The leaves are changing, the air feels crisper, and pumpkin spice lattes are back. Fall is a wonderful time of year to get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer. But how about adding these 13 spooky destinations in America into your fall travel plans?
If you’re looking for haunted houses, corn mazes, or other attractions with a Halloween theme, these spooky destinations in America will leave you feeling scared but excited!
Spooky Destinations in America
1. Cedar Point in Ohio Halloween
This Halloween, Cedar Point will be pumping out some scary screams with their Fearfest event. The amusement park embarks on all sorts of haunted adventures, from entering a haunted house to walking in the park through scare mazes and haunted attractions.
There is fun for all ages with trick or treating with their favorite character for the little ones and creepy nighttime scary characters for the adults.
The amusement park is known for its intense rollercoasters that come alive in the dark. The rides will be decorated for Halloween festivity, and it won’t be long before they are crawling with ghosts, goblins, witches, and other creatures of the night.
With all the haunted houses, scary trails, and creepy carnival games, it’ll be a frightfully good time for everyone at Cedar Point this Halloween season!
This year HalloWeekends runs on Friday to Sunday beginning September 17, 2021, and on Thursdays to Sundays in October.
For more information visit Cedar Park’s HalloWeekends.
2. Sleepy Hollow NY
Sleepy Hollow is another spooky destination in America that everyone needs to visit during Halloween.
It is the home of the Legend of the Headless Horseman and the Lady in White making it a very spooky and fun place to go around Halloween.
The Headless Horseman Hayrides and Farm offers hayrides, a corn maze, and fun activities for kids. Be sure to stop by the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where you will find stories of love, betrayal, war, and death inscribed on the tombstones, twists in the “haunted” trails come alive with ghosts, spirits, and witches galore!
There are also plenty of other spooky attractions nearby that you can visit for an even bigger scare. You can go from place to place on historic tours of many haunted houses or take in a show at one of the haunted theaters.
You can also visit the great Jack O’Lantern Blaze which Sleeps Hollow is famous for.
For more information on visiting Sleepy Hollow during Halloween read this article.
3. Jack O Lantern Spectacular in Louisville KY
Other spooky destinations in America include the Jack O’Lantern Spectacular is an annual event that takes place every October at Iroquois Park, with pumpkin sculptures created by artists from across the country.
Visitors can view an array of jack o’ lanterns at night as they walk through a cornfield to see over 5,000 carved and lit pumpkins on display.
Tickets are as follows and go on sale September 1, 2021
- Adults Sunday to Thursday $15 and Friday and Saturday $20
- Senior 65+ are $13 on Sunday to Thursday and $17 on Friday and Saturday
- Children 3 to12 are $12 and $15, respectively
- Children 2 and under are free
- The event starts at dusk and goes until 11 pm on Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday
4. Harvest Festival Pumpkin Nights at Silver Dollar City in Branson MO
Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri will have the Harvest Festival Pumpkin Nights. There is something for everyone to enjoy at Silver Dollars and this event is a great idea for those who want to be on the spooky side of Fall.
Come visit the amusement park along with craft days (changes weekly) where artists show you how they make their products. Nighttime brings “Pumpkin in the City” with thousands of pumpkins lit up, carved, and displayed in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Expanded for 2021 with an additional 2 acres of fun with the Woodland Hike going into the new Rivertown filled with Halloween fun.
In addition, they will also feature a Chuck Wagon cooking demonstration where you can purchase good of fashion cowboy food. There will also have fall favorites such as pumpkin whoopie pies and other fall treats to warm beverages such as hot cider and hot chocolate.
For more information visit Silver Dollar Harvest Festival.
5. Haunted Overload in Lee, New Hampshire
Looking for spooky destinations in America in New England, the Haunted Overload is the place to go for Halloween. Not only are they known around the region as a top-notch scare-fest, but their handmade props and organic design also sets them apart from any other haunted attraction you’ll find this season. Located at Demeritt Hill Farm in Lee NH., Haunted Overload has gained quite a reputation over time with dedicated terror enthusiasts coming all over the country to experience it themselves!
A combination of an actual haunted house and a corn maze, it is the perfect destination this Halloween. Visitors will be guided through the Haunted Overload by a tour guide with a flashlight. Along the way they’ll encounter ghouls, ghosts, monsters, and other creatures of the night who will try to scare them as best they can.
Several events take place throughout the season and are fun for the whole family as follows:
- Main Event $28, October 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 29
- Haunt $8, October 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17,22,23, 24,29,30 and 31 from 10 am to 4 pm.
- Fright Night Lite $14.50, Octobeer 14 and 28
- Glow Stick Night $18, October 30
- Lights Out Night $17, October 31
All tickets must be purchased online and sell out quickly. to purchase tickets visit here.
6. Fields of Screams in Pennsylvania
Fields of Screams is located in Mountville Pennsylvania and is spooky destinations in America. If you’re looking for some of the best-haunted attractions in the country, then look no further.
Fields of scream have 4 different attractions that are sure to give you nightmares! From our Haunted Hayride to Frightmare Asylum, there is something for everyone. So come on out and see what they have in store this Halloween season!
- Haunted Hay–Go into the cornfields on the haunted wagon and be prepared to be scared when creatures of the night come out of everywhere.
- Den of Darkness–Walk through this 3 story farmhouse/barn and be ready to experience the monsters and ghosts.
- Noctural Wasteland–Take a walk into the woods where you will decover the true meaning for fright when you see what the forest hasin store for you.
- Frightmare Asylum–Meet the disturbed doctors and deranged nurses as you walk though the 4 story asylum where you will be scared to death.
The event is also open during September (10, 11, 17, 18,24,25 and 26) and October (1,2,3,7,8,9,10, 14,15,16,17,21,22,23,24,29,30 and 31) for 2021.
Tickets can be purchase for each attraction or a combo pass starting at $16 and going up to $45 (for all 4 attractions).
For more information visit their website and get ready for the most frightful experience of your life. These attractions are not recommended for children.
7. Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream is an annual event featuring a variety of haunted houses, scary entertainment, and traditional Halloween events. For those who dare, the park features 5 Haunted Houses, 4 Terror-tories, 4 Sinister shows, 2 party zones and 4 themed boozed bars.
Here is what you will find at either the Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and Tampa locations:
Haunted Houses
- Witch of the Woods
- Killarney Diner
- Nevermore
- Dystophia
- Circo Sinistro
Terror-Tories
- Meat Market
- Hexed Hollow
- Garden of the Souls
- Ripper Row
Sinister Shows
- Sheletones
- Phantoms of the Festhaus
- Jack is Back
- Monster Stomp on Ripper Show
Don’t forget to stop at the 2 party zones and 4 boose bars throughout the park. Also, there will be many scary roller coasters for your nighttime enjoyment.
The ticket prices for Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream are as followed:
$49.99 – a single-day admission
$86.99 – two-day admission
$94.99 – three-day admission
The dates for Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream are as follows:
September 10 to October 31, 2021
8. Savannah Georgia
Savannah Georgia is known as one of the most haunted cities in America. There are several locations that you can visit to get “scared” in the area including the Hamilton-Turner Inn, the Marshall House, 17 Hundred 90 Inn and Restaurant, the Pirate’s House, the Moon River Brewing Co, and the Kehoe House.
Here is more information about each one of these attractions:
Hamilton-Turner Inn
The ghosts are said to be those of the founders, Thomas Turner Jr., his wife Mary Jane Worthington, their daughter Minnie Gidley Turne, her husband Albert Hamilton III as well as other members of the family. Guests have stated that they have seen the ghost of Mary Jane Worthington butler, a man named Arthur who died in 1866 and is said to roam the inn’s halls.
Other manifestations include doors rattling even when they’re closed tight, sudden temperature changes that lead guests to believe there are cold spots throughout the building, children laughing, and unexplained voices coming from empty rooms.
The Marshall House
This location was built in 1859 and it has been a popular lodging choice. The ghosts are said to be those of Mary Ann Marshall, her husband James Edwin Marshall as well as other members of their family. Guests have states that the faucets turned on in their rooms without being near them and ghosts and the sound of chiding running in the hallways when no one was around.
17 Hundred 90 Inn and Restaurant
This location was built in 1891. It is open for both lunch and dinner and it serves southern cuisine as well as a variety of drinks, including wine, beer and spirits. The ghosts are said to be those of the inn’s former owners: Samuel Smith Gee Jr. (grandson), his wife Sue Hingston Duffie (granddaughter), their daughter Mary Gee (grandniece) as well as other members of the family. Their ghosts can be seen by visitors throughout the restaurant.
Pirate’s House
This location was built in 1876 and it is open for both lunch and dinner, serving seafood specials daily. The ghosts are said to be sailers from the sea who came to the Pirate to drink rum. Gold and rum were hidden in the basement and today the ghosts of these sailers roam the bar calling to their crewmates.
Moon River Brewing Company
This location was built in 1994 and it is open for both lunch and dinner, serving a variety of seafood dishes along with grilled meats. This restaurant is considered to be one of the most haunted places in Savannah. The ghosts are said to be those of people buried in the backyard. The basement and the upstairs are said to be bad, filled with ghosts who sometimes throw bottles.
Kehoe House
This charming bed and breakfast is known for guests hearing ghost childing playing in the hallways and smells of old perfume are in the bedrooms. But the most horrifying ghost story to come from here is guests saying they feel someone touching them in the middle of the night. The ghosts are hanging out in the rooms.
9. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado – home to Stephen King’s The Shining(inspired by the hotel) and hosts an annual “Spooky Jazz Festival.”
This is a popular destination for horror-themed activity enthusiasts during the Halloween season. The attraction includes ghost tours, an overnight stay in the haunted hotel, and haunted houses on the property. The Stanley Hotel is also a favorite for many celebrities during the Halloween season.
It is said that the original owner, F.O. Stanley walks the halls and can be seen in the lobby.
Flora Stanley, the great-granddaughter of General William Tecumseh Sherman and a prominent guest at the hotel in its early days, is also said to haunt it. Her piano playing can still be heard from time to time throughout various parts of the building – particularly on upper floors where she once occupied rooms with her husband John Milford Gray and their children. In one such instance, two employees reported hearing music coming from an unoccupied room that turned out to belong to Flora’s family; as they were about to cross over into this area for further investigation, however, all sounds stopped abruptly!
The price of a stay at the Stanley Hotel will vary depending on which type of room you choose to stay in. If you stay in The Presidential Suite, you can expect to pay more than $1000 for one night. Guests can book online and make a reservation for the date they want.
10. Salem MA
Known as “Witch City”, Salem is a great spooky destination in America to visit any time of year but especially during Halloween. Salem Haunted Happening goes from October 1 to October 31 with many activities throughout the town. The celebration offers fun for all ages from kids-friendly trick or treating to scary adventures.
But you don’t have to only visit this haunted town during October as it’s a year-round destination for those looking to explore the mystical nature and history of the witches. The city has plenty to offer in terms of spooky destinations including museums, theaters, walking tours, graveyard tours, and haunted houses.
Here are some of the attractions in Salem for tourists to enjoy during the Halloween season and throughout the year:
- House of Seven Gables
- Witch Museum
- Witch Dungeon Museum
- The Haunted Jailhouse
- Salem Wax Museum
- Salem’s Court Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
- Hocus Pocus Tours
- New England Phillips House
- Cgarter Street Burial Ground
- Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour
- Misery Islands
- The Witches House at Peabody Essex Museum
11. Zak Bagan’s The Haunted Museum Las Vegas
The Haunted Museum provides spooky destinations in America for those who dare to enter. The winding halls and secret passages lead into more than 30 rooms, many of which were featured in Hollywood horror films. Visitors will be able to learn about the most haunted pieces from around the world such as Dybbuk Boxes that are said to contain spirits locked inside them since ancient times.
There are thousands of things from all different horror movies on display. The building is also known that ghosts and spirits make appearances so be ready for anything.
You must be 16 years old to gain admission to the museum and 16 and 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult.
Tours are given Thursday to Monday with tickets starting at $42 for the general tour and $72 for a RIP all-access tour. This tour includes exclusive access to certain areas.
In addition to the above tour, they also offer a late-night flashlight ghost tour. This costs $199 and is limited to 20 visitors on each tour. You get to go ghost-hunting for 1.5 hours. If you survive you get to take home a Haunted Museum engraved flashlight.
Go if you dare….
12. The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum
This is one the of spooky destinations in America located in Fall River, Massachusetts on a lush riverfront property that was once the home of Lizzie Borden and her family is America’s most popular unsolved murder mystery.
The museum is housed in the house where Lizzie Borden lived and murdered her parents. You can stay in the same room she stayed, eat breakfast at the same table she ate it, and drink water from the same faucet she drank it from.
From visiting as part of a historic house tour to taking advantage of ghost hunts for those brave enough, there are plenty of ways to experience this spooky location at your own pace.
They off several different kinds of tours including the following:
- House Tours, 90 minutes daily from 10 am to 4 pm
- Ghost Tours, 90 minutes, nightly from 7 to 9 pm
- Ghost Hunts, 2 hours, nightly from 10 pm to midnight
You can book any of the above tours as well as an overnight stay at lizzie-borden website.
13. Haunted Village Ohio
The Heritage Village Museum in Sharonville OH turns into the Haunted Village on several days in October (for 2021 dates are October 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23) from 6 to 10 pm.
This is a family-friendly Halloween celebration that includes the following:
- Trick or treating in the village
- ghosts
- witches
- Pirates
- Fortune Tellers
- Walk through the haunted woods
- Walk through the spooky cemetery
The museum welcomes both children and adults to come in costume. Admission is $10.
Conclusion
Halloween is the perfect time of year to explore some of the spookiest attractions in the country. The country has a plethora of haunted attractions, museums, and even amusement parks with creepy themes that will give you goosebumps all over your body! By exploring these 13 Spooky Destinations in America we hope your Halloween season will be filled with scary ghostly experiences.
Happy Halloween
