5 Perfect Places for a Halloween Vacation
Travelers, I am so excited to be sharing this guest blog post with you by Miranda Enzor with the blog Spooky Little Halloween! I virtually met Miranda through a blogger group I’m a part of. When I learned about her blog and how it revolves around Halloween every day of the year, I had to get to know her more. She was willing to share some of the greatest places to visit for Halloween with us. I hope you all enjoy her 5 perfect places for a Halloween vacation!
By: Miranda Enzor, Spooky Little Halloween
When you think of holiday travel, I’m willing to bet my candy corn Halloween is the last holiday that comes to mind. You’re more likely to think of that fantastic Christmas vacation your family took as a kid or the spring break you spent with friends on a beach, right?
But I bet you’re also not thinking about the thing holidays and traveling have in common: they’re a great way to make memories that last a lifetime.
Both are a way to mark the passing of time, spend time with important people in my life and have experiences together that I’ll always remember.
Plus, traveling during Halloween season (September/October) is a chance to travel in the off-season, as Sarah talks about in this blog post. You’re missing the crowds, spending less on hotels and flights and getting a chance to see more! So why not combine them? Today we’re going to do just that as I share
5 perfect places for a Halloween vacation across the U.S. and the world.
1. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disneyland and Disney World
Celebrate Halloween in the House of the Mouse! Both Disneyland and Disney World are known for going big when it comes to the spooky season with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Both parks transform overnight into a pumpkin wonderland. The nightly parade takes on a haunted look, new spooky treats pop up in all the restaurants and one-of-a-kind Halloween merch goes on the shelves of park shops. Plus, this is one of the few chances you have to wear a true costume in the park! Learn more about the Disneyland celebration and the Disney World celebration.
2. Salem, MA
There is no spookier spot in the United States for Halloween than Witch City itself! Salem’s Haunted Happenings takes place all October and includes something for everyone, from a witch’s market and family movie night to parades, trolley tours and even great restaurants that embrace “eat, drink and be scary”.
Plus, Salem is in the heart of historic New England. Of course, you can explore spots important to the Salem Witch Trials, but the city also has a rich history in maritime, American literature, and is home to the Peabody, one of the fastest-growing museums in the country. Learn more about Salem.
3. Sleepy Hollow, NY
Sleepy Hollow is just a quick train ride north of New York City and a spot that comes alive in the fall. It is home to Washington Irving’s classic, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. Stop by the city cemetery for a peek at his grave, a walking tour of a cemetery full of notable American names, like Rockefeller and Carnegie, or even one of their special events.
Wander the city’s sleepy downtown area for local shops and restaurants (the Bridge View Tavern is a personal fave), then stop by the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze for a Halloween experience you’ll never forget.
4. The Stanley Hotel
Here’s one right in Sarah’s backyard! The Stanley Hotel is famous for inspiring The Overlook in Stephen King’s “The Shining”. It sits at the foot of the Rockies just outside Estes Park in Colorado and quietly embraces its connection to one of the most infamous stories in horror. In addition to offering night tours that share the hotel’s paranormal history, The Stanley also hosts The Shining Ball AND a masquerade ball each October. It’s the perfect spot to spend a night or two anytime in October.
5. Bran Castle
Looking to go international with your spooky travels? Bran Castle near Brasov, Romania in the region of Transylvania is one that’s on my bucket list because it’s also known as Dracula’s Castle. Why? Because the 1970s communist government of Romania thought it’d be a great marketing tool for their country!
And it’s one that worked. While the castle was once home to Vlad the Impaler – a blood-thirsty ruler who earned his nickname for his penchant for impaling enemies and criminals, which one could argue is downright vampiric – there is no direct connection between Vlad and the castle and Bram Stoker’s novel, “Dracula”. The vampire myth, however, stemmed from Romanian folklore well before the book was written, and over the years the two have merged together.
To this day, the castle isn’t one to miss out on the fun and hosts an annual Halloween party.
No matter where you go, there is no wrong way to celebrate October 31st – Happy Halloween!
Miranda Enzor is the writer, blogger and Halloween lover behind SpookyLittleHalloween.com, the blog celebrating October 31st all year long. Halloween has been one of her favorite holidays to celebrate for as long as she can remember. These days she keeps her love of the spooky season alive by hosting her annual party, Halloweenie Roast, carving as many jack-o-lanterns and possible and, of course, writing her blog.
