Travel searches surge as visitors seek haunted experiences worldwide

This Halloween season, Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo are summoning travelers to embrace the spirit of the spooky season with haunted stays and eerie adventures. Whether you’re chasing ghost stories through cobblestone streets, checking into a hotel with a haunted history or booking a themed vacation rental with free cancellation (just in case!), each brand offers a wickedly fun way to celebrate the spooky season.

Expedia Ranks the Spookiest Places to Travel This Halloween

Expedia developed a custom Spook Score system to rank Halloween destinations based on three criteria:

• Scare Factor: Paranormal reputation and haunted history
• Cultural Depth: Seasonal traditions and folklore
• Crowd Appeal: Popularity among Halloween travelers

Each destination is rated from 1 (mildly spooky) to 5 (spine-chilling).

Top Domestic Destinations

• Salem, MA – Spook Score: 5

Salem earns a perfect score for its deep-rooted witch trial history and immersive seasonal events. Travelers can explore the Witch House, attend the Haunted Happenings festival and take candlelit cemetery tours.

• New Orleans, LA – Spook Score: 4

New Orleans offers haunted tours of the LaLaurie Mansion, eerie walks through the French Quarter and visits to above-ground cemeteries like St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. The Krewe of Boo parade and vampire-themed bars add to its chilling charm.

• Savannah, GA – Spook Score: 4

Known as one of America’s most haunted cities, Savannah has experienced a 20%[1] spike in travel searches. Visitors flock to ghost tours through the Sorrel-Weed House and Colonial Park Cemetery.

• New York, NY – Spook Score: 3

New York City celebrates Halloween with a 20% rise in travel interest. Highlights include the Village Halloween Parade, haunted bars like The Slaughtered Lamb and ghost tours of Greenwich Village.

• Chicago, IL – Spook Score: 3

Chicago has seen a 30% increase in Halloween travel searches. The city offers chilling haunted houses like Statesville Haunted Prison, ghost stories at the Congress Plaza Hotel, eerie architecture tours and the vibrant Arts in the Dark parade.

Top International Destinations

• Transylvania, Romania – Spook Score: 5

Transylvania has seen a 45% rise in searches. Travelers explore Bran Castle, medieval towns like Sighisoara and the eerie Hoia Baciu Forest—all tied to Dracula lore.

• Mexico City, Mexico – Spook Score: 4

Searches are up 50% as Mexico City comes alive during Día de los Muertos. Visitors experience vibrant altars, marigold-lined streets and haunting celebrations at Mixquic and San Andrés Mixquic cemetery.

• Edinburgh, Scotland – Spook Score: 4

With a 20% increase in searches, Edinburgh draws thrill-seekers to its haunted vaults, ghost tours in the Old Town and tales of the Mackenzie Poltergeist.

• Northern Ireland – Spook Score: 4

Northern Ireland hosts Europe’s largest Halloween festival in Derry, featuring haunted house experiences, ghost walks and Celtic Samhain traditions. Searches are up 20%.

• Paris, France – Spook Score: 4

Beneath Paris lies the chilling Catacombs, a labyrinth of bones and ghost stories. The city’s romantic charm meets eerie legend, making it a hauntingly beautiful Halloween destination.

Hotels.com Lists Haunted Hotels Based on Guest Reviews

Hotels.com highlights haunted hotels where guests have reported paranormal experiences:

• Bourbon Orleans Hotel (New Orleans, LA) – Guests report friendly ghosts in Room 305, including a child apparition.
• Hotel Provincial (New Orleans, LA) – Haunted by Confederate soldiers; one guest said their daughter was pushed out of bed.
• Hotel Parq Central (Albuquerque, NM) – A former psychiatric hospital; guests reported paranormal activity and sleepless nights.
• Mizpah Hotel (Tonopah, NV) – Offers ghost hunting tours; guests report ghost radar activity and midnight wake-ups.
• The Read House Hotel (Chattanooga, TN) – Room 311 is haunted by Annalisa; guests can tour the room or try the themed cocktail.
• Hassayampa Inn (Prescott, AZ) – Guests hear the ghost “Faith” mourning her lost love; the historic elevator adds to the ambiance.

Vrbo Spotlights Haunted Mansion-Themed Rental and Immersive Halloween Stay

Vrbo features the “Ghoulish Sanctuary”, a haunted mansion-themed vacation rental near Disney World.

• Includes ghostly décor, character-themed rooms and immersive design
• Available for Halloween weekend
• Ideal for superfans and thrill seekers
• Download a property video here (credit: Vrbo). 

“Halloween falls on a Friday this year, which makes it the ultimate excuse for a spooky weekend escape,” said Melanie Fish, Head of Global PR for Expedia Group brands. “Expedia makes it easy to bundle flights and hotels to haunted hotspots, Hotels.com connects travelers to ghost-friendly VIP Access stays and Vrbo offers themed rentals like the Ghoulish Sanctuary—with free cancellation, just in case things get too spooky.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: What is Expedia’s Spook Score?

A: It’s a rating system from 1 to 5 that ranks Halloween destinations based on haunted history, cultural depth and popularity.

• Q: Which Halloween destination saw the biggest search increase?

A: Mexico City, with a 50% increase in lodging searches due to Día de los Muertos celebrations.

• Q: What haunted hotels are recommended by Hotels.com?

A: Top picks include Bourbon Orleans Hotel, Hotel Provincial and Mizpah Hotel—all based on real guest reviews.

• Q: Is Vrbo offering any Halloween-themed rentals?

A: Yes, the “Ghoulish Sanctuary”  is an immersive haunted mansion-style vacation rental available for Halloween weekend. It sleeps six (three bedrooms), has themed rooms and is a 9-minute drive from Disney World, Florida.

• Q: How does Expedia Group gather Halloween travel data?

A: Through lodging search trends, guest reviews and seasonal booking patterns across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo platforms.

• Q: What makes Salem, MA a top spooky destination?

A: Its deep-rooted witch trial history, candlelit cemetery tours and the Haunted Happenings festival earn it a perfect Spook Score of 5.

• Q: Are these destinations family-friendly?

A: Many offer family-friendly events like parades, themed tours and cultural festivals, especially in cities like New Orleans and Mexico City.

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[1] Based on lodging searches made on Expedia.com between June 23, 2025, to September 28, 2025, for travel between October 27, 2025, to November 2, 2025, compared to the same dates in 2024.