How to Visit the Scariest Halloween Destinations in America

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Sun October 4, 2026

Some American destinations just seem tailor-made for Halloween.

From haunted hotels and ghost-filled streets to eerie cemeteries and towns steeped in dark history, as the autumn chill settles in and nights grow longer, some places offer more than a good scare—they invite travelers to step into stories of unexplained happenings, chilling legends and centuries-old mysteries. For those who like their fall getaways with a little fright, these are some of the scariest but fascinating Halloween destinations in the U.S.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The Battlefield’s connection to the Civil War makes Gettysburg a destination where the real history is already chilling. It should come as no surprise that the battlefield is filled with ghosts, with a myriad of supernatural events reported given its massive bloody battle. These include sudden appearances and disappearances by Civil War soldiers, mysterious voices, gunfire, footsteps and strange apparitions.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Centuries-old cemeteries, above-ground decaying tombs, skin-crawling ghost tours and long-time stories of voodoo and the supernatural give New Orleans an ideal place to visit during the Halloween season. Though the “Big Easy” is reportedly home to many haunted spots due to its tragic history, the LaLaurie Mansion on Royal Street has had reports of paranormal activity for over two centuries, many of its hauntings attributed to the shocking treatment of enslaved people within the house.

Washington, D.C.

Our nation’s capital has been the scene of wars, assassinations, political scandals, epidemics and countless deaths for more than two centuries. Though many stories of paranormal activity haven’t been established, there’s enough reported experiences to make Washington, D.C. an ideal place to celebrate Halloween.

The Octagon House, the temporary residence of James and Dolley Madison after the British burned the White House has had reports of phantom footsteps, ringing servant bells, strange lights and apparitions. Other dark history places include Ford’s Theatre, the site of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, Lafayette Square, Congressional Cemetery and the Library of Congress. The appeal of the capital city is that it’s spooky atmosphere isn’t manufactured, lending itself to Halloween storytelling.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah’s reputation as a spooky city is rooted in something more substantial than its ghost stories. Like Gettysburg, it is filled with Civil War battles, but also disease outbreaks, slavery, death and tragedy, ghost stories stemming out of genuine historical trauma. Colonial Park Cemetery’s old tombstones, enormous live oaks and location in the Historic District have made it a centerpiece of Savannah’s ghost lore. Add in Bonaventure Cemetery, with a landscape of moss-covered oaks and the Mercer Williams House, widely regarded as one of Savannah’s haunted houses and best known for its setting in the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Charleston, South Carolina

This southern belle’s 300-plus year’s history provide a ready-made backdrop of battles, ghosts, graveyards and old legends. October is a time when its historic character takes on a more eerie side. Founded in 1670, Charleston’s historic streets, churches, cemeteries and houses have centuries of stories behind them giving the city a natural Gothic quality.

Ghost stories are deeply woven into the city, and its ghost tours are amazing and spine-tingling. Old churchyards and old cemeteries are especially evocative after dark. The Old City Jail and Dock Street Theatre are two of the most reportedly haunted sights in the city. Then there is Poogan’s Porch on Queen Street. The restaurant confirms two spirits associated with the building, Zoe St. Amand whose apparition appears in a long dark dress, and Poogan, a beloved neighborhood dog buried in the yard, who became a porch fixture when the restaurant opened and has been known to brush along diners’ legs.

Portland, Oregon

The northwest city’s darker history includes an old waterfront, saloons, below the ground passages, pioneer cemeteries and stories surrounding the controversial “Shanghai Tunnels,” a labyrinth beneath Old Town Chinatown, said to be haunted by those who were once kidnapped and trafficked through the underground maze. Though the historical reality is more complicated that some of the legends suggest, the labyrinth does exist.

Portland also offers some eclectic attractions that include Witch’s Castle, a roofless stone ruin in Forest Park, Skeleton Key Odditorium featuring Victorian mourning jewelry, bones, circus memorabilia, paranormal objects and other macabre curiosities. Pitcock Mansion, the elegant 1914 structure has a reputation for paranormal activity and ghost stories. Then, there’s the Lone Fir Cemetery, one of Portland’s oldest pioneer cemeteries where roughly 25,000 people are buried, including asylum patients.

Salem, Massachusetts

Known as one of the most well-known Halloween destinations in America where history and Halloween are deeply intertwined, Salem is famous worldwide for the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, but its appeal goes far beyond that single chapter.

Salem definitely has the atmosphere with Old Colonial buildings, narrow streets, historic cemeteries and a fascinating waterfront. The Burying Point, one of the city’s oldest cemeteries, sits behind the Witch Trials Memorial and contains the graves of several figures connected with the trials. The supernatural is everywhere, and it’s a place where Halloween isn’t just a holiday —it's a month-long way of life.

PHOTO: Salem Cemetery (photo via Nick Ares / Flickr / Creative Commons)

St. Augustine, Florida

As the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the continental U.S., much of St. Augustine’s history involves conflict, death, disease and tragedy, producing a rich collection of ghost stories and legends.

However, the setting during the Halloween season is half the fun. Narrow streets of the Historic District, centuries-old buildings and cemeteries along with the massive Castillo de San Marcos fortification provide an atmospheric backdrop for nighttime activities. Ghost tours are everywhere, ranging from traditional storytelling to paranormal investigations. The St. Augustine Lighthouse adds another spooky dimension, hosting after-dark ghost experiences due to its own paranormal lore.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.