Halloween comes once a year, as a time for people to dress up in costumes, go door to door for candy, watch scary movies and celebrate all things spooky and kooky. For true fans of this holiday, though, there is not enough time to squeeze in all the fun… Maybe we should celebrate all year long, or perhaps we should celebrate in iconic spots with legendary events?
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If any Halloween-lovers are looking for creepy and cool destinations to travel to for the upcoming holiday or for a vacation that could happen at any time, we suggest the following 10 places.
10 St. Helens, Oregon
In 1998, Halloweentown came out on the Disney Channel, and this movie was filmed in St. Helens, Oregon. And whenever October rolls around in this town, there is basically a party for 31 days; people ride tractors to go see an alien crash site, there is a Monster Dash run, people go through haunted houses, there is a hearse rally, people participate in a parade, and the big jack-o-lantern is lit up in the middle of it all, just like in the film. In fact, stars like Kimberly J. Brown even return to St. Helens for this lighting!
9 Halloween Town
An important part of this holiday is dressing up, and one of the biggest and best places to go for this is Halloween Town, a store in Burbank, California. This shop calls itself a Halloween and horror headquarters, and unlike many costume spots, it is open all year. There are props, decorations, records, candy, toys, occult items and, of course, tons of costumes. There is even a parlour in this store that has an ongoing series of art shows, making this a useful and an entertaining place for Halloween-lovers to visit.
8 Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts, which is famous for the witch trials of 1692, is next up on this list. There are ghost tours here, the Salem Witch Museum and cemeteries that are historical, creepy yet pretty. Even the “normal” parts of town run with the overall theme, though, as cops cars have witch logos on them, and the high school’s mascot is the Witches. Those who are into pop culture and Halloween will also appreciate two landmarks that have to do with works that were filmed here: There is a bronze statue of Elizabeth Montgomery aka Samantha from Bewitched, and there are several Hocus Pocus filming locations, such as Max and Dani's house and Allison's house.
7 Sleepy Hollow, New York
Sleepy Hollow, located in New York, is another well-known town, thanks to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Washington Irving wrote this short story, which focuses on the Headless Horseman, and he is buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
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Due mainly to this legend, Sleepy Hollow is said to be haunted, and there are plenty of spooky spots and events for Halloween-lovers to enjoy, such as historic homes and a church, as well as cemetery tours, a haunted hayride and Horseman's Hollow, where a manor gets turns into a scary area and where the Horseman himself can be seen!
6 Anoka, Minnesota
The self-proclaimed Halloween Capital of the World is Anoka, Minnesota, and it is another destination to consider (especially if one can stay for a whole month). One of the first Halloween parades ever was held year, and in today’s time, this town goes all out for this holiday. There is a Classic Car Show Spooktacluar, Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Scarecrow Contest, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Orange Tie Ball, Spooktacular Carnival, Gray Ghost 5K, as well as a bonfire, costume/decorating contests and parades throughout the month of October.
5 New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is known for its music, the food and for Mardi Gras, and this historic city is another good one to go to during the Halloween season. There are many voodoo shops there, as well as the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. There are haunted tours that show off haunted and iconic spots, such as the Lalaurie Mansion. And, of course, there are amazing cemeteries that feature above-ground vaults from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the resting places of people like Marie Laveau and Delphine LaLaurie.
4 Los Angeles, California
There is another big city that belongs on this list, and that is LA. There is always so much to see and do here, and that is definitely true during Halloween.
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Three of the most notable attractions for Halloween-lovers in Los Angeles are Halloween Horror Nights, Dark Harbor and the Haunted Hayride: Halloween Horror Nights happens at Universal Studios Hollywood, Dark Harbor is a haunted house that is located on a ship called the Queen Mary, and the hayride is in Griffith Park, where a zoo used to be.
3 Jekyll and Hyde Club
The Jekyll and Hyde Club is located in New York, New York, and it provides some fun scares with its live entertainment and special effects; while eating and drinking at this kitschy pub, guests will be surrounded by horror memorabilia and creatures like Claw the Gargoyle, Tobias the Werewolf and Dreadmina the Vampire. While NYC is another place that is full of tourist destinations and Halloween haunts, this bar is a unique way to celebrate the holiday, while enjoying foods, drinks and interactive monsters!
2 Shady Brook Farm
Shady Brook Farm, in Yardley, Pennsylvania, is over 100 years old, and it offers up the FallFest and the HorrorFest. At the FallFest, people can enjoy a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, wagon rides, inflatables, a petting zoo, obstacle courses, go karts, live music and bonfires. For people who want a bit more, there is HorrorFest, which features five haunted attractions on this spooky farm: Hayride of Horror, Barn of Horror, Alien 3-D Encounter and Carnage. Both of these annual events are sure to please those who love all things fall and Halloween.
1 Hell, Michigan
Last but not least is Hell, Michigan. Yes, this is a real place, and according to their website, which is GoToHellMI, there are events such as Hearsefest, a hearse show that has been around for almost 20 years, and Hell-O Helloween Weekends, which provide fun for the whole family, like a straw maze and pumpkin carving. There are also spots in town to check out like The Creamatory of Screams, an ice cream shop where people can get a death certificate after eating the Gravedigger Sundae, and Hell Hole Bar, where visitors can have a Satan Dog or Club Witch.
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