Halloween in America - any recommendations?!

[Rumpleforeskinz]

We’re hoping to visit America in October with the intention of experiencing an authentic American Halloween. Does anyone have any recommendations of a great place to visit? We don’t want to be too far from an airport, but will be hiring a car. Children will be 8 and 9.

Where in the US are you heading?

Boston/Salem/Rockport

Lovely! Deff do Salem, after all it where the famous witch trials were held. You will not get more Halloween than that. Aside from Halloween it’s very interesting. Hope you have lots of fun🙂

I really miss Halloween back home.

Salem. Has to be Salem.

I mean come on, this looks AMAZING.

www.hauntedhappenings.org/

I wouldn’t feel comfortable with Salem, given it feels to me like dark tourism - it is where innocent people (mostly women) were murdered.

Surely the whole trip won’t be based around Halloween? Wouldn’t you be best off choosing somewhere that will fit with your interests and then find a Halloween thing to do for one day or something? I was in NY across Halloween once, spent most of the time doing all the usual tourist stuff and went to the parade, which was great.

I live in the USA and I have no idea what you mean by “an authentic American Halloween experience”. Unless Halloween is a Saturday or Sunday I go to work as usual. It’s not a major holiday. It’s nothing like July 4th (which I absolutely love), or even thanksgiving or Labor Day. Many people don’t decorate their homes. We don’t have trick or treaters stopping by. It’s just a normal day. I wouldn’t spend a load of money on flights, etc, expecting a major event. If you happen to be here over Halloween, fair enough. But I certainly wouldn’t come specifically for it. We have much nicer and bigger holidays.

Like others, I would not go to Salem. To me it’s tragedy-tourism. I couldn’t go on vacation to a place famous for the murder of so many people.

We found ourselves in Salem on 31st October many years ago - we were driving around looking for somewhere to stay. I couldn't understand how absolutely everyone was in witches costumes, fright masks ( even the policeman on points duty), or ghouls etc. We couldn't get out if there fast enough. Driving around New England though and seeing all the pumpkins and decorations along with the turning leaves was great. Didn't like Salem and it didn't feel safe. I liked everywhere else in New England but standouts were The White Mountains in New Hampshire, Cape Cod, and Bar Harbor in Maine.