If you are anything like me, September 1st marks the start of the best time of the year. Starting with the autumn-scented candles, the stunning fall foliage, and the tasty fall treats it is my favorite season! And as September turns into October it is the official spooky season. In this blog, I am happy to show you some of the best spooky destinations around the world! Let me know which one is your favorite!
Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is one of the most historic cities in the United States. Among all of those well-preserved Philadelphia historical sites are ghost stories, hauntings and general creepiness. One of the spookiest places to visit in the city is Eastern State Penitentiary. It’s a massive prison located in the Fairmount neighborhood that once held some of America’s most notorious criminals; like gangster Al Capone. The prison is considered one of the most haunted places in America. It’s open to the public of all sorts of tours and experiences.
If you visit Philadelphia in the Fall; you can go to the annual Terror Behind the Walls Halloween event. In order to scare the wits out of the guests that enter. actors in theatrical makeup and costumes take over the prison! So while the antics are frightening, an even spookier way to see Eastern State Penitentiary is without all of the costumes and entertainers. You can even book sunset tours by candlelight and even paranormal tours! Even the daily guided and audio-guided tours give you a creepy glimpse into life at the prison. (And the potential afterlife activity of its former inmates).
If you find yourself visiting Philadelphia; head to Eastern State Penitentiary and discover this spooky prison in the otherwise charming city.
Recommended by: Derek and Mike at Robe Trotting
Savannah, Georgia
You’re probably aware of Savannah’s spooky reputation, but did you know it’s considered one of the most haunted places in America? In fact, a ghost tour is one of the most popular things to do when visiting Savannah! The nighttime walking ghost tours are usually the scariest, but you can also opt for a trolley tour or even ride around in an old hearse. One of the spookiest places in Savannah is an area known as Factors Walk. It’s located along the backside of beautiful River Street. It’s where you’ll find hidden tunnels, psychics, an oddities museum, a few mysterious vaults, and a labyrinth of spooky pathways.
There are three main incredible historic cemeteries in Savannah: Bonaventure Cemetery, Colonial Park, and Laurel Grove. A must to do while you are in Savannah is a tour of Bonaventure! If you’d like to extend the spook factor to your dining experiences, try reserving a table at The Olde Pink House or The Pirates’ House. Resident ghosts are known to occupy both houses! If you want to stay in a haunted hotel, try the 17Hundred90 Inn. If you prefer B&Bs, the Foley House makes a great option. Driving to Savannah is only about a 20-minute detour from I-95. If you’re flying, it’s best to fly into the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV).
Recommended by: Erin at Savannah First Timer’s Guide
Sleepy Hollow, New York
The birthplace of the legend of the headless horseman, the small town of Sleepy Hollow is found in the Hudson Valley of New York. Just a short drive outside New York City. With a legend like this originating from the town; it is only natural that this town is considered one of the spookiest destinations to visit. A visit to Sleepy Hollow will take you to the Headless Horseman bridge. The site of the original bridge was the inspiration for the story, although it is now replaced with the main highway. A stop at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery will bring you to a replica of the original bridge.
During October, make your visit even spookier with a reading of the story and live shows. And the Tarrytown Music Hall is another stop to make if you are looking for a spooky time in Sleepy Hollow. The music hall is a historic building that has served as an entertainment venue since 1885. You can take an after-hours ghost tour of the building and get some creepy vibes!
If visiting in October you won’t want to miss a visit to the Philipsburg Manor for their Horseman’s Hollow event. The 18th-century village comes to life with ghosts, goblins, and more! The easiest way to reach Sleepy Hollow if arriving from out of state; is to fly into NYC’s JFK or La Guardia Airport and to drive or take the train to Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow is easily reachable by car from NYC along I-87 or by train from Grand Central Station.
Recommended by: Melissa at Navigation Junkie
Nichols, New York
One of the spookiest places to visit for Halloween is the Fainting Goat Island Inn. It quietly sits in Nichols, New York, and overlooks the stunning Susquehanna River. It’s a somewhat unassuming, white, colonial-style building with a pen of playful goats waiting to meet you outside.
However, if you dare to step inside, you’ll uncover one of the most haunted hotels in the US. In fact, this place is so well known for its paranormal activity that it was even featured on an episode of Paranormal Hotel. And that’s a little bizarre since no gruesome events have actually take place here. But, guests who stay here routinely report strange happenings like chairs moving around by themselves, eyes peering at you through mirrors, ghoulish figures appearing out of nowhere, phantom footsteps, etc. A series of crazy events that have only increased in frequency after the summer of 2019 when the Angora Room was opened to guests.
So, if you’re looking for a ghoulishly good time, be sure to book a room at the Fainting Goat Island Inn this Halloween. Just take NY-17W to exit 62 and you’ll find this hotel right near the hotel. Then, after you settle in, be sure to check out the surrounding area and enjoy some of the best things to do in Owego too.
Recommended by: Kelly at Travel New York Now
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of the most haunted cities in America and boasts some of the best food, music, and history as well. First, whether it’s your first time in New Orleans or your 10th, don’t miss the iconic above-ground cemeteries, also called Cities of the Dead. The reason for the above-ground burial sites is due to the extremely low elevation of New Orleans. Back in the day, they used to bury wooden coffins in underground graves. So the graves would eventually fill with water, due to low elevation, and weather conditions, so the bodies would float up to the surface! The most popular stops are Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 and 2, and St Louis Cemetery No. 1.
Next, see the historic LaLaurie Mansion in the French Quarter. The is where Madame LaLaurie had a torture chamber that was only revealed after a kitchen fire. And nearby in the French Quarter is also Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo. You can learn a bit about historic voodoo rituals and practices. See and purchase actual voodoo dolls, talismans, and spell kits! It’s a very interesting shop and kind of creepy! Lastly, it wouldn’t be complete to visit New Orleans without going on a ghost tour and hearing lots of stories from the locals. Free Tours by Foot offers great walking tours that are tip-based. You’re guaranteed to learn something interesting and maybe get spooked along the way.
Recommended by: Alanna Koritzke at Periodic Adventures
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts is one of the spookiest destinations in the US. Known mainly for its grim history with the notorious Salem Witch Trials that took place there in 1692 and 1693. This historic town is located about forty minutes north of Boston and is easily accessible by car, train, or ferry. The best time to visit Salem by far is the month of October. Salem really embraces its spooky history, and the entire town turns into a giant Halloween celebration with parades and other events. Visitors to Salem should not miss the Witch House, Ropes Mansion, or House of the Seven Gables.
Fans of the movies Bewitched and Hocus Pocus will enjoy spotting various filming locations around Salem. One of the best ways to experience Salem is by a candlelit walking tour at night. You can learn about Salem’s true dark history, as well as its many legends and ghost stories. Salem has one of the best selections of witchy and magic shops in the US. You can easily spend hours browsing these unique stores. And there are also lots of great dining options in Salem. As for where to stay, the Hawthorne Hotel in the center of town is known for being one of the most haunted hotels in the country.
Recommended by: Dale at Wander Her Way
San Diego, California
San Diego is known for many things, but you may not be aware that it’s home to one of the most haunted houses in the United States. The Whaley House in the city’s historic Old Town neighborhood. It is known for its own historical significance as the site of San Diego’s first commercial theater. And the former home of a Gold Rush-era entrepreneur. But it’s also been featured on a number of television shows, namely the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” and “The Haunting Of…” on the Biography network. For the spooky occurrences known to happen there. If you time things right on your own self-guided Whaley House tour; you may hear unexplained footsteps, and noises from the upstairs children’s bedrooms. Even visions of women in historical garb that aren’t the docents working the rooms here.the
Legend has it that the house is haunted by a man who was publicly hanged on the property. And the children of the original owner, Thomas Whaley. Thomas had a daughter, Violet, who committed suicide in the house; and an infant son who died in the house of scarlet fever. To get to the Whaley House, you’ll want to drive to Old Town and park nearby. Because street parking in the neighborhood is free, and more plentiful during weekdays. And your visit will be self-guided unless you book a special tour with the Whaley House staff. Around Halloween time, they lead special events and private tours well into the night for ultimate spookiness!
Recommended by: Agnes at Travel on the Reg
Denver, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel is not only one of the most haunted places in the US. It is also the inspiration for Stephen King’s book, The Shining. It’s nestled away in the Rocky Mountains overlooking the town of Estes Park. It’s easiest to visit from Denver, it’s right around an hour’s drive. While it’s great to visit any time of year, October is the best time since it’s the spookiest month and a spooky place. If you’re short on time (and money) you can just do a tour. They’re offered during the day or at night if you want a more spooky experience. They’re not officially ghost tours, but you hear plenty of paranormal experiences.
If you want the ultimate spooky experience, you can spend the night. And you can even spend the night specifically in the most haunted rooms. This is such a cool place to experience for its role in media. (Parts of Dumb and Dumber were filmed here. Jim Carey refused to stay here after an experience in his room here that he won’t talk about) and The Shining remake. It’s also got such an interesting, but dark, history. Visiting the hotel will give you the best experience to learn about all of it.
Recommended by: Megan at Red Around The World
Oaxaca, Mexico
In Mexico did you know that something similar to Halloween exists but is slightly different? In fact, Haloween remains one of Mexico’s magical holidays and Oaxaca is one of the best places to experience it. But if you stick around for the Day of the Dead you can expect something extra spooky. You see everything from ofrendas, gigantic puppets on stilts, skull-painted faces, sugar skulls, and even sand tapestries. October the 31st for Halloween the locals kids take part in trick or treat as they do in the USA. Going from shop to shop to sing to local vendors and the same on November 1 for Day of the Dead. You should learn the difference between Halloween and Day of Dead before you book your trip as the spookiest bits begin on Day of the Dead.
One of the most important traditions is to decorate family gravestones with flowers and candles. And in many cases, the family plays the favorite music of the deceased relative. Hanging Oaxaca you can see sugar skulls many of which are later placed on a gravestone in honor and remembrance of deceased children. Traveling to Oaxaca is as spooky as it gets when looking for spooky places to visit on Halloween. Especially if you stick around for the day of dead celebrations. So what are you waiting for? Be sure to book your trip to Mexico in advance because it is one of the most popular times to visit this Southern Mexican state.
Recommended by: Daniel at Layer Culture
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse in Toronto, Canada
One of the most haunted places in Ontario is located on the Toronto Islands. Located just south of the city and one of North America’s largest urban car-free communities. The Toronto Islands are a fabulous place to visit during your Toronto stay. But on the point of one of the islands, you’ll encounter one of Toronto’s most haunted places, Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1808 and is the second oldest lighthouse in Canada. Being over 200 years old it’s no surprise to hear the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is haunted.
As the story goes, back in 1815 the lighthouse keeper at the time, John Paul Rademüller, was savagely murdered by drunken soldiers. They are said is have dismembered his body and hid the pieces to try and cover up their crime. And to this day strange reports of the spirit of John Paul Rademüller are said to haunt the lighthouse and the woods around it. To visit the Toronto Islands and lighthouse head to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Here you can catch a ferry over to the Islands. And depending on where the ferry drops you off, you’ll need to walk, or rent a bike if you’d like, to the center of the islands to find Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. So visit if you dare!
Recommended by: Stephanie at The World As I See It
San Francisco Monastery in Lima, Peru
If you want to visit a spooky place in South America, you should head to the San Francisco Monastery in Lima, Peru. The yellow building does not seem particularly spooky from the outside. When you join one of the mandatory guided tours that take you through the convent, it won’t seem creepy at first either. You’ll visit the church and the courtyard and discover a painting of the Last Supper where the apostles eat guinea pig, a local delicacy. But then, you descend into the catacombs.
For many years, these catacombs served as a graveyard. As you walk through the narrow corridors, you will come across the remains of around 25,000 people. It’s dark and damp down there, with bones and skulls lining the passageways. Locals buried their relatives down here until 1808. So every skeleton you see has rested there for more than two centuries already. Back in the early 1800s, a new city cemetery opened at the outskirts of town, and there was no need to use the catacombs anymore. Eventually, people forgot about them and didn’t rediscover them until 1943. You can find the San Francisco Convent in the Old Town of Lima. Visiting it is one of the highlights of a Halloween trip to Peru. Even if you only have one day in Lima, these creepy catacombs should be on your itinerary.
Recommended by: Daniel & IIona at Top Travel Sights
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s Old Town is one of the spookiest places to visit in Europe! At the top of the Royal Mile is Edinburgh Castle, which sits on Castle Rock, a volcano crag. The castle overlooks Princes Street Gardens that used to be Nor’ Loch, the unfortunate burial ground for many city women who faced the horrid Trial by Douking. If they swam, they were found guilty of being a witch. The punishment? Death by fire, burning at the stake in the Old Town. If they drowned, they died, innocent of a fabricated crime. As you wander around the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile, look up at the Deacon Brodie pub sign to see a man with two personas!
Brodie was an Edinburgh local with two lives which inspired the novel Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeby Robert Louis Stevenson. You’ll hear more about Brodie and other souls that haunt the city during an Edinburgh ghost tour, some of which take you underground the damp, dank vaults of South Bridge. Watch out for ghosts tapping you on the shoulder. It might just be the infamous grave robbers, Burke and Hare, looking for their next body to donate to science…But there is a lighter touch to the city, which still carries the dark theme! The comedy bus tour is a hoot that whizzes you around the landmarks, sharing spooky stories with a touch of theatrics.
Recommended by: Gemma at Everything Edinburgh
York, England
The city of York in England is considered one of the most haunted places on Earth. It has adopted the title of the ‘city of a thousand ghosts’. Because of the number of ghosts and ghouls who still haunt the city. So where better to visit for Halloween? If you are planning a spooky visit to York, taking part in a ghost walk needs to be at the top of your York bucket list. These guided walking tours will introduce you to the most haunted places in York. Such as the Golden Fleece pub, and tell you the tales of the spirits who have never left.
York was founded in 71 AD. And with such a long history, there have been a fair few turbulent times that the city would rather forget. At York Dungeon, you can explore the dark side of York and learn about the city’s shadier characters at this live actor attraction. And if you want one final scare, each Halloween York Maze is home to the annual Hallowscream event. This collection of haunted houses just outside the city center uses over 100 live actors to bring your nightmares to life. York is located in the North of England. You can fly to Leeds Bradford, which is the nearest international airport and is a 45-minute drive away. Alternatively, direct trains travel to York frequently from London Kings Cross Station.
Recommended by: Hannah at Get Lost Travel Blog
Kupari – the Bay of Abandoned Hotels in Croatia
Really cool and absolutely worth seeing is the Bay of Abandoned Hotels in Kupari (Croatia). It is located on the Dubrovnik Riviera and is one of the most interesting Lost Places locations in the country. Kupari, like Dubrovnik and other places in the south of Croatia, was heavily destroyed during the Croatian War. Because of this, numerous magnificent hotels such as the “Grand Hotel Kupari”, “Hotel Pelegrin” and the “Hotel Goricina” were robbed, bombed, and set on fire. On the dream beach of Kupari, you can still visit 5 of these hotel ruins. On the bright concrete walls, you can still see bullet holes, the windows are broken, weeds are growing in the long corridors and nature is gradually taking over.
The atmosphere is almost eerie. Today, this abandoned place has become a real tourist attraction. Adventurous vacationers post their pictures of exploring the old ruin rooms. But beware – of course, enter at your own risk, because the structures are in great danger of collapse! Beautiful and in strong contrast is the picturesque white pebble beach of Kupari. The sea here is turquoise blue and is perfect for swimming. Fantastic if you want to combine lost places with beach fun!
Recommended by: PlacesofJuma
Paris, France
If you are looking for spooky places in France to celebrate Halloween, then Disneyland Paris is the place to go. Halloween is a big event in Disneyland Paris, and they celebrate with a spooky festival that lasts several days. Disneyland Paris is the ideal place to celebrate Halloween with your family or your Disney fan friends. Disneyland Paris is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. It is located in a town named Marne-la-Vallée, which is 40km east of the French capital. Disneyland Paris is very easy to reach by train (RER A).
However, for a unique Halloween experience, consider spending one night on-site in one of the Disney Hotels especially decorated for the occasion. Once you are inside the park, get ready for the best Halloween experience in France. With all the Disney villains offering performances and shows all day. In Frontierland, you don’t want to miss the Phantom Manor still inhabited by the ghosts and spirits of the last owners; or the abandoned and haunted mine to ride the Big Thunder Mountain. In Adventureland, the Adventure Isle is full of mystery and strange noises. Here, you can visit the Skull Rock and Jack Sparrow’s ship.
Recommended by: Elisa at World In Paris
Tempelhof, Berlin
Tempelhof just might be one of the most haunted places in Berlin. For those not familiar with this massive, stone building, the spookiness of the place might not be obvious. However, as Hitler’s premier airport and headquarters in Berlin, the complex served as a secret bunker for key staff, a forced labor camp. And a covert munitions factory where prisoners were forced to assemble bombs and other ammo in the darker sub-basements. Getting to Tempelhof is easy, just take the Berlin U Bahn to the “U Platz der Luftbrücke.” However, getting into Tempelhof is a different story. While you can walk the grounds, and even have a picnic or an informal soccer match out on the sprawling zeppelin fields. The building is closed to anyone, not on a tour.
The guide takes visitors all through the building on a route that travels back through time. It’s easy to imagine the clatter of footsteps on the catwalk high overhead. In the aircraft hangar as Nazi guards with machine guns made their rounds. And the wails of mistreated prisoners still echo through the dark halls in the deep sub-basement as bombs fell all around them. The real scary parts, however, are in those secret bunkers. Here, the guide tells us, the Nazis torched everything, including themselves, in a desperate attempt to keep secret war plans from falling into Allied hands as they approached the city. The bunkers were left exactly as they were, burned-out shells of rooms with the stench of smoke and death still hanging to walls. If you’re looking for ghosts in Berlin, one stop on your itinerary should definitely be Tempelhof.
Recommended by: Jim at Vail of Reflections Enroute
Kolmanskop, Nambia
Kolmanskop is an abandoned mining town in Namibia. In 1908, diamonds were discovered there and soon it was an affluent town with 1300 residents. And a number of amenities including a hospital, an ice factory, and a bowling alley. But as the diamonds ran out, the settlers quickly left, and Kolmanskop has been empty since the 1950s. In fact, it is not just deserted – it is being reclaimed by the desert. Sand dunes are slowly taking over the town, filling the derelict houses with sand.
Kolmanskop is one of the unique things you can do in the Namib Desert. You can take a tour of the communal buildings, to see how the townspeople lived, and you can explore many of the spooky old houses. Some are no longer safe to enter, but there are plenty you can wander around in. Photographers will love it. You can get there by car (or as a stopover in a scenic flight, if you’re extra). It is about 13km from Lüderitz. The town is within the Sperrgebiet National Park, so you need to pay for entry, which is N$150 per adult and $N50 per car, equivalent to approx. £20 for two people and one car.
Recommended by: Martha at May Cause Wanderlust
Mayong, India
If you are looking for an unusual spooky destination, head to the remote little hamlet of Mayong in India. Located in the East Indian state of Assam on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River, Mayong was once the black magic capital of India. Even today, this tiny inconspicuous Indian village exudes mysterious vibes. Hundreds of years ago, Mayong was the center of occult worship and witchcraft. There were witch doctors, locally known as bez, (they are a few even now!) who could cure ailments with spells. They could retrieve lost items as well as control ferocious animals such as the tiger with simple mantras. And they could make people disappear!
At one time, more than 100,000 soldiers of a Mughal king were believed to have been lost as soon as they entered the forests surrounding this tiny village. Mayong is filled with many such intriguing stories from the past. You can meet with a bez and he will be happy to narrate how his forefathers achieved impossible tasks with the help of spells. On request, he can also put up a small magic show for you. Be sure to check out the Mayong Central Museum which is a storehouse of magical artifacts and thousands of spells written down on palm leaves. The best way to get to Mayong is by hiring a taxi from Guwahati Airport in Assam. The ride takes around 2 hours.
Recommended by: Soumya from Stories by Soumya
Sanur, Bali
If you’re planning on spending Halloween in a warm place Bali is a fantastic choice. The Taman Festival Theme Park is located in Sanur right by the beach. The park is abandoned although the reason why is not exactly known. It was constructed in the mid-90s and apparently never really opened. Today, it lies hidden in the jungle and has become somewhat of a tourist attraction. Visiting the abandoned theme park is the perfect spooky activity especially if you enjoy urban exploring and visiting lost places. The park is covered in graffiti from internationally renowned artists and a great place to come for photography.
Legends say that the crocodiles which were kept in the park escaped when it was abandoned and now live in the nearby jungle. Whether this is true is hard to prove but it definitely adds to the unsettling and spooky feel of this incredible place. The park is large so you can go exploring here for hours. Be careful though. This part of Bali is known for its snakes and other wildlife which might be hiding in the jungle. Definitely go during the day if you don’t want to be too scared. The park can be quite spooky at night.
Recommended by: Victoria at Guide Your Travel
Putangirua Pinnacles, New Zealand
The Putangirua Pinnacles are located about as far south as you can go on New Zealand’s North Island. This otherworldly maze of gravel rock formations is over seven million years old, and both impressively beautiful as spooky. The Putangirua Pinnacles are easily recognizable as one of the filming locations for The Lord of the Rings. This place was used to film The Dimholt Road, also known as The Path of the Dead in The Return of the King, and when you’re here it is easy to see why this spot was chosen.
As you walk in between these massive rock formations you can almost see the dead hide in the cracks between these barren rocks and hear their whispers as you walk past. Especially at night, walking over the gravel is almost like walking over the skulls of the fallen, making the Putangirua Pinnacles like a natural house of horror. Due to its remote location, the Pinnacles are a bit of a drive from any populated area. The closest cities are Masterton, which is about 1,5 hours away, and New Zealand’s capital; Wellington, which is almost two hours away.
Recommended by: Tom & Zi at Craving Adventure
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