6 Halloween Getaways Where the Guests Aren’t All Alive
Halloween may look different as an empty nester. You’re no longer coordinating costumes, taking little ones trick-or-treating, or hosting hordes of teens. It may feel lonely if you’re still getting used to this new stage of life, especially if you don’t have grandchildren nearby to carry on these Halloween traditions. That doesn’t mean you should sit at home with a bowl of candy hoping for a few trick-or-treaters to knock on your door. Why not plan a Halloween getaway with your spouse, friends, or adult children?
Read: What Your Halloween Candy Says About You (And Why Kids Are Judging)
Discover: 5 of the Scariest Personal Finance Myths You’ll Ever Hear
A new study from digital sim card provider Nomad eSim recently revealed the spookiest settings across the US, with New Orleans surpassing Salem, Massachusetts, as the top spot. We combined their criteria with our own travel experiences and independent research to come up with six spots great for Halloween scares without a care for adults.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans was deemed spookiest city in the US. The French Quarter, especially, hosts Halloween events all month long. The revelry continues through November 1, when the city wakes to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
In addition to ghost tours, haunted pub crawls, and general New Orleans fun, you can take in a haunted burlesque show at Beyond The Veil or enjoy live music all weekend on Frenchmen Street. Have a great costume you want to show off? You’ll find costumed locals and visitors alike up and down the street, in the shops, and in restaurants and bars.
If you’re looking for an historic stay to match your Halloween mood, consider the Maison Métier, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The location places you minutes from Lafayette Square and less than 10 minutes from Bourbon Street. It was recently rated one of the best “Gothic Getaway Hotels” by Expedia.com.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia, is frequently cited as one of the most haunted regions in the US, with 1,500 people searching Google monthly for ghost tours in the city. If that’s what you’re looking for this Halloween, you can choose from haunted pub crawls, walking tours, and even a hearse ride through Savannah’s spookiest sites.
The site of deadly battles, fires and illness throughout history, Savannah is sometimes called “the City that Lives on Her Dead.” Stroll through Colonial Park Cemetery, where there are 10,000 people buried in the ground but less than 1,000 grave markers.
Don’t miss the Savannah Paranormal Museum to separate authentic historical accounts from the city’s folklore, both equally fascinating. You can also sleep amongst ghosts at The Marshall House, which was a hospital during the Civil War, or The Kehoe House, an upscale B&B allegedly haunted by ghosts of children. The Marshall House was ranked ninth in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice 10 Best Haunted Hotels for 2026.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston draws vacationers and retirees alikeretirees alike, but Halloween travelers have another reason to visit: the city’s haunted history.
Much like Savannah, war and disease ravaged this city in earlier centuries. That makes it a prime spot for ghosts. The city even housed the infamous serial killer Lavinia Fisher, an innkeeper who allegedly poisoned and robbed travelers, according to GhostCityTours.com. Her ghost, along with others, supposedly haunt Charleston’s Old City Jail.
The mild weather, ghost tours, and haunted carriage rides make Charleston the perfect getaway for adults looking to celebrate Halloween. Amp up the Halloween frights with a stay at the Battery Carriage House, considered one of the city’s most historic (and most haunted) hotels, according to GhostCityTours.com.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas, made Stacker’s list of “Lesser-known Spooky Cities” this year. But word is spreading as fast as a ghost story, with the folks at Nomad eSim rating it number 7 on their list of spookiest US cities.
Experience walking ghost tours armed with ghost-hunting gear to detect the presence of spirits or brave a stay in Hotel Emma. The site of the former Pearl Brewery is said to be haunted by Emma Koehler, wife of brewery owner Otto Koehler. Emma took over running the brewery after Otto was killed by his mistress, also named Emma.
While you’re in town, celebrate Fright Fest at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, with seven haunted experiences, six scare zones, and creative theatrical musical performances.
Round out your trip to San Antonio experiencing Dia de lo Muertos (Day of the Dead), a cultural collaboration of parades, live performances, food and folk art reflecting Mexican American culture on November 1.
Nashville, Tennessee
Southern cities often have reputations for hauntings, historical cemeteries, and a rich history of ghost stories and supernatural lore. Civil war battles and illness are often at the heart of these legends.
In Nashville, even the famous Ryman Auditorium is rumored to be hauntedv, with visitors saying they’ve heard the voices of founder Thomas Ryman, Patsy Cline and Hank Williams.
Enjoy country music, great food, and (if you’re lucky?) ghosts in this great city with mild autumn weather. Recognized as the most haunted hotel in Nashville, the historic Union Station Nashville Yards, part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, is said to be haunted by a young woman named Abigail.
Salem, Massachusetts
The city most often synonymous with Halloween, Salem, Massachusetts, dropped to number 8 on Nomad eSim’s list of haunted cities. Once at the top of such lists, Salem has lost media popularity in recent years as visitors claim it’s become too commercial.
Yet, last October, the city welcomed more than 900,000 people, according to Travel + Leisure. Clearly, there’s still tremendous appeal. People book a year in advance for a Halloween stay, but you can stay on the outskirts or even vacation in Boston and take the train. Head to downtown Salem for Haunted Happenings, a month-long celebration with haunted houses, pub crawls, shopping, and a haunted harbor cruise.
Book Now
It’s not too late to turn off your porch light, lock the front door, and ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your home while you plan a grown-ups-only Halloween getaway. Take advantage of last-minute deals on your favorite travel sites and, as a scare actor in a haunted house might say, “Get out!”
