Once-popular resorts fell out of fashion and left quiet, curious traces. They were packed with bands, buffets, and honeymooners. They advertised endless summers on glossy postcards and promised weeks of nothing but leisure. Now some are empty lots, other sites have new uses, and a few buildings sit behind locked gates. This post visits a dozen of those places. Each entry sketches what made a resort famous, how life there felt on an ordinary afternoon, and one small thing you can still see today — a cracked sign, a mapped foundation, a museum photo. Expect short scenes: a gala room stripped of chandeliers, a pool drained of splash, a boardwalk with only a single lamp still working. Read it like a walk through a forgotten travel brochure. You’ll end up with ideas for quiet visits, museum stops, and the kinds of details that make lost places feel oddly alive.
Grossinger’s, Catskills
Once synonymous with the “Borscht Belt” escape, Grossinger’s epitomized the extended family holiday. Crowds flocked for its all-inclusive offerings of food and entertainment, making it a vibrant hub. However, as travel trends evolved, its allure waned.
Today, cracked postcards and faded signs linger on its overgrown driveway. The resort, now silent, hints at its once-grand scale. Remnants of its heyday whisper stories of laughter and music that filled the air.
The Concord Resort Hotel, Kiamesha Lake
The Concord was a mid-century celebration hub, with sprawling camps, gala rooms, and buzzing conventions. It hosted countless weddings, yet economic shifts led to its decline.
A trace of its vastness remains in low concrete foundations and new buildings. The grounds, once vibrant with life, now stand in quiet remembrance of its glorious past.
Kutsher’s Country Club, Monticello
Home to summer sports leagues and celebrity guests, Kutsher’s was a Monticello icon. Its courts and pavilions buzzed with activity until changing times led to its closure.
Today, a modern casino occupies the land, reflecting a shift from past traditions. The area whispers of summers filled with laughter and camaraderie, now only a memory.
The Nevele, Ellenville
The Nevele was a mountain gem, drawing crowds to its terraces and dining rooms. Known for conventions and leisure, it fell into disuse as trends shifted.
Ivy-clad buildings and shuttered windows now tell tales of its past vibrancy. The resort patiently awaits a new chapter, standing as a testament to its storied past.
Mount Airy Lodge, Poconos
Once known for its honeymoon packages, Mount Airy Lodge was the heart of the Poconos. Its themed weekends and family cabins were legendary.
Today, tree-lined paths and outlines of past pools stand silent. Photographs of couples now echo in memories, as the lodge has become part of history.
Dreamland, Coney Island
Dreamland was a Coney Island marvel, blending seaside amusements with night spectacles. Much of its grandeur was lost to time and redevelopment.
Fragments of its boardwalk and museum photos recall its vibrant past. Visitors once marveled at its attractions, now just whispers in history.
Hotel Del Monte, Monterey
Hotel Del Monte was the epitome of gilded luxury, famous for its gardens and golf. Transitioning into public service, it survived under a new purpose.
Its stately facade and manicured gardens now grace a campus. The former hotel continues to charm, echoing tales of its opulent past.
The Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs was a spa-town haven, supported by grand wooden hotels like the Grand Union. As leisure styles shifted, these structures met their fate.
Markers and photos contrast with the current scene, telling stories of a vanished era. The town green outlives its enormous hotels, a nod to its rich past.
Baker Hotel, Mineral Wells, Texas
Mineral Wells thrived on its mineral-spring boom, with the Baker Hotel at its heart. This once-graceful icon saw slow decline, leaving an empty shell.
The hotel’s silhouette now sits vacant, with boarded windows and tales shared on local tours. Its grandeur lingers, a silent witness to a bygone era.
Salton Sea Resort Towns, Imperial Valley
Salton Sea once lured vacationers to its vibrant resorts and marinas. Environmental changes transformed these lively spots into quiet ruins.
Rusting boat ramps and boarded motels now dominate the scene. The echo of bustling days is found in salt-stained pilings where boats once docked.
Atlantic City’s Vanished Pavilions
Atlantic City was the place to be, with grand pavilions and ornate piers lining the boardwalk. Fires and redevelopment erased its iconic structures.
A modern boardwalk, intercut with plaques and photos, hints at a glorious past. The music halls and pavilions live on in memory, forever a part of its charm.
Adirondack Great Camps
The Adirondacks were dotted with “Great Camps” that hosted elite visitors. These wooden lodges, once bustling, were later abandoned or absorbed.
Stone chimneys and scattered foundations now reveal their previous grandeur. Interpretive signs mark where these grand lodges once stood, whispering tales of luxury in nature.