Visit These Real Life 'Halloweentowns' 🎃 👻

Spooky Towns in the US

Pumpkin Festival in Laconia, New Hampshire

Annually during a weekend in October, a small lake town in New Hampshire holds a pumpkin festival displaying thousands of lit-up jack-o'-lanterns. The festival always hosts live music, many food stalls, a horse-drawn carriage, and even a few fair rides. Thousands of people flock to the area for this event. This year it'll be hosted on Friday, October 27th and Saturday, October 28th. You can find out more information here

Visit Salem, MA on Halloween: A Historical City with a Haunting Past

Less than an hour's drive from Boston is the city of Salem, MA—Famous for the witch trials that took place during the time of the Puritans in the late 1600s. Here you'll be able to uncover so much history from the witch trials, with many museums, shops, and theater productions depicting the horror that unfolded. During the month of October, streets are filled with vendors and people dressed in their best Halloween costumes. It's also the setting for several popular Halloween-themed movies such as Hocus Pocus and Hubie Halloween.

Sleepy Hollow, New York: The Home of the Headless Horseman

From haunted hayrides to Halloween parades, the town of Sleepy Hollow goes all out for the holiday. Thanks to the famous story of the Headless Horseman, everyone has at least heard of this spooky town.

Experience Chicagoween in Chicago

The city of Chicago goes all out for Halloween, with a lot of the city decorated in spooky decor and fountains spewing orange and red colored water. The most popular attractions on Halloween are the Northalsted Halloween Parade and Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns.

New Orleans Isn't Just Fun During Mardi Gras

With tons of haunted mansions to explore, costume contests, haunted bar crawls, a vampire ball, and so much more—New Orleans may be the best city to explore on Hallow's Eve.

St. Helens, Washington Where Halloweentown Was Filmed

Spooky Towns Worldwide

Visit Dracula's Castle if You Dare in Bran, Romania

In the heart of the Transylvania region of Romania, lies Bran Castle or better known as Dracula's castle. The palace inspired Bram Stoker's novel in the 1800s. In the present day, you can tour the famous fortress and there are even annual Halloween parties you can attend that are hosted in the royal halls.

Walk the Gothic-Esque Streets of Edinburgh, Scotland

From the gothic-styled Edinburgh Castle, follow the royal mile to the spooky Palace of Holyroodhouse. It's no wonder, this UK city was the inspiration for JK Rowling's Harry Potter series. You can even visit the famous Elephant cafe, where JK began to write the popular novels!

Explore the Home of the Infamous Jack the Ripper in the White Chapel Neighborhood of London

London is known for its haunted streets. From the White Chapel region where the infamous Victorian-era serial killer Jack the Ripper terrorized, to the Tower of London where Anne Boleyn was beheaded for treason, to Westminster Abbey where many royals are believed to haunt. You're sure to feel the hauntings of those before as you pass through its historical streets.

Tour the Catacombs of Paris

Paris is scattered with gothic architecture and rich yet grim history, stemming back to the 18th-century when local cemeteries were overrun and bodies needed to be stored underground in catacombs. Current day, tourists can visit this attraction where over 6 million skeletal remains lay.

Visit the Birthplace of Halloween in Dublin, Ireland

Stemming from the Celtic pagans, Halloween was actually invented on the emerald island. It's rooted from the ancient festival Samhain, which celebrated the harvest and new year/transition from fall to winter. Nowadays, Halloween is celebrated all over Ireland and brings big festivities, such as fireworks and the 'Big Scream Festival' in Dublin.