Halloween
Travel to these destinations for a good scare this Halloween
Those who want to make the most of Halloween can include travel plans in their schedules . North America boasts plenty of locations that have scary-sounding monikers , are supposedly haunted , or have attractions that will appeal to those looking for a few extra chills and thrills .
> Salem , Massachusetts
Salem is a prime spot to spend Halloween because of the events that took place there in 1692-93 surrounding the Salem Witch Trials . Mass hysteria among the area ’ s Puritans resulted in accusations , convictions and executions of people purported to be witches . Given witches ’ relationship to Halloween , Salem is popular among tourists year-round , and especially so in October .
> Screams Halloween Theme Park
Visitors to Dallas , Texas may be expecting to see cows , horses or even oil rigs , but they also can visit a theme park devoted to Halloween fright . Screams Halloween Theme Park visitors can see five haunted attractions and additional entertainment .
> Tombstone , Arizona
This is the quintessential Wild West town made famous by Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday . Resident ghosts are said to haunt the theater , and there are haunted hotels where visitors can stay . Some walking ghost tours can make a visit even more frightful .
> Hell ’ s Gate , British Columbia
Hell ’ s Gate is located on the Fraser River at a point where it narrows and becomes whitewater rapids . Visitors can take an Airtram down into the canyon to see Hell ’ s Gate up close or traverse a suspension bridge .
> Green-wood Cemetery , Brooklyn , NY
Many historic cemeteries offer tours around Halloween and at other times of the year . Greenwood in the borough of Brooklyn is one of them . Walk the winding paths on your own , or sign up for a private tour . While you ’ re in the area , take the Verrazano Narrows Bridge into Staten Island to visit the spooky-sounding Great Kills area . “ Kill ” comes from the old Dutch term meaning “ creek .” Staten Island also has Arthur Kill and Kill Van Kull , which sound equally ominous .
> Sleepy Hollow , New York
“ The Legend of Sleepy Hollow ” is a classic story by Washington Irving featuring the fabled Headless Horseman . The real Sleepy Hollow is a small town along the Hudson River . During Halloween season , visitors can tour Gothic mansions and enjoy haunted hayrides , blazing pumpkins and more . Make sure you cross the Headless Horseman Bridge with plenty of time to spare to make it out of town before sunset .
> Savannah , Georgia
Tourists in Savannah will find the city is billed as “ America ’ s most haunted city .” There are a wide range of architecture styles and plenty of spots that would be right at home in horror flicks . Tours let visitors explore the city ’ s haunted happenings .
Halloween is a time to enjoy the cool weather by traveling to locations with scary names and scenery .
34 Valdosta Scene | October 2024