Halloween in the U.S. is not just a night of costumes and candy, it’s a season of haunted houses, glowing pumpkins, spooky parades, and eerie legends that come to life. Across the country, towns and cities put their own twist on October, from ghost-filled cemeteries to family-friendly pumpkin festivals. If you’re ready for chills, thrills, and maybe a few sweet treats, here are the best places to celebrate Halloween this year.

Prepare your future vacation for Halloween

Halloween Cheat Sheet 2025 

Destination Highlight Experience Perfect For
Salem, MA Witch tours, candle-lit walks, witch markets History lovers & thrill-seekers
Sleepy Hollow, NY Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, Headless Horseman lore Families & folklore fans
New Orleans, LA Krewe of BOO! parade, French Quarter ghost tours Party-goers & culture seekers
Charleston, SC Cemeteries, haunted mansions, Southern ghost tales Story lovers & history buffs
Washington, D.C. White House traditions, parades, family events Families with kids
Philadelphia, PA Haunted Eastern State Penitentiary Hardcore thrill-seekers
Rehoboth Beach, DE Sea Witch Festival with seaside parades & bonfires Families & coastal dreamers
St. Helens, OR Spirit of Halloweentown festival Kids & Disney nostalgia fans
Nevada Ghost Towns Abandoned hotels, mines, alien-themed road stops Adventurers on the road
Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic autumn drive with haunted small towns Nature lovers & road-trippers

Salem and Sleepy Hollow: Where Legends Still Walk

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without Salem, Massachusetts, where witch trials from 1692 still cast a shadow over the cobblestone streets. During October, the city fills with haunted tours, witch markets, candle-lit walks, and parades that mix history with festivity.

Up the coast, Sleepy Hollow, New York keeps the Headless Horseman alive with haunted hayrides and cemetery tours. The real showstopper is the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, where more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins light up the night — it feels like stepping into a glowing dream.

New Orleans and Charleston: Haunted by Stories

No one throws a Halloween party like New Orleans. The French Quarter comes alive with ghost tours, voodoo tales, and the lively Krewe of BOO! parade — think Mardi Gras, but with zombies, skeletons, and ghoulish floats.

For something more quietly eerie, Charleston, South Carolina offers candle-lit tours of historic homes, centuries-old cemeteries, and Southern ghost stories that have been passed down for generations. Here, the past doesn’t feel so distant.

Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia: Spirits of the Past

Halloween in Washington, D.C. has a unique presidential touch. Since First Lady Mamie Eisenhower first decorated the White House with pumpkins in 1958, the city has embraced the holiday. Today, kids parade through neighborhoods, pumpkins line stoops, and haunted houses pop up across the capital.

In Philadelphia, it’s less playful and more chilling. The crumbling walls of Eastern State Penitentiary host one of the largest haunted house experiences in the country. Walk through its dark corridors, and you’ll feel the weight of its history in every echo.

Coastal and Quirky: Rehoboth Beach and St. Helens

Halloween doesn’t have to be all screams. At Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the Sea Witch Festival mixes ocean air with costumes, parades, and bonfires by the shore — perfect for families who want the fun without the fright.

On the other coast, St. Helens, Oregon transforms into Halloweentown, honoring the Disney movie filmed there. Expect pumpkin-lined streets, costumed performers, and activities for kids who’d rather laugh than scream.

Road Trips Into the Unknown

For the adventurous, Halloween can be a journey on wheels. In Nevada, haunted ghost towns, abandoned hotels, and even alien-themed pit stops along the Extraterrestrial Highway make for a road trip full of mystery.

Further east, the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Appalachian Highlands turns into a fiery tunnel of autumn colors — with ghost stories hiding in battlefields and small towns along the way. It’s equal parts beauty and bone-chilling history.

Make Halloween Feel Like Home

After a night of ghost tours, parades, or pumpkin festivals, nothing beats coming back to a cozy home. With HomeExchange, you can stay in a neighborhood close to the action — maybe a colonial home in Salem, a shotgun house in New Orleans, or a cabin near the Blue Ridge. It’s a way to celebrate like a local, with the comfort of a real home waiting after the scares.

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