Welcome back, RVers! It’s getting spookily close to Halloween, and we couldn’t be more excited! We hope you are too, because we’ve compiled a list of the top Spooky U.S. Travel Destinations to get you in the…spirit…for the creepiest holiday of the year.
So join us for the laughs, the frights and the fun as we travel across the U.S. to get spooked!
Sleepy Hollow- New York
The classic story by Washington Irving “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” tells the tale of an unfortunate man who runs into a pumpkin-headed phantom while wandering through the woods after dark. In reality, the town of Sleepy Hollow is based on a town in New York, Tarrytown. And the people of the town are no strangers to the fictional story! Every October, the town pays tribute to the story with all kinds of family-friendly activities that attract tourists from near and far. The events include a cemetery tour, an elaborate hayride, old horror movies at the Tarrytown Music hall and a visit from the Headless Horseman. With all of this excitement, it isn’t hard to see why this is one of our favorite Spooky U.S. Travel Destinations.
Knott’s Berry Farm- Buena Park, California
Only a few miles west of Disneyland, the Knott’s Berry Farm is transformed every Halloween into Knott’s Scary Farm. It offers tons of insane roller coasters, but it’s also one of the scariest horrific theme parks for Halloween. So scary that the Haunt is only recommended for ages 13 and up (although no one would ever be refused access). If you have kids, you can try the Snoopy’s Costume Party daytime activity. Why not? It’s already included in your admission fee! The Halloween Haunt is another night-time ticketed activity for those who dare…
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is probably one of the most popular travel destinations come October because the historic downtown is built on top of hundreds of cemeteries. It’s a place where spooky ghost tales and supernatural stories are available if you want a bit more than trick -or- treaters for Halloween. Visitors can make stops at the local bars where Halloween themed drinks are served all night. Lots of people go pub crawling dressed in their best costumes! But for those who are ready to be scared can hit up all the good ghost tours and check out the Mercer Williams House where a murder even took place. There’s also the Bonaventure Cemetery where the witty ones can look at the headstones through the massive, moss-draped oak trees.
Tombstone, Arizona
For a possible few sightings of the supernatural, travel to Tombstone, Arizona where ghost hunters are aplenty and Halloween enthusiasts gather because of an Old West gun fight that happened a few days before Halloween in 1881. There’s live reenactments by locals who perform the gun fight, but if you want it to be more real, go to the Boothill Cemetery where the real bodies lay. It’s also a place where many visitors have said they’ve seen cowboy ghosts. The Bird Cage Theatre is another place where people say to see ghosts and spirits roaming around the building. You may even heard opera singers or the sounds of gamblers on Halloween.
Village Halloween Parade- New York City
Easily one of NYC’s most anticipated events, the Village Halloween Parade is made up of over 50,000 paraders who revel in the three hour long festival in the West Village. The coolest part is tat absolutely anyone can participate in the parade, as long as they’re in costume, and it goes without saying the crazier the costume the better. Along with the parade, about 50 bands from around the world are there, as well as dancers, giant puppets, artists and drag queens. And just like the Macy’s Day Parade, this event is televised on local stations. How festive!
The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
Said to be the most haunted place in the world, the cruise-liner Queen Mary, stationed off Long Beach, CA, is definitely one of the most scariest but festive places to be for Halloween. Visitors never know what’s in store for them as they wearily walk through six scary mazes haunted by over 200 monsters and ghosts, many of which are inspired by the real ghosts who haunt the ship. It runs through the whole month of October and includes entertainment, food and drinks. So it isn’t all scary, but are the drinks and food worth the mazes? Only one was to find out.
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights- Florida
Theme parks are all fun and games until October rolls around, and Universal Studios is no exception. During the fall month, the grounds undergo a horrific Halloween transformation filled with creepy wonderlands with elaborate settings and attractions. Scary movie lovers can experience their favorite films and shows first-hand with the interactive mazes like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Walking Dead where visitors must outrun zombies on the new Terror Tram.
Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball- Salem, MA
Okay okay. We know we tell you guys too much about Salem, but it’s October. It’s just not right if we don’t! So we all know about the Salem witch trials, but fewer people know about the annual ball the town holds. Hundreds of costumed patrons head out to Salem as fires burn on hilltops while witches come together to cast spells for the new year and to honor the dead during Samhain, the ancient name for Halloween. Aside from the ball, visitors can enjoy the Festival of the Dead, which includes the Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo and the Vampires Masquerade Ball.
Mickey’s Halloween Party
Meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and the rest in their best Halloween attire. Also meet the Disney villains up close! The Frightfully Fun Parade and the Halloween Screams Fireworks, which are only for party nights, bring liveliness to Main Street, U.S.A. on some nights from the middle of September to Halloween. Party admission allows visitor to enter a few hours early which gives them more time to take in all the Halloween happenings offered to the public, like the “Nightmare Before Christmas” transformation of the Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain’s Ghost Galaxy theme with tons of seasonal souvenirs and over-the-top decor.