It’s spooky season! If you love all things Halloween like I do, these East Coast towns are a must-see during October. From haunted hotels to pumpkins galore, here are the best places to visit for Halloween lovers.

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem has a dark history of haunted happenings dating back to the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. More recently, Salem was also the setting for the now legendary Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus. I’m not the only one that considers this one of the best places to visit for Halloween. It’s filled to the brim with tourists in October, but I say it’s worth it to catch a glimpse of the movie’s film locations!

View this post on Instagram

Who knows what iconic Halloween movie this house played a role in? Check out @sarahkjp’s latest post for a clue 😉🎃🧡🍁🍂

A post shared by Kiel James Patrick (@kjp) on Oct 11, 2020 at 4:27pm PDT

Kenova, West Virginia

West Virginia is home to the famous Kenova pumpkin house featuring a whopping 3,000 pumpkins on display in October. The town of Kenova also partners with neighboring town Cenoda for the annual C-K Autumnfest featuring bake-offs, crafts, and more fall fun. Basically, it’s the perfect place to get in the Halloween mood.

View this post on Instagram

Has anyone visited the Kenova's Pumpkin house? 🎃🎃🎃 #visitwv #wildandwonderful #pumpkinpatch #pumpkincarving #wv #wvluv #wvlove #kenovapumpkinhouse #Halloweenfun #fallvibes

A post shared by Wheeling Feeling (@thewheelingfeeling) on Oct 30, 2018 at 12:51pm PDT

New Orleans, Louisiana

Historically, The Big Easy is known to be full of paranormal activity. After all, this is a city where above-ground cemeteries and voodoo practice are commonplace. Thousands of visitors flock to New Orleans for their Halloween celebrations each year. Take a haunted tour of the French Quarter or attend a vampire ball.

View this post on Instagram

It’s only (super)natural that Halloween is a favorite holiday in New Orleans. In this city, great costumes are the norm, the spirits stay raised, and the haunted houses are the best on the block! ⁠ ⁠ Photo: @ghostmanornola

A post shared by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on Sep 14, 2019 at 1:06pm PDT

Louisville, Kentucky

Iroquois Park in Louisville is home to the popular Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, featuring 5,000 carved pumpkins nestled among the trees. Originally, the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular began in Massachusetts in 1988. Now Kentucky’s version draws huge crowds for Halloween. As a result, the event runs a month long so you have plenty of opportunities to see this spooky sight.

View this post on Instagram

Louisville’s Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular is back for 2020 as a drive-thru exclusive experience! Encounter one of the areas best Halloween events at Iroquois Park now through Nov. 1st. 🎃🍂 l #LouisvilleLove

A post shared by Louisville Tourism (@gotolouisville) on Oct 1, 2020 at 10:41am PDT

Sleepy Hollow, New York

Best known for “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving, Sleepy Hollow is high up there on my bucket list for Halloween. There is plenty to do in Sleepy Hollow throughout September and October. For example, you can brave the lantern cemetery tours, haunted hayrides, and a Halloween parade. Most importantly, a walk across the Headless Horseman Bridge make this worth a trip.

View this post on Instagram

It’s official, @inthevalley1 has announced @thegreatjackolanternblaze will run this year! Follow them for info on member presales. May the Great Pumpkin smile on us this October! . . . . #hudsonvalleyny #hudsonrivervalley #hudsonvalley #sleepyhollow #tarrytown #sleepyhollowny #westchesterny #headlesshorsemanbridge #headlesshorseman #halloweencostume #halloween #thelegendofsleepyhollow #legendofsleepyhollow #washingtonirving #croton #pumpkin #pumpkinblaze @hudsonrivervalleynha @iloveny @westchestercountytourismny

A post shared by Sleepy Hollow (@visitsleepyhollow) on Aug 13, 2020 at 11:32am PDT

Savannah, Georgia

Lastly, we can’t forget Savannah! The Travel Channel has listed Savannah, Georgia among America’s most haunted cities. Cobblestone streets and haunted hotels filled with paranormal activity make this one of the best places to visit for Halloween lovers. In other words, you won’t be able to sleep on your stay here.

View this post on Instagram

Happy spooky season y'all! 🎃

A post shared by Savannah Real Estate Video (@savannahrealestatevideo) on Oct 1, 2020 at 9:28am PDT

Of course, there are many more towns I haven’t mentioned that embrace Halloween. Let me know your favorite Halloween traditions near you in the comments below! If you’re planning to drive to any of these spooky spots, make sure you’re prepared with these road trip essentials.