Creepy cool places to go for Halloween

Coast-to-coast frights and haunted hotspots
A woman with a child dressed as witches.
A large cabin at dusk.

Skip the usual haunts this Halloween—these eight destinations prove America's most spirited travel experiences happen when history, hospitality, and a few resident ghosts converge for unforgettable October adventures.

Estes Park: Top haunted U.S. cities for a supernatural getaway
Trees at a spooky time.
View of a house taken through trees.

1. Estes Park, Colorado

Best for: Mountain spirits and Stephen King nightmares

Nestled in the Rockies, this eerie mountain town is forever haunted by "The Shining's" terrifying legacy at the infamous Stanley Hotel.

Spooky events:

  • Pumpkins and Pilsners Festival - Craft beer meets autumn's spookiest gourds with local brews, pumpkin carving contests, and mountain harvest celebrations.
  • Stanley Hotel Night Tours - Walk the halls of horror literature where Stephen King's nightmares came to life in room 217.
  • Haunted History Tours - Chilling tales from the Colorado wilderness featuring ghostly miners, tragic accidents, and supernatural mountain folklore legends.

Featured vacation rental: Murray's Hangar #6046

Explore Estes Park Rentals
Woman dancing at a Florida festival.
Micky
Picture of the Hobb Whistle.

2. Orlando, Florida

Best for: Theme park thrills and magical Halloween chills

Orlando transforms into a spine-tingling wonderland where Mickey Mouse meets monsters and wizards cast wicked spells on unsuspecting visitors.

Spooky events:

  • Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party - Disney magic with ghostly delights, character meet-and-greets, trick-or-treating, and spine-tingling parades through enchanted kingdoms.
  • Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios - Heart-pounding scares and movie mayhem with haunted houses, scare zones, and Hollywood's most terrifying creatures.
  • SeaWorld Spooktacular - Underwater frights meet family-friendly Halloween fun with costumed characters, spooky shows, and not-too-scary aquatic adventures.
  • Brick-or-Treat Legoland - Building blocks of spooky childhood memories with costume contests, candy hunts, and LEGO monster building workshops.

Featured vacation rental: Encore at Reunion Resort

Explore Orlando Rentals
Savannah, GA: Top haunted U.S. cities for a supernatural getaway
Halloween pumpkin in Savannah.
downtown Savannah. Halloween.

3. Savannah, Georgia

Best for: Southern Gothic charm and restless spirits

Spanish moss drips with mystery while antebellum mansions harbor centuries of secrets in America's most beautifully haunted city.

Spooky events:

  • Midnight in the Garden Tours - Good, evil, and everything spooky inspired by the famous novel's most mysterious and murderous locations.
  • Nightmare on Congress Street - Downtown's most terrifying Halloween block party with live bands, costume contests, and spine-chilling street performances.
  • Savannah Ghost Tours - Meet the city's permanent undead residents on guided walks through moss-draped squares and haunted historic mansions.
  • Frightseeing Trolley Tours - Ride through the city's darkest stories while learning about voodoo, murder, and centuries of restless spirits.

Featured vacation rental: The Wilmington Condos Beach

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Top haunted U.S. cities for a supernatural getaway
Pittock Mansion.
Woman in forest.

4. Portland, Oregon

Best for: Quirky frights and Pacific Northwest mysteries

Where weird meets wonderful, Portland's Halloween scene blends underground tunnels with giant pumpkins and eccentric thrills and chills galore.

Spooky events:

  • Spirit of Halloweentown in St. Helens - Movie magic lives on with film locations, pumpkin displays, and nostalgic celebrations.
  • West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta - Floating gourds of gigantic proportions where brave souls race across lakes in hollowed-out giant pumpkins.
  • Oaks Park Scaregrounds - Vintage carnival meets modern spine-tinglers with haunted rides, scare mazes, and creepy clown encounters galore.
  • Shanghai Tunnels Tours - Explore Portland's dark underground criminal past where unsuspecting victims were kidnapped and sold into slavery.
  • Raven's Manor - Haunted mansion-themed cocktail lounge with interactive mixology experiences, vampy décor, and spooky cocktails in historic downtown.

Featured vacation rental: Rip City Downtown Digs - Q21 #2119

Explore Portland Rentals
Pumpkin on the beach
whaley house
View from the back of a San Diego vacation rental.

5. San Diego, California

Best for: Sun-drenched scares and coastal Halloween magic

Where perpetual sunshine meets supernatural shadows, San Diego serves up family-friendly frights with a side of California cool.

Spooky events:

  • SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular - Marine life meets monster madness perfectly with costumed sea creatures, spooky shows, and family-friendly underwater frights.
  • LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat - Building spooky memories one block at a time with costume contests, candy hunts, and monster-building workshops.
  • HalGLOWeen at San Diego Zoo - Wild animals and glowing jack-o'-lanterns create magical nighttime experiences with nocturnal creature encounters and illuminated displays.
  • Whaley House in Old Town - America's most haunted house tours featuring the restless Whaley family spirits and century-old paranormal activity.

Featured vacation rental: Crown Point Views

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Mountain landscape with autumn colored trees with fog in the Smoky Mountains.
The exterior of the Valhalla Manor in Pigeon Forge, TN
Train in Pigeon Forge

6. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Best for: Mountain magic and Smoky Mountain spooks

Dolly Parton's hometown transforms into a Halloween haven where Appalachian folklore meets modern thrills in the misty mountains.

Spooky events:

Featured vacation rental: Starr Crest Resort - Grand View Lodge

Explore Pigeon Forge Rentals
City Guide: affordable activities in St. Augustine.
City Guide: Things to do in St. Augustine cityscape
White sail boat on sea during daytime

7. St. Augustine, Florida

Best for: Colonial ghosts and ancient American hauntings

America's oldest city harbors 450 years of restless spirits, making every cobblestone street a potential bump in the night encounter.

Spooky events:

Featured vacation rental: Emerald Estate

Explore St. Augustine Rentals
Galveston amusement park pier at dusk.
Man on beach
View of the ocean with creepy hands grabbing grass.

8. Galveston, Texas

Best for: Victorian spirits and Gulf Coast gothic tales

This historic island city survived devastating storms, leaving behind beautiful architecture filled with restless spirits and Southern Gothic charm.

Spooky events:

  • Mystical Parade of Boo - Costumed spirits march through historic streets in elaborate floats celebrating the island's supernatural residents and legends.
  • Restless Spirits of Menard House - Victorian mansion's permanent ghostly residents offer guided tours through rooms where tragedy still echoes nightly.
  • Haunted Grand Galvez - Luxury hotel harboring elegant supernatural guests where the spirits of past visitors still check in but never out.
  • Galveston Graveyard Tours - Stories from the city's eternal residents including yellow fever victims and hurricane survivors who never left home.

Featured vacation rental: Seas the Day

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Halloween rental FAQ

St. Augustine and Galveston offer intimate ghost walks through historic districts without massive crowds. Both cities provide authentic haunted experiences with smaller tour groups and a genuine landmark atmosphere.

There are many fun places to stay for Halloween. For instance, Estes Park, Colorado offers mountain mystery with Stephen King connections, while Savannah, Georgia provides Southern Gothic charm with centuries of ghost stories. Both cities deliver immersive Halloween experiences beyond typical tourist traps.

San Diego and Portland fly under the radar despite offering unique Halloween experiences. Savannah provides authentic Southern Gothic atmosphere, while Pigeon Forge combines Appalachian folklore with family fun.

Yes, especially for theme park events like Universal's Horror Nights and Disney's Halloween parties. Ghost tours and haunted attractions also sell out quickly during peak Halloween season.

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