With just about a month until the end of October, it’s time to start planning your Halloween getaway. If you’re not yet sure where to travel this Halloween, read on. Here are the most haunted US cities that offer luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and scary secrets.
Napa Valley, California
Head to Napa Valley to taste the finest wine in the country. Napa Valley has numerous Michelin-rated restaurants to dine in, such as The French Laundry in Yountville, which has earned the highest Michelin rating – three Michelin stars.
Kenzo Napa, located in the heart of Napa, is a one-star Michelin restaurant that offers some of the best Japanese food you will ever taste. Fresh ingredients are flown in every day from Japan, allowing you to experience a unique and authentic Japanese experience paired with some of Napa’s most exquisite wines.
Auberge de Soleil is a five-star hotel in Napa Valley. Nestled amidst 33 acres of heritage oak and olive trees, the hotel offers delightful views that will allow you to truly relax and enjoy the beautiful Californian weather.
Get a bioactive Chebula facial at its luxury spa, which offers a view of Mount Veeder and is surrounded by olive trees. Or, treat yourself and your partner to the luxury three-hour couples therapy package, which includes a massage, garden soak, steam, and sparkling wine with dessert.
The ghost of Georges de Latour is said to haunt the winery that he founded – the Beaulieu Vineyard in Rutherford. He shows up dressed in his old-fashioned double-breasted suit, proud of the way his vineyard looks and unable to leave it for good.
Certain vineyards, such as the Beringer Vineyards and Trefethen Family Vineyards, are said to be haunted by unknown spirits, possibly belonging to bootleggers of the Prohibition era.
If you’re stopping in San Francisco on the way there (or on the way back), there are plenty of other amazing haunted houses to check out, whether you’re going alone or on a guided San Francisco ghost tour. San Francisco is haunted by the souls of the poor fortune seekers who died in the area at the height of the Gold Rush while trying to get rich. The Fairmont Hotel and Pacific Union Club are also said to be haunted ever since the 1906 earthquake.
Palm Beach, Florida
If you want to treat yourself to true luxury, Palm Beach, just an hour away from Miami, is the place to go. The Breakers Palm Beach Hotel is a five-star resort with spacious, luxurious rooms, many of which offer an ocean view. This historic Renaissance Revival style hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places.
One of the best things about staying at one of the 534 rooms of The Breakers is the number of activities that are easily accessible to guests. Chill at the pool or get your daily dose of exercise at the golf and tennis courses. Numerous dining options are available, including the Flagler Steakhouse, the Seafood Bar, and the Beach Club Restaurant. Alternatively, opt for in-room dining for extra convenience.
Of course, a visit to Palm Beach would be incomplete without a visit to one of its pristine beaches. However, are you brave enough to stay there after dark? Palm Beach’s beaches are reportedly haunted by the ghosts of pirates, drowning victims, and tribal warriors of the past.
Alternatively, visit the Riddle House, which was featured on the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures series. Formerly used as a funeral parlor, this building has been haunted for years.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a thriving and eclectic city, especially around Halloween. With a bustling street culture and a lot of history, it makes for the perfect Halloween hideout.
There are a number of five-star hotels in New Orleans, including The Ritz-Carlton, The Roosevelt (a Waldorf Astoria Hotel), and the Four Seasons.
The Hotel Monteleone is another excellent choice, located in the heart of the French Quarter. Experience New Orleans’ amazing historical architecture and soak in its history after sipping a few cocktails at the Hotel Moteleone’s rotating cocktail bar, the only one in the city. Or, go on a New Orleans haunted pub crawl to hit two birds with one stone. You’ll get to experience the spooky parts of the city and stop by New Orleans’ best clubs and pubs.
After a night out, wake up late and get brunch at Brennan’s, a New Orleans icon since the 1940s. Enjoy delicious menu options such as turtle soup, Brennan’s Eggs Hussarde, or duck confit hash.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Another great place to visit this Halloween if you’re interested in historical cities is Williamsburg, Virginia. Williamsburg was founded as the capital of Virginia in 1699. It is located near Jamestown, the former capital of Virginia, which was the first English settlement in the Americas.
Colonial Williamsburg has many dark and hidden secrets. Local Williamsburg ghost tours take you to legendary local haunts such as the Peyton Randolph House, Governor’s Palace, and Bruton Parish Church.
The Williamsburg Inn, with its silk curtains and marble bathrooms, offers the best luxury experience in the city. Relax by the pool or treat yourself to its spa, which was featured in Forbes. It also offers a championship golf course if you want some light activity to keep you healthy.
If hunger pangs strike, stop by the Cochon on the 2nd. Just a few minutes from Colonial Williamsburg, Executive Chef Neil Griggs cooks up some delicious masterpieces that will make your mouth water. Beware, you may become a repeat visitor during your stay in Williamsburg!
New York City, New York
If you’re not afraid of a little chill in the air, New York City is a great luxury getaway this fall. New York is known for its luxury hotels, such as the Mandarin Oriental, Aman New York, and the Ritz-Carlton, just steps away from New York’s iconic Central Park.
Step out of the peaceful bliss of your hotel to experience the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. In between Manhattan’s skyscrapers, you will find fine dining options such as Le Bernardin, Daniel, Yoshino, and Estela.
You’ll probably be visiting New York’s most famous tourist attractions, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island, and Times Square. However, you can’t visit the Big Apple without exploring its somewhat spookier side.
Utica State Hospital, which opened in 1843, was built to house mentally ill patients. Lobotomies, electroshock treatments, and other procedures regarded as valid treatments at the time were carried out there. The Amityville Horror House in Long Island, where Ronald DeFeo, Jr. murdered six family members in 1974, is another of NYC’s most famous haunted houses.
