According to marketers, Halloween is second only to Christmas when it comes to money spent on decorating. So, although I don’t get it, the holiday turns most people on and we’re here to suggest some road trips. Grab your ghoul girl and try one of these suggestions to make it all the more special this year.
Without further to do, and in no special order of preference, here’s a cornucopia of places to visit:
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles
On Saturday October 27 thisHalloween-themed event begins with a 10:00 a.m. pet costume parade followed by Happy Harbor Halloween from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free family-fun for all ages. See the flyer.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Sea Scare
Sea Scare is washing ashore with lots of thrills, chills and gills on Saturday October 27 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ticket-holders will enjoy trick-or-treating, creepy crafts, dancing like zombies in the Party Zone and touring the haunted maze. Wear your costume and bring your appetite, food trucks will be on-site. Prepare for a frightfully good time for the whole family!
San Pedro
On Sunday, October 28th, come to Historic Downtown San Pedro from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to celebrate the 7th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival and enjoy art, culture, cuisine and entertainment. See the website.
COLORADO
Boulder
If being close to the Rockies in the fall isn’t enough reason in itself, well then Boulder has another dozen reasons to visit – from symphony concerts, to witches brew hotel tea, to paranormal bus tours, to their munchkin masquerade. Learn more at bouldercoloradousa.com
DELAWARE
Delaware’s Quaint Villages
Join us at Delaware’s Quaint Villages’ historic Dover on The Green for the Haunted Tours of Old Dover. The tour features ghosts of Judge Samuel Chew, Elizabeth Rilee the Irish maid, and Revolutionary War hero Colonel John Hazlet. Plus, spirits that whistle, open doors, rearrange pictures and communicate with cats. Delaware’s Quaint Villages (Kent County, DE), Danielle Jonigan, VisitDelawareVillages.com
MARYLAND
Baltimore
Spooky traditions and legends are a given for a city filled with 200 years of history. Investigate the mysterious myths of Baltimore on a Fell’s Point ghost tour, walk the hallowed halls of the infamous Nevermore Haunt, or wander The Admiral Fell Inn to see what ghosts still linger. Visit Baltimore, Kelly Nagle, Baltimore.org
Caroline County
Brace yourself for a walk around Haunted Denton. There is continuous paranormal activity at the jail, the Courthouse Green and the entire downtown area. Walk through two graveyards, see the house of Dr. Knott, and hear the stories of a ghost in the old bank building. Caroline County Office of Tourism, Mindy Burgoyne, VisitCaroline.org
Charles County
Discover the Village of Souls: The Ghosts of Port Tobacco. The Port Tobacco Historic Village is 30 miles south of Washington, D.C. Explore the village through the eyes of seasoned tour guides as they weave tales about the village souls and ghosts. Charles County Government, Department of Recreation, Parks, & Tourism, Catherine Herbert, ExploreCharlesCounty.com
Frederick County
With such a fascinating history, it’s no surprise that some pretty famous spirits haunt Frederick! See for yourself on a Candelight Ghost Tour of Downtown Frederick. Visit Frederick, Melissa Joseph Muntz, VisitFrederick.org
Kent County
This scenic peninsula on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay offers a combination of history and haunts with the Ghost Walks of Historic Chestertown. Each October, costumed guides tour through darkened streets by candlelit lantern, telling centuries of stories-true tales of murder and mayhem. Tours end at a purportedly haunted historic house. Kent County Tourism, Bernadette Bowman, KentCounty.com
Montgomery County
Do you dare to explore Rockville’s darker side? Take a self-guided tour of local historic sites with eerie pasts. Make sure to visit The Old Baptist Cemetery, Stonestreet’s Museum of 19th Century Medicine, The Beall-Dawson House, and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s grave at Old St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visit Montgomery, MD, Cory Van Horn, VisitMontgomery.com
Queen Anne’s County
Rich traces of history are found throughout Queen Anne’s County landscape. Enjoy a show at Church Hill Theatre (1929), an art deco inspired theater, and stay in the Historic Kent Manor Inn, a waterfront B&B with original decor from 1860. Historic site tours are hosted monthly from April to November. Queen Anne’s County Office of Tourism, Ashley Chenault, VisitQueenAnnes.com
Rich traces of history are found throughout Queen Anne’s County landscape. Enjoy a show at Church Hill Theatre (1929), an art deco inspired theater, and stay in the Historic Kent Manor Inn, a waterfront B&B with original decor from 1860. Historic site tours are hosted monthly from April to November. Queen Anne’s County Office of Tourism, Ashley Chenault, VisitQueenAnnes.com
OHIO
Lake Erie Shores & Islands
Promoted alongside the region’s other trails, the all-new Lake Erie Shores & Islands Trail of Terror shows seven sinister attractions within close proximity of each other, including the always popular Haunt at Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends and the award-winning Ghostly Manor.
Cedar Point – Sandusky
King’s Island – Cincinnati
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, received four wins in USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers Choice Awards for their Halloween events, including the coveted #1 and #2 spots. Winning parks announced were:
#1 – Halloween Haunt at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio near Cincinnati;
#2 – Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia;
#5 – SCarowinds at Carowinds on the border of North and South Carolina in Charlotte; and
#9 – HalloWeekends at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
Learn more about CedarFair parks at cedarfair.com
PENNSYLVANIA
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Be it the eerie battlefields of Gettysburg or Philadelphia’s ghost-ridden Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania’s storied past creates the perfect setting for ghost stories and frightening tours. There’s even more zombie-ridden fun with city-wide celebration in Pittsburgh anniversary of George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. Pennsylvania Tourism Office, Natalie Buyny, VisitPA.com
Butler County
The Harmony Inn has had innumerable reports of hauntings. Witnesses have reported seeing a little girl in a white dress roaming the upstairs and rearranged furniture without human intervention. While most people are frightened by the presence, everyone reports their encounters were always friendly. Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, Tiffany Hernandez, VisitButlerCounty.com
Central Pennsylvania
The Penn State campus was the setting for the A&E show Paranormal State. The most famous haunting is Old Botany, where a former university president’s wife is said to be watching students passing by on Pollock Road. Across Pollock is Schwab Auditorium, which, legend says, has two or three spirits. Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau, Andy Rupert, VisitPennState.org
Clearfield County
The Ravenwood Manor was used as a medical facility for the state’s worst lunatics, schizophrenics, stalkers, and serial killers. It was quiet and peaceful for decades, but with a looming anniversary, things may change. Visit Clearfield County, Josiah Jones, VisitClearfieldCounty.org
Franklin County
Ghosts abound in Franklin County! Whether exploring the backstage at the Capitol Theatre to look for the organist and performers who never left or the ghosts of slaves in the underground cells at the Old Jail, tours, and overnight experiences await the adventurous traveler. Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Lauren E. Cappuccio, ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com
Huntingdon County
Captain Phillips Rangers and 10 Juniata Valley militiamen were brutally massacred on July 16, 1780 during the American Revolution. Ghost Hunters Inc., an eastern Pennsylvania paranormal investigating team, has visited the Captain Phillips Rangers Memorial near Saxton and Phillips’ Homestead near Williamsburg, recording paranormal activity in 2011. Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, Edward Stoddard, Raystown.org
Lancaster County
Ghosts of Lancaster County Candlelight Tours guide visitors along the spooky streets of Strasburg, telling creepy stories of lost souls in the historic village, or throughout downtown Lancaster City. Guests enjoy discovering the city’s legendary ghost tales and sightings. Discover Lancaster, Joel Cliff, DiscoverLancaster.com
Pittsburgh
Many of Pittsburgh’s historic buildings have a very chilling past. Buildings such as the Cathedral of Learning and the former Allegheny County Jail are said to still be occupied by past tenants. Visitors can learn more about these sites and the city’s darkest tales on a Haunted Pittsburgh walking tour. VisitPITTSBURGH, Kristin Wenger, VisitPittsburgh.com
Paranormal Tour for Ghost Loving Guests
The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel invites ghost-loving guests to participate in a guided ghost hunt on Saturday, November 3 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. A paranormal investigator from Ghosts N’at will lead groups through the historic Fulton Building, in
hopes of sensing a presence using ghost technology. Tickets required.
The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel invites ghost-loving guests to participate in a guided ghost hunt on Saturday, November 3 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. A paranormal investigator from Ghosts N’at will lead groups through the historic Fulton Building, in
hopes of sensing a presence using ghost technology. Tickets required.
Pocono Mountains
Get spooked in the Poconos at the Old Jail Museum in Jim Thorpe, where seven coal miners known as the Molly Maguires hanged in the 1870s. This location contains the mysterious hand print on the wall that cannot get washed off, reconstructed gallows, and an eerie dungeon. Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Kelly Shannon, PoconoMountains.com
TENNESSEE
Nashville
Overflowing with ideas, Nashville has family events, pumpkin patches and corn mazes galore – too much to do even if you started now. Check them all out at visitmusiccity.com
VIRGINIA
Fredericksburg Region
For a frightfully good time in the Fredericksburg Region, try a paranormal tour of a former motel at Deep Creek Vintage or creepy carriage rides through downtown. Brave visitors can stroll down the darkened streets on a Fredericksburg Hauntings Tour or shoot zombies at Dominion Raceway’s Zombie Escape. Fredericksburg Region, Debbie Aylor, VisitFred.com
Hampton
Experience over 400 years of eerie tales from Coastal Virginia during Hampton Horror Tours, held annually the week before Halloween. Each 60-minute walking tour, organized by and leaving from the Hampton History Museum, introduces participants to costumed macabre characters from the region’s past, including pirates, soldiers and Spanish flu victims. Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau, Elizabeth Severs, VisitHampton.com
Harrisonburg
Haunted Harrisonburg ghost tours are 75-minute walking tours of downtown’s haunted history and unexplained mysteries. The tours are led by guide Lisa Ha whose background emanates from her great grandfather, an exorcist in Vietnam where ghost stories are woven into the Vietnamese culture. Harrisonburg Tourism & Visitor Services, Brenda Black, VisitHarrisonburgVA.com
Loudoun County
Shocktober’s Paxton Manor is one of Northern Virginia’s only real haunted houses, scaring thousands of visitors each fall. The 150-year-old mansion transforms into a boarding school with a terrifying headmistress spooking guests. Make a weekend of it with discounts offered as part of the Trail of Terror. Visit Loudoun, Jennifer Sigal, VisitLoudoun.org
Lynchburg
When the fall season comes, Lynchburg’s Old City Cemetery brings to life some of its “residents.” Each October weekend, reenactors will take you on a candlelight tour, telling the tales of the Cemetery’s long buried, bringing them to life in the dusk of the cool night air. Lynchburg Office of Economic Development & Tourism, Krista Boothby, LynchburgVirginia.org
Prince William County
Wine guzzling ghosts at the Winery at La Grange, Civil War soldiers marching through the halls at Ben Lomond Historic Site, overnight stays in one of Virginia’s most haunted homes, The Weems-Botts Museum, and guided ghost tours in Historic Occoquan – which historic haunt would you choose? Prince William County Office of Tourism, Nicole Warner, VisitPWC.com
WEST VIRGINIA
Hampshire County
When you have wounded Civil War soldiers from both north and south passing through an abandoned resort, you are going to have your lingering legends of ghostly haunts. Guests of the current Capon Springs & Farms resort have reported unexplained noises and sightings. Hampshire County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Jonathan Bellingham, ComeToHampshire.com
Pocahontas County
Pocahontas County is full of spooky spots. Head to Droop Mountain Battlefield, where spirits of Civil War soldiers walk the grounds and echoes of cannons can be heard ringing through the woods. Cass Railroad State Park also has ghostly past. One of the Company Houses is rumored to have spirits. Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chelsea Walker, NaturesMountainPlayground.com