Unearth The Voyage
Fall brings cooler weather, colorful leaves, and the perfect excuse to explore America’s spookiest destinations. From historic hotels where ghost stories never end to old prisons that still echo with the past, these haunted spots offer real thrills you can experience today. Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or just love a good scare, these fifteen getaways promise unforgettable adventures this autumn season.
1. Salem, Massachusetts — Haunted Happenings all October
Every October, Salem transforms into the ultimate Halloween destination. The entire city buzzes with energy as thousands of visitors flood the streets for parades, costume contests, and themed events that run morning until night.
Witch-trial history comes alive through tours, museums, and reenactments that teach you about the dark days of 1692. Trolley rides carry you past haunted landmarks while guides share chilling tales. Pop-up shops and fortune-tellers line every corner.
Plan ahead because parking fills fast and hotels book months early. Download the official Haunted Happenings app to track daily events and navigate crowds like a local.
2. Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown, New York — Headless Horseman Country
Washington Irving’s legendary tale still haunts this charming Hudson Valley town. Walk through Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Irving himself rests, and feel the chill when guides recount encounters with the Headless Horseman during evening tours.
October brings the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, where thousands of hand-carved pumpkins create glowing sculptures and scenes. The annual Halloween parade draws families and thrill-seekers alike, filling the streets with creative costumes and festive spirit.
Local shops sell Horseman memorabilia, and restaurants serve seasonal treats. Check the tourism board’s Halloween hub for updated schedules, ticket links, and insider tips before your visit.
3. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — Halloween Nights
Once home to America’s most notorious criminals, this decaying prison now hosts one of the country’s biggest Halloween festivals. From September 19 through November 8, 2025, the massive complex transforms into a maze of terror with multiple haunted attractions.
Wander through cellblocks where Al Capone once lived, then brave haunted houses designed to make your heart race. Themed bars serve drinks while actors in terrifying costumes roam the grounds. Historic daytime tours offer a less intense but equally fascinating look at prison life.
Tickets sell out quickly for weekend nights, so book early through the official website. Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll cover serious ground exploring this sprawling facility.
4. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado — Night Tour
Stephen King stayed here in 1974, and the experience inspired The Shining. That alone makes the Stanley Hotel legendary among horror fans. But guests and staff report real paranormal activity—phantom piano music, children’s laughter in empty hallways, and mysterious figures in period clothing.
The 60-minute Night Tour takes you through the most haunted areas while guides share documented encounters and the building’s fascinating history. Room 217, where King stayed, tops the list of active spots. Photography is encouraged—you might capture something unexplainable.
Book your tour tickets directly through the hotel’s website. Even if you don’t stay overnight, the tour delivers genuine chills in a breathtaking mountain setting.
5. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Weston, West Virginia — Historic & Paranormal Tours
Built in the 1800s, this National Historic Landmark once housed thousands of patients in conditions that ranged from compassionate to horrifying. Its massive stone walls and endless corridors create an atmosphere that feels frozen in time.
During the 2025 season (March 29–November 9), you can choose from daytime historic tours or after-dark ghost hunts. Guides explain the asylum’s medical practices, famous patients, and reported hauntings. Paranormal investigations use real equipment to detect unexplained activity.
The building’s sheer size means tours cover a lot of ground, so dress comfortably. Night investigations aren’t recommended for young children—the darkness and stories can be genuinely unsettling for sensitive visitors.
6. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky — After-Dark Investigations
Tuberculosis claimed thousands of lives here during the early 1900s, and many believe those souls never left. Waverly Hills ranks among the most haunted locations in America, drawing paranormal investigators from around the world.
Public ghost hunts let you explore the building after sunset with experienced guides who know every haunted hotspot. You’ll hear about the “death tunnel” where bodies were removed and Room 502, site of multiple tragic events. Private investigations are also available for serious enthusiasts.
Tours book up fast, especially around Halloween, so reserve your spot early through the official website or Eventbrite. Bring a flashlight, comfortable shoes, and an open mind—skeptics often leave believers.
7. RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California — Haunted Encounters & Dark Harbor
This retired luxury liner sailed the Atlantic for decades, serving as both elegant transport and wartime troopship. Now permanently docked, it’s known for paranormal activity throughout its many decks—crew members, passengers, and even a child haunt specific areas.
Daily Haunted Encounters tours take you into the engine room, pool area, and staterooms where guests report strange experiences. For bigger thrills, Dark Harbor returns in 2025 as a massive Halloween event with haunted mazes, monsters, and bars spread across the ship.
Hotel rooms are available if you’re brave enough to spend the night. Check the official website for current tour schedules and Dark Harbor dates, as experiences vary by ticket type.
8. Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts — Museum, Tours & Overnight Stays
In 1892, Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother were brutally murdered with an axe in this ordinary-looking house. Lizzie was tried and acquitted, but the mystery and her eerie children’s rhyme made the case legendary.
Today, the house operates as both museum and bed-and-breakfast. Daily tours walk you through the crime scenes while guides present evidence and theories. Ghost tours and paranormal investigations run into late evening hours. Brave visitors can even book an overnight stay in the actual bedrooms.
The museum displays period furniture, crime scene photos, and trial documents. Current schedules and tickets are available on the official site—reservations are strongly recommended, especially for overnight experiences.
9. Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California — Nighttime & Flashlight Tours
Sarah Winchester, heiress to the rifle fortune, believed ghosts demanded she never stop building. For 38 years, construction continued day and night, creating 160 rooms filled with doors opening to walls, staircases leading nowhere, and windows overlooking other rooms.
Regular daytime tours showcase the mansion’s oddities, but nighttime and flashlight experiences amplify the eerie atmosphere. For 2025, a new Halloween attraction and festival add extra thrills according to local coverage. The winding hallways and strange design make you feel disoriented and watched.
Tours book quickly during fall weekends. Check the official Winchester Mystery House website for current offerings, special events, and ticket availability before planning your visit.
10. 1886 Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas — America’s Most Haunted Hotel
Built as a luxury resort in 1886, this beautiful hotel later became a hospital run by a fake doctor who claimed to cure cancer. Patients died under his care, and many say their spirits remain trapped inside.
Nightly ghost tours end in the former morgue, where equipment and stories bring the building’s dark past to life. Guests report phantom nurses, mysterious voices, and objects moving on their own. Room 419 and the third floor are particularly active.
The hotel operates year-round with seasonal extras around Halloween. Even if you skip the tour, simply staying overnight might give you a paranormal encounter. Check their website for tour schedules and special October events.
11. St. Augustine Lighthouse, Florida — Dark of the Moon Tours
Standing since 1874, this working lighthouse has witnessed shipwrecks, storms, and tragedy. Children drowned near the site during construction, and visitors claim to hear their laughter and see small figures playing near the tower.
Dark of the Moon tours let you climb the 219 steps by glowstick while guides share true ghost stories and historical facts. Weather permitting, you’ll reach the top and take in views of St. Augustine’s historic coastline. The experience feels both beautiful and unsettling.
Tours run year-round with extra dates during peak fall and Halloween seasons. Book through the official St. Augustine Lighthouse website, and wear comfortable shoes—the climb is real exercise.
12. Savannah, Georgia — America’s Gothic Beauty
Savannah’s history includes wars, yellow fever epidemics, and dark secrets buried beneath its moss-draped beauty. Nearly every historic building has a ghost story, making the entire city feel like one giant haunted attraction.
Multiple reputable tour companies offer nightly ghost walks through the squares and past famous haunted homes. Candlelit history tours blend true crime, legends, and documented paranormal activity. Guides know the best stories and most active locations. Tours typically last 60-90 minutes.
Book ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday nights when tours fill quickly. Companies like Savannah Ghost Tours and Savannah History & Haunts have excellent reputations. Comfortable walking shoes are essential—you’ll cover historic cobblestones and uneven sidewalks.
13. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania — Battlefield Town with Year-Round Ghost Tours
Over 50,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or went missing during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. That immense loss left a mark that many believe created the most haunted battlefield in America.
Tour operators run year-round experiences ranging from family-friendly history walks to intense “Dead of Night” investigations. Guides take you to Devil’s Den, Triangular Field, and other hotspots where apparitions have been photographed and voices recorded. Stories come from documented accounts, not just legend.
Companies like Gettysburg Battlefield Tours and Gettysburg Ghost Tours operate throughout the year. Fall offers comfortable weather for evening walks. Reservations help guarantee your spot, especially during busy weekends.
14. Jerome, Arizona — High-Desert Ghost Town with a Haunted Hotel
Perched 5,000 feet up Cleopatra Hill, Jerome once boomed with copper mining before nearly becoming a true ghost town. Today, it’s a quirky artist community where the past refuses to stay buried.
Nightly ghost tours run during peak season, stopping at the Jerome Grand Hotel (a former hospital where patients died in now-guest rooms), old saloons, and abandoned mine sites. Guides share tales of miners killed in accidents and spirits that still roam the steep streets.
Multiple operators including Spirit of Arizona Tours, Jerome Ghost Tours, and Tours of Jerome keep schedules active for 2025. The town’s cliffside setting and Old West vibe make it unforgettable even without the ghosts.
15. New Orleans, Louisiana — America’s Halloween Capital
Voodoo history, above-ground cemeteries, and centuries of tragedy make New Orleans endlessly haunted. Every October, the city celebrates with the Krewe of Boo parade, costume parties, and special events that rival Salem’s festivities.
Ghost tours run nightly year-round, taking you through the French Quarter, Garden District, and historic cemeteries where voodoo queens and jazz legends rest. Companies like Haunted History Tours offer cemetery walks, vampire tours, and voodoo experiences. Each operator brings different stories and access.
Book ahead for October weekends when hotels and tours fill fast. Visit New Orleans’ official site and Southern Living’s guides provide excellent planning resources. The city’s unique mix of history, mystery, and celebration creates Halloween magic.
