Family-friendly Halloween destinations in the U.S.
With more than 450 years of history, ancient narrow streets, two storied cemeteries with graves dating back hundreds of years, a brooding Spanish fortress, and endless reports of roaming spirits and wayward pirates prowling the streets, it's the place to be for all things other-worldly. Credit: Jocrebbin
It’s the season for spooky cob webs and caldrons and a little hocus-pocus. Here are five places where you’ll find ghoulish good times.
St. Augustine, Florida
Visit the country’s oldest city for historic and haunted opportunities. With more than 450 years of history, ancient narrow streets, two storied cemeteries with graves dating back hundreds of years, a brooding Spanish fortress, and endless reports of roaming spirits and wayward pirates prowling the streets, it’s the place to be for all things other-worldly. Now through early November, visit pumpkin patches, navigate your fears on a night boat tour, take on a crop maze, or opt for ghost tours and paranormal investigations, seaside trunk-or-treats or two big costume parties.
MORE INFO visitstaugustine.com
Great Wolf Lodges
Choose from more than 20 resorts across the country where seasonal décor — think leaves, pumpkins and ghostly treats — await youngsters. Throughout October, select resorts will feature a Pumpkin Patch Pool Bash package through which families will have the opportunity to swim through a sea of floating pumpkins to find their favorite gourd, gain one-hour early VIP water park access, and enjoy seasonal treats like cider and doughnuts while they decorate their pumpkins. Also, be on the lookout for Trick-Or-Treat Trails Monster Bash Dancy Party, Howl-O-Ween trivia and engaging crafts.
MORE INFO GreatWolf.com
Scary San Francisco
Do you believe in vampires? During a tour of the Nob Hill District, you’ll learn about local vampire lore and the city’s history from a specialist in such matters as you stop in by the Grace Cathedral, the Nob Hill Café, the Fairmont Hotel and the Mark Hopkins. Suitable for all ages, the 1.5-hour walking tour will let you in on some of the neighborhood’s spookiest secrets. Dial up the seasonal chill factor with a nighttime tour of Alcatraz. This former federal prison once housed some of the most notorious criminals in the U.S and before that was a U.S. military prison. The creaks, groans and tales of mysterious happenings will be enough to spook your crew. If you prefer to scout for ghosts and goblins, head to Union Square where tours, specializing in the city’s dark side, leave most days after dark
MORE INFO Viator.com
Virginia City, Montana
Perhaps it’s the ghost of Calamity Jane who saunters back into town. Or maybe it’s the gold miner whose luck ran out. No one knows for sure, but the colorful mining town is said to be “spirited.” Once home to as many as 10,000 residents, lively saloons and dance halls, Virginia City was considered the capital of the Montana Territory. Today, travelers who make their way to this well-preserved treasure are treated to old-time theater, music, train rides, living history demonstrations as well as walking or horse-drawn carriage tours. And, plenty of good ghost stories.
MORE INFO virginiacity.com; visitmt.com.
Haunted houses
Sticky cobwebs, spine-chilling music, hair-raising sights. If you dare, find a haunted place near you and go boldly into the night. During this spooky season expect fields of screams, terror in the cornfields and whole towns devoted to scaring you out of your wits. You can find a chamber of horrors to move your family’s scare meter from mild to wild. The choice is yours!
