All fire-hued leaves and cozy atmospheres, autumn vacations can be some of the most scenic trips of the year. That said, the season can also bring out the eerie side of destinations - especially around Halloween. Across the globe, there are places that are known for their colorful pasts and lore-filled landscapes. Maybe their stories are rooted in particular historical events, such as a war, or perhaps it is their mystical locations and otherworldly scenery that lend a creepy air to the surroundings. Whether you hope to stay close to home or are looking for a fright on the other side of the world, come along and discover tales of the past and spooky season inspiration in these top destinations to visit at Halloween.
Ireland
What better place to begin our list than the place where Halloween began? More than 2,000 years ago, Pagans in Ireland began to mark the coming of winter with a festival called Samhain. Participants rang in the "darker half" of the year with bonfires and feasts, and they dressed up to ward off evil spirits, as the veil between the living world and the spirit world was thought to be thin at this time of the year. Today, these celebrations continue throughout the nation in October.
As you travel through the Emerald Isle, particularly in the countryside, you will hear stories of faeries and mythical beings, and select locations, including the Cliffs of Moher, are said to be haunted by entities from the past. Exploring the Best of Ireland can also take you to Dublin, which has plenty of ghost stories of its own to discover at Trinity College, Dublin Castle and Kilmainham Gaol. Of course, the cool, rainy days of fall only enhance the atmosphere, making for a truly memorable vacation.
Scotland
About the same time that Irish Pagans began celebrating Samhain in Ireland, they brought the traditions to the Celts of Scotland. Over the years, the festival's name changed and evolved to All Hallows' Eve, and it was the Scots who first coined the holiday "Hallowe'en," an abbreviation for All Hallows' Eve. Ancient traditions and modern interpretations can be found throughout Scotland in October each year, and because storytelling is a cornerstone of Scottish culture, legendary - and spine-tingling - stories bring the holiday to life no matter where your journey takes you.
From Edinburgh to the Highlands and Islands, you can find ancient castles with eerie undertones, including Edinburgh Castle, with its ghostly pipers and drummers, and Eilean Donan Castle, which is said to be haunted by a Spanish soldier from the Jacobite Uprising. Let tales of kelpies, the Loch Ness Monster, selkies and faeries guide you through the barren Scottish Highlands, and lore-filled destinations, including Glencoe, pave the way to otherworldly Halloween explorations.
Wales
As the lore of Samhain spread across the British Isles, the Welsh created their own interpretation of this mysterious time of year, celebrating the holiday of Nos Calan Gaeaf. The name translates to "Winter's Eve" in Welsh, and it, too, is believed to be a day when the veil between the realms is thin, and ghosts of the dead were said to appear at midnight - for the good (reconnecting with loved ones) or the bad (evil doings). Visiting Wales at Halloween today offers a chance to see the melding of these ancient beliefs and modern interpretations in locations whose stories trace back thousands of years.
Due to its breadth of history, Wales is said to hold some of the spookiest locations in the United Kingdom. From the Castles of Wales, including Conwy Castle, which is said to be one of the most haunted locations in North Wales, to Snowdonia National Park, whose breathtaking landscapes set the stage for numerous ghostly tales, there is much to uncover.
Spain
In much of Spain, Halloween is a three-day celebration that begins with Dia de las Brujas on October 31st. This phrase translates to "Day of the Witches" and is the most commercial of the celebrations; however, Dia de Todos los Santos, "Day of the Saints," and Dia de Los Muertos, "Day of the Dead," honor deceased loved ones who are believed to return to walk amongst the living for this brief period. But it isn't just this day that tales of the departed are told; Spain's story spans millennia, coloring destinations throughout the country with a spooky undertone.
Catalonia was once the center of Spain's 18th-century witch trials, and Barcelona, specifically its Gothic Quarter, has a preternatural feel thanks to its ancient architecture, maze-like alleys and history tied to the Spanish Inquisition. As you discover the Highlights of Spain, you may travel to Seville, which has stories of its own, including at the UNESCO-listed Seville Cathedral, said to be visited by the spirit of Christopher Columbus himself. Spain is a Halloween destination like none other.
The Smoky Mountains
There are plenty of creepy destinations throughout the United States, but none have the astonishing history of the Smoky Mountains, part of the greater Appalachian Mountains, which is one of the oldest ranges on Earth. The broad valleys, deep hollers and thick forests hide historic mountain towns and popular tourist destinations; however, the stories here speak to mythical creatures, glowing orbs floating among the trees, and disembodied voices calling out in the darkness.
Appalachia was once home to Native Americans, whose rituals and traditions can still be felt, and was one of the first places to be settled by Europeans in the 1700s. Storytelling is a hallmark of Cherokee culture, and their legends of these sacred mountains spread further upon the arrival of Scots-Irish immigrants, who were storytellers in their own right and brought along tales of Samhain celebrations. Today, visiting the Smoky Mountains around Halloween embraces the supernatural side of the South while hinting at the ancient traditions of the British Isles.
Savannah
Imagine spending Halloween in one of the most haunted cities in the United States, Savannah, Georgia. Awash in Southern Charm, this city is best known for its colorful 18th and 19th-century homes, historic squares and live oaks, yet its long and poignant past sets a haunting stage for explorations.
Savannah was established in 1733, and its nearly 300 years have seen devastating fires, history-changing battles, epidemic sicknesses, the slave trade and plenty of mysterious happenings. Everywhere you turn, the cobbled streets hold a story to uncover. Taylor Square, formerly called Calhoun Square, was once the site of an unmarked slave burial ground, while British soldiers from the Revolutionary War were buried around Madison Square. There are endless historic mansions with sinister pasts, and even whole areas, such as Factors Walk - once the hub of the cotton trade - that are said to have ghostly inhabitants. All of these story-laden destinations are framed by trees swaying with Spanish Moss, adding a spine-chilling air no matter what time of year you visit, but especially at Halloween when ghost tours and terrifying tales are at their peak.
New Orleans
Surrounded by the Mississippi River, swamps, marshes and Bayou Country, New Orleans has a setting that lends itself to a distinctly creepy feel. Its lush and often mysterious natural surroundings are complemented by more than a thousand years of history, dating to its initial Native American inhabitants and the French settlers - and their Caribbean and African slaves - who built the city as it is seen today. Each subgroup brought unique traditions to this epicenter city, creating an environment where stories and ancient practices, like Voodoo, could thrive.
One of our top Halloween destinations, New Orleans sets the stage for vacations with a paranormal undertone. Structures dating to the 18th century line its streets, and thanks to the city's high water table, above-ground cemeteries lend an eerie touch. The French Quarter may be a party hub during Mardi Gras, but it is said to be one of New Orlean's most haunted locations, as it is surrounded by buildings that once saw great tragedy, from Yellow Fever outbreaks to murder. All these stories and more are brought to the surface in October.
Salem
In the United States, you cannot think of Halloween without Salem coming to mind. Set amidst the renowned fall foliage of New England, this infamous location was the setting for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and 1693, during which 20 men and women were executed as witches. While none of their houses still stand, there are 18 "First Period" houses in Salem, homes that were built between 1620 and 1720 when it was first settled. One such example is the "Witch House" that belonged to Judge Jonathan Corwin, who presided over the Salem Witch Trials, and is said to be one of the most haunted locations in the city.
Salem was the setting for the classic Halloween film "Hocus Pocus," lightening its heavy history; however, there are plenty of places to uncover its authentic witchy lore and ghostly inhabitants. From Proctor's Ledge to Gallows Hill and the Old Town Hall, each site reveals a new layer to Salem's story, and there is no better time to uncover them than around All Hallows' Eve.
Many people do not know that some of their favorite annual traditions are rooted in the ancient world, and the best thing about traveling is connecting the unfamiliar with the familiar. Next Halloween, step back in time and unveil stories in places where age-old customs and historic cityscapes create a fall vacation you will never forget. Whether you are looking for a place where the buildings go bump in the night or a lore-filled setting to admire while surrounded by fall foliage, see where we can take you in October.
