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America’s 15 Most Chilling Haunted Getaways To Visit During Halloween

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Ghost stories have a way of lingering in certain places, and these towns know how to make Halloween unforgettable. With shadowy streets, eerie old cemeteries, and spooky traditions, they provide more than just a quick scare. Each spot has its haunting charm, ideal for those who crave a bit of mystery and thrill this Halloween season.

Sleepy Hollow, New York: Home of the Headless Horseman

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Few places feel as ominous as Sleepy Hollow in October. Lantern-lit graveyard tours through the Old Dutch Church burying ground lead past centuries-old tombstones. At the same time, supernatural hayrides through the dark woods of Horseman’s Hollow might bring you face-to-face with the Headless Horseman. Rooted in Washington Irving’s 1820 famous tale, the town’s creepy vibe makes Halloween magical.

Salem, Massachusetts: A Town with Witchy Vibes

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Wandering through Salem feels akin to stepping back into its haunting past. Fables of the infamous witch trials echo through the streets near sites like the Witch House and Gallows Hill. The Haunted Happenings festival, ghost tours, and reenactments at the Salem Witch Museum fill the town every October, making it the ultimate spooky destination.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Voodoo Legends and Ghostly Haunts

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Mystery seeps through every corner of New Orleans. Mysterious tales of voodoo queens such as Marie Laveau and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1’s haunting beauty set the perfect Halloween stage. The Krewe of Boo parade, haunted mansion explorations similar to the LaLaurie Mansion, and ghost stories in the French Quarter ensure visitors experience the city’s dark, frightful charm.

Savannah, Georgia: Where Ghosts Linger in the Streets

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Whispers of Savannah’s haunted past are hard to ignore. Paranormal stories surround its old buildings like the Sorrel-Weed House and the Mercer-Williams House. Nighttime ghost tours, including the famous Bonaventure Cemetery Tour, take you deep into the city’s unsettling history. With oak trees draped in moss and haunted pubs, Savannah’s hair-raising reputation truly comes to life during Halloween.

St. Augustine, Florida: Old Ghosts in America’s Oldest City

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Centuries-old forts like the Castillo de San Marcos, haunted lighthouses like the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and a rich paranormal history make St. Augustine an ideal Halloween destination. Spectral tours such as the Dark of the Moon excursion take guests through ancient streets, sharing strange narratives of restless spirits. It’s where history and hauntings meet, especially during Halloween.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Where Warriors’ Spirits Roam

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Ghostly figures are said to still walk Gettysburg’s battlefields, where the echoes of the Civil Conflict linger. Spirits of fallen warriors are often reported at sites like Devil’s Den and Little Round Top. Ghost excursions, including the Jennie Wade House, explore haunted homes and battlefields, while special Halloween attractions bring a frightful mix of heritage and horror after dark.

Estes Park, Colorado: Inspiration for “The Shining”

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Fans of Stephen King’s “The Shining,” drawn by the infamous Stanley Hotel, flock to Estes Park every Halloween. This haunted hotel has ghost tours, night walks, and themed celebrations, allowing guests to explore its mysterious halls and dark backstories. With paranormal investigations and nerve-wracking narratives, the town becomes a must-visit for thrill-seekers each October.

Bisbee, Arizona: Old Mining Town with a Ghostly Twist

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Bisbee’s abandoned mines and Wild West history set the scene for a thrilling Halloween haunt. Paranormal excursions reveal fables of miners who never left; their spirits are said to roam the town’s old saloons. Tourists can join the quirky Old Bisbee Ghost Tour year-round, where local lore and uncanny encounters blend fun with frights.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas: Where Haunted Hotels Await

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Haunted hotels and Victorian architecture lend Eureka Springs its hair-raising, old-world appeal. The Crescent Hotel, famously dubbed ‘America’s Most Haunted Hotel,’ offers year-round spectral explorations, séances, and ghost hunts. During Halloween, events like the ‘Voices from Eureka’s Silent City’ cemetery tour bring the town’s haunted history to life and are favorites of ghost hunters.

Jerome, Arizona: A Mining Town Full of Hauntings

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Abandoned buildings, old mines, and frequent ghost sightings make Jerome one of Arizona’s spookiest towns. Halloween brings haunted tours, including spine-chilling visits to the Jerome Grand Hotel, once a hospital and now known for its restless spirits. Exploring empty streets, old saloons, and the town’s rich supernatural heritage ensures an unforgettable October experience.

Tombstone, Arizona: Spooky Streets of the Wild West

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Ghost stories from the Old West fill the streets of Tombstone. Historic spots such as Big Nose Kate’s Saloon and the Bird Cage Theatre add to the eerie atmosphere, especially during the town’s Halloween celebration, Helldorado Days. Visitors can explore haunted spots where the spirits of cowboys and law enforcement officers still roam after dark.

Galena, Illinois: Historic Haunts and Ghostly Tales

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Galena’s 19th-century charm hides a dark side. Events like the Ghost Walk and haunted pub crawls take tourists through the town’s historic streets every Halloween, sharing eerie tales of its past. Paranormal investigators are drawn to the DeSoto House Hotel, where spirits like the Lady in Black are said to roam.

Williamsburg, Virginia: Colonial Hauntings by Candlelight

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Candlelit spectral tours wind through the historic streets of Colonial Williamsburg, where travelers hear tales of hauntings at sites like the Peyton Randolph House and the Governor’s Palace. In October, festivities such as ‘A Haunting on DoG Street’ and uncanny reenactments add a frightful touch to this already terrifying destination.

Independence, Kansas: Where Haunted Mansions Come Alive

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Visitors to Independence often head straight for the haunted Brown Mansion, where ghostly encounters and unsettling accounts abound. Paranormal investigations and spine-chilling adventures uncover the mansion’s haunted history. During the Neewollah Festival—Halloween spelled backward—the town’s ominous past takes center stage, providing Independence an exhilarating setting for a ghostly adventure in the last week of October.

Anoka, Minnesota: The Halloween Capital

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Anoka comes alive yearly with spooky attractions such as the Anoka Haunted House and festive events like the Light Up the Night parade. The Gray Ghost 5K Run and the Grand Day Parade, one of the largest in the region, have helped crown Anoka the ‘Halloween Capital of the World’ since the 1920s.

Written by Ian Bronson

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