15 Halloween Destinations

Halloween Destinations

Summer’s over and Christmas break is a little ways away. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay home this fall. We’ve got 15 Halloween destinations that just might inspire you to book a ghastly getaway.

1. Salem, Massachusetts

As the home of the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials, this Massachusetts town has embraced, not erased, its shady past. It’s even got an elementary school called Witchcraft Heights – perhaps Hermione Granger's alma mater? This year-round Halloween destination puts out all the stops for October visitors; look forward to the Salem Chamber of Commerce Grand Parade, Halloween at Hogwarts (we told you!), the Great Pumpkin Carving Contest, Trick or Treat Night, the Blessing of the Pets – by a psychic, and many other frightfully fun events.

2. New Orleans, Louisiana

Party with ghosts in one of America’s spookiest cities! Explore the haunted mansions of the French Quarter, pick up some voodoo doll souvenirs, show off your creative duds at a borderline barbarous Halloween bash, or take the kiddos to the Audubon Zoo for trick-or-treating. 

3. London, England

Most of the city’s top sights to see turn scary for Halloween, particularly the London Eye and London Dungeon. Those who dare to visit London in October are in for a real treat (and perhaps a trick, too).

4. San Francisco, California

In addition to the Bay Area’s usual Halloween goings on, you can take in Alcatraz After Dark, which will chill the spine of even the most skeptical member of your group. 

5. Transylvania, Romania

The legend of Dracula still lives in Transylvania, especially on Halloween. Check out the Count’s castle for some truly creepy memories.

Halloween Destination

6. Orlando, Florida 

This Halloween destination is for all ages – Disney World’s got "Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party," SeaWorld’s got "Shamu’s Halloween Spooktacular," the Central Florida Zoo’s got the "Zoo Boo Bash," and of course Universal Studio’s got "Halloween Horror Nights."

7. Tampa, Florida

The majestic Tampa Theatre, built in the 1920s, is rumored to host some ghostly guests, who mostly lurk in and around the projection booth. Even if you’re not up for a flick (or ghost hunting), Busch Gardens' annual "Howl-O-Scream" will keep you busy.

8. Las Vegas, Nevada

Is it any surprise that Vegas throws one of the world’s biggest Halloween blowouts? Must-dos for (adult) revelers: the Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball and Nightmare on 54th Street.

9. Edinburgh, Scotland

From the cartoonish but no less eerie Edinburgh Castle, to the Loch Ness monster, your chances of encountering the strange and supernatural dramatically increase in Scotland.

10. New York

Greenwich Village gets pretty ghoulish on October 31st.  New York’s Village Halloween Parade is no Macy’s Day Parade, that’s for sure! More than 50,000 people march in a vibrant processional that features over-the-top costumes and floats. Better get there early, though – two million or so onlookers show up every year.

11. Los Angeles, California

It may not have as big a turnout as its east coast counterpart (the Village Halloween Parade in New York), but the West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnival is just as wild and wonderful. After all, it’s Los Angeles’ second-largest event, and that’s saying a lot.

12. Savannah, Georgia

As America’s most haunted city, Savannah has a lot of hype to live up to each and every Halloween. The city has a troubled history that includes bloody Civil War conflicts, devastating hurricanes and fires, world-famous murder trials, and even pirates. Relive all of this on Savannah’s many ghost walks.

13. Prague, Czech Republic

Maybe it’s the crookedly winding roads, the towering ancient buildings, or the gothic history of this European city that gives us the heebie jeebies…whatever the case, Prague’s got as much mystery as magic, making it an excellent Halloween destination.

14. Boise, Idaho

It’s easy to justify a trip to a ghost town on Halloween, so why not drop by Silver City, Idaho (near Boise), which was almost completely abandoned in the 1890s? Although there’s still business here, Silver City mostly resembles a 19th century gold and silver mining town.

15. Wales, United Kingdom

Wales offers up a unique slice of All Hollow’s Eve, thanks to age-old traditions that are still very much practiced there. For a glimpse into what the horrifying holiday was like when it first began, better head to the UK.

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