5 Worth-It Halloween Destinations for Every Budget

Eat, Drink, and Be Scary

Cauldrons, candy corn, and killer clowns. There’s only one season for them, and that’s Halloween. And if your hometown isn’t quite meeting your creep-tastic expectations, we have the perfect solution for you…and your wallet: a quick getaway to one of our favorite Halloween destinations.

Pack your costume and your good broom; whether you’re looking for tricks or treats (we admit, we like both), you’re bound to find them at these budget-friendly, Halloween-happy cities.

• Los Angeles, CA

  The City of Angels, as one of the top Halloween destinations? If you’re traveling with younger kids, the answer is a definite yes!

  First stop: Knott’s Berry Farm—ummm, make that Knott’s Scary Farm. The little ones will love watching the Peanuts Gang singing and dancing during the Great Pumpkin Palooza, plus trick-or-treating, a pumpkin patch, and other not-so-scary surprises.

  Older kids (or the ones who are only young at heart) will get a kick out of creepier activities such as Delusion, an immersive horror theater (shudder!), or the slightly cheesy/slightly terrifying Haunted Hayride.

  Halloween Budgeting Tip: If tix to Knott’s Berry feel kinda steep, check out L.A.’s famous (and free!) pumpkin patch, where locals and celebs mingle over gourds.

• New Orleans, LA

  Fun and frights? Yes, please! The Big Easy is known for its otherworldly side. Numerous stories detail the city’s creepy connections to voodoo, vampires, zombies, and, of course, good old-fashioned ghosts.

  And what else is NoLa known for? Letting the good times roll, which it certainly does during Halloween!

  The French Quarter is the place to be, with street parties, costume balls, and even a VoodooFest highlighting October’s festivities. For creepy kitsch, check out one of the many ghost or vampire tours. Or stop by the House of Voodoo, once home to infamous priestess Marie Laveau.

  If you’re a fan of adult libations, pick up tickets to the city’s much-loved Brews and Boos Festival. Unlimited beer, treats, and a costume party.

  Halloween Budgeting Tip: New Orleans is a foodie paradise, but simple, inexpensive po’boys are always tasty!

• Salem, MA

  How could “The Witch City” not make our list of Halloween destinations? The town embraces broomsticks and pointed hats year-round, but this is its time to shine, with over half a million visitors stopping by.

  Explore the city’s spooky side, both the tourist-y and the authentic: ghost tours, old cemeteries with witchy connections, and the allegedly haunted Witch House. The Salem Witch Museum is another must-see, where you can explore the town’s history of witchcraft and the infamous Salem Witch Trials.

  And no stop in Salem is complete without a stop at one of the local “witch shops.” Some cater to tourists while others feature local-made artisan products. Pick up a cauldron, spell book, or crystal ball to remember your visit.

  Halloween Budgeting Tip: Skip the pricey tours. All you need is some Google skills and you can DIY your own walking tour.

• Sleepy Hollow, NY

  Remember Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman? Well, so do the residents of Sleepy Hollow… and they go all out to ensure it’s one of the top Halloween destinations in the country.

  The setting for Washington Irving’s novel is an idyllic town, located just 30 miles from New York City. And they certainly know how to make the most of their connection to the season’s most infamous book.

  The entire month of October is filled with Halloween activities. Mark your calendar for street fairs, costume parades, haunted hay rides, and pretty much any other spook-tacular activity you can think of.

  Whatever you do, make sure you catch The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. The jaw-dropping display features over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins.

  Halloween Budgeting Tip: Tourists flock to Sleepy Hollow in October, driving up prices. Thanks to the commuter rail, there are plenty of nearby places to stay that are much easier on your wallet.

• St. Augustine, FL

  Just a quick broom flight east from Orlando you’ll find the narrow cobblestone streets of St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S.

  17th-century soldiers roaming the Castillo de San Marcos, spirits lingering in the city’s ancient cemeteries, and misty sightings of long-dead patients in the long-abandoned Spanish Military Hospital… The city is ripe with ghostly encounters.

  If that’s not enough to spook you, pay a visit to the Old Jail After Dark. This spine-tingling experience includes a paranormal investigation of one of the country’s most haunted buildings. Neglected prisoners endured notoriously inhumane treatment, and more than one death occurred with less than natural circumstances. Visitors swear they’ve seen unexplained lights, heard banging noises, and even seen an unhappy spirit or two.

  Halloween Budgeting Tip: A free, sunny day at one of the nearby beaches is the perfect counterpoint to the city’s spooky sights.

Feeling creepy yet? You should be! Because these Halloween destinations have everything you need to get into the spirit of the, well, spirits.

And to make your Halloween trip even easier, ship your spooky stuff to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. From your costume to your cozy skeleton pajamas, we’ll take care of getting your stuff there. No baggage hassles; all you have to do is hop off the plane and start the spooky sightings.

Happy Hauntings!