Calling all my haunted house-loving, jack-o-lantern carving, costume contest-winning friends! Who’s ready for all things October and all things Halloween? Although I don’t love the real meaning behind Halloween, I do love the traditions that come along with the holiday. It’s another excuse to spend time with family and friends, make memories, and spook yourselves out. So without further ado…here are the BEST US cities to celebrate Halloween!
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Table of Contents
Best East Coast US Cities to Celebrate Halloween
Sleepy Hollow, NY
As experienced by Kelly of Travel New York Now
Are you looking for one of the absolute best US cities to celebrate Halloween in? If so then you can’t beat Sleepy Hollow, NY. This charming town in Westchester NY is only about an hour train ride away from the city and is known for being the location of Washington Irving’s creepy story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
So, after paying homage to this incredible author at the Washington Irving house, enjoy some of the fun, Halloween-inspired things to do in the area, like The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. It’s a truly awe-inspiring event as you’ll get to meander through a labyrinth of over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins that are displayed to look like dinosaurs, spiders, cars, trucks, and so much more. Just be sure to book your tickets well in advance since this event is incredibly popular and regularly sells out.
Afterward, enjoy a spooky guided night tour of the Sleep Hollow Cemetery and see where historic icons like Washington Irving and Andrew Carnegie were buried. Also, take a peek inside the historic Dutch Reformed Church here before snapping a selfie with the 18-foot tall Headless Horsman on Route 9.
Finally, take a Halloween tour of the amazing, pastel-pink, octagon-shaped, Armour-Stiner House and take in the whimsical decor of cool themed rooms like the second floor’s Egyptian room.
Salem, MA
As experienced by Jenny from Traveling in Focus
Salem, Massachusetts is the perfect place to spend Halloween. Why? Because the city takes its usual spooky vibes and turns them up a notch with a month-long event called Salem Haunted Happenings.
This event includes various activities, like making your own witch’s broom, scary photo ops, haunted magic shows, and more. Also included are activities just for the kids, like potion making.
Don’t forget about what else Salem has to offer too. The fall season will be in full swing, and the leaves will change to incredible reds and yellows. It is the perfect time to put on that warm sweater, grab a hot chocolate, and visit the filming locations for the Halloween movie hit Hocus Pocus.
Take some time to stop by the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and the Witch Museum to learn about what makes Salem so famous. And in the evening, take one of the spooky tours that delve into Salem’s past or check out all the Halloween decorations sprinkled throughout the city.
Salem will be more crowded during October, especially on Halloween night, but don’t let that stop you from visiting this incredible city with a sinister past.
Extend your East Coast Weekend with a weekend trip to Boston!
Williamsburg, Virginia
Melissa from Parenthood and Passports
Williamsburg, Virginia is often considered one of the most haunted places on the east coast. And it’s no wonder why. The city is part of the National Historic Triangle, which is made up of three original colonial communities.
And within the area known as Colonial Williamsburg, that history and many of the original buildings from the 1700s have been preserved, as part of an open-air museum. So there’s bound to be a few spirits wandering the town.
You’ll find numerous tour operators in Williamsburg offering nightly ghost tours through the streets of the historic area, recounting tales from the past, as well as modern-day paranormal encounters in the town. All guided tours are certain to stop at the Peyton Randolph House, an ominous red, wooden house that has been called the most haunted house in America.
You can also attend a mock witch trial, or if visiting Williamsburg for kids, head to Busch Gardens for the theme park’s wildly popular seasonal event, Howl-O-Scream. So whether you’re seeking something eerie or amusing, Williamsburg is one of the best places to celebrate Halloween in the US.
New York City, NY
As experienced by James Ian from Travel Collecting
New York City is one of the most fun – and spookiest – cities to celebrate Halloween in the country.
The centerpiece is the famous Village Halloween Parade. The parade starts with hundreds of giant puppets, followed by thousands of participants. Tens of thousands of people line the streets and cheer everyone on.
This is fun, but what’s even more fun? Joining in! Anyone can be in the parade – you just need to be in costume. So, get creative, dress up and join in! The parade goes through Greenwich Village along Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to 15th Street. It starts at 7:00 pm and ends around 11:00 pm and it’s totally free.
For something scarier, head to one of several haunted houses in the city. Places like Blood Manor and Bane Haunted House are decorated with terrifying decors befitting the occasion, while costumed actors jump out and frighten you half to death. If you like horror, then you won’t want to miss them. Tickets are available from late September through early November.
You can also take a walking ghost tour around Manhattan and visit some genuinely haunted spots around the island. And if, after all that scariness, you want a drink to relax, you can always head to one of New York’s spooky bars like The Slaughtered Lamb Pub, The Cauldron, or the Headless Widow!
Tip!! Want to save more money during your trip to NYC? Check out the City Explorer Pass that will get you into over 95 attractions!
Here are more things to do during a weekend in New York City if you are looking to extend your spooky getaway!
Best Southeast US Cities to Celebrate Halloween
Savannah, GA
As experienced by Sam from Find Love and Travel
Savannah is easily one of the best cities to celebrate Halloween, especially if ghost stories, graveyards, paranormal activity, and haunted houses are your jam! Savannah, Georgia, is known as one of the most haunted places in America, so as you can imagine, Halloween is a time for Savannah to shine!
On top of that, Savannah has wonderful fall foliage during October and goes all out in fall decorations.
You will find a plethora of ghost tours at night. They offer walking ghost tours and trolley ghost tours that will bring you around the most haunted areas of Savannah. You might even want to explore the haunted Colonial Park Cemetery.
Some other top things to do in Savannah include walking down the Riverfront, exploring the picturesque squares, visiting Bonaventure Cemetery, and hanging out at the famous Forsyth Park.
Before visiting, you should read and or watch the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil to really set the scene for your visit to Savannah. Also, because Savannah is one of the most haunted cities, it is a busy time to visit the city. Therefore, if you plan on booking any tours, it is best to book them in advance.
Tip! Want to spend more time in Savannah? Check out this itinerary!
Helen, GA
Helen, GA is a great city to visit any time of the year, but especially festive during the month of October. This quaint German village is decked out in Halloween and Fall decorations with several different October festivities to choose from.
Throughout the month of October, the town celebrates a festive and traditional Oktoberfest. You can eat all the Bavarian food you can dream of, participate in traditional German dance, shop at craft sales, and of course, sip all that tasty beer.
If you are looking for more festive activities, you can take a quick drive to the North Georgia Zoo and check out the annual Scarecrow Trail. Here you can check out all the unique scarecrows, visit the animals, and pick out the perfect pumpkin from the patch.
Although they are the spookiest Halloween festivities, Helen is definitely worth an October visit!
Side note: I also loved Helen due to how dog-friendly it was! The perfect destination with your pup!
Atlanta, GA
As experienced by Jillian Michelle from Adventure Dragon
One of the best US cities to celebrate Halloween is Atlanta, Georgia. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a family, there’s so much to do during a short Atlanta trip!
Atlanta is the primary filming location for AMC’s The Walking Dead, so there are many Halloween events that cater to zombie lovers in this city. Throughout October, many bars and pubs host zombie pub crawls. Admission to these events include a free drink ticket for every pub included in the itinerary, as well as zombie face-painting applied by professional makeup artists.
Film set tours are also an incredibly popular activity in Atlanta during this time. These tours provide transportation to multiple locations used in the filming of The Walking Dead, and you’re able to take photo souvenirs to remind you of your trip!
Atlanta’s oldest park–Oakland Cemetery–also hosts story tours in the graveyard during October. Known as the Capturing the Spirit Halloween Tour, this event is one of the most popular things to do during Halloween in Atlanta, and tickets sell out every year.
If you’re looking for a great place to spend Halloween in the USA, definitely consider Atlanta for your next trip! Visit anytime in October, and stay for three to five days to fully explore the city!
Visiting Atlanta with your pup? Check out this dog-friendly Atlanta guide!
Orlando, FL
Contributed by Shannon of Adventuring With Shannon
One of the best cities in the United States to visit while celebrating Halloween is Orlando, Florida. At first, Orlando may not seem like a spooky destination because it is famous for its child-friendly theme park Disney World.
However, in October, Orlando’s whole personality shifts. Haunted Houses pop up on International Drive, escape rooms get spooky makeovers, and even Mickey hosts his “Not-So-Scary” Halloween bash at Disney. During the Halloween season, every theme park gets a haunted makeover; the most famous of those being Universal Studios and its incredible Halloween Horror Nights event.
Halloween Horror Nights takes “haunted houses” to the next level. Every year, Universal Studios turns into a haunted playground. There are multiple houses that you can explore and each has a theme. Previous themes include Stranger Things, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Haunting of Hill House.
This is event is a must-do for any Halloween lover, just be prepared to be chased down the streets by people with chainsaws! It is easily one of the best adult things to do in Orlando.
In addition, October is an awesome time to visit Orlando as the weather is finally starting to cool down after the intense Orlando summers. Tickets to the Halloween events do sell out so it is important to grab those tickets in advance.
Check out more fun things to do in Orlando beyond the Theme Parks!
New Orleans, LA
As experienced by Michelle from Totally Texas Travel
Seeing how New Orleans is a fun getaway from Dallas, we visit often. I have to admit, New Orleans is definitely one of the best cities in the US to celebrate Halloween!
New Orleans is considered one of the most haunted cities in the United States thanks to its interesting and tumultuous history, and you better believe that the city takes full advantage of it. Having seen voodoo, pirates, and wars, New Orleans is no stranger to death. This makes Halloween in New Orleans extra special!
The French Quarter comes alive with people in costumes, awesome decorations, themed parties, and tours to celebrate this holiday. You can take one of the many haunted tours throughout the city, including to the famed St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 where the remains of the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau are buried, or visit one of the many voodoo shops in town. Of course, New Orleans also offers up numerous parades and parties to celebrate Halloween as well.
Best Midwest US Cities to Celebrate Halloween
Duluth, Minnesota
Although you may miss the peak Fall colors at the end of October in Duluth, it’s still worth a stop to check out all the spookiness! Perhaps the most unique Halloween attraction is the infamous Haunted Ship (pictured above).
Yep, you read that right… the ship turns into a haunted house! You will find yourself squeezing up and down the small staircases and checking out the different rooms of the boat, all while waiting for the next zombie or creature to jump out at you.
There are several other haunted attractions worth visiting near Duluth including the Haunted Shack and the Haunted Alpine Slide. How cool is a haunted alpine slide?!
Keep Reading:: How to Spend ONE Weekend in Duluth, MN
Chicago, IL
As experienced by Brodi Cole of Our Offbeat Life
Chicago is an amazing Halloween destination for many reasons. The city hosts tons of haunted houses, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and street festivals throughout the month of October.
One of the best activities is Creatures of the Night at Garfield Park Conservatory, which takes place the weekend before Halloween. The Chicago Park District also hosts a plethora of free or low-cost activities for locals and visitors alike to enjoy during the spooky season.
Chicago is also home to some great Halloween movie sets, like “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Amityville Horror,” and “Child’s Play” to name a few. There are so many horror movies filmed in Chicago that one could spend a weekend visiting all the sites and still not get through them all!
If you’re looking for a good scare, head to one of Chicago’s many haunted houses. If you’re looking for something more family-friendly, check out the city’s many pumpkin patches or trick-or-treating events. No matter what you’re into, Chicago has something for you on Halloween!
The best time to visit Chicago for Halloween is in the last two weeks of October. Although some events start as early as October 1, the end of the month is when the city’s biggest Halloween events take place.
Best Southwest US Cities to Celebrate Halloween
Jerome, AZ
As experienced by Brittany from Travel By Brit
If you’re looking for a spooky destination to celebrate Halloween, there aren’t many places more fitting than North America’s largest ghost town—Jerome, Arizona!
Jerome was once a bustling copper mining town in the 1920s with a population of over 15,000. When the copper mines closed in the 1950s, the population dropped to just 50 people. Spooky, right?
Of course, your trip to Jerome, Arizona, wouldn’t be complete without a ghost tour. Jerome Ghost Tours is one of the most popular providers and offers several tour options, including a Jerome Ghost Walk and Pandora’s Box Tour.
Haunted Hamburger is another haunted location you must visit in Jerome for Halloween. Now, this historic building is one of the city’s most popular restaurants, but before, it was a boarding house for copper miners. There’s supposedly a ghost who mysteriously opens and closes doors at the restaurant. You’ll have to visit to see for yourself!
In addition to these haunted activities, some other awesome things to do in Jerome, AZ, include wine tasting at the city’s tasting rooms, touring the Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum, and dining at The Clinkscale. Jerome’s high temperature in October sits just around 70°F, so Halloween is a spectacular time to visit.
Colorado Springs, CO
As experienced by Allison from She Dreams of Alpine
Head to Colorado Springs for Halloween to enjoy the annual coffin races, ghost tours, and scary skeletons scattered around. The Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival takes place at the end of October each year in the nearby town of Manitou Springs and brings plenty of spooky fun to the area.
You can register a team to dress up and participate in the coffin races or you can simply watch the spectacle from the sidelines. Also, don’t miss the ghost tours, which run every weekend in October, to learn about the haunted history of the town.
And if that doesn’t scare you enough, you can try your hand – er, legs – on the Manitou Incline. This local challenge is a hike straight up 2,744 steps with 2,000 feet of elevation gain in under a mile and is definitely at the top of the list of must-do hikes in Colorado Springs.
Visiting Colorado Springs with your dog? Check out this post!
Salt Lake City, UT
As experienced by Lisa from Planning Away
Utah is an amazing place to visit in the fall, especially around Halloween.
Many farms around Salt Lake City will host big fall festivals. There are corn mazes, games, rides, and delicious food. You can also enjoy the many pumpkin patches and pick your own pumpkins. Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah has the best fall festival with over 50 attractions. Some are haunted and some are not, making it great for everyone!
The Castle of Chaos in Salt Lake City has been recognized by both USA Today and the Travel Channel as the scariest haunted house in America. The Fear Factory is another nationally acclaimed haunted house. Its actual address is 666. Super Scary!
If you are looking for more unique Halloween options, you can float the Provo River on a Halloween cruise, go on a Sleepy Hollow hayride, or see Thriller at the Odyssey Theater in Salt Lake City.
There are so many Halloween and Fall activities in Utah you can celebrate the entire month of October.
Check out a complete (and super detailed) weekend guide to Salt Lake City or a dog-friendly SLC guide here!
Best West Coast US Cities to Celebrate Halloween
Anaheim, CA
As experienced by Olivia from the Girl With Blue Sails
Every year, Halloween takes over Anaheim, California for the entire month of October. The weather is usually pretty warm and sunny, so the town goes out of its way to bring fall vibes to its residents and visitors.
Disneyland is the best place for a dose of Halloween. Upon entering Main Street, visitors are faced with a giant lit-up pumpkin with Mickey’s ears. Orange, purple, and black floral arrangements adorn the streets, and Halloween treats can be found at the bakeries. New Orleans square has some haunting sights, and lucky guests can spot Jack Skellington and Sally walking around the Haunted Mansion.
Trick-or-treating is offered weekly at Disneyland where costumes are encouraged, and little ghouls and goblins can get candy at different locations throughout the park. The nighttime fireworks are Halloween-themed as well, with spooky music and lights covering the castle during the show.
Outside of Disneyland, the City of Anaheim throws a Halloween parade with vintage parade floats from the 1950s. During the pandemic, instead of a parade, they threw a fun Halloween-themed scavenger hunt to find the hidden parade floats throughout the city. Each stop contained photo ops candy. No matter the conditions, Anaheim is bound to throw a great Halloween party.
Sacramento, CA
As experienced by Chris from Awesome Traveler
Sacramento is one of the best places to visit in California during Halloween. The capital of California has many amazing activities during this season that can blow your mind. If you enjoy haunted houses and adrenaline-pumping Halloween events, then you should definitely visit this city. Sacramento Scream House or Valentine Haunting Sacramento are just tips of the iceberg.
The heart-stopper Haunt is more than just a haunted house. It is an undead western town with festivals and carnival games. It is a place where you can gather with your friends and family to enjoy some good games and eat good food.
Escape Sacramento is another event that you should not miss. You will be in a group stuck in a room and try to save a reporter from a serial killer while also trying to escape from the room. Try finding the clues before you run out of time. If you are smart enough, you can escape in less than 60 minutes. If not, then the reporter is dead. There are many other games in Escape Sacramento for you to discover.
Halloween City and Party City are stores located in Sacramento. They have a variety of spooky costumes and home decorations. Not to mention, there are many Halloween-themed Parties in Sacramento, such as Shannon McCabe’s Vampire Ball, Halloween Boo Bashpaint for pride party, and Sacramento’s 2nd Annual Halloween pub Crawl.
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