American Horror Story Filming Locations

Too Long; Didn’t Read

Want to walk through American horror story filming locations? This list has got you covered. Fans can actually visit spots used across different seasons.

Big ones include: 

1. The Rosenheim Mansion in LA (Murder House exterior);

2. Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana (Asylum outside shots);

3. Buckner Mansion in New Orleans (Coven's witch school);

4. Longue Vue House, also in New Orleans, stood in for Freak Show's Mott Manor;

5. Other cool spots are LA's James Oviatt Building (Hotel Cortez), Franklin Canyon Park in LA (1984), and Provincetown, Massachusetts (Double Feature).

Heads up: Some spots are private homes – admire exteriors politely. Others might offer tours, usually paid. Government or public buildings? Stick to open hours. 

Where Horror Comes to Life

American Horror Story isn't just TV. It's a cultural phenomenon, mixing scary stories with real places. This draws fans wanting to step into those famous nightmares. Each season makes ordinary spots stages for horror. They become destinations for devoted viewers.

This guide points to places you can actually go. Experience pieces of AHS history yourself. Some spots let you tour inside. Others you can only see outside. Every location holds meaning deeper than what appeared on screen.

Murder House (Season 1): Rosenheim Mansion, Los Angeles

You'll find this place at 1120 Westchester Place, Los Angeles, CA. Everyone knows this iconic Gothic Revival mansion – it's practically the Murder House from TV. Built way back in 1902, its creepy vibe made it perfect for filming American Horror Story's first season. You can't go inside (real folks live there), but checking out the outside is still worth it.

Outside, spot those amazing Tiffany stained glass windows and all the cool Gothic details. Don't miss the front porch either; tons of wild show moments happened right there.

Afterward, Lafayette Park nearby is a good spot to chill. Just be cool and remember people call this home.

Oh, and this house isn't new to cameras. It popped up in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The X-Files too. It's pretty much Hollywood's favorite spooky mansion.

Asylum (Season 2): Orange County Courthouse

You'll find this spot at 211 W Santa Ana Blvd in Santa Ana, CA. Those big Briarcliff Manor exterior shots used this actual government building. Its Romanesque Revival style gives off serious institutional vibes – pretty intimidating, actually. That feel nailed Season 2's whole confinement and control theme.

If you visit:

1. Grounds are open free on weekdays during work hours. Try going then; it's usually quieter.

2. Remember, it's a working courthouse. Don't count on seeing any leftover filming stuff.

Real places inspired Briarcliff: Danvers State Hospital in Massachusetts and Willowbrook State School in New York. Both have very dark pasts tied to mental health care.

Coven (Season 3): New Orleans Gothic Treasures

New Orleans served up several great spots for Season 3's witchy adventures. These American horror story filming locations each add something unique, helping build Coven's spooky vibe perfectly.

1. Miss Robichaux's Academy: Found at Buckner Mansion, 1410 Jackson Ave. This Garden District stunner provided the witch school's outside look. Built way back in the 1850s, its Greek Revival style and big wraparound galleries are pure New Orleans. You can't go inside, but yep, Garden District walking tours usually stop by.

2. LaLaurie Mansion: This creepy house needed two spots! Outside shots used the Gallier House (1132 Royal St). Scenes inside? They filmed those at Hermann-Grima House (820 St. Louis St). Both are old French Quarter places open for guided tours.

3. Marie Laveau's Hair Salon: That was Maison Vitry in the Treme. Using this spot connected Season 3 to the city's real voodoo history, giving the supernatural story genuine local roots.

Freak Show (Season 4): Florida's Dark Carnival

Season 4 actually filmed in New Orleans, not Florida, using locations that could double for 1950s Jupiter.

Mott Manor:

1. Location: Longue Vue House & Gardens (7 Bamboo Rd, New Orleans).

2. Cost: $15 entry.

3. What’s included: Tour the whole estate and explore its beautiful gardens.

This place nailed the look of Dandy Mott’s rich family home. You feel that grand vibe, which clashes so well with the season’s creepy stuff.

Diner Scenes:

1. Location: Camellia Grill in the French Quarter.

2. Bonus: It’s a real, working diner! You can grab a bite there today. Much of its cool vintage feel from the show is still there.

Hotel (Season 5): Art Deco Nightmare

Check out one of the most iconic American horror story filming locations: James Oviatt Building at 617 S Olive St in LA. This Art Deco building looms over the street just like Hotel Cortez. You can see it easily from sidewalks. It's also close to Pershing Square metro.

Nearby, Cecil Hotel (now "Stay on Main") sparked ideas for season 5. Though not filmed there, its history packed with unexplained deaths and strange events fueled writers' ideas.

Roanoke (Season 6): Lost Colonies and Forests

Farmhouse Spot:

1. Address: Santa Clarita, CA (actual site gone)

2. That creepy, isolated farmhouse? Built just for filming and torn down after. You can't visit the exact spot, but wandering Santa Clarita's rural areas gives a feel for that remote vibe the show captured.

Real History Link:

1. Location: Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, North Carolina

2. This place wasn't actually used for filming. But it tells the true tale of the vanished Roanoke colony – the real story behind Season 6's spooky events. It's a must-see if you're into the actual history that sparked the season.

Cult (Season 7): Suburban Terror

Ally & Ivy's House:

1. Find it at 1530 N. Orange Grove Ave, Los Angeles.

2. This suburban home looks ordinary, but it became central to Season 7's political horror.

3. Horror fans might spot it – it also features in John Carpenter's original Halloween movie (1978).

The Butchery on Main:

1. Address: 102 N. Glassell St, Orange, CA.

2. Situated in Old Towne Orange, this spot was the restaurant where a lot of the season's tension happened.

3. The historic downtown around it is worth a visit, even without the AHS link.

Apocalypse (Season 8): Armageddon's Stage

Warlock Execution Scene:

1. Spot: Sepulveda Dam (15758 Burbank Blvd, Van Nuys).

2. You can visit the basin area, but the dam top stays restricted. 

3. This place made the backdrop for some big Season 8 moments.

Outpost 3:

1. Spot: King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas.

2. This old ranch property stood in for the underground bunker exterior. 

3. Its stark landscape pretty much nailed that end-of-the-world vibe the season needed.

1984 (Season 9): Summer Camp Slasher

Franklin Canyon Park blends hiking trails with a peaceful lake, great for both American Horror Story fans and folks who love getting outdoors. Its natural scenery was a perfect match for the season's 1980s slasher vibe.

Other Spots Used:

1. Moonlight Rollerway (Glendale): That classic roller rink you saw in a few scenes.

2. Old Orange County Courthouse (Santa Ana): Another government building that doubled as a set.

Double Feature & NYC (Seasons 10-11): Coastal Horrors

Provincetown, Massachusetts:

1. The Mews Restaurant (exterior shots);

2. Boatslip Resort;

3. Winthrop Street Cemetery;

Season 10 took advantage of this coastal town's unique atmosphere.

New York City Locations:

1. Fire Island;

2. Various Manhattan locations;

These newer seasons moved AHS to fresh locations. Changing scenery really boosted its horror.

Practical Travel Tips for visiting AHS Filming Locations

Best Times to Visit

1. New Orleans: Fall months offer cooler weather and fewer crowds;

2. Los Angeles sites: Weekdays typically have less traffic and better parking;

3. Government buildings: Visit during business hours for best access;

Budget Considerations

Free Locations:

1. Most exterior viewing spots;

2. Public parks and cemeteries;

3. Government building grounds;

Paid Experiences:

1. Longue Vue House tours: $15;

2. Garden District walking tours: Varies by company;

3. Historic house tours in New Orleans: $10-20 typically;

Ethical Tourism

Respect private property, such as Rosenheim Mansion. Take pictures only from public sidewalks. Keep in mind actual people live and work here.

Efficient Itineraries

1. Los Angeles/Orange County Route: Bunch up close sites to cut down travel time. Lots of AHS locations aren't far from each other.

2. New Orleans Focus: Getting around this place is quick. You can knock out multiple Coven and Freak Show visits all in one trip.

Walking Through AHS's Haunted History

These aren't just places where cameras rolled. They actually boost the show's creepy vibes and let fans touch the real world behind their favorite scares. Standing outside Murder House or wandering Franklin Canyon Park? You're stepping into spaces that helped create some of TV's most unforgettable frights. 

Each spot has its own story, way before the show. Rosenheim Mansion stood for over a hundred years. New Orleans pulses with deep culture. Even government buildings have their own civic weight. That history adds real texture to their fictional roles. 

Visiting offers something pretty cool for fans. It’s a way to step inside AHS and see firsthand how ordinary spots transform into stages for the supernatural. Whether you’re plotting a full American horror story filming locations tour or just want a dash of horror history on your trip, these places deliver unique experiences you simply won't get elsewhere.

Grab your camera, remember local rules, and get ready to explore real-life spots behind American Horror Story's creepiest scenes. You can actually visit these iconic TV horror locations yourself now.

FAQ

Are there guided tours specifically focused on AHS filming locations?

Yeah, especially in New Orleans for Coven and Freak Show spots. Sometimes LA too. These tours give you behind-the-scenes info and context you won't get alone. They cover multiple spots efficiently.

How accurate are the on-screen locations compared to their real-world counterparts?

AHS often films building exteriors at actual locations. But inside scenes? Those usually happen on soundstages or in completely different buildings – like using the LaLaurie Mansion. The real spot gives you that outside look. Sets then create detailed interiors.

What's the best way to find all the minor or less famous filming spots?

For finding locations, fan sites and forums often give you more detail than general guides. IMDb listings are also a solid source. Don't forget local film offices – they sometimes keep their own detailed databases.

Do any locations have a documented history of paranormal activity before AHS filmed?

Places like New Orleans' Gallier and Hermann-Grima Houses, plus LA's Cecil Hotel, already had spooky reputations or dark pasts before the show featured them. That existing history adds another unsettling layer.

Why does AHS frequently film in New Orleans beyond just Coven and Freak Show?

New Orleans has unique historic buildings. It’s also known for rich voodoo traditions and supernatural elements. Plus, Louisiana offers filmmakers generous tax breaks. This makes New Orleans a budget-friendly place to shoot, full of distinctive atmosphere.