U.S. Destinations to Get You Into the Halloween Spirit

With fall around the corner, it’s time for family travelers to plan fall getaways. Get ready for the spooky season by planning a getaway to one of these destinations with Halloween-themed experiences.

SLO CAL, California

Sitting peacefully in California’s Central Coast, SLO CAL, also known as San Luis Obispo County, gets ready for the Halloween season by planning costume-ready activities, ghostly haunts and a corn maze travelers are bound to get lost in.

Start planning your spooktacular costume now and gather the whole family for a not-too-scary evening at Atascadero’s Charles Paddock Zoo’s annual Zoo Boo. The entire zoo sees Halloween decorations, as well as carnival games, a costume contest, Halloween activities, a haunted house and tricks and treats for attendees of all ages. Don’t forget to say hi to the more than 200 animals that call Charles Paddock Zoo home.

The City of Arroyo Grande Recreation Services Department continues its annual Halloween Carnival and Haunted Maze on the Saturday before Halloween at Elm Street Park. Children and adults of all ages can partake in carnival games for candy and toy prizes, as well as enjoy access to food vendors, the haunted maze, a costume contest and a pumpkin-decorating contest.

Throughout the month, a plethora of pumpkin patches pop up throughout the county. Popular spots to grab the perfect pumpkin include River K Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze in Paso Robles; Nipomo Pumpkin Patch and Willow Pumpkin Patch in Nipomo; Chesebrough Farm and Jack Creek Farms in Templeton; and The Pumpkin Patch, SLO Creek Farms and Sunny Acres in San Luis Obispo.

Kansas City, Missouri

For an extra spooky scare, stop by one of Kansas City’s notorious West Bottoms haunted houses. Each Halloween season, the district transforms into a hair-raising experience. The Beast, one of the greatest haunted houses in the nation, promises to scare and excite those who dare to enter. Come face to face with voodoo, werewolves, phantoms and monsters as you navigate a maze-like structure.

The Edge of Hell, known as one of the oldest haunted houses in America, has scared visitors for nearly 50 years. The multistory journey from the clouds of heaven to the depths of hell is complete with the longest snake in the world and the locally famous, terrifying Rat Man.

Each year, Worlds of Fun brings a hair-raising experience by combining the thrills of a rollercoaster with the chills of haunted attractions. Participate in the Halloween Haunt, Sept. 15–Oct. 28, and make your way through fog-filled streets where more than 400 monsters lurk. Explore six scare zones and five outdoor mazes guaranteed to scare even the bravest.

For travelers looking for a light-hearted experience, join the fun at Cornucopia in Kansas City’s Power & Light District. From carnival rides to silent discos to Kansas City Chiefs football watch parties and barbeques, enjoy the cool weather while getting into the holiday spirit.

Dallas, Texas

For a not-so-scary but exciting Halloween activity, check out Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s annual Autumn at the Arboretum. The nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village features four 20-foot-tall decorated pumpkin houses and creative displays fashioned from more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash, as well as 150,000 autumn flowers. This year’s theme, It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, features the return of the Peanuts gang, themed pumpkin houses and a maze for younger visitors. On Halloween weekend, attend the annual Halloween Extravaganza Weekend featuring trick-or-treating throughout the garden, pumpkin decorating, body art tattoos and a petting zoo.

Newport, Rhode Island

The Enchanted Hour at The Vanderbilt, every Friday, allows visitors to sit by candlelight and revel in the surprise and delight of a reading from a local tarot master. After the experience, head to the pbar for a special, off-menu cocktail based on the theme of the reading.

A trip to a coastal destination wouldn’t be complete without a boat tour, and The Coastal Queen welcomes kids for a special Halloween-themed cruise Oct. 29, where they can participate in a costume contest, festive treats and Halloween tunes as the boat sails across Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor.

For being a 382-year-old city, it’s inevitable to have a few spooky sights and legends of ghoulish folklore. The Olde Town Ghost Walk leads guests through Newport’s oldest and most haunted locations to learn about the darkest destinations like the Jailhouse, the colonial district and Washington Square.

Fort Myers, Florida

Fall Festival at Edison and Ford Winter Estates offers a family-friendly annual festival in Downtown Fort Myers at Edison and Ford Winter Estates. The event includes pumpkin painting, live music, crafts and food vendors. Explore 30 food trucks, enjoy live music and have the chance to climb the historic banyan tree, all while discovering the charm of this historic and beautiful landmark.

For travelers over the age of 21, Cape Coral’s Spooktacular Trolley Event offers a thrilling trolley adventure featuring Halloween-themed drinks and candy at South Cape hot spots like Dixie Live and Kimber’s Wine & Cigar Lounge.