Searching for the best places to go for Halloween? There are several October destinations across the U.S. where Halloween celebrations take place all month long. From festivals to haunted cemeteries, these eight best Halloween towns in America offer tons of frightful fun!
Anoka, MN
- Perfect For: Family-friendly Halloween events
When it comes to the best places to celebrate Halloween, it’s hard to beat the “Halloween Capital of the World”! Anoka hosts what’s believed to be the first organized Halloween parade in the U.S., which originally started as a way to keep kids from pulling pranks and creating mischief. Over 100 years later, the event has turned into a month full of Halloween activities and family fun. About 30 minutes north of Minneapolis, Anoka’s riverfront location also makes this a beautiful spot to view fall foliage and enjoy outdoor adventures. And since the city is a major shopping destination, you can also enjoy a brisk fall afternoon exploring local boutiques and antique shops in Downtown Anoka!
Halloween Things to Do in Anoka
Be on the lookout for ghosts and goblins by visiting the Anoka Haunted House. Show off your finest pumpkin carving skills to win a prize or enter yourself into the scarecrow contest at the Anoka Halloween Great Pumpkin Expo in Anoka City Hall Plaza. Pick a great spot at the Grande Day Parade or view floats, costumes, and displays in the dark at the Light Up the Night Parade. Stroll the streets to see the handiwork of locals competing in the House Decorating Contest. Or get a move on at the Anoka Halloween Gray Ghost Run, where participants are encouraged to wear costumes and run a 5K.
Buena Park, CA
- Perfect For: All-age theme park thrills
Searching for one of the best cities for Halloween? Travel to Buena Park, California! Named the Halloween Capital of SoCal, the area transforms into “Boo-uena Park” for Halloween season during September and October. This is largely due to the transformation of the local Knott’s Berry Farm theme park into “Knott’s Scary Farm,” which includes mazes, an interactive zombie experience, and more. When you’re not busy checking out Buena Park’s seasonal haunts, you can enjoy the beautiful weather, indulge in sweet treats, or visit nearby Disneyland.
Halloween Things to Do in Buena Park
Head to Knott’s Scary Farm to ride the transformed rollercoasters, participate in interactive thrills, and get lost in eerie mazes. Discover more mellow scares, go trick-or-treating, and see Halloween shows at Camp Snoopy Theater at Knott’s Spooky Farm, which is recommended for those 13 and younger. Explore a haunted house, pick up pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, or enter the little ones in the kids costume contest at the Fall Spooktacular in Downtown Buena Park. Attend Vampirates for a seasonal twist on the original two-hour, four-course Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. End the night at The Cauldron Spirits and Brews, a witch-themed bar serving up craft cocktails like Grey Witch and Black Cauldron Martini. Or travel to Disneyland for Halloween events like the Oogie Boogie Bash and the Main Street Pumpkin Festival.
Las Vegas, NV
- Perfect For: 21+ Halloween parties
If you’re dreaming of dancing the night away at the biggest Halloween parties in the USA, there’s a good chance you’ll find them in Las Vegas! The month of October brings spine-chilling cocktails, haunted street parades, and even more costume-clad individuals roaming The Strip than usual. While you’re there, make the most of Vegas resorts and casinos, which are home to luxurious pools, boutique shopping, one-of-a-kind museums, fine dining, and lots of other free entertainment!
Halloween Things to Do in Las Vegas
Looking for things to do on Halloween? Head to Hakkasan Nightclub during Halloween Weekend to see popular DJ sets and themed dance parties. Go dancing and listen to hip music on Halloween Saturday at Tao Nightclub. Visit Fremont Street for the Rock of Horror event, featuring live music, light shows, costume contests, and a Halloween Bar Crawl. Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test in a truly terrifying setting at the Official SAW Escape. Or get your fill of scares at the Asylum & Hotel Fear haunted houses.
New Orleans, LA
- Perfect For: Holiday festivals, haunted historical sites
While New Orleans has a big Mardi Gras reputation, the Big Easy is also one of the best vacation spots for Halloween! Known for its rich Voodoo—or Vodou—history and for being one of America’s most haunted cities, NOLA also has tons of events centered around the dead and the supernatural. Ghostly activities like exploring New Orleans cemeteries—also known as “Cities of the Dead”—or taking a haunted tour are popular activities year-round, but costume parties, parades, and interactive experiences only get more elaborate as October 31st approaches. In your time between tours, sample a variety of beignets, get your fill of Creole food, stop by a jazz club, or visit one of many thriving LGBT+ bars and events.
Halloween Things to Do in New Orleans
Watch the Krewe of BOO! parade in the French Quarter to see participants wearing extravagant costumes, riding on one-of-a-kind floats, and tossing candy for the kids! Participate in spooktacular family-friendly activities like Trick-or-Treating, visiting the Haunted House, or making your way through the A-Maze-ing Maze at Boo at the Zoo. Immerse yourself in unearthly art installations, interactive performances, and unexpected musical surprises underneath the autumn leaves at Music Box Village. Hear the stories of famous Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, and see her tomb on a Cemetery Voodoo Tour. Test out your ghost-hunting skills at The Mortuary Haunted Mansion. Or secure tickets for an immersive cinematic underworld with live performances by local artists, theatrical art installations, and a high-stakes costume contest at Hell’s Gala.
Salem, MA
- Perfect For: Witch-themed Halloween festivities and history buffs
If you’re not sure where to go for Halloween, look no further than Salem, MA! The infamous setting of the witch trials of 1692 has a reputation for being full of supernatural oddities, in addition to gorgeous fall foliage and autumn weather—making it a great fall vacation destination! Witch museums, witch trial re-enactments, and magic shops fill the city all year long, but Salem really comes to life during the Halloween season. Plan your visit for October to participate in the special Haunted Happenings festivities, which include parades, haunted houses, psychic readings, and more throughout the entire month. There’s also endless local history to experience any time of year on the Salem Heritage Trail, as well as great dining and exciting outdoor activities.
Halloween Things to Do in Salem
Visit at the beginning of the month to attend the Grand Parade, which is full of festive floats, vehicles, and performances. Learn about the the Salem witch trials during the Gallows Hill Main Show—a dramatic performance including ghostly projections and 4D effects—at the Gallows Hill Museum. Let your animal be the star of the show at the Howl-o-ween Pet Parade. Learn about the local history of Salem on foot by taking a Bewitched Historical Tour. Hop aboard the Ghosts and Legends Trolley Tour for an eerie ride that will drive you past spots like The House of the Seven Gables. Or take part in the month-long Festival of the Dead by attending events like the Salem Psychic Fair and Witches’ Market or the Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball.
Savannah, GA
- Perfect For: Haunted historical sites
Looking for a Halloween destination steeped in eerie historical elegance? With history dating back to 1733 and authentic haunted mansions like the Sorrel-Weed House, Savannah is a must-visit for ghost hunters and fans of Southern Gothic lore alike. Cobblestone streets, moss-draped oaks, and antique architecture set the stage for spooky stories around every corner. With its walkable Historic District and tons of spooky events, Savannah is an ideal place for chilling autumnal celebrations, making it one of the top Halloween towns!
Halloween Things to Do in Savannah
Tour the city’s most haunted homes and graveyards by trolley, hearse, or on foot during Savannah Ghost Tours by companies like Hearse Ghost Tours, Nightly Spirits or the Genteel and Bard. Sip chilling cocktails and show off your costume during the all-night Savannah Halloween Bar Crawl. Walk amongst spooky oak trees and old historic monuments while trying to catch a glimpse of apparitions during the haunting Bonaventure Cemetery After Hours Tour. Shop handmade oddities and seasonal goods while enjoying food trucks and looking for ghosts at the supposedly haunted open-air River Street Market Place. Browse horror memorabilia, oddities, and interactive exhibits at the eclectic Graveface Museum. Dress to impress for a night of dark elegance at the Savannah Vampire Ball, a celebration of gothic fashion, music, and immortal vibes. Or learn about ghostly pirates while you dine on Southern cuisine like Shrimp & Grits, Shrimp Gumbo, or Blackened Snapper at The Pirates House.
Sleepy Hollow, NY
- Perfect For: Haunted historical sites, live theatre
Thanks to the legend of the Headless Horseman, Sleepy Hollow is one of the best places in America for Halloween! Plan a trip to the haunted village that inspired Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and see the story performed as a musical, take part in live-action thrills, and much more! While the season of Halloween provides an ideal time to visit, this tiny Hudson Valley town is home to haunted history and theatrical performances year-round. Plus, you can stay at a quaint bed and breakfast, challenge yourself to a murder mystery game, sample tavern food, check out a local winery, or extend your trip to visit nearby New York City as well.
Halloween Things to Do in Sleepy Hollow
During Halloween in Sleepy Hollow Country, join in on activities like the Halloween 10K, Tarrytown Halloween Parade, and bustling Sleepy Hollow Street Fair. Visit the graves of Washington Irving, William Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie during the day—or see the cemetery by lantern at night—on a Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Walking Tour. Sign up for a Sleepy Hollow Haunted Hayride to follow the same path as the legendary tale, which takes you past the historic Old Dutch Church, across the infamous wooden bridge, and into the woods. Travel a short distance to Washington Irving’s Sunnyside to hear blood-chilling tales of Brom Bones, Ichabod Crane, and the many ghosts of Sleepy Hollow Country during the performance of Irving’s Legend at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside. Or check out more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins, visit the Headless Horseman’s Hideaway, enjoy a sweet treat at Cafe Blaze, and more at The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze.
St. Helens, OR
- Perfect For: All-age Halloween festivities
Dreaming of visiting the real Halloweentown? Head to St. Helens, Oregon! Referred to by some as Halloween, USA, this charming small town is where most of the 1998 Disney Channel movie Halloweentown was originally filmed. Visit the iconic town square from the movie, attend parades, participate in costume contests, and view supernatural exhibits for the perfect October getaway. But the fun doesn’t stop there—the home of the famous Twilight Swan house also offers outdoor adventures and great places to eat and drink, making it a perfect year-round travel destination!
Halloween Things to Do in St. Helens
Head to the famous town square to check out decorations, food vendors, live performances, and the lighting of the Great Pumpkin to kick off the month-long Spirit of Halloweentown festivities. Explore the festival’s other attractions and exhibits throughout the month—including the Scarecrow Contest, Alien Experience, Haunted Hotel Haunted House, Oddities Museum, the Boo Bash Pavilion, and more. Tour a family-friendly haunted mansion at the CMC Scare Factory. For a non-spooky activity, admire the changing leaves and soak up some fresh air on a stroll through the Columbia Botanical Gardens. Or spend a quiet afternoon walking scenic riverside paths at Grey Cliffs Waterfront Park, a perfect spot to enjoy crisp October weather and views of the Columbia River.
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The goal of Extra Space Storage’s seasonal Best Vacation Destinations selections is to help diverse audiences at varying stages of life make informed decisions about where to travel. To provide a well-rounded and accurate view of each metro area, we consider factors like accommodations, local attractions, tourist seasons, and more. Learn more about our methodology today.
