Most people love the fall season because of the cooler weather, the colorful leaves, and the pumpkin spice lattes. Yet some love the fall because they can indulge in Halloween’s creepy, scary, and fun celebrations.
While often associated with a children’s holiday, adults often take part by exploring the unknown, following urban legends, and trying to see what’s behind the veil of life and death. While hanging fake cobwebs and carving out endless jack-o-Lanterns is fun, there are many ways to celebrate this dark holiday.
Check out some of these eerie cities to take your Halloween celebrations to the next level.
6 places to travel to for Halloween
If you’re tired of the typical Halloween parties and want a unique experience, here are some places to explore. Ranked from places that might frighten you to places that will give you nightmares for days.
6. Independence, Kansas
You’ve probably never heard of Independence; however, if you’re a Halloween fanatic, you’ll want to visit this city. The reason is for Neewollah. It is the town’s annual Halloween festival. Neewollah (Halloween spelled backward) is a festive way to get into the Halloween spirit. The event hosts parades, costume contests, live music, and more. It’s a lively way to celebrate Halloween.
5. Long Beach, California
On the coast of the sunny state of California is a city full of various attractions, which is guaranteed to have you looking over your shoulder.
In the port city of Long Beach is the Queen Mary, which was once a luxury ocean liner. However, this ship didn’t remain a place of splendor for long. There have been tales of a sailor dying in the engine room and kids drowning in the pool. These fatal accidents started rumors that the ship may be haunted.
Rumors aside, in the 1960s, Long Beach bought the ship and converted it into a hotel. Yet some say you can still hear the voices of those who died screaming within the ship’s hallways.
In light of these mysterious allegations, the ship is converted into a Halloween event known as Dark Habor every year during October. Visitors can roam through terrifying mazes and experience other live events during this time. While the event is meant to scare and entertain guests, you may need help to tell the difference between what is an act and what is the paranormal.
If you’re in for more of a scare, you can visit the Cecil Hotel a few miles away in Los Angeles. Featured in the Netflix documentary Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, the hotel is known for being haunted. The place gets its ghostly vibes after the death of Elisa Lam, who was found dead in a sealed water tower on the hotel’s roof.
4. Sleepy Hollow, New York
Yes, Sleepy Hollow is an authentic village of about 10,000 residents, similar to Washington Irving’s story, The Legend of Sleep Hollow. During October, the area embraces its spooky association with various events. 
You can experience cemetery tours, ghost tours, and the Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze, a spectacular with over 7,000 lit-up jack-o-lanterns. Within all of the Halloween celebrations, you may even spot the headless horseman during your visit.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana
A city known for jazz and Mardi Gras can also be a fun Halloween getaway. Besides the booze and food, New Orleans has mysteries and stories that can send a chill down your spine.
During this time of year, the Big Easy hosts various events and festivals, including Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, ghost city tours, haunted pub crawl, New Orleans vampire ball, cemetery tours, and more.
If you want to be scared or at least be frightened, you must visit the LaLaurie Mansion. You may have seen the place on the Coven Season of American Horror Story. The mansion has a dark history of abuse and scandal. For years, people have admitted to seeing paranormal sightings. In fact, Viator.com listed New Orleans as one of the top haunted destinations in the world.
2. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah has a reputation for being America’s most haunted city, a reputation that comes from the city’s history tangled with numerous deaths from the Civil War. Thus, you can find many haunting attractions every year during the month of All Hallow’s Eve.
Visitors can try to scare themselves by joining a ghost hunt and investigating the most haunted places in Savannah using actual ghost-hunting equipment.
You’ll want to visit the Marshall House when seeking a good scare. It was once a Civil War hospital, where human remains were discovered during the renovations.
Savannah is not for the weak at heart. However, if you don’t want to enter the paranormal realm, you can enjoy other events, such as a film festival.
1. Salem, Massachusetts
You can’t help but think of witch trials when you hear of the town of Salem.
And the people of Salem probably wouldn’t want you to think differently. During October, this historic town fully embraces its connection to all things spooky and scary. Not only do they host an annual Festival of the Dead, but there are also parades, haunted houses, costume parties, and more. You can even attend ghost tours and a Salem Witch Trials walking tour.
However, the main attraction is the Witch House. It has been named one of the country’s most haunting places because it’s the last remaining house connected to the Witch Trials. With a location related to a dark past, it is no wonder people have commented on seeing paranormal activity.
It’s everything you need to feel like you’re in a scary movie.
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