Some towns put out a pumpkin on the porch and call it a day. Others? They turn the entire place into a Halloween wonderland, and those are the ones you need on your travel list!
If cobblestone streets glowing with jack-o’-lanterns, centuries-old ghost stories, and a little witchy magic sound like your vibe, you’re in the right place.
These are the best Halloween towns to visit in the USA, and trust me, they’re so much more than trick-or-treating.
I’ve been to some of these spots during spooky season, and let me tell you: they live up to the hype.
So, grab your favorite costume (yes, even if you’re “not a costume person”), because you’re going to want to join in!
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🎃 The Ultimate USA Halloween Bucket List
1. Salem, Massachusetts
If there’s one town that lives and breathes Halloween, it’s Salem.
Famous for the 1692-1963 Witch Trials, this coastal New England gem embraces its spooky history year-round, but October is when it really shines.
The entire town transforms for the Haunted Happenings Festival, a month-long celebration filled with parades, haunted harbor cruises, theatrical reenactments, and more.
When I went, it honestly felt like stepping into a movie set.
The cobblestone streets were packed with people in costumes (some hilarious, some terrifying), and every storefront was decked out with jack-o’-lanterns and twinkle lights.
It was chaotic in the best way, and I loved every second of it.
Just be warned: Salem in October is crowded. Hotels book up months in advance, and the streets are buzzing day and night.
👉 Best tours in Salem to take this Halloween season:
2. Key West, Florida
Key West might be known for sunsets and turquoise water, but come October, it transforms into one of the wildest Halloween destinations in the country.
The island’s famous Fantasy Fest is a weeklong extravaganza of costumes, parades, body paint, and nonstop parties. It’s bold, colorful, and a little outrageous, which is exactly what you’d expect from Key West.
I’ve never seen costumes quite like the ones here.
People go all out with elaborate themes, from glittery mermaids to over-the-top spooky creations that look straight off a Broadway stage.
During Fantasy Fest, the entire island turns into one giant block party with live music, parades, and events happening from morning to night.
👉 Don’t miss these Key West ghost tours:
3. Sleepy Hollow, New York
Few places capture Halloween vibes as perfectly as Sleepy Hollow, New York.
This Hudson Valley village is forever tied to Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and the town fully leans into its spooky claim to fame every October.
Expect haunted hayrides, lantern-lit cemetery tours, and even a Halloween parade where the Headless Horseman himself makes an appearance.
Walking through the Old Dutch Church and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is an eerie highlight: both are straight out of a Gothic novel, and yes, Irving is buried here.
The atmosphere is equal parts spine-tingling and enchanting, with autumn leaves crunching underfoot and centuries-old gravestones glowing in the candlelight.
👉 Don’t miss: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, a dazzling display of more than 7,000 carved pumpkins; the haunted hayride through the woods (keep an eye out for a galloping horse in the shadows); and a stroll along the Hudson River when the fall colors are at their peak. It’s a perfect mix of small-town charm and storybook spookiness.
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
If there’s one city that knows how to throw a party, it’s New Orleans and Halloween here is basically Mardi Gras with a spooky twist.
The French Quarter turns into a living costume parade, with elaborate masks, haunted house tours, and jazz spilling out of every corner. It’s equal parts eerie and electric.
Halloween night is wild, but the days leading up to it are just as good.
You’ll find haunted history tours that take you into centuries-old buildings where ghost stories practically cling to the walls, and cemeteries that feel like open-air museums of the macabre.
👉 Spooky Tours in New Orleans:
5. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah might be one of the prettiest cities in the South, but don’t let the oak trees and Spanish moss fool you: this place is also famously haunted.
Its cobblestone squares and antebellum mansions carry centuries of ghost stories, and Halloween is the perfect time to dive into them.
Ghost tours here are on another level. You can ride in a converted hearse (yes, really), join a candlelit walking tour through the historic district, or sip cocktails on a haunted pub crawl.
Even if you skip the tours, simply wandering through Bonaventure Cemetery with its moss-draped statues feels like stepping into a Gothic painting.
👉 Top ghost tours in Savannah:
6. St. Helens, Oregon
If you’ve ever seen Disney’s Halloweentown (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?), then you already know St. Helens.
This little riverside town was one of the main filming locations, and every October it transforms into a real-life version of the movie.
The annual Spirit of Halloweentown Festival turns the main square into a giant pumpkin-filled playground for fans of all ages.
When I visited, it felt like stepping into childhood nostalgia.
There were towering pumpkin displays, costume contests, and themed events that made the whole town feel like a movie set.
Families love it, but honestly, it’s just as fun if you grew up watching Halloweentown and want that little hit of magic.
👉 Don’t miss: The lighting of the Great Pumpkin in the town square, photo ops at filming spots from Halloweentown, and the quirky local shops that deck themselves out for the season. If you’re traveling with kids (or are just a big kid at heart), St. Helens is pure Halloween joy.
7. Estes Park, Colorado
Tucked in the Colorado Rockies, Estes Park is best known for the Stanley Hotel: the real-life inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining.
If you’re looking for Halloween with a side of luxury (and a few goosebumps), this is the place.
The hotel leans into its creepy reputation with haunted tours, ghost hunts, and even a full-on masquerade ball in October.
What I loved about Estes Park is how it blends spooky with stunning.
One minute you’re chasing ghost stories through the Stanley’s echoing hallways, the next you’re looking out at snow-dusted mountain peaks.
It’s the kind of place where you can get scared silly at night and then recover with a sunrise hike in Rocky Mountain National Park the next morning.
👉 Don’t miss: Booking a Stanley Hotel ghost tour (they sell out quickly), checking out the Shining-themed events if you’re a horror fan, and exploring downtown Estes Park with its cozy shops and mountain-town vibe. Halloween here feels eerie, but also elevated since the Rockies make a dramatic backdrop for all that haunting.
8. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is gorgeous year-round with its pastel houses, cobblestone streets, and waterfront views.
But come October, the city leans into its haunted past.
With centuries of history, it has no shortage of ghost stories, and Halloween is the best time to uncover them.
Ghost tours here are some of the best I’ve ever taken.
You can wander through back alleys by lantern light, explore old cemeteries where famous locals are buried, or head underground into the Provost Dungeon, a colonial-era jail that’s just as chilling as it sounds.
What makes Charleston special is the mix: it’s spooky without losing its Southern charm.
👉 Spooktacular Charleston ghost tours:
9. Independence, Kansas
If you love the idea of a classic, community-centered Halloween, Independence is the spot.
This Kansas town has been hosting one of the oldest Halloween parades in the country, a tradition that dates back to 1914.
It feels nostalgic in the best way, like stepping into a Halloween straight out of the history books.
The whole town gets involved, from schools to local businesses, and the parade is the highlight with floats, costumes, and marching bands.
Beyond the parade, Independence has that quintessential small-town charm that makes October feel extra cozy.
Think pumpkin patches, hayrides, and neighbors gathering downtown to celebrate together.
👉 Don’t miss: The annual Neewollah Festival (that’s “Halloween” spelled backward), which includes parades, a carnival, live music, and food vendors. It’s wholesome, festive, and packed with tradition: a side of Halloween that’s all about community rather than jump scares.
10. San Francisco, California
San Francisco is known for its colorful neighborhoods and Golden Gate views, but it also has a dark, haunted side that comes alive in October.
From eerie tales of Alcatraz to historic Victorian mansions with ghostly legends, the city offers plenty of chills alongside its famously over-the-top Halloween parties.
Halloween night in San Francisco is an event in itself.
The Castro District throws one of the most iconic street parties in the country, with music, costumes, and a crowd that knows how to celebrate.
But if you’re looking for more than just nightlife, there are haunted tours that dive into the city’s Gold Rush-era past, complete with stories of spirits that never quite left.
👉 Don’t miss: A nighttime Alcatraz tour (the island feels extra creepy after dark), a ghost walk through Pacific Heights with its historic homes, and celebrating Halloween in the Castro for costumes and street energy like no other. San Francisco is the perfect mix of haunted history and big-city spectacle.
11. Anonka, Minnesota
If there’s one town that takes Halloween seriously, it’s Anoka.
This Minnesota town has proudly called itself the Halloween Capital of the World since 1920, when it hosted one of the very first Halloween parades.
The tradition stuck, and more than a century later, Anoka still throws one of the biggest Halloween celebrations in the country.
What I love about Anoka is how much the whole community gets involved.
The festivities span multiple weekends in October and include everything from parades and bonfires to costume contests and pumpkin-carving events.
It’s festive, family-friendly, and nostalgic in the best way; Halloween here feels like stepping back into a simpler time, but with plenty of excitement.
👉 Don’t miss: The Grande Day Parade (a huge, colorful event), the spooky house-decorating contests around town, and the Halloween history museum dedicated to preserving Anoka’s unique claim to fame. If you want tradition, fun, and a whole town that lives and breathes Halloween, Anoka is the perfect finale to this list.
👻 Final Boo’s and Cheers: The Best Halloween Towns in the USA
From spooky storybook villages to wild costume parades, these Halloween towns prove there’s no one right way to celebrate October 31st.
Whether you’re into ghost tours that send chills down your spine, quirky small-town traditions, or big-city parties that go until sunrise, you’ll find it in the best Halloween towns in the USA.
So grab your favorite costume, pack a little extra candy for the road, and get ready to experience Halloween like never before.
These aren’t just places on a map; they’re destinations where the spirit of the season comes alive.
Which of these towns would you visit first? Drop your pick in the comments. I’d love to hear where you’d spend your dream Halloween! 🎃
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Disha Smith is the founder of Disha Discovers. She quit her job in 2017 to travel the world to explore new cultures and experience new adventures. She has since been to 95+ countries and counting and has lived in South Africa, Thailand, Croatia, and Australia. She has done all kinds of travel ranging from luxury to budget backpacking, and her mission is to inspire others to discover their own sense of adventure and to help them plan a life full of meaningful experiences through travel.