With its costume parties, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating adventures, Halloween brings out the playful side in everyone, no matter where they are in the world. And it’s almost that time of the year to celebrate all things spooky!

But for those with an adventurous spirit, these traditional festivities may not satisfy your curiousity of the supernatural world. This year, why not break the mould and go on a journey to a destination that truly reflects the essence of Halloween? We’ve curated a list of spooky destinations in the United States to inspire your dark adventures.

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts, becomes a tourist hotspot every October, its identity forever linked to the dark history of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, where nineteen innocent lives were lost. Today, the city commemorates this chapter while embracing its spooky reputation, drawing nearly 900,000 visitors for the Haunted Happenings festival, the world’s largest Halloween celebration.

While the festival provides a lively introduction to Salem, the city offers experiences for those intrigued by its darker side. You’ll feel the weight of history at the Haunted Witch Village at The Salem Museum, a chilling recreation of the witch trials. 

For a different kind of atmosphere, explore the historic downtown area where witch shops line the streets. Instead of ghosts and ghouls, you’ll find the art of bookbinding, spell books, and tarot reading at The Witchery.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, with its spooky history rooted in voodoo and the supernatural, takes Halloween to a whole new level. This is the city where the infamous Madame Delphine LaLaurie tortured and murdered her servants within the walls of her mansion. Her ghost, they say, still haunts those halls, forever trapped in her own LaLaurie Mansion. 

Or perhaps you’ll hear the dark story of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, the Axeman of New Orleans, who terrorised the city in the early 1900s, leaving a trail of bloodshed in his wake. And what other city claims Marie Laveau, the First Lady of Voodoo, as its own? Her powerful presence is still felt, particularly in Congo Square where she once held her rituals.

But New Orleans doesn’t just dwell in darkness. The Krewe of Boo, the city’s official Halloween parade, explodes with vibrant energy, with decorated floats and costumed performers bringing the Halloween spirit to life. Join the crowds and experience a voodoo ritual to learn about the ancient practices that have shaped New Orleans’ culture.

Savannah, Georgia

With its reputation as one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., Savannah draws those who are intrigued by ghost stories and yearn to experience the paranormal firsthand. The city offers a variety of ghost tours, from walking tours of the historic district to haunted pub crawls where you can enjoy a drink while learning about Savannah’s dark side. 

The Sorrel-Weed House offers nighttime tours that explore Savannah’s dark history. Unexplained events are said to occur within its walls: visitors report feeling nauseous and choked in the basement, while others describe sudden waves of panic. Even more curious, fully charged cameras and cellphones are sometimes completely drained of energy by the tour’s end.

During Halloween, the city also hosts the Candlelight Cemetery Tours. Imagine walking among the silent tombs – the only light coming from flickering candles – as whispers of ghost stories fill the air.

Sleepy Hollow, New York

Sleepy Hollow, New York, owes its fame to Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Located just roughly 50 kilometres north of New York City, this village has become a popular destination for Halloween enthusiasts. A major highlight is the reenactment of the Headless Horseman legend. 

This spectral figure, the ghost of a Hessian soldier who lost his head during the Revolutionary War, is said to haunt the area. It is brought to life in the historic village of Tarrytown. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is another highlight. This beautiful display features over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins, creating a mesmerising spectacle for all ages. 

For the braver souls, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery offers evening tours where visitors can pay their respects to Washington Irving and hear tales of local legends. Beyond these signature events, Sleepy Hollow offers haunted hayrides, live performances, and seasonal markets filled with Halloween-themed goods.

St. Helens, Oregon

St. Helens, Oregon is a small town with a big reputation when it comes to Halloween. It’s been the backdrop for not one, but two iconic spooky franchises. You might remember it as Halloweentown from the classic Disney Channel movie and the Twilight saga. Some of the film’s stars have been known to drop by the festivities. 

The festival has family-friendly haunted houses and cool Halloween exhibits. You can enter the annual Scarecrow Contest or take a photo in front of the giant, glowing Great Pumpkin. But there’s a big change this year: the Halloween parade has been cancelled.  

After last year’s event, organisers told the local newspaper that the parade had simply gotten too big, and they were concerned about keeping everyone safe in the massive crowds. However, there’s still plenty to be excited about. This year, you can meet some iconic celebrity guests including Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson from Hocus Pocus), along with Halloweentown alums Phillip Van Dyke (Luke) and Joey Zimmerman (Dylan).