Do people plan their vacations around Halloween? Even if you don’t, it’s a darn good idea. Late October’s a relatively cheap time of year to travel to most parts of the U.S., as leisure travel tends to slow down in autumn. Hit the right area and you’ll have the bonus of seeing the trees “costumed” in their seasonal best. And let’s state the obvious: Halloween is a hoot, a terrific and imaginative party in many areas of the country. What better way is there to understand — and revel in — the zeitgeist of a destination than to visit when it’s at its most uninhibited?
Below are my picks for the top five destinations worthy of a Halloween trip (in no particular order):
Salem, Mass.: The classic choice is a several-weeks-long celebration in October with tours, re-created witch trials, Wiccan happenings and more. And where else will the folks who are dressed as witches actually be witches?
Universal Studios, Orlando: Don’t take the kids to this one. The theme park lays on the gore in this genuinely chilling event, which stretches from late September through October. This year, there’ll be eight new haunted houses, six new “scare zones” (think zombies with chainsaws running at you out of nowhere) and two new live stage shows.
New York City: The country’s largest Halloween parade is held here, in Greenwich Village, and folks go all out (I’m expecting to see every type of Michael Jackson impersonation this year). As a native New Yorker, I can say that the city is always freaky (in a good way), but never more so than on Halloween.
West Hollywood, Calif.: This city hosts a massive Carnaval, a street festival billed as the biggest Halloween party in the world. With all of the costume-making talent of the film capital of the U.S., you can bet that the get-ups will be eye-popping, whether being worn by competitive dogs or the “queens” who compete in the yearly Drag Race (no cars; stiletto heels are much more dangerous at high speeds!).
Maui: Yes, the ghosts will have tans, but don’t let that deter you. The historic town of Lahaina has become so famous for its yearly Halloween fest that hotels book up weeks in advance (which is notable, as October is usually the nadir for tourism to Hawaii). The festival is very kid-friendly and features parades, contests, concerts and more.
Do you disagree with my choices or have other worthy festivals to add? Share your suggestions in the comments section.
I'm amazed you left out the celebrations in Sleepy Hollow, NY. Come on! The headless horseman! Can't get more Halloween than that.
Umm...hello? San Francisco! Can't get freakier than the celebrations there. I went about a decade ago and they were awesome.
Yeah, I'm sure I've found the coolest Halloween celebrations for 2009, thank you for sharing.
New Orleans!! duh
I have to second San Francisco. That seems like a no-brainer and a much more interesting celebration than anything SOUTHERN California could produce (though I have to admit I've never been to West Hollywood)
One my favorite haunts has to be the Bell Witch. I had a great time visiting the site and a few spooky moments. Are you ready to take on the Bell Witch?
First Check out Pat Fitzhugh's website http://www.bellwitch.org/. or watch the movie "An American Haunting" www.imdb.com/.../tt0429573 to get a sense of the Bell Witch history.
Then plan a road trip with KMA Global Travels www.kmaglobaltravels.com to Robertson County, Tennessee to visit the old Bell Log Cabin, located off of Highway 41 in the city of Adams and the Bell Witch cave located at the northwest corner of the Bell property. Then wrap up the night at the Bellwood cemetery just east of the Old Bell schoolhouse. Don't forget your cameras and recorders!
One never knows if a Bell family member still lingers?
Bell Witch Cave - http://www.bellwitchcave.com/
The cave is open for touring from 9 to 5 from May to October, and visitors may also tour a replica of the Bell cabin. The cost is $7 a person for the cave. The cost for touring the cabin is $5 a person.
Anoka Minnesota has the greatest halloween parade.It's great with local floats and bands.It's a really great family Halloween party.
Did you just get that Facebook invite to the company Halloween party or finally opened that evite in
UCSB!!!!!
the streets of isla vista attract more fun loving college students than another halloween festival
I found this list of interesting haunts on the Travel Channel's website if anyone is still looking for something to do for Halloween: www.travelchannel.com/.../Haunted_Travels
Enjoy!
i dont know much about about hallowen but i want to learn more and kma tanks for the website
Key West...Fantasy Fest. Not for the kids but it sure is fun.
Definitely University of California Santa Barbara . . . (UCSB) . . . Never been to a party like a Halloween party in Isla Vista!
Cedar Spring Road in Dallas has an amazing Halloween Street Party....but, once again...a little too wild for the kids.
OHIO UNIVERSITY. halloween craziest party
