Halloween isn’t just a holiday in the United States it’s an entire season filled with magic, mystery, and spine-tingling fun. From pumpkin-carved streets and haunted houses to ghost tours and eerie festivals, some towns across the country go above and beyond to transform themselves into true Halloween wonderlands.

Whether you’re chasing family-friendly pumpkin patches or heart-racing haunted experiences, these towns deliver the ultimate Halloween vacation. Below, we’ll explore the 13 Best Halloween Towns in America, where tricks, treats, and unforgettable memories await.

1. Salem, Massachusetts – The Witch City

Why It’s Special: Salem is the undisputed queen of Halloween in America.

Known for the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692, the city embraces its spooky past with a month-long Haunted Happenings Festival every October.

Halloween Highlights in Salem:

Witch Trials Memorial & Salem Witch Museum – Learn about the real history behind the hysteria.
Haunted Happenings Parade – Floats, costumes, and music light up the streets.
Spooky Ghost Tours – Walk through centuries-old graveyards and haunted streets.
Costume Ball at Hawthorne Hotel – Salem’s most famous haunted hotel throws a legendary Halloween party.

Where to Stay:

The Hawthorne Hotel (famously haunted).
The Merchant (stylish boutique with historic charm).

Pro Tip: Salem gets extremely crowded in October. Book your accommodation months in advance and consider mid-week visits for fewer crowds.

2. Sleepy Hollow, New York – The Legend Lives On

Why It’s Special: Immortalized by Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” this Hudson Valley village is one of the most legendary Halloween spots in America.

Halloween Highlights in Sleepy Hollow:

Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze – Over 7,000 carved pumpkins illuminate Van Cortlandt Manor.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Tours – Nighttime lantern tours with stories of Irving and the Headless Horseman.
Horseman’s Hollow – A haunted attraction in the historic Philipsburg Manor.

Where to Stay:

Castle Hotel & Spa (luxurious and atmospheric).
Tarrytown House Estate (historic property near the attractions).

Pro Tip: Pair your trip with fall foliage sightseeing—the Hudson Valley is breathtaking in October.

3. Anoka, Minnesota – The Halloween Capital of the World

Why It’s Special: Anoka proudly calls itself the Halloween Capital of the World, having hosted Halloween parades since 1920.

Halloween Highlights in Anoka:

Grand Day Parade – One of the nation’s largest Halloween parades.
Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Carving Contest – Family-friendly fun.
Anoka Haunted House – Local chills and thrills.

Where to Stay:

Cambria Hotel Minneapolis Maple Grove (modern comforts near Anoka).

Pro Tip: Visit during the last two weeks of October to catch both parades and community events.

4. St. Helens, Oregon – Halloweentown Come to Life

Why It’s Special: Disney fans will recognize St. Helens as the filming location for the cult classic “Halloweentown.” Every year, the town recreates the movie magic with its Spirit of Halloweentown Festival.

Halloween Highlights in St. Helens:

Halloweentown Pumpkin Display – Snap a photo with the giant pumpkin in the town square.
Haunted House Experiences – Both family-friendly and scarier options.
Costume Contests & Parades – Perfect for kids and adults alike.

Where to Stay:

Best Western Oak Meadows Inn (budget-friendly and close to events).

Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of the movie, time your visit for the first weekend of October when cast members often appear.

5. New Orleans, Louisiana – Haunted French Quarter Vibes

Why It’s Special: New Orleans is already mysterious with its voodoo legends, above-ground cemeteries, and ghostly history. Halloween adds another layer of enchantment.

Halloween Highlights in New Orleans:

Krewe of Boo Parade – A Mardi Gras-style Halloween parade.
Voodoo Music + Arts Experience – A massive festival of music and costumes.
Haunted Tours – Explore the French Quarter’s most haunted mansions.
Bourbon Street Halloween Party – Wild, adult-themed nightlife.

Where to Stay:

Hotel Monteleone (haunted and historic).
The Roosevelt New Orleans (luxury close to the French Quarter).

Pro Tip: If you love costumes, this is your city—New Orleanians take Halloween dress-up as seriously as Mardi Gras.

6. Estes Park, Colorado – Gateway to the Haunted Stanley Hotel

Why It’s Special: Estes Park is the home of the Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s The Shining. T

his makes it one of the eeriest Halloween destinations.

Halloween Highlights in Estes Park:

Stanley Hotel Tours – Paranormal investigations and ghost tours.
Pumpkin Festival & Trick-or-Treating – Family-friendly fun downtown.
Rocky Mountain Views – Stunning fall scenery adds to the trip.

Where to Stay:

The Stanley Hotel (for a spooky overnight experience).
Ridgeline Hotel (modern, family-friendly).

Pro Tip: Stay overnight at the Stanley if you dare you might encounter unexplained activity.

7. Savannah, Georgia – Southern Gothic Ghosts

Why It’s Special: Known as one of America’s most haunted cities, Savannah’s cobblestone streets and Spanish moss create the perfect eerie backdrop.

Halloween Highlights in Savannah:

Ghost Tours by Trolley – Family-friendly yet spooky.
Sorrel-Weed House Tours – Infamous haunted mansion.
Colonial Park Cemetery Night Tours – History meets haunted tales.
Masquerade Balls & Pub Crawls – For adults who want a lively Halloween.

Where to Stay:

The Marshall House (historic and ghostly).
The Gastonian (charming B&B).

Pro Tip: Book a ghost tour well in advance Savannah sells out quickly in October.

8. Los Angeles, California – West Hollywood Carnival

Why It’s Special: Los Angeles takes Halloween to the extreme, but West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnival is one of the largest Halloween street parties in the world.

Halloween Highlights in Los Angeles:

West Hollywood Halloween Carnival – Hundreds of thousands in costumes.
Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights – Immersive haunted houses and scare zones.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery Movie Screenings – Outdoor classic horror movies.

Where to Stay:

The Hollywood Roosevelt (glamorous and haunted).
Andaz West Hollywood (close to the carnival).

Pro Tip: The West Hollywood event is adults-only and best for night owls. Families should stick to theme parks.

9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Historic Hauntings

Why It’s Special: With its deep colonial history, Philadelphia offers some of the most authentic haunted tours in the U.S.

Halloween Highlights in Philadelphia:

Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls – One of the country’s top haunted attractions.
Ghost Tours of Philadelphia – Stories of Revolutionary-era spirits.
Day of the Dead Festival – Mexican cultural celebration.

Where to Stay:

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia (stylish and central).
The Bellevue Hotel (historic grandeur).

Pro Tip: Eastern State tickets sell fast book early for October weekends.

10. Dallas, Texas – Screams & Festivals

Why It’s Special: Texas does things big, and Halloween is no exception. Dallas offers both family events and intense haunted experiences.

Halloween Highlights in Dallas:

Screams Halloween Theme Park – Five haunted houses, a maze, and live entertainment.
Halloween Nights at the Zoo – Perfect for families.
Oak Lawn Halloween Block Party – Costume contests and music.

Where to Stay:

Omni Dallas Hotel (modern downtown stay).

Pro Tip: Pair Halloween fun with fall events like the State Fair of Texas (early October).

11. Chicago, Illinois – Haunted Windy City

Why It’s Special: Chicago mixes haunted history with big city celebrations.

Halloween Highlights in Chicago:

Arts in the Dark Parade – A creative Halloween-themed parade.
Lincoln Park Zoo’s Spooky Zoo – Family activities.
Haunted Tours of Chicago – Learn about the city’s mobster and ghost history.

Where to Stay:

The Drake Hotel (haunted legend).
The Gwen (modern boutique).

Pro Tip: If you love ghost stories, check out Chicago’s “Resurrection Mary” folklore.

12. Key West, Florida – Fantasy Fest Tropical Halloween

Why It’s Special: Key West transforms Halloween into a tropical carnival with its famous Fantasy Fest.

Halloween Highlights in Key West:

Fantasy Fest Parade – Outrageous costumes and floats.
Ghost Tours of Old Town – Haunted stories of pirates and wreckers.
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square – Street performers in costume.

Where to Stay:

Casa Marina Key West (luxury beachfront).
Heron House (romantic B&B).

Pro Tip: Fantasy Fest is adults-only and very bold—expect wild costumes. Families may prefer early October events instead.

13. San Antonio, Texas – Ghosts of the Alamo

Why It’s Special: History and hauntings blend in San Antonio, making it an underrated Halloween destination.

Halloween Highlights in San Antonio:

Ghosts of the Alamo Tours – Haunted tales of the historic battle.
Dia de los Muertos Festival – Colorful, cultural, and family-friendly.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas Fright Fest – Roller coasters plus scares.

Where to Stay:

Menger Hotel (historic and haunted).
Hotel Valencia Riverwalk (stylish and central).

Pro Tip: The city’s River Walk glows with Halloween lights and decorations—perfect for evening strolls.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Perfect Halloween Getaway

Whether you crave witchy history in Salem, haunting legends in Sleepy Hollow, or wild parades in New Orleans, America’s Halloween towns each offer a unique twist on spooky celebrations.

For families, destinations like Anoka, St. Helens, or Estes Park are perfect. For thrill-seekers, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Key West promise unforgettable, high-energy nights.

No matter where you go, these towns prove that Halloween isn’t just a holiday it’s a full-blown bewitching vacation.