If you’re looking for last-minute Halloween destinations in the U.S., there are plenty of spooky spots that offer both festive charm and thrilling experiences. Here are some top picks for Halloween-themed travel destinations, from haunted towns to creepy festivals and family-friendly spots:
1. Salem, Massachusetts
- Why Go: Known as “Witch City,” Salem is the ultimate Halloween destination. With its rich history of witch trials, it transforms in October with haunted happenings, ghost tours, and parades.
- Must-See Events: Salem Haunted Happenings Festival, Witch Trial reenactments, and Halloween night fireworks.
- Tips: Book accommodations ahead or stay in nearby Boston and commute, as Salem fills up quickly in October.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
- Why Go: Known for its deep-rooted voodoo culture, New Orleans is the perfect Halloween escape. The city is famous for ghostly attractions, historic cemeteries, and its haunted French Quarter.
- Must-See Events: Krewe of Boo Halloween Parade, guided ghost tours, and voodoo shops.
- Tips: Visit Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo and consider a spooky cemetery tour to learn about local folklore.
3. Sleepy Hollow, New York
- Why Go: Inspired by Washington Irving’s classic tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” this historic village is packed with Halloween spirit, complete with haunted hayrides, eerie candlelit tours, and cemetery events.
- Must-See Events: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze (over 7,000 carved pumpkins!), Horseman’s Hollow, and lantern tours in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
- Tips: Book tickets for popular events early, as they often sell out, and bring layers for chilly nighttime events.
4. Savannah, Georgia
- Why Go: Known as one of the most haunted cities in America, Savannah offers ghost tours, haunted inns, and historic homes that provide a genuinely spooky Halloween experience.
- Must-See Events: The Haunted Savannah Ghost Tour, Sorrel-Weed House Ghost Hunt, and Bonaventure Cemetery tour.
- Tips: Take a ghost tour on a horse-drawn carriage for an atmospheric experience.
5. Estes Park, Colorado (The Stanley Hotel)
- Why Go: The Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s The Shining, is known for its haunting atmosphere and regular ghost sightings. Halloween events include masquerade balls and ghost tours.
- Must-See Events: Shining-themed events, paranormal investigations, and ghost tours.
- Tips: Stay at the hotel if possible or book a ghost tour, but spots fill up fast in October.
6. Anoka, Minnesota (Halloween Capital of the World)
- Why Go: Known as the “Halloween Capital of the World,” Anoka has been celebrating Halloween since 1920 with parades, pumpkin-carving contests, and house-decorating contests.
- Must-See Events: Grand Day Parade, Spooktacular Carnival, and Anoka’s Halloween Ball.
- Tips: Bring the whole family—Anoka is very family-friendly and has lots of activities for all ages.
7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Eastern State Penitentiary)
- Why Go: Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary hosts one of the scariest haunted houses in the country. This former prison is eerie enough on its own but goes full horror in October.
- Must-See Events: “Terror Behind the Walls” haunted attraction at Eastern State Penitentiary, ghost tours in Old City, and Halloween-themed pub crawls.
- Tips: Book tickets to Eastern State in advance, as it’s one of the most popular Halloween events on the East Coast.
8. Los Angeles, California (Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios)
- Why Go: Los Angeles offers Hollywood-level haunted house experiences and immersive horror shows, particularly at Universal Studios’ Hollywood Horror Nights.
- Must-See Events: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Haunted Hayride at Griffith Park, and West Hollywood Halloween Carnival.
- Tips: Buy VIP tickets for Horror Nights to skip the long lines; it’s well worth it if you’re on a tight schedule.
9. Williamsburg, Virginia (Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens)
- Why Go: Williamsburg’s Busch Gardens turns into Howl-O-Scream, with scare zones, haunted houses, and roller coasters in the dark. Colonial Williamsburg also offers ghost tours through historical sites.
- Must-See Events: Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Walks.
- Tips: Book tickets online to get a discount on Busch Gardens entry and explore the colonial area by day to appreciate the spooky transformation at night.
10. Chicago, Illinois (Navy Pier and Alton Ghost Tours)
- Why Go: Chicago has plenty of Halloween activities, from Navy Pier’s Halloween festivities to haunted tours around the city’s historic sites.
- Must-See Events: Haunted Halloween Ball, Navy Pier Pumpkin Lights, and Haunted History Tours.
- Tips: Don’t miss Alton, Illinois (about an hour away), which is known for its ghost tours and haunted sites like the McPike Mansion.
11. San Diego, California (Hotel del Coronado and Old Town)
- Why Go: San Diego’s Old Town offers haunted tours and ghostly encounters, while the famous Hotel del Coronado is legendary for its supernatural history.
- Must-See Events: Ghost tours in Old Town, Halloween parties at Hotel del Coronado, and haunted trails at Balboa Park.
- Tips: Make a reservation for Halloween events at the Hotel del Coronado, as they tend to sell out.
These destinations each offer something unique for a last-minute Halloween escape. From historic hauntings and cultural festivities to full-throttle haunted house attractions, there’s a Halloween experience for every taste and travel style in the U.S.!