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Most people love the fall season for the cooler weather, the vibrant leaves, and, of course, those pumpkin spice lattes. But some of us? We’re all about autumn because it’s Halloween season – time for creepy, scary, and downright fun celebrations.
While often associated with a kids’ holiday, adults dive in too, exploring the unknown, chasing urban legends, and peeking behind the veil of life and death. Sure, hanging fake cobwebs and carving jack-o’-lanterns is a vibe, but there are other ways to celebrate this dark holiday.
Check out these spooky places and eerie cities to take your Halloween celebrations to the next level.
6 Places to Travel for Halloween
Tired of the same old Halloween parties? Craving a unique experience? These spots might just do the trick. We’re ranking them from places that might give you the chills to places that could leave you with nightmares for days.
- Independence, Kansas
Okay, you might not have heard of Independence, but if you’re a true Halloween fanatic, add this city to your list. Why? Neewollah! It’s the town’s annual Halloween festival. Neewollah (Halloween spelled backward, duh!) is a festive way to get your Halloween on. Think parades, costume contests, live music, and more. It’s a lively way to celebrate Halloween, Midwestern style.
- Long Beach, California
California sunshine meets spooky vibes? Yes, please! This coastal city has attractions guaranteed to have you looking over your shoulder.
The Queen Mary, docked in Long Beach, was once a luxury ocean liner. But its days of splendor didn’t last. Tales of a sailor dying in the engine room and children drowning in the pool led to rumors that the ship is haunted.
Rumors aside, in the 1960s, Long Beach bought the ship and turned it into a hotel. But some say you can still hear the screams of those who died echoing in the hallways.
Embracing the spooky energy, the ship transforms into Dark Harbor every October. Visitors can roam through terrifying mazes and experience live events. But with all the paranormal buzz, you might need help telling what’s an act and what’s… not.
And if you’re in for more of a scare, you can visit the Cecil Hotel a few miles away in Los Angeles. Featured in the Netflix documentary Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, the hotel is known for being haunted. The place gets its ghostly vibes after the death of Elisa Lam, who was found dead in a sealed water tower on the hotel’s roof.
- Sleepy Hollow, New York
Yes, Sleepy Hollow is a real village, home to about 10,000 residents! And yes, it’s just as spooky as Washington Irving’s story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Throughout October, the area goes all-in on its spooky reputation with various events.
Cemetery tours? Check. Ghost tours? Check. The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze, a spectacle of over 7,000 lit-up jack-o’-lanterns? Double-check! And who knows, you might even spot the Headless Horseman during your visit.
- New Orleans, Louisiana
NOLA, known for jazz and Mardi Gras, also makes for a killer Halloween getaway. Beyond the booze and beignets, New Orleans has mysteries and stories that can send a shiver down your spine.
During this time of year, the Big Easy hosts events and festivals galore, including the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, ghost city tours, haunted pub crawls, the New Orleans Vampire Ball, cemetery tours, and more.
If you want a serious fright, you have to visit the LaLaurie Mansion. You might recognize it from American Horror Story: Coven. The mansion has a dark history of abuse and scandal, and for years, people have reported paranormal sightings. Viator.com even listed New Orleans as one of the top haunted destinations in the world.
- Savannah, Georgia
Savannah has earned its reputation as America’s most haunted city, a title stemming from its history intertwined with countless deaths from the Civil War. As such, you can find many haunting attractions every year during the month of All Hallow’s Eve.
Visitors can try to scare themselves silly by joining a ghost hunt and investigating the most haunted places in Savannah, using actual ghost-hunting equipment.
You’ll definitely want to visit the Marshall House when seeking a good scare. It was once a Civil War hospital, and human remains were discovered during renovations.
Savannah is not for the faint of heart. But if you need a break from the paranormal, you can enjoy other events, like a film festival.
- Salem, Massachusetts
Come on, when you hear “Salem,” you can’t help but think of witch trials.
And the people of Salem probably wouldn’t want it any other way. During October, this historic town fully embraces all things spooky and scary. They host an annual Festival of the Dead, along with parades, haunted houses, costume parties, and more. You can even take ghost tours and a Salem Witch Trials walking tour.
The main attraction is the Witch House. It’s been named one of the country’s most haunting places because it’s the last remaining house connected to the Witch Trials. With a location tied to such a dark past, it’s no wonder people have reported paranormal activity.
It’s everything you need to feel like you’re in a scary movie.
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