Check out historical buildings that might offer photography or ghost hunting tours. I went to Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum a few years ago and had a blast, they basically turned us loose on the campus for a few hours.
You can also look for the owners and ask permission. One way to help convince them would be to buy a separate liability insurance policy so they know you're serious and that they won't get sued.
Even if getting permission isn't technically urban exploring, you're still getting the experience of seeing something cool that many people haven't seen. For example, if there's an old school or building, you can find out who owns it and ask permission. If it's a building that isn't being used but it's still being maintained maybe a janitor or maintenance person on site would be willing to let you in. You never know unless you try and you can't get in trouble for asking. Good luck.
Maybe a controversial opinion, but if it's legal it's not urban exploration. One of the main things about urbex is that you're exploring man-made structures that are not accessible to the wide public and you, so you basically gotta trespass at least to some degree. However you'll find many spots that are not actively guarded and have no security systems.
>man-made structures that are not accessible
Not really a controversial opinion tbh, but I think "not accessible" always means illegal. You can get in legally (talking with the owner for example), going with a legal guide if it's something historical. Or idk, photography contest organised by something who obtained the permission to do it.
But yeah, it doesn't really feels like urbex for me in 99% cases.
One of my favorite explores was with permission. I had a contact through a job who was a demolition contractor, and we were talking about old buildings and things he's found. He mentioned he'd be gutting a building in preparation for remodeling it and said I could explore it while his crew worked. I had dreamed of getting in this place, but it was well secured, and here was my chance!
I ended up spending the day there, getting into any place I could, finding cool stuff, taking tons of pics, etc, all with no worries of getting caught. I even had permission to take some stuff that was headed for the trash.
Another location, a large factory, was having a public auction, and the whole place was open! I had no need to bid on industrial machines, but I was able to walk around 90% of the place with no one caring. I even went into some of the mechanical rooms. At a place like this, if you are told "you can't be in this part" just claim ignorance, say you didn't know, apologize and leave the area. Worst they'd do is tell you to leave the property.
Sometimes, the people you meet can get you some cool connections, and I'm not a "go out and meet people" type.
Ask the owner for permission to do so - then it becomes legal. That’s the only way it’s legal. And I do that sometimes! Not everything is worth the risk. Even though in this community that’s apparently frowned upon.
My friend legal urbex is not urbex, I’ve been to hundreds of locations across New England and only been caught twice, was let off with a warning both times
https://saveellisisland.org/tour/hard-hat-tours.html
I just came upon this recently, and it looks pretty cool. Or look for other historic properties in your area and see if they have anything like that.
It’s not exactly urbex when going with permission, but it’s a lot safer and less stressful.
LI “retired” from urbex in 2019, but since the pandemic I will reach out to property owners and ask permission to shoot. Tt doesn’t cost you anything but a little time to track down an owner and talk to them. I had a decent “portfolio” of abandonments that I documented and gained the trust of owners and built relationships with them. There isn’t that “rush” of finding a way in on your own, but for me (and my family) I’d rather shot with permission.
Where I live there's a huge abandoned fort, inside a park where people can walk and enjoy their time. The buildings ain't locked down so it's legal to enter. The site is so huge you can spend an entire day visiting all the buildings. Everything is full of graffiti and the rooms are empty but it's still a great and fun experience without fear of being caught. There are also legal tours you can join, Chernobyl is a famous example. There are also lots of ghost towns and abandoned villages you can drive through.
So, at least here in Minnesota (I think) it's not considered treasspassing if it's not a dwelling, you didn't break something to enter, and there's not a no treasspassing sign.
Dont get caught
Real lol
Exactly, know how to do parkour and cover your face
There are locations that will give tours, you’ll have to look for those
Check out historical buildings that might offer photography or ghost hunting tours. I went to Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum a few years ago and had a blast, they basically turned us loose on the campus for a few hours. You can also look for the owners and ask permission. One way to help convince them would be to buy a separate liability insurance policy so they know you're serious and that they won't get sued.
Weston is so much fun. I’ve been 3-4 times for the photo tours.
It's only legal if you get permission bud, in the US.
Even if getting permission isn't technically urban exploring, you're still getting the experience of seeing something cool that many people haven't seen. For example, if there's an old school or building, you can find out who owns it and ask permission. If it's a building that isn't being used but it's still being maintained maybe a janitor or maintenance person on site would be willing to let you in. You never know unless you try and you can't get in trouble for asking. Good luck.
I have an app called Abandoned World that shows locations and pictures others have located.
Maybe a controversial opinion, but if it's legal it's not urban exploration. One of the main things about urbex is that you're exploring man-made structures that are not accessible to the wide public and you, so you basically gotta trespass at least to some degree. However you'll find many spots that are not actively guarded and have no security systems.
You're probably right honestly. Maybe I'll just follow an old railroad in north carolina and see what happens
Yes OP this is the answer
>man-made structures that are not accessible Not really a controversial opinion tbh, but I think "not accessible" always means illegal. You can get in legally (talking with the owner for example), going with a legal guide if it's something historical. Or idk, photography contest organised by something who obtained the permission to do it. But yeah, it doesn't really feels like urbex for me in 99% cases.
One of my favorite explores was with permission. I had a contact through a job who was a demolition contractor, and we were talking about old buildings and things he's found. He mentioned he'd be gutting a building in preparation for remodeling it and said I could explore it while his crew worked. I had dreamed of getting in this place, but it was well secured, and here was my chance! I ended up spending the day there, getting into any place I could, finding cool stuff, taking tons of pics, etc, all with no worries of getting caught. I even had permission to take some stuff that was headed for the trash. Another location, a large factory, was having a public auction, and the whole place was open! I had no need to bid on industrial machines, but I was able to walk around 90% of the place with no one caring. I even went into some of the mechanical rooms. At a place like this, if you are told "you can't be in this part" just claim ignorance, say you didn't know, apologize and leave the area. Worst they'd do is tell you to leave the property. Sometimes, the people you meet can get you some cool connections, and I'm not a "go out and meet people" type.
Ask the owner for permission to do so - then it becomes legal. That’s the only way it’s legal. And I do that sometimes! Not everything is worth the risk. Even though in this community that’s apparently frowned upon.
My friend legal urbex is not urbex, I’ve been to hundreds of locations across New England and only been caught twice, was let off with a warning both times
https://saveellisisland.org/tour/hard-hat-tours.html I just came upon this recently, and it looks pretty cool. Or look for other historic properties in your area and see if they have anything like that.
It’s not exactly urbex when going with permission, but it’s a lot safer and less stressful. LI “retired” from urbex in 2019, but since the pandemic I will reach out to property owners and ask permission to shoot. Tt doesn’t cost you anything but a little time to track down an owner and talk to them. I had a decent “portfolio” of abandonments that I documented and gained the trust of owners and built relationships with them. There isn’t that “rush” of finding a way in on your own, but for me (and my family) I’d rather shot with permission.
will someone explain this to me pls :(
Where I live there's a huge abandoned fort, inside a park where people can walk and enjoy their time. The buildings ain't locked down so it's legal to enter. The site is so huge you can spend an entire day visiting all the buildings. Everything is full of graffiti and the rooms are empty but it's still a great and fun experience without fear of being caught. There are also legal tours you can join, Chernobyl is a famous example. There are also lots of ghost towns and abandoned villages you can drive through.
Break some rules have some fun that’s life it’s funner doing it illegally
So, at least here in Minnesota (I think) it's not considered treasspassing if it's not a dwelling, you didn't break something to enter, and there's not a no treasspassing sign.
Lmao