With Halloween quickly approaching, many avid travelers are looking for a way to spice things up (and not with pumpkin spice). The good news is that Halloween getaways, haunted stays, and dark tourism, in general, are becoming more popular among travelers. Plus, there are more than a few places around the world that take their festivities to the next level—especially in the US. So if you’re ready to get out there and see how others celebrate this beloved holiday, you’re in luck— domestic travelers have more than a few options. In fact, here are ten destinations for Halloween lovers on the East Coast.
10 Newport, Rhode Island
Besides being a stunning coastal town, Newport has an abundance of haunted history. Here, Halloween lovers can stop by the White Horse Tavern, which is rumored to be the most haunted tavern in the entire US. This tavern was originally constructed in 1673, so there is definitely more than a few ghosts here—from colonist and British soldiers to pirates and sailors. An added bonus here is that this city was where Hocus Pocus 2 was filmed, so if you loved the latest installment of this cult classic, come check this RI town out.
9 Salem, Massachusetts
Speaking of Hocus Pocus, Salem or Witch City really needs no introduction. With the Haunted Happenings, The Festival of the Dead, outdoor screenings of Hocus Pocus, haunted tours, the famous Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, and more, you really can’t go wrong here. Salem is considered to be one of the top spooky destinations for Halloween lovers, and this city definitely knows how to put on a good show. So, if you’re looking for an all-out celebration brimming with lore and witchery, then this destination is for you.
8 Sleepy Hollow, New York
Yet another iconic Halloween town is none other than Sleepy Hollow. Thanks to Washington Irving’s Headless Horseman legend, Sleepy Hollow also knows how to do Halloween right. With Macabre attractions like the 300-year-old Van Cortlandt Manor, the historic Lyndhurst Castle, and tours of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, visitors can easily pass the time while awaiting the cover of darkness. There is also a lovely Halloween parade, haunted hayrides, Oktoberfest, The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, and even a 5K costume run. So, really what more could a true lover of all things Halloween need?
7 Washington, DC
Further down the East Coast, Halloween lovers will find a hotbed of festive activities in the country’s capital. With Washington, DC’s long history, there are more than a few ghost stories lurking around every corner. So if you opt for this spooky destination, make sure you take a trip to the notorious Field of Scream and book a spine-chilling ghost tour or two. Of course, for visitors looking for more of a wholesome Halloween celebration, there’s also the annual Pumpkin Walk, Bask in Pumpkins, mystery dinners, Navy Yard parties, haunted wine tastings, and more.
6 Asheville, North Carolina
For paranormal lovers, a Halloween getaway to Asheville, North Carolina, will more than suffice. With terror trails, haunted houses, and limitless haunted attractions, this East Coast city takes ghost hunting and paranormal activity to a new level. Here, travelers can enjoy a plethora of haunted adventures, including the famous Haunted Asheville Ghost Tours, The Haunted Trail, The Myers Haunted House, and the Biltmore Village Mystery Tour. So if you are looking for some serious thrills and chills this Halloween, then Asheville is definitely your destination.
5 Fall River, Massachusetts
Horror and true-crime fans already know that Fall River, Massachusetts, is on the map because of Lizzie Borden. So if you always wanted to spend the night in the home where one of the most infamous axe murders took place, now you can. Of course, this house of terror has been converted into a bed and breakfast, but the 1800s interior has been left intact. Visitors can book a ghostly stay here and check out a variety of festive happenings like Bristol’s Ghost Hunting Halloween Party and more.
4 Savannah, Georgia
If you prefer a side of southern hospitality with your hair-raising Halloween getaway, then Savannah should do the trick. Not only does this festive destination go all out with decorations, but there are also several ghostly attractions worth checking out, like the Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley tours, haunted history tours, and more. Halloween visitors can book a stay at The Marshall House, which is rumored to be one of the most haunted hotels in the entire city, with more than a few Civil War spirits afoot.
3 Williamsburg, Virginia
Yet another place that knows how to celebrate Halloween on the East Coast is Williamsburg, Virginia. This is the destination to choose if you want to see just how Colonial Williamsburg embraces its spooky side. Visitors can also enjoy quite a few historic ghost tours, some ghost hunting in the area’s various haunted properties, and chilling recounts of Williamsburg’s Witch Trials. An added bonus here is that Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens is just around the corner from all these Colonial Williamsburg haunts for anyone looking for a real scare-fest.
2 Reading, Pennsylvania
At first glance, Reading, Pennsylvania, might seem like a little town on the East Coast with not much to offer. But, when it comes to Halloween, this city’s iconic Shocktoberfest is definitely something you don’t want to miss. This festival makes Reading a great destination, especially if you have been dying to try some of the top-rated horror attractions in the country. From a zombie safari tour and a massacre scare zone to laser tag with zombies and killer hayrides—true Halloween lovers have to check out Shocktoberfest at least once in their lifetime.
1 New York
Last but definitely not least, good ole New York is, of course, one of the top-ranking Halloween destinations on the East Coast. With one of the biggest Halloween parades around, The Haunted History Trail of New York, and its own decent share of ghost stories, urban legends, and mysteries, this is an excellent option for lovers of lore and all things Halloween-related. So why not book a haunted stay in the Big Apple, venture out onto the Haunted Trail, and paint the town red in celebration of All Hollow’s Eve?
