Are you looking for a fun place to go for Halloween this year? Keep scrolling to find out the best Halloween towns on the East Coast worth checking out.
This list of the best Halloween towns on the East Coast was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Looking for the perfect place to celebrate Halloween this year? You’re in luck!
We have compiled a list of 12 of the best spooky Halloween towns on the East Coast. These towns are known for their eccentric decorations, spooky features, and famous haunted attractions.
There are so many great places to choose from, but we narrowed it down to these top spots. From Salem, MA, to New York City, there’s one waiting for you! The list includes small towns as well as large cities.
We even threw in a few other top Halloween destinations that will be sure to scare your pants off!
It’s never too early (or late) to start planning your perfect trip this year! Get ready because it’s going to be an amazing time full of memories that will last a lifetime.
So get excited because October 31st is just around the corner…and remember, don’t forget your costume!! Happy Haunting!!!
The Best East Coast Halloween Towns That Go All Out for Halloween
The towns that go all out for Halloween share several similarities in the annual events they hold, contests, attractions, or festivals.
In Salem, the annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade is one you wouldn’t want to miss!
Other towns have costume contests, pumpkin contests, and related events for the month of October.
This is the best time of year to put on your favorite costume with friends and take a weekend trip to one of these spooky small towns.
What East Coast Town Does Halloween the Absolute Best?
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts, is well known for its Halloween antics each year. The town is infamous for being one where witches dwelled long ago and were hung at the Salem Witch Trials.
Some believe the town itself is haunted, and many visitors opt to join a History & Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour to really get spooked.
There’s also the Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour. This is a cool tour to do with older kids to supplement what they might have learned in school.
In Salem, there’s never a dull moment. There are always exciting things to do, from visiting witchy stores that have crystals to wandering through a well-known cemetery in the area.
New England With Love dives deep into 13 amazing things to do in Salem, which is truly one of the best spooky small towns on the East Coast. It’s no wonder it’s one of the creepiest places to visit on Halloween.
Where to Stay in Salem, Massachusetts for Halloween
Hawthorne Hotel
The Hawthorne Hotel hosts The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, which features a night full of magic, music, and powerful rituals with special guests.
It’s also right next to the Salem Witch Museum. Check rates and more information.
Best Halloween Towns on the East Coast
New York City, New York
New York City is the place to be for any holiday, especially Halloween. Each year there are a number of restaurants and storefronts that decorate their businesses to match the occasion.
If you love the N.Y.C nightlife, on the night of Halloween, rooftop bars are what you should look out for! It’s one of the best places for Halloween parties.
One of the top things to do in New York City for Halloween is go on the New York City Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village. This creepy tour features scary tales about celebrity ghosts, phantoms, missing children, and more.
There’s also the East Village Haunted Manhattan tour. The East Village in New York City is a great place to visit during the spookiest time of day—at night.
During this two-hour tour, you’ll hear about famous former residents and those who may have never departed.
Where to Stay in New York City for Halloween
The Algonquin Hotel
The Algonquin Hotel may still be visited posthumously by poet Dorothy Parker, performer Harpo Marx, and playwright George Connell.
We stayed here a few years ago and didn’t see any ghosts, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there!
The hotel is well-known for its haunted history, as many children once claimed that Ms. Parker shushed them when they were too noisy. Check latest rates and more information.
Savannah, Georgia
If you’re on the hunt for the best cities for Halloween, Savannah is a must on that list.
The city of Savannah, Georgia, and its residents are known to have outgoing decorations and events in preparation for Halloween.
One event to look out for is the Trick or Trot 5k run. It’s a perfect way to burn a few calories before devouring Halloween candy.
You’ll also want to get tickets for the Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour. The afterlife is still very much alive in Savannah. Experience the city on a Ghosts and Gravestones trolley ride through this grand old Southern town.
You’ll tour with your guide, passing former battlegrounds, historic cemeteries, and houses infiltrated by ghosts of deceased residents along the way as you learn about Savannah’s sinister deeds past from locals.
Where to Stay in Savannah, Georgia for Halloween
The Marshall House
One of the most haunted hotels in Savannah is The Marshall House. Because of its history as a hospital during the Civil War, guests at The Marshall House have reported seeing soldiers with missing limbs on their first floor.
It’s one of the best places to celebrate Halloween if you want to meet a ghost! Check latest rates and more information.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
One of the best cities for Halloween is Philadelphia. The city is home to the Eastern State Penitentiary, known as one of the most haunted places in the entire United States.
I won’t go into detail about what happened behind those walls… Shudder!
If you’re really looking to get spooked by real and fake ghosts, you won’t want to miss experiencing Terror Behind the Walls, a full-immersion haunted house experience that you’ll never forget!
Philadephia is also one of the best places to go for Halloween for adults. That’s because it’s home to the Dark Philly Adult Night Tour. You’ll learn about R-rated sites such as vampires and pirate ghost ships while also exploring historical attractions that have been illuminated at night.
Where to Stay in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for Halloween
The Bellevue Hotel
The Bellevue is infamous for being the most haunted hotel in Philly. Guests have reported a drop in temperature and something tugging on their covers (and toes) as they try to sleep.
It’s one of the best places to spend Halloween night. Check latest rates and more information.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia is the place to be for a fun, family-friendly Halloween experience. The town is booming with excitement around the holiday season, from amazing festivals to fun costume parties.
One thing you cannot miss while you’re in Richmond for Halloween is the ghost tours.
With over 400 years of history, you better believe Richmond holds some truly eerie inhabitants. That’s why it’s one of the best places to visit during Halloween.
The Haunted Capitol Hill Ghost Tour is a great option. Hear chilling ghost stories, learn about the Great Theatre Fire, and explore the old Executive Mansion.
There’s also the Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour in Richmond. Check out one of the most-visited cemeteries in the United States. You’ll spot lots of gravestones of former presidents as well as fallen soldiers.
Where to Stay in Richmond, Virginia for Halloween
The Berkeley Hotel
The Berkeley Hotel is one of the most haunted in Richmond. It’s said that you can hear stories about their founder and even a ghost who calls this place home, although they’ve passed on.
This is one of the most fun places to go for Halloween for a spooky night out. Check latest rates and more information.
Best Spooky Small Towns On the East Coast
Sleepy Hollow, New York
If you know the story behind Sleepy Hollow, then you know this is one of the best Halloween towns on the East Coast.
This town goes all out for this holiday celebration. If you happen to make your way here, look out for the incredible house decorations!
One event you absolutely must look forward to attending is the Halloween Parade!
Where to Stay in Sleepy Hollow, New York for Halloween
Tarrytown House Estate
The historic Tarrytown House Estate is located in the legendary village of Sleepy Hollow. The hotel was once made up of two 1840’s mansions that were later turned into a hotel.
And there have been claims by ghost investigators over its haunting nature as being “the most haunted place on earth.”
Plus, they have extensive Halloween packages for all types of travelers. Check latest rates and more information.
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania is just that…eerie when it comes to Halloween celebrations. If you’re on the hunt for the best towns for Halloween, this is the place for you.
If you want a really good scare, check out their annual event, Zombies of the Corn.
Where to Stay in Erie, Pennsylvania for Halloween
Hotel Conneaut
This is by far the spookiest hotel near Erie. There was a fire that destroyed the hotel in 1943 (and a woman died on her honeymoon).
There was also a little boy who died riding his trike down the staircase. These are just a few of the ghosts you might encounter. Check the latest reviews and more information.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a great place to visit as Halloween approaches. The city is one of the oldest in the country and contains a lot of haunted attractions to visit during this time of year.
Make sure to sign up for the Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour. Get a front-row seat to Charleston’s haunted history on an evening ghost and cemetery tour.
And the after-hours access lets you explore the famous Unitarian Church Graveyard without interruption from other visitors or pesky ghosts!
There’s also a Narrated Haunted Ghost Cruise of Charleston Harbor. This haunted Charleston catamaran cruise sails to sites on the harbor that you cannot see from land.
You can hear spooky stories about past history while enjoying a beverage, and as this is an alternative to traditional tours, it promises more fun!
Where to Stay in Charleston, South Carolina for Halloween
Annie’s Bed and Breakfast
Annie’s Bed and Breakfast is a haunted house in Charleston that is rumored to still have a young girl ghost haunting its hallways. Check rates and availability.
Laconia, New Hampshire
Laconia, New Hampshire, is surprisingly a small town many avid Halloween lovers seem to miss around the holidays. The town boasts exciting events around Halloween, especially when it comes to festivals.
One festival that all the residents of Laconia and others on the East Coast look forward to annually is the NH Pumpkin Festival!
Where to Stay in Laconia, New Hampshire for Halloween
The Hotel Portsmouth
The Hotel Portsmouth is a historical mansion turned hotel that has a haunting presence in its third-floor suite, 204.
Guests and staff have reported ice arrangements being made or piled up on the ground, as well as doors locking and unlocking themselves. It seems centered around this room. Check latest rates and more information.
Famous Cities Know For Their Halloween Celebrations Around the World
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is a great famous city to visit for Halloween. Though the city is best for adults during Halloween, there are several kid-friendly events as well!
One highly anticipated Halloween event for adults around Halloween is the 2022 Las Vegas Halloween Club Crawl.
Dublin, Ireland
Surprisingly, not many know that Dublin, Ireland is one of the best cities for Halloween. Residents of Ireland love this holiday where annual festivals are thrown, and costumes are worn all around.
The Bram Stoker Festival is one you definitely do not want to miss in Dublin, Ireland.
Transylvania, Romania
Transylvania, Romania, is one of the most famous cities for Halloween lovers. This city is known for having its longest resident, Dracula, live there. That’s why it’s one of the best cities to celebrate Halloween.
Oktoberfest is a traditional German festival many nearby countries host, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event you must attend!
Oaxaca, México
If you’re seeking a Halloween adventure with a different story, Mexico is the place to go.
Instead of Halloween, Oaxaca and many Mexican towns host a “Días de los Muertos” festival (Day of the Dead). This event is beautiful and exciting. This ultimate travel guide will be incredibly useful.
Places to go This Halloween FAQs
The city of Anoka, Minnesota is known as the “Halloween Capital of the World.” That’s because it was one of the first cities in America to put on a fun Halloween celebration that discouraged people from playing tricks or causing mischief. It’s one of the best places to go on Halloween.
There are tons of festive places to celebrate Halloween all across the world. Some of the top Halloween parties take place in Savannah, Georgia; Lahaina, Maui; Key West, Florida; and New York City. These are awesomely spooky Halloween places to visit.
Sort of. Every year the town of St. Helens, Oregon transforms itself for fans of “Halloweentown.” The film was shot in this real place, and every September through October 31, they host a celebration called Spirit Of HalloweeTOWN Festival. This is where people come from all over to celebrate Halloween like it’s never been celebrated before, as well as pay homage to their beloved children’s movie.
The top witchy towns on the East Coast include Salem, Massachusetts; Sleepy Hollow, New York; and Williamsburg, Virginia.
The best Halloween towns in New England are Salem, Massachusetts; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and Stowe, Vermont.
Some other spooky places to visit in October are the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, and the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans.
These are the Best Halloween Towns on the East Coast of the U.S.
If you’re looking for something different to do this Halloween, you won’t be disappointed if you choose to visit any of these East Coast towns!
The East Coast has no shortage of towns that can offer you a spooky adventure when it comes to Halloween. Celebrating Halloween in any one of these towns is going to be a blast in 2021.
Whether your goal is taking in as many haunted houses as possible or just enjoying some downtime with friends, there are plenty of destinations for every preference.
Remember to wear your favorite costume and eat as much candy as you possibly can!