5 Halloween Destinations for the Entire Family
Most people think that “the most wonderful time of the year” is Christmastime, but I will argue that it is most definitely Halloween. The colors of fall, the candy, the decorations and apple everything make it an easy choice.
Traveling during the Halloween season is even better! There are so many places around the world that go all out for Halloween and take the celebrations to the next level.
Here are 5 destinations right here in the United States that you will want to check out for Halloween.
Hudson Valley, New York
Home to the town of Sleepy Hollow and the legend of the Headless Horseman, the Hudson Valley is an idyllic fall destination. Gothic mansions and stunning fall foliage are the perfect backdrop for all of the Halloween festivities including cemetery tours and hayrides. Take a tour of Washington Irving’s home that includes a shadow puppet short film and lawn games for the kids.
When night falls, take a quick trip up the road to the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze where you will find over 7,000 hand carved pumpkins displayed throughout the grounds of an 18th century mansion. It’s not to be missed!
Orlando, Florida
The theme park capital of the world knows how to do Halloween! Take your pick of Halloween family fun at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Legoland and numerous other attractions.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom is the pinnacle of family-friendly Halloween fun. Who doesn’t love trick-or-treating in the most magical place on earth?! Aside from bags of candy, enjoy incredible stage shows, unique character experiences, a fireworks spectacular and one of the best parades Disney has to offer. Nothing too spooky here, so this is perfect for kids of all ages.
For the more adventurous, you will want to check out Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. This is gory fun at its finest with 10 haunted houses based on some of the scariest horror films. Walk through terrifying scare zones and enjoy fun, live shows. This is definitely not for the faint of heart and not recommended for kids under 13, so use discretion on if this is right for your family.
Salem, Massachusetts
Home to the largest Halloween celebration in the world, Salem is the place to be if you are a fan of all things witchy. In fact there are so many things to see and do, that you won’t possibly be able to do it all! You will find costume balls, parades, kids festivals, magic shows and even a mock witch trial. Just make sure to pack your patience and be prepared for crowds!
There are also many staples in Salem to visit like the Salem Witch Museum, The Witch House, The House of the Seven Gables. Looking for a broom? Visit The Witchery where you can make your own. Also do miss out on seeing the many filming locations for the Hocus Pocus films!
New Orleans, Louisiana
Mardi Gras is definitely the King of New Orleans, but Halloween is its Queen. Here the residents go all out with incredible Halloween decorations and celebrations. The local Voodoo shops are the place to find all things spooky, along with the city’s famous cemeteries. Shops in the French Quarter hand out candy for young trick-or-treaters. And you know New Orleans knows how to do a parade, so you won’t want to miss the Halloween parade by Krewe of Boo.
Maui, Hawaii
This tropical paradise might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Halloween, but they really get into the spirit on the island of Maui. The town of Lahaina hosts an incredible Halloween parade and costume contest. Local shops and artisans are set up for trick-or-treating with the kiddos.
Other fun activities around Maui are haunted hikes, mythical gardens and a Spookapolooza on the Hawaiian Railway. These are such a fun take on what we traditionally think of with Halloween.
Planning ahead is key when traveling during any holiday season. These places are popular and book up fast, so start thinking about your Halloween travels early in the year to make sure you can experience all the spooky fun!
Happy Travels!
