October 31 is looming. It’s the time of year our worlds go black – and orange. We willingly (some of you, anyway) go out of our way to experience scary places, haunted houses and slasher films. Some cities take Halloween a bit more serious than others. If you are willing to travel, here are some cities where you can go and shake your boo-ty!
New Orleans: Any place that actually includes the haunted status on their real estate listings is bound to pay some major attention to Halloween. NOLA offers many ghost, voodoo and haunted tours. It also hosts a Krewe of Boo parade, and for the little goblins there’s Museum Mash. Check into the stunning Hotel Monteleone and hang out with its ghostly guests. Other notable visits to be made include the Museum of Death, the tomb of Marie Laveau, the Queen of Voodoo, or feel free to walk the parameter of Lafayette Cemetery, if you dare.
Salem: The name of this city conjures up burnings at the stake and other witch worthy lore. Learn about the trials at the Salem Witch Museum. October is filled with many Haunted Happenings; including a Horror Fest, a Great Pumpkin Walk, Wicked Wine Down Wednesdays count me in!) and more.
Williamsburg: This Virginian colonial city also has a history of witch trials. Even the dead will come alive in October with the many offered activities – Pumpkinville, Oktoberfest, Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream and more!
Sleepy Hollow: This New York city made famous by Washington Irving is the perfect Halloween hot spot to party your head off. There are cemetery tours and the Horseman’s Hallow – which takes “The Legend of Sleepy Hallow” to the extremes. Lyndhurst Castle gets all dressed up for the holiday! And there are numerous scheduled events for families to enjoy.
Long Beach: Climb aboard the Queen Mary and you may be in for a lot of scary! It’s been voted as one of the top ten most haunted places in the US by Time Magazine. Other activities include Day of the Dead celebrations, cemetery tours, zombie walk and a boos cruise.
St. Louis: My own home town offers several amazing Halloween festivities including our famous Boo at the Zoo event. Get ghostly with a tour of the fabulous St. Louis Fox Theater. Experience the paranormal, all provided by the accursed Lemp family, at the Lemp Mansion. While here you could also relive the Exorcism (yes, that happened here!). We have no shortage of haunted houses around the Lou. Come to the Midwest and experience what we call Funtober!
Bwahahahaha! Wishing you a Happy Halloween, Meeting Planners! And if any of your meeting planning is scaring you, contact me, I’m happy to raise your spirits.
