Halloween is a celebration of everything eerie and mysterious, of ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night. While plenty of folk like to spend Spooky Season at home, trick-or-treating or carving pumpkins, Halloween is the perfect time of the year to travel, particularly if you pick a destination that embraces the Fright Night spirit.
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So whether you want to board a spooky cruise with a last-minute offer or spend the night in a haunted hotel, a Halloween adventure is a delightful way to spend the holiday. Trade in your regular travel gear for a scary costume, and pack your bags for one of these spine-tingling destinations, for a unique Halloween experience.
Salem, Massachusetts
Probably one of the most infamous scary spots in the US, Salem is renowned as being the site of the Witch Trials of 1692. Over 200 people in this small town were accused of witchcraft, with 30 found guilty, and 19 executed. Today you can explore the town, visit the Witch Museum, and enjoy the atmosphere at the Haunted Happenings festival.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Voodoo and black magic are woven into the fabric of New Orleans, and the city is one of the most haunted places in the country. A ghost tour of the French Quarter is the ideal way to spend Halloween, or you can explore the remarkable grand tombs in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. If you are brave enough, you can pay a visit to the house of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans!
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is filled with gorgeous historic houses, many of which hide spooky secrets. A haunted pub crawl of Savannah’s historic downtown turns the city into a ghostly playground, and the chilling stories of the Mercer Williams House will make your blood run cold!
Sleepy Hollow, New York
Made famous by Washington Irving’s masterpiece “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, this small town has a large and unnerving reputation. Visit the Old Dutch Church, explore Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and attend the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze to get into the spirit of the season.
Transylvania, Romania
Further afield, Transylvania is world-famous as the home of Count Dracula, making it one of the scariest places in the world to visit! Explore the myths and stories of Dracula at Bran Castle or visit Sighisoara, the birthplace of the historical inspiration for the vampiric legend, Vlad the Impaler.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s history is rife with ghostly tales and the city is full of haunted spots and ghoulish stories. Take a tour of the haunted vaults under South Bridge or visit Greyfriars Kirkyard to learn about some of the real-life dark tales that make up the history of Edinburgh.
Charleston, South Carolina
In a similar way to Savannah, Charleston’s beautiful antebellum architecture hides plenty of sinister secrets. The Old City Jail is a chilling place to visit at the best of times, while ghost walks and the Pirate House make the city a wonderful place to spend Halloween.
Mexico City, Mexico
In Mexico, the beginning of November is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a huge national holiday. The streets of Mexico City come alive with color, shrines, parades, and costumed festivities, as the Mexican people celebrate and remember their loved ones.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is all about grand Gothic architecture and narrow cobbled medieval streets, which makes it a wonderful place to explore on a Halloween adventure. A visit to the Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church) adds a level of creepiness to round out the trip nicely.
New York City, New York
Halloween in NYC is epic, with parties and parades everywhere you turn. The Village Halloween Parade is one of the biggest festivals of the year, and there are plenty of spooky events and happenings to attend everywhere in the city.
These destinations offer unforgettable Halloween experiences and offer up an adventure that celebrates the spookiest holiday of the year in style.