With spooky stories, haunted hangouts, eerie legends, and cocktails inspired by hair-raising festivals, there’s always plenty to experience in the USA during Halloween season. Prepare to be spooked, thrilled, and utterly enchanted by spine-chilling stories from the destinations TTM represents…
Additional images for the below stories, can be found here
New Orleans
From terrifying ghost tours and voodoo fests to fully costumed street parties, New Orleans welcomes all to enjoy Halloween in The Most Haunted City in America. Join a tour which takes participants through the house of Gothic Horror Queen Anne Rice, or deep dive into the life and times of Marie Laveau, the Queen of Voodoo.
What better way to spend Halloween than in The Most Haunted City in America on a New Orleans Ghost Tour, taking in some of the most haunted sites and bone-chilling tales. Or, why not follow Bloody Mary on one of her adventures into the supernatural and paranormal, from ghost hunts to séances and haunted museum experiences.
Halloween costume parades are another attraction, with the most petrifying displays hosted by the Krewe of BOO. Taking place on 25th October this year, witness for yourself as the French Quarter morphs into Fright Quarter.
https://www.neworleans.com/events/holidays-seasonal/halloween/
Tennessee
In Tennessee, ghostly encounters are often tied to the state’s historic homes, hospitals and hotels – not to mention theatres, bars, battlefields, caves, and even infamous prisons. For those feeling brave, why not investigate the various claims of spirits being spotted by lantern light on haunted walking tours.
Bell Witch Cave, described as one of the most haunted places in the USA, sits on land once owned by the Bell family. As the legend goes, after a period of peaceful living on the farm, in the summer of 1817 the Bells began seeing strange creatures on the farm and hearing eerie sounds, including a disembodied voice echoing throughout their cabin. Located near the old Bell family farm, where numerous reports of terrifying encounters took place, and where John Bell is said to have died in mysterious circumstances, lies the Bell Witch Cave. Many believe this is where the Bell Witch fled and resides to this day. Unexplained activity has been reported, from rocks being thrown to unsettling noises – even mysterious lights have been seen and caught on camera.
Originally founded in 1880 by the British author Thomas Hughes, the entire village of Historic Rugby is said to be haunted. Today, visitors can tour the living Victorian village on an After Dark Tour, from Thursdays-Sundays, hearing ghost stories on a Haunted Village Lantern Tour or Haunted North Village & Cemetery Tour, both conducted by lantern light.
https://www.tnvacation.com/articles/pov-real-experiences-local-haunted-places-tennessee
Louisiana
The state of Louisiana is steeped in tales of hauntings, ghost sightings and paranormal activity. Ranging from graveyards such as Natchitoches’ Old American Cemetery to its many haunted hotels. Visitors can tour or stop overnight at The Bentley, in Alexandria, or The Myrtles Plantation, which is home to famously haunted mirrors and tales of ghostly residents that have been documented in photos, and witnessed by both residents and tourists alike.
There are also reports of haunted prisons, such as Shreveport’s ‘Old Penal Farm’ and DeRidder’s Gothic Jail. During Halloween, the latter offers a Gothic Jail After Dark experience, enabling visitors to roam the jail’s halls, where unexplained paranormal activity is said to run rampant and spectral secrets linger in the walls.
Louisiana’s Neo-Gothic Old State Capitol building in Baton Rouge is said to house the ghost of a former senator, whose large footprints have appeared on the Senate floor. For more Halloween thrills, take in a fright night at the 13th Gate where visitors must journey through 13 realms of nightmares, and where your worst fears come to life.
https://www.explorelouisiana.com/articles/things-do-haunted-places-louisiana
San Antonio
With spooky cocktails, haunted hotels and the largest Dia de los Muertos celebration in the USA, San Antonio offers a truly unique experience.
Discover eerie and supernatural stories with Bad Wolf Ghost Tours, which offers a variety of tours that dive into the city’s haunted history. These include a haunted pub crawl and a ghost story dinner, where those with strong stomachs can indulge in a three-course meal at one of the world’s most (allegedly) haunted hotels, The Emily Morgan Hotel, located beside the Alamo. Diners will hear stories of the hotel’s haunted history and local ghostly legends.
In October, San Antonio hosts the largest Day of the Dead celebrations in the United States, with parades and citywide events honouring ancestors. The Devils River Whiskey Distillery adds a festive twist with its stunning Day of the Dead cocktails. Featuring vibrant colours, bold flavours, and playful garnishes, these drinks beautifully celebrate Mexican tradition. The Haunt Bar at The St. Anthony Hotel has a cocktail menu inspired by ghost stories, with each drink telling a tale of its own.
https://www.visitsanantonio.com/blog/post/kick-off-spooky-season-with-these-san-antonio-ghost-tours/
Tucson
Tucson’s rich history is filled with tales of the supernatural, from abandoned spots to historic buildings rumoured to be haunted. The Slaughterhouse, once a 1950s meat-packing plant abandoned in the 1970s, has now been transformed into a popular haunted attraction featuring multi-level mazes, live actors, and spine‑tingling scares rooted in local ghost legends.
A unique location in Tucson, El Tiradito (The Wishing Shrine) is said to be the burial place of an offender who was killed under tragic circumstances in the 1800s. Visitors still leave offerings at the shrine in hopes of their wishes being granted, and many believe the area is haunted by the restless spirit of the buried man.
Guests can learn about Tucson’s macabre past through Mauro Trejo’s Death After Dark walking tour in partnership with the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum. The two-mile walking tour runs every Friday and covers executions, gunfights, and tragedies ranging from the origins of downtown street names to the deadliest fire in Tucson history. Known for its ties to the infamous gangster John Dillinger, Hotel Congress is also said to be haunted. Guests have reported flickering lights, strange noises, and shadowy figures roaming the halls and lobby.
Mississippi
Mississippi is a perfect destination for those who like a few chills with their travel thrills. From historic homes to legendary graveyards, the Magnolia State is home to a variety of spooky spots and a perfect setting for ghostly tales.
In Vicksburg, McRaven House is known as the ‘Most Haunted House in Mississippi’, and is a must-visit for ghost enthusiasts. Built in 1797, this historic home is known for its chilling atmosphere and spectral inhabitants. The house offers guided tours that tell strange stories about past residents, including a pioneer pirate, a young bride who met a tragic fate, and the mysterious spinster sisters who still wander its halls.
One of Mississippi’s most haunted locations, Natchez City Cemetery is steeped in history and ghostly legends. Established in 1822, this historic cemetery is famed for its elaborate tombstones and the ghostly legends said to wander among them. Visitors report eerie occurrences, such as sudden drops in temperature and ghostly apparitions.
For those seeking a haunted stay, Jackson’s Fairview Inn has had guests report numerous strange occurrences, including unexplained voices, sudden temperature changes, and even furniture moving in the night. According to the inn owners, the spirits are not malevolent and appear to be fond of dogs. Mississippi is also home to the enduring legend of the Witch of Yazoo, a tale that still sparks curiosity and chills today.
https://visitmississippi.org/go/haunted-mississippi/
New England
New England’s haunts are not for the faint of heart, and spooky adventures are the speciality across all six states. In Connecticut, climb aboard the tractor-pulled hay wagons and venture into the fields of fear, for spine-chilling fun at the Legends of Fear in Shelton. Spirits of Milford Ghost Walks are lantern-lit guided ghost tours. Learn about some of the local history, including the deadly curses on Charles Island and the ‘witch’ said to be buried in the Milford Cemetery.
Halloween fans seeking adrenaline-pumping scares in a controlled environment will find plenty of thrills and chills at Nightmare New England in New Hampshire. This event features a collection of haunted houses and attractions, each with its own unique theme and terrifying twist.
Vermont’s historic highways offer haunted routes for travellers. Visitors can explore haunted sites like the southwest ‘Bennington Triangle’, where several hikers mysteriously went missing between 1920 and 1950. Stowe’s Gold Brook Bridge, also known as ‘Emily’s Bridge’, is haunted by the ghost of a lovelorn Emily who died on the bridge after being left stranded on her wedding day. Visitors to the bridge have reported scratch marks appearing on their cars and strange noises such as footsteps, ropes tightening, and screams.
Every lighthouse along the coast of Massachusetts has an eerie story waiting to be discovered.
America’s oldest wooden lighthouse, Plymouth Gurnet Light, dates to the Revolutionary War and is said to be one of the nation’s most haunted. Many believe the spirit of a former keeper’s wife haunts its rooms, waiting for her husband’s return. According to legend, the hunched figure of an old woman is said to knock on the door late at night at the Bird Island Lighthouse. The lighthouse is not open to the public but can be seen by boat.
Visitors can explore haunted Portland, Maine, by taking a nighttime tour to learn about the Old Port’s ghosts and witches with Wicked Walking Tours. In Bar Harbor, join a ghost tour or Monsters by Moonlight tour.
In Rhode Island, The Providence Ghost Tour is the city’s longest-running, locally-owned ghost tour. The guides lead you by lantern to explore the dark side of the city, weaving together history and mystery, and introducing guests to Providence’s longest-lingering residents, including deceased artists, writers, and lost loves. Elsewhere in the state, at Lincoln’s Hearthside House, guests have reported strange sensations and unexplained noises.
https://discovernewengland.org/
Boston
Get ready for a frightfully fun spooky season in Boston, one of the USA’s oldest and most spooktacular cities home to haunted tours and creepy bar crawls.
Join the Haunted Boston Ghost Tours guided walking tour through Boston’s haunted history. Hear chilling tales of murder, revenge, and heartbreak whilst exploring locations steeped in paranormal activity. Discover the ghostly residents of the Central Burial Ground, uncover the secrets of the Boston Common, and learn about the eerie legends surrounding the Boston Athenaeum, Omni Parker House Hotel, and more.
The Ghost Tours of the Charles River are a narrated experience for those aged 16 and over, offering a unique perspective on the eerie past that lingers along the riverbank. Take a thrilling 90-minute cruise along the Charles River to unravel the mystery that haunt this historic waterway. With the guidance of a costumed expert from Cambridge Historical Tours, explore haunted landmarks and hear chilling tales of ghostly apparitions and mysterious deaths.
Celebrate Halloween with the official Halloween Bar Crawl featuring creepy cocktails, outrageous costumes, and an electrifying atmosphere.
https://www.meetboston.com/events/holidays/halloween/
North Carolina
From friendly apparitions to creepy paranormal activity, there are plenty of haunted places in North Carolina for visitors seeking a scare. The Pink Lady is a well-known, friendly spirit who’s said to have been roaming The Omni Grove Park Inn since the 1920s. The Pink Lady has been reported by younger visitors to appear in a vibrant pink mist or as a young woman in a pink ballgown.
Explore the creepy coast on North Carolina’s Haunted Trail, and uncover pirate lore, ghostly cats and seriously spooky battleships along the way. Known for its moving silverware and ghostly apparitions, The Harvey has become a staple of the New Bern community with its cozy atmosphere and paranormal ties. Originally built in the 1790s, guests frequently report sightings of a spectral woman in Victorian attire, lingering or walking across the second and third floors.
The Great Dismal Swamp is similarly steeped in eerie legends, including the tale of ‘The Lady of the Lake’. According to local lore, her ghostly figure appears above the swamp’s dark waters, searching for her lost lover who vanished in the bogs.
https://www.visitnc.com/story/xZiP/haunted-places-in-north-carolina
Maverick Helicopters
Soar above this year’s spooky goings-on with an unforgettable nighttime flightseeing tour, with Maverick’s great range of tours in California and Las Vegas. With the famous West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval among its highlights, Los Angeles does Halloween in a big way. Here, Maverick’s top picks include Hollywood and Beyond, whose route takes visitors over the illuminated heart of Downtown Los Angeles, offering close-up views of iconic sights such as the Hollywood Sign.
Not to be outdone on the spooky razzle-dazzle, Las Vegas is similarly renowned for its elaborate Halloween parades and parties. As such, for visitors looking to take their trip to the Strip to new heights, Vegas Views offers unrivalled scenes of the spectacularly illuminated Vegas Strip from just $109, departing from Las Vegas Strip Terminal.
https://www.maverickhelicopter.com/
Ends
For more information on the above destinations, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk
For media enquiries, more information, hi-res images or video, please contact:
Caroline Donaldson-Sinclair, PR Account Director: caroline@ttmworld.co.uk
For Meet Boston, Discover New England, and Visit San Antonio
Jennie Jordan, Senior PR Account Manager: jennie@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Mississippi
Karl Cushing, PR Account Manager: karl@ttmworld.co.uk
For Explore Louisiana, Tennessee Tourism, New Orleans & Company and Maverick Aviation
Anisha Hegde, PR Account Executive: anisha@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Tucson
Kirsty Dillury, Chief Communications Officer kirsty@ttmworld.co.uk
For any other enquiries, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk, email ttmoffice@ttmworld.co.uk or
call +44 (0)208 313 1717