10 Best Places to Go for Halloween For a Spooky Vacation [2023]

It’s September already. The weather is getting chilly, the leaves are falling, and the front porches are decorated with ornaments like skeletons, spiderwebs, and Jack-o-lanterns. With the speed of a prowling phantom, Halloween is coming. For many, Halloween is just a single day of festivity. Others, though, view it as a season-long celebration. 

For a Halloween getaway, there are many intriguing places to visit. However, only a few places can make your Halloween vacation thrilling and adventurous. Halloween offers a lot more than just spooky décor and scary costumes.

Halloween has a long and complicated history; many places celebrate it vibrantly with fireworks, candies, and street Halloween parties. But, some maintain the tradition and Celtic roots of Halloween. So, are you a person of traditions or adventure?

Choosing the ideal Halloween vacation destination can be challenging, no matter what sort of person you are. Below are our top 10 recommendations for the spookiest and creepiest cities to visit during the Halloween season. We’ve also mentioned approximations of costs to help you choose your dream vacation destination. 

The Best 10 Places to Celebrate Halloween

1. Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, a popular Halloween destination, is widely known for the infamous witch trials of 1692. And, it is Salem where the horror truly began. Twenty-six people were hanged here after being accused of practicing witchcraft in the Salem witch trials.

Due to the witch heritage of Salem, you’ll find witch shops and mascots all around the city during Halloween festivities. Especially in October, the city starts with a massive village Halloween parade. Besides that, there are continuous fireworks, execution reenactments, and scary costume contests, which make it a perfect place to celebrate Halloween.

The terror in Salem is influenced by the erection of Howard Street Cemetery, the Salem Psychic Fair, the Salem Witch Museum, the Witch Market, and other events mentioned in the Salem Haunted Happenings.

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip:

• For a couple: $3,545
• For a family (4 members): $6,646

The Nearest Hotel to All the Haunted Spots:

• Hampton Inn Salem Boston
• Hilton Boston-Woburn

The Nearest Airport:

• Boston Logan International (BOS) Airport (15 miles away from the nearest hotels)

Things Not To Miss: 

• Peabody Essex Museum
• House of Seven Gables
• The Enchanters

Make sure to check out our article about the best Halloween destinations in the US!

2. London, England

The gloomy streets and the spooky and antiquated castles of London provide a fantastic experience for Halloween. Of course, everyone visiting London must’ve heard about the streets of White Hall and the Tower of London- dungeons for brutal acts and executions. 

In fact, the London Dungeon recreates the city’s most gruesome stories. It includes stories of the infamous Jack the Ripper (Victorian serial killer) and Sweeney Todd. You can also visit the eerie castle of Hampton Court Palace, which is said to be haunted by two of Henry VIII’s wives.

The haunted tours in the dark dungeons, ancient buildings, and murder sites are not the only things London offers. Nowadays, many festivals take place on Halloween. Camden Halloween Carnival and Richmond Park are particularly famous for such celebrations.

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip:

• For a couple: $2,203
• For a family (4 members) $6,596

The Nearest Hotel to All the Haunted Spots: 

• Resident Covent Garden 

The Nearest Airport: 

• London City (LCY) Airport 

Things Not To Miss: 

• BoxPark Croydon
• Leadenhall Market
• Eltham Palace
• Theatre Royal Drury Lane

3. New Orleans, Louisiana

As you may already know, New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of the most haunted cities in the United States. The city is home to many voodoo practitioners. Thus, the French Quarter streets of the city are lined with voodoo shops that sell countless haunted items and memorabilia.

The French Quarter of New Orleans never fails to amaze tourists on Halloween. Make sure to visit the serial killer Madame Delphine LaLaurie’s house, the LaLaurie Mansion, or the Gardette-LaPrete Mansion, where one of the largest mass slayings took place. 

The horror, however, does not end there. The city hosts many famous Halloween events, including the Voodoo Music Festival, the Halloween Spooktacular Family concert, and Vampire Ball. And if you’re into partying, join the street parties of Frenchman Street and parades of Bourbon Street. 

The most attractive events in the city are the parades. So grab your Halloween costume and join thousands of other horror fans at the Krewe of Boo Parade. To get an idea of the costs, check this: 

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip: 

• For a couple: $1,527
• For a family (4 members): $5,141

The Nearest Hotel to All the Haunted Spots: 

• The Bourbon Orleans Hotel
• La Galerie French Quarter Hotel

The Nearest Airport: 

• New Orleans (MSY) Airport (15 miles away from nearest hotels)

Things Not To Miss:

• Haunted Pub Crawl
• Vampire Walking Tour

4. Edinburgh, Scotland

Fogs and dark clouds overshadow the city of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Here, October is magical. Especially on Samhain, also known as the Samhuinn Fire Festival, an ancient Celtic celebration in Old Town that presents dramatic battles on Halloween night.

Not a fan of battles? Well, there are numerous spooky corners. So be sure to book a tour of the famous Real Mary King’s Close. It is where you can visit the underground vaults, where many people suffering from the bubonic plague were brutally sealed off from the world above. 

Besides that, if you are into solving creepy mysteries, visit Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. It offers tours into horrific vaults, strange tunnels, and haunted graveyards. If you’re on your own, it’s free of cost. Although, Guided tours cost around twenty Euros per hour.

Similarly to the London Dungeon, there is Edinburgh Dungeon, where you can spend your Halloween night. It consists of live historical storyteller shows and various rides.

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip: 

• For a couple: $1,566
• For a family (4 members): $4,811

The Nearest Hotel to All the Haunted Spots: 

• Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile Hotel

The Nearest Airport: 

• Edinburgh (EDI) Airport (6 miles away from the nearest hotel)

Things Not To Miss: 

• Heels of Hell
• The Anatomist’s Escape Room
• Conifox Halloween Festival

5. Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania is also known as the home of the famous Count Dracula and Vlad the Impaler. It is truly one of the best places to celebrate Halloween. Who would not wish to spend Halloween night at Bran Castle, Dracula’s castle? You should visit it at night to experience its magic.

To make your trip even more exciting, visit the childhood home of Vlad the Impaler. It is similar to Bran’s Castle. The creepiness of these castles escalates on Halloween nights. Along with them, you may also want to visit the torture museum in Hunedoara and the haunted hotels. 

Other than that, Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania is one of the creepiest places on Earth. It is mostly due to the Hoia-Baciu Forest. It is dense in twisted trees shrouded in mist. According to a report, many people have vanished amid these crooked trees.

To enjoy all the places, you should stay in the heart of Braşov. The pricing of lodgings in this creepy town is affordable.

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip: 

• For a couple: $2,019
• For a family (4 members): $3,085

The Nearest Hotel to All the Haunted Spots: 

• Hotel Aro Palace

The Nearest Airport: 

• Brașov-Ghimbav Internațional Airport (5 miles away from the nearest hotels)

Things Not To Miss: 

• Haunted Corvin Castle
• Halloween Film Festival
• Ruins of Dracula’s Poenari Castle

6. Prague, the Czech Republic

Prague is one of Europe’s most haunted Gothic cities. The city is filled with medieval architecture, churches, and temples that add to the fright of Halloween nights and may turn into a haunted city during Halloween time. The Sedlec Ossuary is one such example. It’s a Roman Catholic chapel where they buried at least fifty thousand skeletons. 

You can also book a Medieval dungeon tour or visit the Torture Museum. And if you’re looking to explore creepy places, you should explore the haunted Prague Castle. Locals claim that many ghosts still reside and plague the castle. 

Roam around the Charles Bridge, where John of Nepomuk was thrown off to the river. You can also go ghost hunting at a haunted house, Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital, and its abandoned cemetery. Many people suffering from mental illnesses were severely tortured here.

Prague should be your Halloween destination for exploring, as it has a relatively low cost for lodgings and tours. The average hotel cost per night is just about sixty dollars, making it an affordable place to visit for Halloween.

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip:

• For a couple: $2,033
• For a family (4 members): $3,811

The Nearest Hotel to All the Haunted Spots: 

• Charles Bridge Palace

The Nearest Airport: 

• Václav Havel Airport Prague (9.5 miles away from the nearest hotels)

Things Not To Miss: 

• Prague Castle Gardens
• FREEX Trampoline Park
• Manifesto Halloween Party
• Vnitroblock Birthday Party with Fear House

7. Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa, Canada, offers a variety of supernatural-themed excursions you can partake in. Other than that, there are several spooky Halloween events.

Firstly, you should visit the Ottawa Jail Hostel. It served as a prison for many criminals till 1972. The building’s haunted history begins with the abuse of inmates, who were sometimes tortured to death. 

The former prison cells are now available for overnight stay. The locals believe that there is a ghost at the end of every bed in this prison. They even dare guests to lock themselves up for thirty US Dollars. 

However, if you cannot handle the terror, you can participate in events such as the Sawmill Hunt, Fright Fest, Deadwood Haunted Drive, and Festiv’Halloween. These will cost you around fifteen to fifty bucks per event.

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip:

• For a couple: $2,098
• For a family (4 members): $3,933

The Nearest Hotel to All the Haunted Spots: 

• Novotel Ottawa

The Nearest Airport:

• Ottawa International Airport (2.5 miles from all the popular hotels)

Things Not To Miss: 

• Pumpkinferno
• Acres of Terror
• SKreamers 

8. Sleepy Hollow, New York

A creepy place in New York? Yes! Sleepy Hollow is a small town in Westchester County, New York City, where the modern Halloween celebration began. It is where Washington Irving’s Headless Horseman was buried. Tourists still see him at the place.

For modern celebrations, visit All Hallows Eve. You will get street fairs, hayrides, pumpkin fields (for pumpkin decorating), and parades here which can be a great alternative to the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. Some attractions include Haunted Hayride, the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, and Sleepy Hollow Haunted Wagon Ride, costing around $20-$50 per person. 

The city also has various haunted spots, including old castles and mansions, that you can explore with a lantern-guided tour. Visit Lyndhurst Castle, Rockafeller Estate, and Elda Castle. The Philipsburg Manor is ornated during October with candles, witches, chandeliers, etcetera. 

Sleepy Hollow is famous for its heritage on Halloween. The place gets crowded with tourists and locals on Halloween nights. Thus, book your tickets as quickly as you can!

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip: 

• For a couple: $3,443
• For a family (4 members): $6,455

The Nearest Hotel to All the Haunted Spots: 

• Tarrytown House Estate on The Hudson

The Nearest Airport: 

• White Plains (HPN) Airport (14 miles away from the nearest hotels)

Things Not To Miss: 

• Tarrytown Halloween Costume Parade
• Halloween Open Studio

9. Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca, Mexico, is one of the famous places to visit for Halloween. The city isn’t filled with haunted buildings, but it celebrates Halloween uniquely with carnivals. So if you’re fond of sugar skulls, candles, costumes, and stunning cathedrals, Oaxaca is your place.

If you’ve watched Pixar’s Coco, this tradition will be familiar. They celebrate Día de Los Muertos in early November, the Day of the Dead. It’s a celebration with their loved ones to help them keep alive. If you take a walk in Oaxaca, you’ll see displays of flowers and candles lining the endless streets. You may also see shrines outside their houses. 

There are night-time carnivals with candles, marigolds, stalls, and locals wear sugar skulls with paint on their faces. These lavish parades of fanciful dancers are a large part of their celebration. 

On the other hand, you will also see food vendors, live music, and colorful craft stalls on every corner. These events continue for two to seven days.

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip:

• For a couple: $2,222
• For a family (4 members): $4,165

The Nearest Hotel to All the Haunted Spots: 

• Hotel Misión Oaxaca

The Nearest Airport: 

• Oaxaca (OAX) Airport (8 miles away from the nearest hotels)

Things Not To Miss: 

• The Grand Parade
• Post Mortem Chapel

10. Orlando, Florida

If you’re searching for a spooky destination to spend Halloween with your family, Orlando is home to one of Disney’s most family-friendly Halloween festivals. In addition, Disney World hosts the finest Halloween celebration for children.

The fun also overflows on the streets. Parades are all over the streets, and shows presenting the three Hocus Pocus sisters, the Sanderson witches. Also, you may walk on the streets to see the fireworks show and the dance party.

For adults, there are several haunted places and a lot of spooky stuff to visit in Orlando, too.

First, there are Spooky Hills in Lake Wales, where people claim that the spirit of Captain Sasparilla pushes cars away. You may also visit the Oviedo Lights. Rumors claim that there are unexplained ghostly lights around this area. Lastly, you may visit Enzian Theater, where they narrate ghost stories. You may as well take your kids to the theater if they like ghost stories.  

The Average Cost of a Seven-Day Trip: 

• For a couple: $4,082
• For a family (4 members): $7,653

The Nearest Hotel To All The Haunted Spots: 

• SpringHill Suites

The Nearest Airport: 

• Orlando (MCO) Airport (2 miles away from the nearest hotels)

Things Not To Miss: 

• Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood & Vine
• Seaworld Orlando Halloween
• Scream-A-Geddon

Conclusion

The paranormal sightings and fancy festivals in these ten places make them the best place for Halloween celebrations. Due to the rising popularity of this holiday, these cities will see the development of additional thrilling excursions and tours. As these cities get crowded with tourists around Halloween, pre-planning, and booking are essential.

I hope this article will help you choose Halloween’s finest and scariest vacation destination. Have a scary good time. Happy Halloween.

FAQs:

1. What are scary things to do on Halloween?

To make your Halloween night scary, head out for a ghost hunt at the nearest cemetery. Then, you can play hide and seek in the dark with your friends. Other than that, you can read out creepy stories or play ghost games late at night. 

2. What are 3 am challenges on Halloween?

A 3 AM challenge is doing something paranormal at around 3 AM. If you decide to stay indoors, watch the scariest movie or play Outlast at high volume. Another 3 am challenge is exploring abandoned buildings and churches. 

3. How do you celebrate Halloween without getting scared?

If you’re celebrating Halloween by watching a scary movie, watch it with your friends or family during the daytime. And if you’re on a terrifying ride or tour, do not overthink. Instead, let yourself know that you’re safe, and do not let jump scares paralyze you.