Seeking a spooky adventure? These haunted hotspots are the perfect place to visit this fall.

By Emily Fackler on October 20, 2025

iStock/SeanPavonePhoto

With spooky season fast approaching, curating fall vibes is essential to truly enjoying our chillier months. What better way to do so than to plan a beautiful road trip through some of the best fall scenery around, only to end in incredible towns harboring rather spooky histories of their own? Read on for some of our preferred fall road trip destinations.

These selections are sure to give frights and delights!

Salem, Massachusetts

iStock/AlbertPego

For a classic autumnal getaway that packs both an incredible history and classic New England charm, look no further than Salem, MA. Salem is well-known for its otherworldly history, which includes the most infamous witch trials in American history. The town has since taken the opportunity to raise awareness about this time period and the trials themselves, both through historic restoration efforts and immersive experiences for locals and tourists alike.

Events such as the Salem Haunted Happenings run throughout the fall and include festivals, parades, street vendors, public activities and even appearances by the town’s resident witches of the modern age. Other events worth checking out in Salem include a walk through any of the beautiful museums or a ticket to one of the town’s famous ghost tours. In a town that celebrates the fall season all year round, it’s impossible not to get into the spirit as well!

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

iStock/DenisTangneyJr

A pivotal town in the Civil War that hosted numerous major battles, Gettysburg is a quaint town with no shortage of legends, which lend life to its more metaphysical residents. People visiting the Gettysburg battlegrounds or historic district often report seeing spirits still dressed in uniform wandering about town. 

With community activities like apple picking, outdoor concerts, street festivals and walking tours, seizing the day is easy when visiting Gettysburg in the fall. Are you looking for something a little more haunting? Wander around the re-created Civil War battlefields, or sign up for any one of the numerous official ghost tours of the city. Between the harrowing tales of former residents, beautifully crisp weather and options for intergenerational fun, this won’t be a town you want to miss on your next fall trip. 

Savannah, Georgia

iStock/DenisTangneyJr

Savannah is a natural fall hotspot because it’s not only a town rich in haunted history, but it’s also a town that knows how to turn on the coastal charm during the holiday season. Be sure to bring some walking shoes and sign up for one (or more) ghost tours that cover different parts of this iconic city! Looking to do some solo exploration? Savannah has a spooky guide to showcase the most haunted spots throughout the city.

The best part? Even your stay could be haunted! B&Bs such as the Foley House, Hamilton-Turner Inn and the Kehoe House combine a rather haunted history with every bit of comfort and luxury you’d expect in the American South. With several businesses ready to buy in on the haunted fun as soon as the seasons begin to change, it’s worth a drive down the Georgia coast to come and experience Southern charm and spooky thrills. 

Sleepy Hollow, New York

iStock/Meybruck

As the town featured in Washington Irving’s famous novel The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, we think it’s safe to say that Sleepy Hollow takes fall very seriously! From near-constant fall festivals to seasonal food vendors and a rotating list of public events, it’s no wonder New Yorkers have been flocking to this quaint little village to become fully immersed in the charm of autumn. Don’t be fooled, though! Just because Sleepy Hollow is featured in a book, it absolutely has a haunting little history of its own to share with you that goes beyond the page! 

Tour Lyndhurst Castle for a behind-the-scenes look at the dark backdrop for soap opera “Dark Shadows.” Bonus points if you manage to go at night! An afternoon trip to Washington Irving’s Sunnyside Estate is an experience through which you can both admire some beautiful architecture, but also have the chance to see the entirety of the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” exhibit that’s on permanent display in the house. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

iStock/ampueroleonardo

Second only to Mardi Gras for its dazzling displays, parades and parties, a New Orleans fall day is a guaranteed delight. Adding to this ante is the beautifully haunting history behind one of the oldest cities in America. Ready to find out where the spirits lurk in the French Quarter? Or how about a ghost tour through the middle of downtown? There’s something for everyone in your crew, just make sure you’ve all got your eyes peeled for the unexpected and unexplainable. 

The ghost tours in New Orleans are borderline legendary, with popular offerings focusing on the supernatural, New Orleans’ “Casket Girls,” and on the origins of Marie Laveau’s rise to notoriety as a voodoo priestess. Make sure to buy or rent a Halloween costume and come on down for a seasonal shindig you won’t soon forget!