Megan Bryant is a passionate writer and traveler who has combined her two loves to help others fulfill their traveling dreams. When she isn’t writing, she’s usually curled up with her 3 Dachshunds and a good book or planning her next adventure—wherever that may be.
Spooky season is fast approaching, and there are some locations in America that just know how to do Halloween better than anywhere else.
From the Stanley Hotel that inspired Stephen King’s The Shining to towns with an abundance of pumpkins, scarecrows, and Halloween decorations, here are ten must-visit Halloween towns that you’ll definitely want to visit this All Hallows Eve.
Anoka, Minnesota
Anoka has been labeled the “The Halloween Capital of the World,” largely thanks to its month-long Halloween events. In Anoka, you can get involved with scavenger hunts, pumpkin contests, costume parades, and Halloween movie nights, making it an excellent family-friendly Halloween destination.
Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is home to the Stanley Hotel—the hotel that inspired Stephen King’s The Shining. Many people in the Estes Park area believe that the town is haunted, which is why there are plenty of ghost tours and trick-or-treating opportunities around the Halloween holiday. For an even spookier Halloween night, book a room at the Stanley Hotel—the top floor, especially—and watch The Shining on repeat.
Eureka, Missouri
The town of Eureka in Missouri completely transforms in October thanks to the annual Scarecrow Festival, which sees hundreds of scarecrows lining the streets. The scarecrows, however, are not your typical scarecrows, as Eureka residents create scare people, scare Minions, scare animals, and plenty of other beloved characters in scarecrow form.
Half Moon Bay, California
Although Anoka is labeled the Halloween capital of the world, Half Moon Bay is known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World as every year it hosts a pumpkin weigh-off with some of the largest pumpkins ever recorded competing for first place. In all honesty, the pumpkins at the festival are so big that you won’t even believe they’re real.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, but it also nails Halloween. The French Quarter puts on haunted tours, massive parades showcasing Halloween floats and costumes, and even zombie runs that really get you into the Halloween spirit.
Romeo, Michigan
Romeo gets dressed up every Halloween for what’s known as the Terror on Tillson Street—a neighborhood-funded Halloween event that welcomes thousands of trick-or-treaters every year. Out of all the towns that decorate for Halloween, Romeo is up there as one of the best, as homeowners go all out decking their homes and yards with spooky Halloween decorations.
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is infamous for its witch trials that took place over 300 years ago, so it probably comes as no surprise that it has made its way onto this list. Each October, Salem hosts the Salem Haunted Happenings multi-day event where visitors can get involved with parties, parades, fairs, museums, and attractions while learning about the history of Salem and everything that took place all those years ago.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is one of America’s most haunted locations. With gothic mansions, creepy cemeteries, cobblestone streets, and hanging moss that give the town an eerie vibe, it’s no wonder why so many people visit Savannah during the Halloween period. You can even see how brave you are by taking a haunted tour in a hearse or spending a night in the Marshall House.
Sleepy Hollow, New York
Sleepy Hollow is famously known as the setting for Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow film. And Halloween is when the village really springs to life. Throughout October, Sleepy Hollow has haunted hayrides, haunted mansion and cemetery tours, Halloween parades, and fun runs, and even visits from the Headless Horseman. While you’re there, be sure to also check out the Great Jack o’ Lantern Blaze, which features over 7,000 lit pumpkins.
St. Helens’, Oregon
If you’ve ever seen the Disney Movie Halloweentown, then you’ll recognize St. Helens as many of the movie scenes were filmed there! St. Helens’ has become a popular Halloween destination for people of all ages, and there are so many Halloween events for visitors to get involved with. From an annual giant pumpkin lighting event to gazing upon the Halloween decorations, St. Helens’ is really the place to be this spooky season.
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