Travel
Don’t be afraid to plan your trip to these festive fall getaways
The Ropes Mansion, a Georgian Colonial in Salem, Massachusetts, is recognizable as Allison’s home in Hocus Pocus. Today, the coastal New England town is a favorite among tourists during Halloween.Photo: AndTheyTravel/Getty Images
When autumn arrives, few things beat the thrill of exploring Halloween towns in the US that go all-in on the festivities. From the settings of spooky flicks and gothic literary legends to places that take their pumpkin patches and seasonal decor quite seriously, these eight spots prove that Halloween is so much more than a single night. They’ll have you meandering among corn stalks, dressing as a witch to float on a stand-up paddle board, and chasing down the tale of the Headless Horseman. We’re spotlighting under-the-radar seasonal gems and spooky classics, like Salem, Massachusetts, a destination with a truly haunted history, but one that embraces the fun of the holiday nonetheless. So pack your costume (and maybe a flashlight)—it’s time to get into the spirit of the season at the best Halloween towns in the US.
Photo: Getty Images
Salem, Massachusetts
Fans of Massachusetts-based Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic (both the original and recent sequel) should cast their sights on this coastal New England town with a dark past—this is where the witch trials of 1692 took place. Today, the Salem Witch Museum and historic Witch House help tell the tales of that tragic era, while its haunted tours, witchy taverns, local hat and broom boutiques, and seasonally appropriate marketplaces—including Haunted Happenings—add a little levity to any visit.
Photo: Kevin Carter/Getty Images
San Diego, California
Southern California may be known for its perpetual sunshine, but come October, San Diego and its surrounding county fully commits to its dark side. Adults can join creepy bar crawls in the Gaslamp District and Pacific Beach, while the ultimate event is the annual Halloween party at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. For kids, nothing tops trick-or-treating at LEGOLAND, which takes place on weekends throughout the month, not just on Halloween day.
Photo: Marli Miller/UCG/Getty Images
St. Helens, Oregon
What started as an ode to the Disney movie Halloweentown, filmed here in the 1990s, has now become a full-fledged fall festival. From late September through October, St. Helens, just 45 minutes north of Portland, transforms into a Halloween haven. The Spirit of Halloweentown festivities include costume contests, live performances, pumpkin photo ops, spooky elixir stations (a.k.a. bars), and a haunted house. On select dates, you can even catch actors from the movie in town.
Photo: John Greim/Getty Images
Sleepy Hollow, New York
Washington Irving’s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” featuring Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, takes place in the very real Hudson Valley town of the same name. So naturally, it’s the perfect place to go for literary fans looking for a fright. Take a tour of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Irving himself is buried; hop on a haunted hayride; and paddle the Hudson River dressed as a witch or warlock during the SUP Witches Festival. The area is also home to The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze—an immersive experience with over 7,000 jack-o’-lanterns as well as festive food and drinks served at themed joints on the grounds, like the Headless Horseman’s Hideaway.
Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images
Spring Grove, Illinois
Here’s a Halloween fun fact: Illinois produces the most pumpkins in the country—by a long shot. In 2025, the Land of Lincoln grew roughly 533 million pounds of the carvable squash, while the next closest state, California, only came in at about 162 million pounds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This makes it a particularly great state for visiting a pumpkin patch, especially if you venture to Spring Grove, about 60 miles northwest of Chicago. Here, you’ll find Richardson Adventure Farm, where you can pick your own pumpkins and experience another Illinois claim to fame—one of the largest, most intricate corn mazes in the world. Spread across 28 acres of live corn, the Richardson maze has about 10 miles of trails. The farm has multiple maze games (some that last only minutes), a 50-foot observation tower, and a zip line.
Photo: Judy Griesedieck/Star Tribune/Getty Images
Anoka, Minnesota
Recognized as the Halloween Capital of the World, this Midwestern town, roughly 30 minutes from Minneapolis, earned the title by being one of the first places to hold a citywide celebration. Back in 1920, the festivities kicked off as a way to keep youngsters from stirring up trouble (the previous year, a Halloween prank had led to cows roaming Main Street and multiple outhouses being tipped over). Over 100 years later, the season’s more about treats than tricks, including bingo nights, an oversized pumpkin expo, Halloween parades, and a house-decorating contest.
Photo: Steven Heap/Getty Images
New Orleans
Halloween season in the Big Easy is almost as wild as Mardi Gras—just look at its seemingly endless options for ghost tours, voodoo experiences, and haunted bar crawls. But one of the best activities in town is totally free: Stroll the residential neighborhoods with a cider in hand and check out the elaborate Halloween decorations. The Garden District is a good place to start; it’s where you’ll see the legendary Skeleton House (6000 St. Charles Ave.), famous for all the bony bodies and clever signage that fill its yard during spooky season. As for where to stay, Hotel Monteleone and Dauphine Orleans Hotel—both located in the French Quarter—have histories of hauntings.
Photo: Kerry Hargrove/Getty Images
Estes Park, Colorado
Ghost stories abound in Estes Park, home to The Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s novel The Shining and the subsequent Stanley Kubrick film of the same name. Try your best “Here’s Johnny!” impression while on a guided tour of the property. Or attend the annual Shining Ball and sip signature Redrum cocktails while dressed as a character from the movie—there’s even a costume contest with a cash prize. Elsewhere in town, there’s vibrant fall foliage to enjoy (especially if you hit the trail next door in Rocky Mountain National Park) and a Pumpkins & Pilsners Festival with pumpkin picking, pony rides, and locally brewed beer.
Amelia Mularz is a freelance journalist specializing in interior design, garden, and travel stories. She has previously contributed to Real Simple, HGTV Magazine, New York magazine's The Strategist, and Travel + Leisure, among other titles. She has also held long-term roles at Vogue and The Knot. In 2018, she received ... Read More