6 Destinations That Shine on Halloween

There are few better times of the year for a traveler to get into the spirit of a destination than Halloween. For CVBs, it’s a chance to showcase a colorful side to attract tourism dollars and enhance the experience for guests.

Here are some destinations that specialize in treating tourists to an eerily good time.

Anoka, MN

This small town, a northern suburb of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, declares itself the “Halloween Capital of the World.” It even has a nonprofit organization and URL dedicated to the holiday festivities. Family friendly activities include local school children marching through our historic Main Street and an annual Spooktacular Carnival, and shopping at a Halloween-themed retailer. The festivities date back 106 years, when a prank involving cows being set loose went a bit too far.

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Co. Photo Credit: Visit Estes Park

Estes Park, CO

The historic Stanley Hotel is, of course, the setting for The Shining, making this Rocky Mountain outpost a must-visit for Halloween lovers. The hotel fittingly includes a limited magician run this year and has paranormal investigations weekly. Dress up for The Shining Ball at The Stanley, an adults-only event. Why go door-to-door for candy when you can make your own chocolate at The Stanley Chocolate Factory? There are also a number of hands-on art experiences for young ones around town.

New Orleans

The Big Easy is where spirits go to enjoy their afterlife. Halloween is second only to Mardi Gras in terms of annual festivities here, with thousands of locals and visitors celebrating in the French Quarter. Haunted tours and haunted houses are next level in New Orleans, where you can also visit the filming locations of some spooky TV shows and movies. There’s also no better city to buy a costume, which can be worn for family-friendly events like Ghosts in the Oaks in New Orleans City Park and the Boo at the Zoo. Adults can revel at the Beyond the Veil-New Orlean' ONLY Haunted Variety Show.

Savannah, GA

You can find visit over-the-top haunted houses at the home of the Garden of Good and Evil but check times in case a Midnight celebration isn’t in the cards. Savannah Moose Lodge’s Haunted Forest is a one-of-a-kind experience. Bonaventure Cemetery and Colonial Park Cemetery are iconic tour sites as well this time of year. The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens hosts an annual Fall Harvest Family Night. And no trip here is complete without a ghost tour.

Día de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego. Photo Credit: San Diego Tourism Authority

San Diego

Who said you have to be shivering to enjoy Halloween? San Diego has an array of waterfront trick-or-treating and family-friendly theme park festivities. Harvest on the Promenade at Liberty Station features Glowing Hollow, a darkened tent filled with hundreds of illuminated, hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns, plus apple cider doughnuts. Unfortunately, you’ll have to plan for next year as the 2026 event occurred on October 17. Keep the party going an extra couple days in Old Town San Diego, which celebrates Día de los Muertos with more than 40 unique altars, art and activities in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, plus a street market.

Williamsburg, VA

This destination dating back to colonial times is a favorite among ghosthunters. Major events include the Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream and Family Frights at Jamestown Settlement. Candlelit walking tours of the historic downtown features true stories from 18th-century history, tales of creepy modern-day encounters, and explorations inside haunted sites. For a fun immersive experience, serve on the jury of a mock witchcraft trial during Cry Witch, a unique exploration of a famous Virginia witchcraft case.

The Cry Witch Trial in Williamsburg. Photo Credit: Visit Williamsburg

Photo Credit: Visit Williamsburg