Get spooked! Top 3 Halloween destinations

In a perfect world, Halloween would come more than once a year. Unfortunately, those of us who spend 11 out of every 12 months looking forward to only October have to take what we can get. If you’re in the mood for thrills and chills this Halloween, take a trip of my top three favorite spooky destinations.

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado
This is the hotel made infamous by Stephen King, who got the idea for his novel The Shining after spending a creepy, isolated weekend here with his family in the early 70s. Each year on Halloween, the proprietors throw a “Shining Ball.” Last year the Stanley celebrated its 100th birthday, and the spirits were in rare form that particular October 31. Good luck getting room 217, where King is reputed to have stayed, or room 408, which is considered to be the most haunted room in the hotel.

The Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach, California
Probably the second most talked-about ocean liner in the world, The Queen Mary is, in my opinion, far more fascinating than its exceedingly popular (and much smaller) older cousin, the Titanic. Launched in 1934 and retired in 1967, the Queen Mary is a floating hotel that’s become a permanent, iconic staple of the Long Beach skyline. Made famous throughout the last four decades for its reputation as a paranormal hot spot, this is without a doubt one of the eeriest places I’ve ever laid my head. But also one of the most beautiful.

The Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, California
Widely considered to be the most haunted hotel in the country, the Hotel Del Coronado is located in an affluent area near San Diego — not exactly the most idyllic location for the short-funded ghost hunter or broke but enthusiastic spooky destination seeker, but if you ever find yourself with a few extra greenbacks to burn, the Del doesn’t disappoint (at least in beauty). If you go in search of ghostly resident Kate Morgan, be advised: she’s a shy one.

Related resources

• Frightful fun at Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream
• Top 10 scary travel destinations

Vince Font is a freelance writer born in Puerto Rico and currently escaped to Utah. When not dreaming of interstellar travel, he’s on the hunt for weird, wacky, and off-the-beaten-track vacation destinations. Next stop: The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast.