Every October, Halloween enthusiasts and travelers alike begin their hunt for bone-chilling destinations to visit. From charming small towns that fully embrace Halloween celebrations to haunted hotels that tempt guests with terrifying pasts, a handful of kitschy destinations highlight the essence of the season’s thrills and chills. To make your October much more festive, we’ve curated a list of the best places to visit and stay, each filled with its own Halloween horrors.
1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa (Eureka Springs, Arkansas)
Known as one of America’s most haunted hotels, the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa has a very eerie history. Built in 1886, this Victorian-era structure initially opened as a luxury resort for those in high society. However, it later became infamous for its dark chapter in the 1930s when it was converted into a hospital by Norman Baker, a charismatic yet fraudulent doctor who claimed to have a cure for cancer. Baker’s practices and the mysterious deaths during that time left a lasting legacy, leading many to believe that the spirits of those who passed still roam the hotel’s halls. Today, the Crescent Hotel fully embraces its haunted reputation, offering ghost tours for a peek into its chilling past.
The Lodge at the Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)
Located next to the iconic Stanley Hotel—famous for inspiring Stephen King’s “The Shining”—The Lodge at the Stanley Hotel is much more quiet and charming. Built in 1910 as a carriage house for the main hotel, this spot and its predecessor have long been associated with paranormal activity. Although the main hotel typically steals the spotlight, The Lodge offers guests the best of both worlds–the spine-tingling ghost tours and eerie lore of the larger Stanley Hotel–with a quaint and cozy ambiance that’s not quite as terrifying.
Hotel Sorrento (Seattle, Washington)
With a reputation as one of Seattle’s most haunted hotels, it makes sense as to why Halloween lovers need to add Hotel Sorrento to their bucket list. Opened in 1909, its most famous ghostly inhabitant is believed to be Alice B. Toklas, a writer and friend of Gertrude Stein, who allegedly haunts the hotel’s fourth floor. Guests and staff have reported strange occurrences, including unexplained cold spots and flickering lights. Our advice? Sleep with one eye open.
The Queen Mary (Long Beach, California)
A historic ocean liner turned hotel, The Queen Mary is famous for its dark past, which has given it a reputation as one of the most haunted places in the world (!!). Launched in 1936, the ship sailed across the Atlantic and even served as a troopship during World War II. After retiring in 1967, it was turned into a floating hotel. Since then, countless reports of paranormal activity have made a splash, including sightings of ghosts in the ship’s swimming pool as well as the sound of phantom footsteps in its halls. Beyond the haunted history, the ship has unique Art Deco-style staterooms, complete with wood-paneled walls, vintage decor, and ocean views.
20 South Battery (Charleston, South Carolina)
Located along the Battery, this 1843 inn is one of Charleston’s most haunted spots. Stories of a “Gentleman Ghost” who has been spotted in Room 8 and a “Headless Torso” who roams Room 10 have floated from guests’ lips, making every stay chilling to the bone. Although these spirits are said to be friendly and curious, the hotel has an eerie atmosphere at night. However, this eleven-key stay is one of our favorites in the city.
The Hawthorne Hotel (Salem, Massachusetts)
Of course, a hotel in the infamous city of Salem had to be on this list. The Hawthorne Hotel, built in 1925, has been a fixture in downtown Salem for nearly a century, hosting tons of notable guests and throughout the years. Given its location and age, it’s no surprise that the Hawthorne Hotel has earned a reputation as one of Salem’s most haunted spots. Guests have reported strange occurrences, including lights flickering at night, unexplained noises, and that dreaded feeling of being watched. Room 325 and the sixth floor are particularly known for paranormal activity, with some visitors claiming to have seen a female ghost roaming the halls.
The Richardson Hotel (Buffalo, New York)
There’s no doubt about it: The Richardson Hotel is the best example of repurposed architecture. Originally built in 1880 as the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, this Richardson Olmsted Complex is a National Historic Landmark known for its unique Romanesque architecture. (The exterior is as striking as the interior.) After being vacant for years, the property was transformed into The Richardson Hotel. Though not widely known for hauntings, the building’s eerie past certainly adds a hint of mystery to every stay.
