Halloween is right around the corner. As every party store in the country gets its costume section raided, it’s time to figure out exactly where you should wear your outfit this year.
Halloween exists in multitudes. It’s fun and spooky. Great for friends and family alike. Yet there’s no escaping that some places have a true haunted past that is a thrill to explore. Read on to uncover the best places to experience Halloween in the U.S.
8. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas has always been the country’s go-to late-night destination. While it doesn’t have the haunted history of Savannah, it has all the expertise for a Halloween to remember.
No one puts on a show quite like Vegas, and you can pack your itinerary just with the festivals and parades that take place throughout October. Theaters change up their shows to make them haunted, escape rooms become scare rooms and the nightclubs prove that even zombies can get their dance on.
Young families won’t miss out either thanks to the Parade of Mischief, HallOVeen at the Magical Forest and Monster Mini Golf’s spooky Twilight Zone.
7. Savannah, Georgia
There’s something quintessentially Halloween about Savannah, Georgia. I don’t know if it’s the glistening cobbled streets or the mossy oak trees that appear to be weeping as they cover the paths below. But Savanahh is 24/7 haunted.
Its strengths as a fun nightlife destination combines perfectly with its past to create an ideal Halloween destination. Settle in for haunted pub crawls through the Historic District, explore the Sorrel-Weed House and see the past come to life on the town’s Candlelight Cemetery Tours.
6. St. Helens, Oregon
Just a short drive from Portland, St. Helens is the location of the cult classic haunted flick, Halloweentown. In classic town spirit, they don’t shy away from it either as they embrace the movie’s spooky and entertaining vibes.
Their Spirit of Halloweentown festival starts with the memorable Lighting of the Great Pumpkin. This takes place in the city plaza, officially beginning a month of endless Halloween fun.
Haunted tours, costume contests (even some for your pets!), parades, live entertainment, and film screenings are found on the itinerary. Casts from the famous movie are also known to show up!
5. Orlando, Florida
Orlando is famous across the globe for its theme parks and family-friendly adventures. It takes the fun and definitely the thrills up a notch each October. Home to Universal’s and Halloween Horror nights, visitors will experience a theme park with a big twist.
Trade your happy characters for ones full of terror at the park’s hilarious and heart-pumping scare parks and haunted houses. Even those who love a fright will find themselves jumping out of their boots here.
For the younger ones, Walt Disney World Resort’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has all the trick-or-treat and Disney characters that those little hearts can handle.
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans may be more famous for its Mardi Gras. However, as a city of voodoo excess and ghosts galore, it’s a boon for any Halloween lover.
The supernatural is all around you here in New Orleans. The narrow streets of the historic French Quarter have long been the den of ancient figures and they’re known to make an appearance during October.
The lamp lights and cobblestone create an eerie sensation, especially after a little rain. This is the perfect time for the Krewe of Boo to come out of hiding. Follow that with a visit to arguably America’s most scary funeral home, the Mortuary Haunted House.
3. Anoka, Minnesota
From two popular destinations to one you may not have on your list, Anoka. This Minnesotan town does Halloween with unfettered gusto. For a hundred years, the small Midwest town has been hosting one of the largest Halloween parades in the country.
What makes it special? Well, it’s not just one night. The festivities span several weeks and include the beloved scarecrow and house-decorating competitions. The Grand Day Parade tops it off with live music, pumpkin carving events, all the dress-up you can handle, and the Halloween Ball.
Enjoy Halloween off the beaten path, in a place that does it right.
2. Sleepy Hollow, New York
If the West Coast is too far, how about the small town of Sleepy Hollow? Made famous by the words of Washington Irving, the town fully celebrates its haunted heritage the moment October arrives.
There are a litany of spooky adventures to embark on here. Come and catch the Headless Horsemen in a captivating reenactment. Follow that with 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins at the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze before finishing with the scariest of the lot… the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
Overall, Sleepy Hollow is for the whole family. Haunted hayrides, farmers markets and live entertainment make it a Halloween destination for young and old.
1. Salem, Massachusetts
At no surprise to anyone, Salem leads our guide to ultimate Halloween destinations. Real-world history and Halloween festivities collide to create an October 31st extravaganza like few others.
Over 300 years on from the infamous Salem Witch Trials, the history of Salem continues to speak to all of its many year-round visitors. But boy, it kicks up a notch in October. A national hub of Halloween, come and experience Salem’s impressive Haunted Happenings Festival, ghost tours, and the Salem Witch Museum.
With a wonderful mix of charm and spook, Salem is not to be missed.