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5 spooky places to visit...if you dare
Ever wish you could live inside of your fave nostalgic fall flick? Newsflash: There are some real-life towns that bring all the Halloween vibes. Whether you can actually visit them soon or just put them on your travel bucket list, here are five places that, well, scream spooky season—plus the movies that match their freak.
Salem, Massachusetts
It's no wonder so many Halloween films take place here: Between ghost tours and gothic architecture, this is quite the spook-tacular destination. Speaking of witches, The Sanderson Sisters' house (featured in the Halloween-classic Hocus Pocus) would be the ultimate place to throw a bash and is available for visitors to stay once a year on Halloween. Would you dare?! As long as no one lights any candles...
Can't travel to Salem? Watch Hocus Pocus, which takes place in the very same town.
New Orleans, Louisiana
This southern town is full of festive energy year round (hello, Mardi Gras!), but brings the ultimate frightful fun for Halloween. Full of history, old rustic homes (many are said to be haunted!) graveyards and plenty of lore, New Orleans is considered the most haunted city in America.
Can't travel to New Orleans? Watch Disney's Haunted Mansion to get a taste of NOLA's spooky vibes.
St. Helens, Oregon
St. Helens takes Halloween oh-so-seriously! The town's annual Halloween festival is a month long and features a mega costume parade in the city square (and did we mention a skeleton cab driver like Benny from the Halloweentown movies famously makes an appearance every year?). There's also a lighting of the Great Pumpkin in the city plaza.
Can't travel to St. Helens? Watch Disney's Halloweentown, which is said to be inspired by the city.
Savannah, Georgia
Famously known as a city full of ghosts, Savannah was the site of many Civil War battles, and throughout history, its residents faced deadly diseases, fearsome fires, mysterious murders and more. Today, there's said to be spirits lurking everywhere, including hotels, homes, parks, museums and graveyards. Take a ghost tour on a horse-drawn carriage to get fully steeped in Savannah's scary past.
Can't travel to Savannah? Watch A Savannah Haunting, a supernatural horror film based on real events that was shot at the actual house where the haunting is said to have taken place. Creepy!
Anoka, Michigan
This small Michigan town is rumored to be the first U.S. city to have ever celebrated Halloween. The Halloween capital has kept up their reputation with yearly festivals that include costume costumes, pillow fights, fireworks and even kangaroos.
Can't travel to Anoka? Watch Stranger Things, which takes place in a small Midwestern town like Anoka (but, unlike the real-life place, is the site of all sorts of crazy supernatural forces and drama!).
Which destination is next up on your travel bucket list? Let us know on IG @girlslifemag!
Can't wait for Halloween? Check out these boo-tiful posts:
🕸 The scary movie sleepover survival guide
🕸 Halloween traditions to start with your fam this year
🕸 10 haunting Halloween reads
Top and slider image: @nickolehaymaker
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