Spooky Travel Destinations

If you’re not ready for Halloween to be over yet, consider planning your very own spooky vacation! Most of the destinations and activities I’ve listed below are available year-round!

TRANSYLVANIA

Best known for Bram Stoker’s Dracula castle, Transylvania has a long history with vampires. While there are vampire-themed tours and dinners available there, the Transylvanian government and people generally do not like the association and prefer to keep the focus on historical figures, such as Vlad the Impaler. If you thought this would make Transylvania tourism any less spooky, think again. If you haven’t heard of Vlad the Impaler, he’s definitely worth a quick web search. He’s the inspiration for the Dracula character we all know and love today. 

Transylvania is a great destination for the spooky history buffs, the Smiley Traveler who loves to go on tours of old castles and hear about the gruesome histories and legends of the local taverns. While you’re in Romania, you can also tour Cantacuzino Castle, the University of Bucharest, and the Bucharest Botanical Garden, all of which were film locations for the Netflix show, Wednesday!

FORKS, WA

If your favorite kind of vampire is a little more modern (and sparkly), this festival should probably be on your bucket list. Every September, twi-hards around the world gather for Forever Twilight in Forks Festival to celebrate Stephanie Meyer’s wildly popular Twilight series. This year's festival featured special guests like Kellen Lutz, who played Emmett Cullen in the movies, and Peter Facinelli, who played Carlisle Cullen. The festival features themed parties and dinners, round tables and signing events with the actors, and so much more! Plus, while you’re in Washington, you can check out the beautiful scenery. It may be rainy, but you can’t beat the views in the Olympic National Rainforest.

NOLA 

When it comes to spooky tourism, New Orleans is a step above the rest. From Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire to True Blood, vampire media has made itself home in The Big Easy. Culture Hub Collective made this incredible list of must-see filming locations in NOLA that I suggest you bookmark if you’re going anytime soon. On the list include locations seen in Interview With The Vampire, American Horror Story: Coven, The Originals, and more! 

New Orleans relationship with the morbid, macabre, and occult extends way beyond vampires. One of their most famous historical figures, Marie Laveau, was a herbalist, a midwife, and a practitioner of Voodoo. While her original home was torn down in 1903, there is a building built at the same location called Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, where you can learn more about her life, and if you feel so inclined, even get a tarot reading. 

LONDON

Back in the 1970s, London had their own vampire. The monster who became a media sensation terrorized Highgate Cemetery and inspired plenty of pop culture references, like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. You can catch tours of Highgate Cemetery daily, but, sadly, they don’t feature any vampire tours. London is a fantastic candidate for a spooky vacation, regardless. 

The Tower of London is said to be one of the most haunted places on Earth. Many visitors have reported seeing the ghost of Ann Boleyn, carrying her head under her arm, among others. The history of this iconic castle is both gruesome and extensive. Tours are available for purchase through Historic Royal Palaces. 

If you’re in London around Halloween time, I would encourage you to round out your spooky vacation with a Jack the Ripper street tour. After 130 years, the infamous, unidentified serial killer still sends chills down the spine of anyone walking the London streets after dark. The perfect blend of history and ghost story, these tours also give you a glimpse at what life may have been like for Londoners in the 1880s, during Jack’s reign of terror. I especially like this tour because it focuses on the facts, delving into the details of the crime scenes and police reports of the time. It’s also got great reviews for being accommodating to visitors with disabilities. 

Have you ever considered taking a spooky vacation? Where would you travel if you wanted to get really scared? Let me know in the comments below!! And reach out to Rebecca to book your next spoOoOoky vacation today!