So, we are barely knocking on September and I am already getting excited about Halloween!! Most people don’t consider Halloween a holiday for travel, but I disagree! There are so many spooky and festive destinations that make Halloween the perfect time for adventuring!
Before last year, I was never one of those people who got really crazy about Halloween. Then, last fall, something changed.
Getting into the Halloween Spirit
I decided to take the whole month of October to do all the fall festivities and spooky activities possible…. And I really loved it!! We carved pumpkins, went on local ghost tours, and even built a small ofrenda for our relatives (Thanks to Disney’s Coco for the inspiration, lol!).
The hospital I was working in at the time had an old, abandoned surgical suite that some of the other nurses and I would frequent while on night shift to see if we could catch a glimpse of a ghost! I say all of this to say, whatever gets you into the Halloween spirit, embrace it! It’ll make the season that much more fun!
Easy, Local Halloween Festivities
If you aren’t looking to travel far this Halloween but are still feeling festive, every town and city has haunted houses, hayrides, pumpkin patches, and more. You won’t have to look too hard to find something nearby that is fun and affordable! Heck, you can even organize a scary movie marathon for some free, at-home spine-chilling entertainment!
Spooky Halloween Destinations
But if you ARE looking to travel for some spooky adventures… Here are my top 3 spooky destinations across the US that you won’t want to miss!
New Orleans, Louisiana
Talk about a place with some dark history!! This culture-rich city has a dark and tragic story around every twist and turn. From its voodoo studded past to its elaborate cemeteries, New Orleans needs to be at the top of your list this Halloween season.
The city hosts numerous ghost tours and cemetery tours to give you your fill of the darker side of the city. Marie Laveau, Voodoo Queen, is buried in St. Louis No. 1 Cemetary but is inaccessible without a guided tour.
It’s worth mentioning that Halloween brings with it a time of increased riffraff and crime. A guided tour is one of the best and safest ways to enjoy the city, especially at night. If you’re like me and don’t typically carry cash, be sure to grab a few bucks prior to your outing to tip your tour guides. (But never travel with large amounts of cash!)
In addition to the Halloween festivities, New Orleans is home to some of the best food in the country. You’ll definitely want to spend some time in the French Quarter and fill up on some delicious cajun food and beignets…lots and lots of beignets 🙂
Savannah, Georgia
There is something about this sleepy, coastal city, with its Spanish moss and shady streets, that sets the perfect scene for a quick Halloween getaway.
Like New Orleans, Savannah is another uh-mazing place for ghost tours. From walking tours, trolley tours, and pub crawl tours, Savannah has options for all ages and interests. Most tours are between $25-$30, so you can enjoy some spooky history without breaking the bank.
You’ll also want to take a stroll through the various squares, do some shopping on River St., and indulge in some of the local cuisines.
Salem, Massachusetts
Home of the Salem witch trials, Salem is somewhat of a Halloween Mecca. The month-long celebration is full of haunted happenings complete with witches, seances, ghost tours, and an affinity for the macabre.
Daily through October, Salem hosts the Salem Psychic Fair and Witches Market from 10a-10pm. Each night offers a chance to attend Messages from the Spirit World: An Authentic Salem Seance.
Because it is such a popular Halloween destination, you’ll want to start planning early as hotels and b&bs sell out quickly. If you are looking for a place to stay and are trying to avoid busy hotels, check out airbnb.com and vrbo.com to find affordable, stress-free lodging.
I hope this post helped to get you in the Halloween spirit! Be sure to drop me a note and let me know your favorite places to travel during fall!
Happy Hauntings!
oxoxo, Jamie
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