I explored an abandoned amusement park and found stunning art deco attractions and a thriving artists' hub

The author visits a once-abandoned theme park near Bethesda, Maryland.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

• I explored a Maryland amusement park that was abandoned over 50 years ago.
• Nature has since taken over parts of Glen Echo Park — and so have artists.
• Some eerie attraction structures from the park remain and have been revived by local artists. 

A theme park on the banks of the Potomac River outside Washington, DC, was abandoned over 50 years ago. The grounds are quiet...