Oh sure, "just some old buildings"... tell that to the guy I saw last year taking tiered lighting rigs into the old Spencer's Gifts. @the_hugo is right, people do get weird about it, acting like they're on a dig site instead of a busted food court. Bring your phone, it's fine... half the vibe is the sad glow of a surviving cell phone kiosk anyway. Honestly, just watch for security... the only thing more frozen in time than the decor is the rent-a-cop on his rounds.