Abandoned Areas:
Where I live there are two trailer parks that have been here for 50 to 75 years. Developers bought the property and the trailers will all be gone or abandoned soon. Looking forward to searching them.

I also drive out of the city to the country and look for the remains of old houses, barns or whatever looks empty and run down. Great places to detect.

May 2009Winter Sledding Spots:
One place I always go back to is where folks go sledding in the winter. Some of these areas have been used for generations. The most targets are at the top and the bottom of the hill.

May 2009Ice Cream Truck Route:
Everybody has an ice cream man/woman who drives their noisy truck thru the area, watch to see where his regular stops are and search there!! KIDS+POCKETS FULL OF CHANGE+ TOTAL DISTRACTION TO GET ICE CREAM= LOTS OF COINS ON THE GROUND!! Happy Hunting!!

June 2009Old Railroad Rail Lines:
The country is crisscrossed with old and abandoned railroad railroad line. Many abandoned rail beds have been converted to "Rails-to-Trail" hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling trails and are easy to find. Others are overgrown but can be spotted by their constant-grade profile. Old maps in your state library will show the location of many old railroad lines. Once located, and permission to prospect is granted, begin your search in the areas around the old station buildings. These are the most productive area as coins were handled there. But under no circumstance should you approach active railroad lines because of the obvious danger from trains and the sensitivity of railroad police to intruders — this is especially true since 9/11. Please use good judgement when metal detecting for everyone's sake.

June 2009Rivers and Waterways:
Many towns, villages and cities throughout North America boast significant historical value. Do not overlook the shoreline along rivers and waterways adjacent to those communities. Since water routes were the major means of travel over past centuries, there is much to find along the banks. I have found everything from old money to firearms, native trinkets, metal money boxes (sometimes with contents intact), fobs, watches and even nagivational instruments. Don't forget to search out into the water a ways. This is where it is important to own a waterproof detector. The past is waiting to be discovered right in your own community.

November 2009City Drains:
Most cities have storm drains that eventually dump into rivers or streams. Where the concrete ends and the dirt or gravel begins has been a productive site for me. – Ned O.

Well I hope our list of The best places to Metal Detect brings you luck! Happy Detecting!