Get Out!
I was talking to a flight attendant about all the amazing things to see in the USA when I was on the way to my very own final state (Hawaii 5-0)*! Every Frontier flight attendant got one of our Canvas Travel bags so we could celebrate together 𧥠She mentioned that she is working on her 30x30 because breaking it up into chunks was more manageable, even for someone who flies for a living. What a great idea, I thought!
And because we are at the cusp of Spooky Season, it made me think about a 31x31. Halloweâen is right around the corner and thereâs no reason we canât pick our own number and set our own travel goals. After all, itâs about making the journey our own, right? Lucky you, our shirts and bags are a blank canvas, so draw whatever you want. Iâm envisioning a monochromatic orange palette, pumpkins or witchâs hats icons, and/or for the more artistic, a Castle Dracula overlay.
So if youâre a Halloweirdo like I am, and youâve just completed your 50x50 (or you simply want to customize your adventures, your own witchy way before you finish), Get Out! and start. Set your own creepy compass, haunt-and-seek your own destinations, and count off your own ghostly getaway goals!đ»
Obviously the top of our list :-) Famed for its tragic and captivating history, you can treat yourself to a tour through time and learn about this âCity with a Witch Historyâ in a dark and stormy atmosphere. For a more lighthearted point of view, enjoy a Bewitched Series, Hocus Pocus and Hubie Halloween movie location tour. Iâve had many savory pumpkin martini in the hallowed Hawthorne Hotel, and perused shops full of supplies for kitchen witchery. If youâre interested in a slight detour to Boston, you can also find Edgar Allan Poeâs birthplace and get your picture taken next to a bronze statue of his lurking likeness.
2. Whidbey Island / Coupeville, Washington - Coupeville is your gateway to Whidbey Island, the setting for Practical Magic, a nearly perfect Witch Movie. Have you read the book? I did years after watching the film and was shocked that the on-screen portrayal is based on a sum total of about 1 chapter of that book, which has more origin story than you can imagine. Give it a read, it will change your perspective on the big screen interpretation.
3. San Francisco, California - Keeping with our witch wanders theme, donât you miss how spookified the 80s, 90s & early 00âs were? I know I do. San Fran will forever hold a special place in my dark heart because it's home to the Charmed House (a.k.a Innes House) of which we explored many seasons of spell work with the âCharmed Ones.â P.S. If youâre a mystery fan, the City by the Bay is also the setting for Monk where sleuthing abounds, albeit obsessively compulsively, which made the series all the more âcharmingâ (clever mash-up, no?).
4. Santa Barbara, California - If you liked Monk, you probably also loved Psych. Our favorite psychic detective and Magic Head, spewed 80s references that kept us laughing for years. While the filming was done in Canada, you can still visit the Santa Barbara Police Station and get your picture outside (hopefully not inside from behind barred doors). I also got a Pineapple from the Pinas Locas cart outside of Stearns Wharf, and felt like I accomplished something. Speaking of mash-ups (See #3x31), to my fellow Psych-Oâs was there any better combo than when Psych and Monk collided in the last season and subsequent movies?
5. Kennebunkport, Maine - While under debate, it's been called the assumed real-life âCabot Coveâ by dedicated fans who have deduced roadsign evidence from Jessicaâs many travels. The O.G. TV Mystery, we all owe Mrs. Fletcher a token of gratitude for enveloping us in the cozy mayhem of a writerâs world. Why the debate on location though? Jessâs house was based upon a Bed and Breakfast in Mendocino, California, so I suggest doing both and soaking it all in.
6. Sleepy Hollow, New York - Keeping with our literary tradition, old Washington Irving weaved this tale of terror long before most of the above chronicles, but if youâre like me you long to hear the heavy clomping of horses hooves signaling the coming of the Headless Horseman (except I prefer to do that behind the safety of well locked doors). Enjoy the annual festivals that celebrate Tarrytown and all its ghoulish glory. If youâd like to take a little jaunt and grab some local flare, about 45 minutes north is Stormville, NY which is the setting for Haunted Honeymoon. While no spooky castle exists to tour (that amazing home is actually in Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England), you can at least revel in the town and hit up one of the best flea markets in the US.
7. Orlando, Florida - I would be remiss not to mention the US home of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. I am a proud Potter Head! The attention to detail across the now three worlds, including Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley, Hogwarts, Hogwarts Express, The Ministry of Magic, and more is glorious! Settle in and grab a Pumpkin Juice, Butterbeer, and Chocolate Frog with your besties and escape the real world for a while. If youâre interested in a road trip, you can also check out Spook Hill in Lake Wales, Florida where magic becomes reality and up becomes down. Youâre actually encouraged to stop your car, put it in neutral, and experience it rolling backwards, UPhillâŠwooooo.
8. Savannah, Georgia - One more literary reference and it's a personal favorite. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is set here (another book with corresponding movie). More themed tours and spooky cemeteries abound! If you are a fellow tea drinker check out Gryphon Tea room and grab an afternoon brew in a former Masonic template turned Apothecary, where your bill comes between the pages of an old book. Yes and yes!
9. St. Helens, Oregon - Another immersive stop on our 31x31, this is the Halloweentown filming location and thank goodness they embraced the moniker to Trick-and-Treat visitors. Here you can become active participants in the fun of festival type glee with haunted houses, pumpkin lightings, costume contests, and even some celeb sightings. Join in annually from Late September through October.
10. New Orleans, Louisiana - The Crescent City, one of Americaâs most haunted! So many spooky and even scary possibilities. Choose your own adventure, but beware... My personal favorites are Marie Leveauâs Voodoo Shop (seriously donât mess around in there, she is watching), The Cemeteries (I recommend daytime, it can get dangerous after dark) and of course filming locations for AHS Coven and The Originals (and many other spirited shows; pick your fear factor). So much to do, see, eat, and drink, you canât go wrong any time of year. P.S. There is actually a National Park right inside the city and the new National WWII museum just opened!
11. Santa Cruz, California - Or if youâre a 90s teen, it's Santa Clara, âMurder Capital of the Worldâ due to the vampire infestation (filming location of the Lost Boys actually ;-)). The facade of the Pogonip Clubhouse in Pogonip Park was the setting of Grandpaâs house (The casting for this film was spot on, but Barnard Hughes was perfection) which is a nice nature hike (if you dare). You can also stick to the more populated areas and walk the boardwalk, picking up a comic from the Frog Brotherâs store, known as Atlantis Fantasyworld.
12. Covington, Georgia - This town is a year round movie set for many shows, particularly Mystic Falls of Vampire Diaries fame, along with spinoffs The Originals (see also #10x31) & Legacies. In addition, the O.G. Halloween movies Halloween (Part 2) and Friday the 13th (Part VI) were filmed here. This âHollywood of the Southâ knows how its bread gets buttered and theyâve opened a visitors center and film museum to help you find iconic movie artifacts and drivable locations. Doesnât everyone wish their town had cute cafes and shops with creepy mansions and forests on the outskirts just to keep things interesting?
13. Forks, Washington - Finalizing our Vampire Vibes, douse yourself in sparkles and go find fellow Cold Ones. Be careful your shine doesnât get washed away though, because this is truly the rainiest town in the contiguous USA. Here, you can tour movie locations and cosplay in the foggy forests to your quickly-beating heartâs content. Thereâs even a Twilight festival mid-September!
14. Jackson, Georgia - Or for these purposes, better known as Hawkins, Indiana. This is another town that has embraced its newfound Hollywood style heritage (which they call Yâallywood). You can take a Stranger Things tour seeing all manner of filming locations and attend Hawkins Fest in early October. This one is still on my list, but I canât wait to participate in the 80s dance party. Now I have to find my jelly bracelets!
15. Roswell, New Mexico - If Aliens are your thing, Roswell, NM is your place. This desert town has natural wonders nearby that seem like they are from another world. You can also attend the annual UFO Festival donning your grey masks and long finger gloves to walk amongst them. Shop for all your alien needs in town, and grab some alien food and drink (its water, they need it too). While there are other alien-centric locations, you really canât get close to them. Area 51 is really a military base and you arenât welcome! The same goes for neighboring Skinwalker and Blind Frog ranches because they are private, but at least you can look up under the same southwestern night sky and try to determine if weâre really aloneâŠI want to believe.
16. Crook Co, Wyoming - Keeping with Martians and flying saucers, check out Devilâs Tower, a laccolithic butte and National Monument which was the central feature of Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind. Grab some ear plugs, fill up on mashed potatoes at a local diner, and gear up for fun in the sun (at least on half of your face) at this foreboding location.
17. Ghost Rock, Devilâs Canyon, & Goblin Valley State Park, Utah - If youâve just left Devilâs Tower in Wyoming (See #16) while youâre in the middle of nowhere, there are a few more spookily named natural landmarks you may want to check out. This requires a road trip and those are 5 of the greatest words youâre ever going to hear strung together. Grab some snacks and traverse otherworldly landscapes while your imagination runs wild.
18. Estes Park, Colorado - If youâre in the mood to continue with nature (and it's so so so worth it to do), traverse the mountain scenery, then stop and stay the night in the Stanley Hotel. Famous for being the setting of The Shining, it also offers a history and ghost tour. Special note: the roads you travel to get there arenât the ones pictured in the movie. But if you want to get very authentic add Montana to your list and drive the actual route on âGoing to the Sun Roadâ in Glacier National Park. At certain times of the year, you do need a reservation ticket to travel the road during the day, so ensure to plan ahead.
19. Astoria, Oregon - Gen X, jump back to the 80s with me and get to the Goondocks! Goonies never say die, but they do say you can find Tortelli's jeep, jail, and hideout location with a tour of the Oregon Film Museum and Ecola State Park. You can even find the ocean-side neighborhood home of Mikey and Brand. While it's a private home, the owner isnât going to shoo you away from taking pictures as long as youâre respectful. If you see One-Eyed-Willy, tell him I said hi, and send me some Rich Stuff.
20. New York, New York - Stick with me on the 80s and and get your fill of Ghostbusters locations. You can see the actual sign and fire station at Hook and Ladder Company 8, tour the New York Public Library (a favorite any time of year) and cruise by Spook Central, a.k.a. 55 Central Park West. If youâre so inclined, check out The Arconia (actually the Belnord Building at 225 W. 86th St.), a la Only Murders in the Building.
21. East Corinth, Vermont - But for Gen X, it will always be âWinter River, CT.â October is the perfect time of year to visit the Northeast. Beautiful leaves, cute towns, flannel, and the home of Beetlejuice. Many of the buildings donât look quite the same as pictured in the movie, but you can at least immerse yourself in all the feels by heading to âMaitlandâs Hardwareâ which is a General Store or the Masonic Hall that served as Miss Shannonâs School for Girls. Sadly the home was just a facade on empty farmland, and I canât believe that they didnât leave it up a 2nd time. Maybe they were actually scared to set the juice loose!
22. Mystic, Connecticut - Before you leave the kaleidoscope of color that is the northeastern US check out mystical Mystic. Great name right? As a matter of fact it is believed by some to be a âportal to the other side.â There are several haunted hotspots in this town including the Whitehall Mansion, where you can stay the night and see if anything goes bump! While youâre at it grab yourself a slice of iconic pizza fromâŠyou guessed it, Mystic Pizza, your own slice of Heaven.
23. Coolville, Ohio or Crystal Cove, CA - Ok, this one is a bit of a stretch, but no mysterious tour of the US would be complete without Mystery, Inc. Spanning 6 decades and counting, Scooby Doo and the gang are pure spooky nostalgia for multiple generations. In the original episodes, those meddling kids lived in Coolsville (with an s) by Laguna Beach, CA, but sadly there is no town of a corresponding name. However, later movies/episodes were set in Coolsville, Ohio, and while this is not actually a town to visit, there is a small village called Coolville where you can at least say youâve been. Even later episodes of the Doo are set in Crystal Cove, CA which is in fact a fully real place, and you can stay in and learn about the history of the Crystal Cove Cottages at the Conservancy, an inspiration for Scoobyâs later hometown.
24. Los Angeles, California - Whatâs scary about L.A.? Well, quite a few things, but Iâll suggest the site of Sunnydale High School a.k.a Torrance High in real life, and a.k.a the entrance to the Hellmouth from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If youâre so inclined and also fondly remember the movie Witchboard, that house really exists! Iâve seen it pcitured here and there on other sets like Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, Waxwork, and a Tales from the Crypt episode, but it will forever be the Witchboard house to me. It's about 45 minutes north and is a private home, so you can only cruise by and re-live the gory glory of the late 80s while blasting Whitesnake on your radio.
25. San Jose, California - If a staircase to nowhere, seances, and a creepy mansion intrigues you, check out the Winchester Mystery House. Several tours will lead you through the lore of Mary Winchesterâs sad existence, and at one time they even let brave souls stay the night. I donât see that as an offering any longer, but they have added Festival Fright Nights and a full trick or treat trail. Thereâs a lot to do, and even the regular daily tour is a fascinating journey into the supernatural.
26. Freehold, New Jersey - Letâs round out our 90s supernatural tour with Sabrina the Teenage Witchâs hometown (the series). You can see the outside of her home (another private residence that was recently for sale in 2003) shared with Hilda, Zelda, and Salem. If youâre brave enough, you can take a short jaunt over to the Pine Barrens and try to get a glimpse of the Jersey Devil on a Jersey Devil Kayak tour, or gather its strange history at the Asbury Park Paranormal Museum.
27. Kenova, West Virginia - Nothing says Halloweâen like Carved Pumpkins. But if youâre not inclined to do your own, head over to The Pumpkin House where volunteers carve and light hundreds of pumpkins every year. Each one is a unique masterpiece of squash art. While youâre in the state, you can head up the mountain to Ansted, and scope out the Mystery Hole where gravity has a mind of its own. Or for the brave of heart, head over to Point Pleasant and catch a glimpse of the Mothman at its annual festival (which is September) and take your picture by the statue.
28. Keene, New Hampshire - Home to the self-proclaimed best Pumpkin Festival in the world! Iâve seen some really good ones, but can a pumpkin festival ever be bad? Pie, donuts, cider, the treat trifecta! The festival began with the mission to bring people together for no other reason than making magic happen, and in this case it saved a town. Thatâs a great enough reason for me!
29. Spring Grove, Illinois - You had me at Worldâs Largest Corn Maze! One cannot experience a true midwest Autumn without a hayride, bonfire, and corn maze. Here youâll find Richardson Adventure Farm, with the worldâs largest. You can picnic, pick a pumpkin, and pick all kinds of adventures for the entire family. Find your way out of an annually rotating design in the chill, crisp fall air, and climb the tower to see the entire landscape theyâve set this year.
30. Circleville, Ohio - This is actually the location of the first Pumpkin Show I ever attended and it holds fond personal memories. This annual Pumpkin show holds claim to the worldâs largest pumpkin pie, and calls itself the Greatest Free Show on Earth. Always the third Wednesday through Saturday in October, people come from hundreds of miles around to see that massive pie, ride rides, and eat to their heartâs content.
31. Annoka, Minnesota - Why you might ask? Well, this is the self-Proclaimed Halloween Capital of the World! Quite an impressive designation, but you canât have a complete Halloweâen tour without a visit to its Holiday capital, right? This festival has been going strong for 105 years, and I donât think anyone can argue with its popularity.
This is the endâŠI have no doubt there are more spooky, scary, creepy, sites that belong on this list, and of special mention, Iâd like to find the actual Route 41, Hill House as pictured in the movie Clue, or 1313 Mockingbird Lane (Home of the Munsters) or 0 Cemetery Road (The Addamâs Family), but those are merely figments of our best imagination. So here is one more bonus. I highly recommend a visit to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, which is hands down the best man-made attraction in the region. They seem to improve and add to it each year with surprising and quality events.
What else would you add? Visit us on X, Tik Tok or Pinterest and share your terrifying travels. Iâd love to like, repost for others, and keep adding to my own Boo Bucket List!
Mark your milestones and wear them proudly!
Safe Travels & a special intention of Spooky Soujourns đ
