The Best Halloween Travel Destinations for Spooky Sojourns

Horror isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but a spooky atmosphere has a way of bewitching even the jumpiest of scaredy-cats. Perhaps it’s because Halloween season offers the best of both worlds: temperatures that are crisp, yet not too cold; sidewalks peppered with fallen leaves, yet trees still wearing their burnt hues; and festivities leading up to October 31, yet knowing even once it’s passed, there’s plenty of holiday fun still left ahead. A seasonal sweet spot, without a doubt. And because All Hallows’ Eve is positioned just prior to the months when holiday parties and family travel commandeer your calendar, it’s also an excellent time to plan a getaway.

Hallmarks of the best Halloween travel destinations usually entail a moody fall landscape, local legends that involve a grouchy ghost, vampire, or other variety of ominous being, and themed activities like pumpkin patches and cemetery tours. Toss in quintessential cravings like creamy butternut squash soup and locally produced apple cider, plus a lineup of elegant hotels where the only thing that’s scary is the prospect of having to leave, and—at the 13 destinations below—you have a frighteningly flawless fall trip.

New Orleans, Louisiana

It shouldn’t surprise you that in a city like New Orleans—where funerals become parades, Voodoo is still practiced, and tombs are above ground—Halloween is cause for celebration. If you’re planning a visit to The Big Easy in October, slip into the spirit of the season with a stroll around St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, a hair-raising pontoon ride in the surrounding swamplands, and a quintessential ghost tour through the French Quarter (a neighborhood that is over 300 years old). To experience one of the city’s most haunted hotels, book a room at Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street. As legend goes, a young boy named Maurice Begere, who was staying at the hotel with his parents in the 1890s, fell ill and died in the guest room. These days, Maurice is said to appear as an apparition on the 14th floor. Beyond supernatural encounters, the Beaux-Arts hotel is also a glittering grande dame of the French Quarter, with a revolving carousel bar, pristine marble floors, and a wooden grandfather clock that’s chimed in the lobby since 1909.

London, England

Most tourists come to London for the iconic landmarks and museums, but for those with a penchant for the foreboding, the city’s morbid history sets an especially spooky tone. After all, London is home to both Jack the Ripper and the Tower of London, where centuries’ worth of torture and beheadings took place. For your spooky sojourn across the pond, catch a film at Prince Charles Cinema during their HorrOctober month; screening classics like The Shining and Psycho. Take a guided night tour of Hampstead Heath to hear tales of notorious murder, disease, and hauntings by moonlight. When you’re ready to tuck in for the night, a stay at the ever-refined St. James’s Hotel & Club Mayfair can’t be beat, nor can its convenient location to all the city’s most spine-tingling spots.

Sleepy Hallow, New York

A city whose name says it all, Sleepy Hollow is a mecca for all things Halloween. The best way to begin your excursion is with a leisurely stroll around the village’s 19th-century cemetery, where The Legend of Sleepy Hollow author Washington Irving is buried. After a stop at his gravesite, meet up with the historical society for a walking tour of Sleepy Hollow and nearby sites like the Old Dutch Church, which makes an appearance in Irving’s tale. To get in a little leaf peeping, head to the Irvington Woods for a nature walk along its scenic trails. You’ll have worked up an appetite by this point, so pop into one of the local pubs for a bite and pumpkin brew (Beekman Ale House in Sleepy Hollow is a favorite), then take a quick trip to Croton-on-Hudson just 15 minutes north to enjoy their display of 7,000 illuminated jack-o’-lanterns. For a memorable dinner, head to Goosefeather in Tarrytown for modern Cantonese, then continue northeast toward Bedford Post Inn where an eight-room Relais & Chateâux hotel awaits.

Kilkenny, Ireland

If you trace Halloween’s origins, you’ll journey over two thousand years back to an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. This pagan tradition took place on October 31 when the Celts believed the veil between the physical world and the spirit realm was thinnest, with ceremonial fires and rituals taking place to mark the conclusion of one pastoral year, and the entry into the next. So, naturally, a trip to Ireland feels rather on-theme for a Halloween season getaway. Set your sights on Kilkenny in the southeast of the country, where celebrations take place throughout the month and culminate in a Samhain festival. This year’s theme is “Toil & Trouble” and activities include traditional Irish dancing, food tours that weave together the legends of Samhain, and fireside storytelling and songs. If you’re looking to stay local, the five-star Mount Juliet Estate is set in a lovely Georgian manor house, and if you’re willing to drive an hour north, Ballyfin Demesne is an exquisite Regency mansion that sits on 614 acres of parkland at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

Salem, Massachusetts

Swirling together American history with eerie hauntings, a trip to Salem, Massachusetts offers a fascinating look at one of the country’s most tragic events—the Salem witch trials of 1692. The city has hosted its Haunted Happenings festival since 1982, with everything from psychic readings and costume balls to ghost tours and magic shows taking place all month long. Samhain is also celebrated in Salem by the local pagan and witch communities, who often share their traditions with curious out-of-towners. A few must-visit landmarks include the 17th-century home of judge Jonathan Corwin (Salem’s only remaining structure with ties to the trials), the Charter Street Cemetery, which dates back to the early 1600s and is where a passenger of The Mayflower is buried, and Pioneer Village, which is a living museum constructed to look like Salem in 1630. You can also hop on the Tales & Tombstones trolley night tour to hear stories of ghosts, murders, and executions. After a day of sightseeing, head about 30 minutes west to the Inn at Hastings Park; a collection of 19th-century buildings converted into a luxury boutique hotel.

Venice, Italy

Romantic as it is, there’s no denying that Venice has a tinge of despair (this was an epicenter for the Black Death, lest we forget). Once the sun sets over the city’s canals, iron street lanterns cast their atmospheric glow across a medieval maze of narrow passageways, setting an exquisitely eerie tone. While Halloween isn’t a popular holiday in Venice, there are plenty of ways to soak in the port city’s mysterious aura. To begin with, switch your phone off and glide back in time with an aimless evening stroll, getting lost on purpose and seeing where the city takes you. (If that happens to be in the direction of a bàcaro—a small wine tavern—so be it). For those who prefer a more structured itinerary, consider the Secret Itineraries tour at the Doge’s Palace, where you’ll explore a torture chamber and ancient prison cells. And speaking of the Doge, book an elegant room at The Gritti Palace, which dates back to the 15th century and was once the royal family seat.

Transylvanian Alps, Romania

For those eager to travel further afield this Halloween season, a jaunt to the Transylvanian Alps should fit the bill. Though many would argue Bran Castle did not inspire Bram Stoker’s Dracula, others contest that it did—and it appears the latter have won out because the medieval fortress lures in tens of thousands of lore-thirsty visitors every year. The castle sits atop a dramatic rocky promontory and makes for a spooky side trip for those visiting Bucharest (about a three-hour drive south). For the especially die-hard, the castle can arrange exclusive private tours guided by Count Dracula to transport visitors through hidden rooms and dim passageways. And don’t forget to take in the surrounding Carpathian Mountain landscape with its misty dense forest and nearby castles and medieval towns that are equally worthy of a visit.

Savannah, Georgia

What makes Savannah such an irresistible city is also what makes it so spooky: Southern live oaks draped in Spanish moss that tower and twist over city squares, Neoclassical Antebellum architecture, gas lamps that flicker over uneven cobblestone paths, and a humid subtropical climate that hangs heavy in the air. Savannah is regarded as one of America’s most haunted cities due to its bloody history, string of fires and disease, plus streets and buildings that were constructed over burial grounds. For your visit, skip the haunted pub crawl and head for landmarks that explain Savannah’s eerie atmosphere through a historical lens. Wander around the beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery (known and loved for its Victorian design), or join for a nighttime tour hosted by the historical society. Enjoy a drink at The Pirate’s House, which is Georgia’s oldest tavern dating back to 1734 and was once a hangout for, you know, pirates. A self-guided walking tour of the city’s most haunted buildings is another way to soak in the spirits, and a stay at the Hamilton-Turner Inn on historic Lafayette Square (originally built as a private home in 1873) is a quintessential Savannah experience.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland has long had a flair for the macabre. Witch-burning, frightening folklore, and centuries of war and bloodshed have imparted an unsettling ambience in destinations like Edinburgh. But it’s not all doom and gloom—a Halloween season visit to the country’s capital doubles as a deep dive into its history, with cemetery tours and museum visits that will leave travelers hypnotized. A few itinerary stops to consider include a visit to the tiny coffins recovered on Arthur’s Seat (an ancient hilltop) that have gone unexplained since their discovery almost 200 years ago. Then there’s Black Moon Botanica, a superbly stocked supplier of ritual supplies and metaphysical tools. For non-squeamish types, the Surgeons’ Hall Museums are downright fascinating, and Edinburgh’s several cemeteries make for moody afternoon strolls. If you’re in town on the 31st, don’t miss the city’s Samhain Fire Festival, and consider a stay at Gleneagles Townhouse, a luxury hotel and members’ club situated within the city limits.

New York City, New York

After a summer of oppressive heat, October is when New York City hits its stride. Temperatures turn crisp and leaves begin to change, setting the stage for a spectacularly spooky season. Rather than joining a group tour (never a good idea in Manhattan), craft your own itinerary. A misty morning at the Green-Wood Cemetery will kick your visit off on the right foot. This Brooklyn burial site stretches across 478 acres and was founded in 1838, with famous residents including Leonard Bernstein and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Next, make your way to the Merchant’s House Museum to explore this 1832-era, four-story building that’s said to be haunted by its original owners. (Alternatively, you can take a candlelit ghost tour at night.) If you happen to be in town on the 17th, the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is unmissable for obvious reasons. Afterward, grab dinner at Fraunces Tavern in Battery Park. This is the oldest bar in the city and was once the watering hole for the founding fathers, including George Washington. (It’s also said to be haunted and they host a ghost tour on Halloween.) At the end of a long day of searching for supernaturals, tuck in next to the crackling fire at The Bowery Hotel before a deep sleep.

Charleston, North Carolina

Similar to other southern gems like Savannah and New Orleans, Charleston is unabashedly Halloween-obsessed. Where else could you visit a ghostly dungeon that once held American soldiers during the Revolutionary War? Or dine at a 135-year-old restaurant that is haunted by two spirits (one of which is said to be a small terrier that terrorizes your ankles)? Perhaps a walking tour is more your speed; there are plenty of these in Charleston, namely those that guide guests along its dim alleys and hidden passages. If you prefer a little kitsch, the city’s abundance of ghost tours provides ample options suited to your spectral proclivities. Of course, a visit to Charleston is not complete without a stroll around St. Michael’s Graveyard (also home to the city’s oldest church), and at The Dewberry hotel, guests can sip on a clay pot Boulevardier within its mid-century modern lobby bar for a retro close to the evening.

California Ghost Towns

It’s hard to imagine the Golden State, with its sunshine and year-round surf, playing host to sinister forces. But California’s gold rush era is the source of many great ghost stories—and ghost towns. These abandoned mining sites, emblematic of the Wild West, are dotted up and down the state and date back to the late 1800s when these regions experienced their boom. Visitors can choose from nine notable stops along the ghost town route, including the iconic Bodie State Historic Park. Just past the cattle-ranching town of Bridgeport in northern California, near the border of Nevada, this deserted mining community is frozen in time along its dusty desert road. Bodie had a population of nearly 10,000 at its peak and gained a reputation as a “shooter’s town” due to the frequent gunfights. Bad weather, fires, and mining accidents also claimed lives, and eventually Bodie was deserted. Several ghosts are said to haunt the town, and a supposed curse is cast upon any visitor who takes an object. After a day exploring Bodie’s 110 buildings with interiors left as they originally were, drive an hour north to stay in Mammoth Lakes in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Glastonbury, England

Skip the parades and boisterous pub crawls in exchange for a visit to mythical Glastonbury. This small English town in Somerset might be internationally known for its music festival (which is a misnomer, as it actually takes place on a dairy farm in the village over), but spend any amount of time in its misty marshes and a thriving Pagan community quickly comes into focus. With its King Arthur legends, Christian folklore, and New Age spirituality, Glastonbury has an energy that feels wholly aligned with an October getaway. Visitors to the region who are staying at The Newt in Somerset can go on a private tour with a local mystic who leads your group in a circle casting ceremony before trekking up the Tor (a conical hill) to reach St. Michael's Tower. Along the journey, you’ll discover a holy well with iron-rich waters that have been visited for 2,000 years. And on October 31, for the Samhain holiday, there will be a silent meditation and water blessing ceremony at the well, followed by a fire ceremony later that afternoon. Once you’re finished, head for the Abbey Museum to explore items like a 16th-century ceremonial cloak, and perhaps have a meander to the Glastonbury Experience Courtyard to pick up a few souvenirs.

Los Angeles, California

City of Angels may be its moniker, but Los Angeles has played host to some of the country’s most iconic horror films—and true crime in equal measure. Since LA sprawls out in several directions, choose a neighborhood that aligns with your spooky preferences. Perhaps an evening ride on Mulholland Drive to revisit the iconic opening limousine scene from David Lynch’s 2001 film of the same name? If you’re after something with a bit more pomp and circumstance, book a ticket to Greystone Mansion’s Gilded Halloween Affair, where tarot readings and dancing will unfold in the (nearly) century-old hillside estate. If you’re the kind who appreciates a good cemetery, Hollywood Forever is everyone’s favorite, and for those hoping to spend some time by the Pacific, don’t miss Regent Santa Monica’s Spooky Cinema by the Sea, complete with spirited cocktails and screenings of films like Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic.