Six Spooky Destinations for a Haunting Halloween Getaway
From haunted attractions inspired by video games to historic ghost tours, explore unique Halloween experiences across the United States.
As Halloween approaches, those seeking a thrill can find it at various destinations across the U.S. offering unique haunted experiences. From immersive attractions recreating fictional horror worlds to historical ghost tours delving into local legends, these locations provide a range of spooky options for the season.
In Las Vegas, Universal Horror Unleashed at Area15 presents an attraction based on Capcom's "Resident Evil" franchise. This haunted escape room features puzzles and costumed characters inspired by the survival horror video game series. While the "Resident Evil" attraction closes on September 27, other haunted houses like "Scarecrow," "Texas Chainsaw," "Exorcist," and "Monsters" will remain open year-round.
San Antonio, Texas, offers RJA Ghost Tours, led by Robert James Anthony. These tours explore historically significant and reportedly haunted locations within the city, including the Sheraton Gunter Hotel, known for an unsolved 1965 murder. Participants are equipped with a novelty ghost-hunting tool and are offered a drink.
Central Florida's Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo provides "The Haunting of River Ranch" from September 25 to November 7. The resort, set on 1,700 acres along the Kissimmee River, incorporates local legends, including a rodeo clown reportedly resurrected by voodoo. The area also features a "saddle graveyard" where retired saddles are placed on oak trees.
Staten Island, New York, has become a hub for Halloween attractions, with Staten Island Haunted Houses offering over 80 displays. Notable sites include Twisted Trails, a Nationwide-Frightmaps Haunt-of-the-Year winner, the Huguenot Nightmare Factory, and the Darlington Scare.
Camelback Resort in Pennsylvania transforms its water park and surrounding slopes into "The Curse of Camelback" from September 17 to November 8. This attraction simulates a chemical apocalypse scenario, with attendees acting as an emergency response team. It features mazes, mutant-themed characters, and themed water elements.
New Orleans, Louisiana, is known for its Halloween festivities. While many adult-oriented tours focus on the city's darker history, Freaky Foot Tours offers a "Spooky Family-Friendly Ghost Tour" in the French Quarter. This two-hour tour is designed to be accessible and suitable for families.
Salem, Massachusetts, a city historically associated with witch trials, is a popular destination for Halloween. TripAdvisor has recognized several ghost tours in Salem, with "Satanic Salem Walking Tours" by Thomas O'Brien Vallor noted as a particularly engaging option for families, despite its name. Vallor, a historian and ordained minister, guides tours exploring the city's historical and supernatural lore.