5 Haunted Cities You Must Visit This Halloween

As October rolls in, many of us find ourselves drawn to the spooky and supernatural. If you’re looking for a thrill, these five cities offer some of the richest histories and eeriest atmospheres, making them the perfect destinations for a haunting Halloween adventure.

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts, is known for the Salem Witch Trials, where over 200 people were accused of being witches by local Puritan leaders. Thirty people were found guilty and nineteen of them were hanged in Salem. Salem now leans into being a “witch town” with many unique stores, statues, and events. Max and Dani’s house from Hocus Pocus is a few blocks from downtown Salem and is a must-visit! There are many Salem witch museums, however, Salem Witch House is the only one that is directly related to the witch trials. The weekend of Halloween, several hotels and restaurants in town throw a ball, the most popular of which is at the Hawthorne Hotel. Ghost tours are another popular activity to do in Salem.

Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania is located in central Romania and is the home to Dracula. In the Carpathian Mountains, Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle, is marketed as the home of the infamous vampire Dracula of Bram Stoker’s gothic horror novel by the same name. Every year on the Halloween weekend, a party is held at the castle, featuring spooky decorations, live performances, and the perfect ambiance for the season. While you are in Transylvania, it is a great time to explore the other castles, fortified churches, and hiking trails. There are many hidden gems in Transylvania to explore outside of Dracula and Vlad the Impaler, such as Giardini di Zoc, which has a hidden garden and is home to a natural maze.

New Orleans, Louisiana

While New Orleans, Louisiana is well-known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, the city also goes all-out for Halloween. With a rich history that dates back to 1718, many areas are said to be haunted and you can explore these areas by booking a guided ghost tour. New Orleans also throws a parade every year called Krewe of Boo which features beautifully decorated floats. The morning before the parade, there is a zombie run where you can dress up in a zombie or monster costume and run two miles while being chased by the Big Easy Roller Derby skaters. If you like museums, the Museum of Death is a must and has many historical items like body bags, a history of cannibalism, and a skull collection.

Sleepy Hollow, New York

Sleepy Hollow is a village in the southern tip of New York. In 1820, Washington Irving wrote the short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” which was set in the village. The area leans into this famous short story by hosting events like Irving’s Legend, which is a dramatic retelling of the original story and is held at Irving’s home. Walking tours, cemetery tours, and haunted hayrides are popular activities to do in October here. The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze features over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins that light up the night and is a breathtaking experience. Of course, the village holds a parade every year featuring the infamous Headless Horseman.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a popular vacation destination in the summer, however, it is considered extremely haunted and is a great place to visit in October. There are many ghost tours to choose from, but be sure to do one that goes into the vaults underneath Old Town. The Edinburgh Horror Festival features many live performances held at an old castle. There are many haunted buildings in the area that you can explore on your own or book one of the many guided tours they have to offer.