New Hope, Pennsylvania
Courtesy Visit Bucks CountySet along the Delaware River—and the New Jersey/Pennsylvania state border—this charming small town treats Halloween as a full season. Schedule a lantern-led ghost tour as early as September, and be sure to make time for the Scarecrow Walk and competition at Peddler’s Village. Nearby Sesame Place hosts a "not too spooky Halloween drive-through" for families, while Sleepy Hollow Haunted Acres is sure to scare the socks off of any older Halloween lovers with a wander through an abandoned—and bewitched—old village.
La Canada Flintride, California
ROBYN BECK//Getty ImagesVisit Descanso Gardens for CARVED, a must-see event for any Halloween fan. Hundreds of perfectly-carved pumpkins line the Camellia Forest each fall, in addition to extra activities like hayrides, visiting a pumpkin house, and even a fun blacklight exhibit.
Dearborn, Michigan
Walter Bibikow//Getty ImagesOver 1,000 jack-o'-lanterns light up the night at Dearborn's annual "Hallowe'en at Greenfield Village" event. But that's not all you'll find here: A costumed Headless Horseman, along with apple cider and doughnuts, add to the fun and bring joy to visitors of all ages.
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Sleepy Hollow, New York
Getty ImagesSt. Helens, Oregon
Getty ImagesYou may recognize this town from the iconic Disney movie Halloweentown, because many of the scenes were filmed here. In addition to St. Helens' annual giant pumpkin lighting, visitors can get in on the fun by attending all of the various Spirit of Halloweentown Festival events.
Anoka, Minnesota
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Half Moon Bay, California
Justin Sullivan//Getty ImagesKnown as the "Pumpkin Capital of the World," Half Moon Bay hosts an annual Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off every October. Fun fact: A farmer from Anoka, Minnesota (yep, another town on our list!) won with this 2,350-pound fruit in 2020. Come for the giant (and we mean GIANT) pumpkins and stay for the pumpkin beer, cozy inns, and stunning coastal location.
Telluride, Colorado
Getty ImagesCroton-on-Hudson, New York
AFP Contributor//Getty ImagesThe Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is known amongst locals as the biggest Halloween festival in the area—and one look at photos from the event will tell you why. The Blaze includes over 7,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns, plus a synchronized soundtrack. We can't think of a better reason to head to the Hudson Valley this season!
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Salem, Massachusetts
Getty ImagesKeene, New Hampshire
John Greim//Getty ImagesThis New England town is a beloved Halloween hotspot. Get ready for plenty of fun at this small town's annual Keene Pumpkin Festival. Although postponed for 2022, the event promises to make its return in 2023, so start planning your trip early!
Romeo, Michigan
Danielle Lee/Halloween on Tillson St.While some cities create over-the-top Christmas displays every year, this Midwestern town gets gussied up for its annual Terror on Tillson Street Halloween event. During the month of October, local homeowners create spooky and detailed displays on their front lawns. Why pay for a haunted house when you can simply walk around this neighborhood and get the same experience for free?
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Eureka, Missouri
Courtesy of Eureka Scarecrow FestivalWalk through the town of Eureka come October, and you'll be in for a real treat. The town's annual Scarecrow Festival is not one to miss. You'll see scarecrows of you favorite characters (like these Minions!), people, animals, and more while strolling through the streets.
Stowe, Vermont
Sean Pavone//Getty ImagesWhile Vermont is known for its gorgeous fall foliage and covered bridges, it's also a good place to go for a spook. Emily's Bridge is said to be the site of a woman's death in the 1800s. It's rumored she spitefully haunts the area, clawing at cars and scratching visitors. People have also reported hearing footsteps from under the tunnel!
Asheville, North Carolina
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Pine Barrens, New Jersey
James Marshall//Getty ImagesThis southern New Jersey area spans over 1 million acres. It was left completely abandoned back in the Colonial era, when people discovered coal in Pennsylvania. There's plenty of reported supernatural activity throughout the ghost towns here, including rumors of "The Jersey Devil."
Harrisville, Rhode Island
Boston Globe//Getty ImagesThe Conjuring is the ultimate scary Halloween movie. Instead of watching it this year, why not experience it? This terrifying home served as the real-life inspiration for the film—and the current owners say it's still very much haunted. Whether you book a regular tour or an overnight investigation, expect plenty of paranormal activity!
Estes Park, Colorado
Getty ImagesThis mountainside village is home to the historic Stanley Hotel, which was the inspiration behind Stephen King's chilling novel The Shining. Visitors can get into the Halloween spirit by attending the Shining Ball or a murder mystery dinner hosted at the hotel. Also fun: On Halloween night, everyone in the community skips door-to-door visits and heads to Main Street for trick-or-treating.
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Independence, Kansas
Getty ImagesHead to this southeast Kansas small town for their Neewollah (Halloween spelled backward) festival. It's a 9-day-long celebration, which includes dozens of activities, like parades, food festivals, carnivals, and more. In years past, roughly 75,000 visitors came, making it the largest annual event in the state!
Fall River, Massachusetts
Getty ImagesAll horror fans know the creepy story of Lizzie Borden—but did you know you can stay in the house (pictured) where the infamous axe murders happened? It's been converted into a bed and breakfast, but the interior has been left pretty much exactly the way it was in the 1800s.
Jessica Leigh Mattern is a web editor and writer who covers home, holiday, DIY, crafts, travel, and more lifestyle topics. Prior to working for Country Living, she wrote for several lifestyle and women’s magazines including Woman’s Day, Cosmopolitan, and Redbook
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