The Best Places to Visit for a Spooky Halloween
It’s time to plan a creepy trip to one of these best places to visit for Halloween!
Despite the fact that I may be the biggest chicken alive, I love the thrill of reading a ghost story or going on a ghost tour.
There's so much history, intrigue, and underbelly-of-the-city activity wrapped up in all of them that keeps me going back for more.
Since Halloween is the time of the year that requires EXTRA spookiness, you might want to head to a travel destination that offers up chills.
Check out these amazingly spooky spots in the United States for the perfect Halloween getaway as suggested by top travel bloggers!
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Updated 8/2022 | Written 10/2015
Best Places to Visit for Halloween in the U.S.
St. Francis Inn, St. Augustine, Florida
Contributed by Natalie at Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown
Exterior of St. Francis Inn, St. Augustine, Florida
As I was carrying my bags up to my room on my first visit to the St. Francis Inn, another guest greeted me in the hallway and said, "You know this place is haunted, right?"
He then proceeded to tell me that during his last stay, he and his wife had listened to the sound of little girls laughing in the hallway outside their room all night.
Goodbye, good night's sleep!
>> Read my full review of St. Francis Inn, the best bed and breakfast in St. Augustine Florida. <<
I later found out from various staff members that the St. Francis Inn is a hotbed of supernatural activity.
This fits into the overall claim that St. Augustine, Florida, is one of the most haunted cities in America.
In fact, taking a ghost tour one your Halloween vacation is one of my top suggestions when visiting St. Augustine with kids.
Adding in a stay at the St. Francis Inn would keep that spooky vibe going!
One of the desk managers told me that she often sees things moving out of the corner of her eye, that televisions turn on without anyone being in the room, and something keeps opening and closing the doors of the washer and dryer.
Given that the inn has been in existence since 1791, it's no wonder that a few residents might have wanted to stick around the property.
>> Book your spooky stay at the St. Francis Inn, St. Augustine, Florida. <<
Old Sheldon Church, Yemassee, South Carolina
Contributed by Natalie at Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown
Old Sheldon Church ruins in Yemassee, South Carolina
This gorgeous shell of a church is hidden away off of Highway 17 between Charleston and Hilton Head, but it is well worth a quick detour.
During the day, it's awe inspiring to walk up to the church and imagine what the place looked like before it was burned.
At night, however, you might just run into one of the spirits that prowl this area.
There's supposedly a woman who's looking for her baby.
She's buried on the property in the small graveyard, but has hung around for the better part of a century and a half.
>> Read about 3 spooky ruins near Charleston, South Carolina here! <<
One of my sister's former co-workers, a normally unshakeable police officer, had a hobby of going out on paranormal investigations around Charleston.
When he visited the Old Sheldon Church, he and his team distinctly heard a female voice wailing in the dark.
The ruins aren't close to any other houses or buildings, so they weren't sure what they were hearing!
Old Sheldon Church is free and open to the public.
Portland Underground, Oregon
Contributed by Angie Golish at My So Called Chaos
In its heyday, the Portland Underground was a hotbed of horrors and illegal activity.
It was home to prostitutes, the homeless, and criminals-both on the run and in current crime.
These catacombs became known as the Shanghai Tunnels due to the amount of shanghaiing that occurred at that time, which the law tried to combat by hanging signs encouraging sailors and individuals to call home.
The vast majority of sailors, ranch hands, workers, and even children were kidnapped, dragged through the tunnels, and sold to sea-captains to work on boats or be sold along the voyage.
These days, the tunnels are shut down, but you can purchase a tour to make this one of the best Halloween trips in Oregon!
You’ll learn the history for yourself as you're led through the various abandoned rooms and vaults hiding beneath a very active city.
>> Grab tickets to the Portland Ghost Tour and see the Tunnels yourself! <<
The host will tell you about the various ghosts that are said to haunt the tombs, which are still partially furnished and still contain some items that were left behind by prostitutes, thieves, and children that passed through.
They even offer a reward for anyone who is able to capture a spirit on camera.
Unfortunately we didn't see one first hand, but this tour was definitely worth it because the history is rich and the atmosphere is very eerie!
Alice Flagg's Gravestone, Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Contributed by Natalie at Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown
Since I was seven, I’ve collected books on hauntings in the places I’ve traveled.
The obsession started in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when I found a copy of Nancy Rhyne's Coastal Ghosts.
As I discovered in my book, Myrtle Beach area has a surprising number of spooky areas, but none captured my young imagination like the story of young Alice Flagg.
Many years ago, Alice fell in love with a man that her family deemed unsuitable, but the two were determined to be together.
They secretly got engaged, and Alice wore her engagement ring on a chain around her neck to hide the situation from her parents.
When Alice became gravely ill, her parents discovered the ring and took it from her.
Even in her weakened state, Alice continued to ask for her engagement ring, but she died without ever getting it back.
Today, Alice Flagg is buried under a large stone slab in All Saints Cemetery in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.
Legend says that if you walk around her grave in a circle, you’ll find your own rings have disappeared!
Others have claimed to see a young woman in white crying near the grave.
In any case, the All Saints Cemetery is worth a quick visit while you’re on your South Carolina Highway 17 road trip—who knows what you might find!
Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Contributed by: Natalie at Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown
The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is said to be the most haunted hotel in America.
Exterior of Crescent Hotel
It got this way due to several deaths there over the course of its 100+ year existence, including the deaths of many cancer patients hoping to be healed when it served as Dr. Baker’s hoax hospital.
The Crescent is nothing short of creepy, and the best part is that there are nightly tours of both the hotel and the extra disturbing morgue.
The guided tour is full of interesting tales of the ghostly residents and is the best way to get to know the hotel.
The tour also weaves the history of the hotel throughout the stories, which is great for guests who are less ghost story inclined.
Because the hotel is still in operation, you can do one better than the tour and stay in the hotel overnight.
Ask to stay in the rooms said to be most haunted if you’re up for it!
>> Book your spooky stay at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. <<
Sleepy Hollow, New York
Contributed by Kelly Duhigg at Travel New York Now
Looking for one of the best spooky places to celebrate Halloween?
If so, then be sure to visit Sleepy Hollow, NY.
After all, this charming place can be accessed via a MetroNorth train from Grand Central Station.
Just hop aboard a Hudson line train and go on a 45-minute ride to Tarrytown station.
Dutch Reformed Church in Sleepy Hollow, NY | photo provided by Travel New York Now
Then, grab an Uber into town and enjoy the charming village immortalized in Washington Irving’s famous tale, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” from his 1819 short story collection The Sketch Book of Geoffery Crayon, Gentry.
You’ll absolutely love that this area comes alive during Halloween.
So, bBe sure to stop by the amazing The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze since you get the opportunity to walk among upwards of 7,000 hand carved pumpkins that are arranged in the shape of giant dinosaurs, incredible animals, and more.
Just make a reservation well in advance since tickets regularly sell out months in advance.
Next, go on a guided night tour of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
Marvel at the Dutch reformed Church here and see where former celebrities like Washington Irving and Andrew Carnegie were buried.
Finally, stand in awe of the 18-foot tall sculpture that pays homage to the one and only Headless Horseman on Route 9 before going on an amazing Halloween themed tour of the incredible Armour-Stiner House.
It’s a one-of-a-kind, pink, octagon-shaped house that has incredible themed rooms inside like an Egyptian room upstairs on the second floor.
Salem, Massachussetts
Contributed by Samantha Hamilton at New England Wanderlust
Home of judge in the 1692 Salem Witch Trials | photo provided by New England Wanderlust
Celebrating Halloween in Salem, MA needs no introduction and has become one of the best places to visit for Halloween.
The town puts on Haunted Happenings throughout the entire month of October, where you can attend parades, street fairs, haunted walking tours and haunted houses.
Since there are multiple options for Halloween weekend getaways, you can avoid some of the crowds at this popular event by going earlier in the month.
>> See the full schedule of events for October 2022 Haunted Happenings. <<
And that's all in addition to the year-round spooky activities that are offered.
One of the best haunted tours in Salem is the Moonlight Prowl Tour by Black Cat Tours.
This night tour shares real-life stories of murder and mystery, and recaps actual events that have led paranormal experts to believe Salem is the most haunted town in the country.
This tour is so spooky, that it's only recommended for those 16 and up.
For those looking for something a little lighter, but still eerie, be sure to walk by or tour the Witch House, which is the only house visitors can tour with direct ties to the the Salem Witch Trials.
The Witch House is one of many locations that you can visit on a Salem Witch Trials guided tour of the city.
For those looking to celebrate Halloween with children, take a Hocus Pocus tour of town and visit filming locations from the movie (and see if you can spot the Sanderson Sisters!).
During the entire month of October, you can find haunted houses all over town, including Frankenstein's Castle and Witch Village.
And if you've ever wanted to connect with the spirit world, you can even participate in a real seance with a Medium.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Contributed by Jessica at Uprooted Traveler
Tree on the coast inside Olympic National Park | photo courtesy of Uprooted Traveler
Olympic National Park in Washington state has a haunting, ethereal beauty, making it the perfect place to celebrate Halloween.
With ancient towering trees, dripping with moss and craggy beaches, strewn with massive pieces of bleached driftwood, it’s no surprise this was selected as the setting of the famous Twilight series.
Luckily, some of the best hikes in Olympic National Park also happen to wind through some of the most mysteriously beautiful parts of the park.
For example, the Hall of Mosses trail in the Hoh Rainforest will take you through what looks like an enchanted forest, with jaw-droppingly enormous primeval ferns and trees soaring up to 300 feet overhead.
Come fall, there’s even usually low-hanging fog blanketing the forest to up its spooky factor.
Alternatively, you’ll follow Rialto Beach’s pebble-strewn shoreline along the Hole-in-the-Wall trail, where you’ll pass hidden coves and rugged sea stacks.
With the omnipresence of clouds in the Pacific Northwest, the stunning scenery here always feels just a bit eerie.
If you’re searching for something a bit more stereotypically ghoulish to get in the Halloween spirit, the park actually is purported to also have its own ghost.
Lake Crescent, the most famous lake in the park, was once the site of a grizzly murder, when Hallie Latham Illingworth's husband violently strangled her and dumped her body into its waters in 1937.
Ever since then, the area around the lake, specifically along the Spruce Railroad trail, is believed to be haunted by her spirit, now known as the “Lady of the Lake.”
>> See all of this and more on a full day tour of Olympic National Park from Seattle. <<
Jerome, Arizona
Contributed by Timpani Woodson at Like the Drum
Main Street in Jerome, Arizona | photo courtesy of Like the Drum
Founded as a mining community in 1876, people from all over the world made their way to Jerome, Arizona to find work.
This melting pot of different cultures created tension among the residents and often led to violence.
Thus, Jerome was nicknamed “The Wickedest City in the West.”
With homicides running rampant and mining accidents occurring often, Jerome’s cemetery ran out of land to bury people.
The solution to this problem was simple but gruesome.
The bodies were cremated and the ashes were added to the concrete used to pave the city.
Keep that fun fact in mind while popping in and out of the town’s art galleries and shops!
Located in central Arizona, Jerome makes an excellent day trip from Sedona which is about 40 minutes away, or from Phoenix, located two hours south.
If you’re feeling brave and want to spend more time in Jerome, you can stay at the Jerome Grand Hotel, which is known for being a hotbed of paranormal activity.
Also, don’t forget to book a ghost tour while you’re in town!
Something to note if you’re visiting with small kids is that the later the tour, the spookier, and more adult, the history and stories on the tour become.
The Spy House, Port Monmouth, New Jersey
Contributed by Ruma Dey Baidya at The Holiday Story
Exterior of the Spy House | photo by The Holiday Story
The Spy House in Port Monmouth, New Jersey, was established in 1663 as the Seabrook–Wilson House.
Originally it was a private residence for Thomas Whitlock and his family.
It then transferred ownership of the house to Thomas Seabrook, whose family stayed here for more than two hundred years. Seabrook remodeled the building to its current condition.
The home’s isolated location on the Sandy Hook Bay gives the perfect backdrop for any horror movie.
Its vast history has led people to believe that the Spy House is the most haunted home in America!
Around the mid-1970s, the house was first open to the public for tours. During this time, the curators integrated stories from the past and the ones with ghosts to entertain visitors.
One of the stories about the Spy House states that Seabrook was a spy in the British troops during the Revolutionary War.
He would use the house as a tavern and bring British soldiers here to spill classified military secrets.
Some also believe in the legend of Captain Morgan, a ruthless pirate who is said to have tortured his captors in this house.
These legends have given rise to stories of ghost sightings and sounds. Some even claimed to have seen sights of a woman with a child at night moving around the house.
Presently, the house stands alone on the shore in a completely barren state. Thus, the creepy vibes are pretty strong.
It’s also pretty famous among paranormal enthusiasts. The Spy House is the perfect place to get spooked out during Halloween!
>> Check out other haunted and abandoned places in New Jersey! <<
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Contributed by Anwar at Beyond My Door
Exterior of Eastern State Penitentiary | photo courtesy of Beyond My Door
Eastern State Penitentiary in Central Philadelphia is the oldest penitentiary in the world.
Built by the Quakers, the penitentiary was constructed in that prisoners could be rehabilitated as opposed to just incarceration.
It was actually the basis of many prisons and penitentiaries around the world and held many famous criminals including Al Capone (before he was moved to Alcatraz).
The building looks like a castle and the crumbling walls and old prison cells are considered to be among one of the most haunted places in America.
>> Grab your tickets to the Eastern State Penitentiary. <<
So with how scary the building itself is, the organization has opted to turn the facility into a haunted house annually around Halloween.
Beginning in the 90s, Terror Behind the Walls (as it is dubbed) has become one of the premier haunted houses anywhere. Each year seems to bring more and more rooms and themes sections to the haunted house.
While the Haunted House is certainly scary, it is almost less so than the actual facility it is built in.
One of the scariest portions has patrons walking down a foggy dark line of prison cells with the lights flickering and actors in costume wandering through.
It feels straight out of a horror movie. The planners even allow folks to opt-in to a glow necklace for an even more full contact experience.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Contributed by Katie at Katie Caf Travel
Jackson Square in New Orleans
New Orleans is a world-renown spooky destination year-round, so when Halloween comes around they take it very seriously.
You’ll have a wide variety of Halloween vacation ideas in the Big Easy!
Just like its famous Mardi Gras festival in February, New Orleans does the most for its Halloween parade.
The "Krewe of BOO!" parade takes place the Saturday night before Halloween weekend every year. The parade starts in Marigny before heading through the historic French Quarter.
All year round you could take a historical ghost tour through the French Quarter, but it's extra spooky during Halloween.
Historical and cultural tourist attractions like the VooDoo museum, St. Louis cemetery, and the infamously haunted LaLaurie Mansion are the main attractions.
In 2013 Ryan Murphy famously used NOLA as his destination and inspiration for American Horror Story: Coven, and there are walking tours you can take that follow the filming locations and their historical relevance.
The annual VooDoo music festival is also held in New Orleans during Halloween.
Although it's taking a hiatus until 2023 due to the COVID pandemic, VooDoo Fest has been widely considered one of America's best holiday festivals since 1999.
With headliners like The Killers, Childish Gambino, Arcade Fire, Paramore, and Florence + The Machine, you can keep celebrating Halloween in NOLA all night at VooDoo Fest
Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana
Contributed by Disha at Disha Discovers
The front of the Myrtles Plantation and yard | photo courtesy of Disha Discovers
One of the spookiest places in the USA to celebrate Halloween is Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana.
Now functioning as a bed and breakfast, the plantation is said to be one of the most haunted places in America.
There are several stories about why the plantation is so haunted. The most popular story involves a woman named Chloe, who was a slave at the plantation in the early 1800s.
Chloe was said to have been the plantation’s owner, Judge Clarke Woodruff's, mistress. Other legends say that Chloe was eavesdropping on the owner's business affairs.
She was caught by Woodruff's wife, Sarah, and her ear was cut off.
Chloe was so distraught that she poisoned Sarah and her two daughters with oleander tea.
After her crime was discovered, she was hanged from a tree on the plantation grounds by other slaves.
Some say that Chloe’s ghost still haunts the plantation, and her spirit is said to be responsible for many of the paranormal activities reported there.
Other stories say that the plantation is haunted by the ghosts of a young Native American woman.
>> Explore more of the best plantations in Louisiana! <<
Supposedly, Myrtles Plantation is built on an old Indian burial ground, and a few women were killed in the house during the Civil War.
Whatever the true story, some strange things happen at Myrtles Plantation. Visitors have reported seeing ghosts, hearing strange noises, and feeling like they are being watched.
People have also reported seeing Chloe’s ghost lingering in the house's front windows.
If you’re brave enough to visit Myrtles Plantation during Halloween, you might just have a supernatural experience of your own.
Although they don't put on specific events for Halloween, you can still book a ghost tour of the plantation.
Don't let the storybook exterior fool you; Myrtles Plantation is seriously spooky
The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
Contributed by Astrid at The Wandering Daughter
Exterior of The Stanley Hotel | courtesy of The Wandering Daughter
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO, just an hour and a half drive from Denver, is a must-see for any fan of haunted destinations.
Built in 1909, this sprawling historic hotel is filled with Victorian era glamour, and serves as the setting for Stephen King's book, The Shining.
In fact, Stephen King came up with the idea for his book after spending a particularly scary night at the Stanley Hotel.
Many visitors to the Stanley Hotel have reported feeling cold forces, the sounds of mysterious piano music, and even unexplainable flashes of light during their stay.
Some of the most haunted spots in the hotel include rooms 217, 401, and 428, as well as the concert hall and the grand staircase.
Fortunately, families don't need to stay at the hotel to get a feel for the haunted atmosphere.
They can visit for the day and take a tour to learn about the history of the hotel and its many spirits that roam its halls.
Tours are a great way for families to incorporate learning into their travels, and the Stanley Hotel tour provides the perfect mix of historical learning and spooky stories.
The Stanley Hotel offers a day tour and a night tour to the public.
The tours are an hour long, and unfortunately do not allow children under 8 years of age.
However, whether you stay for a night or for a few hours, you’re sure to be spooked at the Stanley Hotel.
Are you ready to visit all of these places? What haunted spots have you visited? Do you have any ghost tour recommendations?
