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Wicked Fall Guide

Wicked Fall Guide

Wicked Fall Guide

No Disrespect But Salem Isn’t The Only Halloween Town In New England- Here Are 11 More

By Carolyn Kruse

Props to the OG, Salem, Massachusetts. You are the quintessential queen of Halloween, without a doubt. But we all know how crowds can be in the small North Shore city of about 45,000. Last year, nearly 1 million people came to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve. No disrespect, but Salem isn’t the only Halloween town in New England. Here are 11 more to explore. These are some of the best Halloween towns in New England

These 11 awesome Halloween towns in New England are bringing their A game to the holiday? They will make sure you are charmed, spooked, tricked and treated like an enthusiast of the eerie! With some help from newengland.com, Boston.com and Conde Nast Traveler, I’ve put together a ghostly list of spooktacular spots to visit. These wicked fun haunts will take you away from the massive crowds and lack of parking. Those things come with the territory when visiting Salem this time of year. After all, you deserve a fang-tastic Halloween scene.

Where In New England?

Rev up the broom and get ready to fly through the fun and adventure of the best Halloween towns in New England, besides Salem. I’ll take you to New Hampshire, the Cape, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont. Got all the bases covered for you to make a weekend adventure, if you so desire. This information is delivered in plenty of time to make your arrangements, notify your posse and giddy up to a good time. The costume? Well, that’s all on you.

Yesterday, I told you about a haunted cemetery in Fall River. It is the final resting home of Lizzie Borden and her parents. Of course, Fall River is also where that notorious and still unsolved murder mystery took place. In addition, it turns out that Fall River turns up the fun and festivities around Halloween.

Ready for a ride through perhaps unchartered Halloween scenes? Demons, dunk tanks, candy, creepies, parades and pumpkins, you’ll find it all here. Seriously, no disrespect, but Salem isn’t the only Halloween town in New England. Here are 11 more.

  • 1. Fall River, Massachusetts

    As mentioned above, Fall River turns it up this time of year. They have what’s called the Factory of Terror going on now through early November. It’s one of the longest running Halloween events in the area! If you love to get spooked, this haunted house if for you! Factory of Terror is described as “a thrilling indoor haunted house.”

    The name Fall River is even kind of scary. Who fell? What happened? Did they survive the river? And of course, there’s the seasonal aspect: Fall. It’s also the home to Lizzie Borden, and we all know that creepy, horrifying story made into a rhyme.  But, did you know you can stay in Lizzie’s house? The house is now a bed and breakfast, and the interior has been preserved to look nearly as it did in the 1800s.

     

  • 2. Chatham, Massachusetts

    I know, I know…Chatham is way too cute to make the cut. But Trips to Discover named this quaint Cape Cod town one of the best small towns to visit for Halloween. Yes, there’s a haunted mansion to get you in the spooky spirit, but there’s also pumpkin people! Don’t miss Chatham’s annual Pumpkin People in the Park event October 14-31. Artists in the area put their peculiar pumpkin creations on display.

    Also check out Oktoberfest in Chatham on October 21 from 10:30am- 4:30pm at Kate Gould Park and Chatham Town Hall on Main St. With kids games, live music, a beer garden, vendors and more!

  • 3. Laconia, New Hampshire

    Laconia scored as another one of tripstodiscover.com‘s favorites for Halloween in New England.  They claim the annual New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival is a must visit! It’s 2 days of pumpkin displays, live music, a zombie walk, train rides, food trucks and so much more. This year’s dates are October 27-28 in downtown Laconia, NH.  

    NH Pumpkin Festival in Laconia NH

    NH Pumpkin Festival is a family friendly celebration of fall that's uniquely New Hampshire. A day of artistry, creativity and all things pumpkin happening in Laconia!

  • 4. Jackson, New Hampshire

    Get ready for the return of The Return of the Pumpkin People! Throughout the month you’ll see dozens and dozens of pumpkin people that have been created by local businesses on display. There’s even a pumpkin people map to follow online, and in the local businesses. This premiere event is celebrating its 38th year. It’s a self-guided tour throughout the entire month of October. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pumpkin people.

    Also, don’t miss the All Things Pumpkin Festival in Jackson on October 20 at 11am with tastings, tours, and a super competitive pumpkin carving contest.

     

    Posted by Return of the Pumpkin People on Monday, September 25, 2023

  • 5. Providence, Rhode Island

    It certainly doesn’t hurt that H.P. Lovecraft, the famous author known for his horror fiction, spent most of his years in Providence. You can even visit  his grave in Swan Point Cemetery. You never know what eerie mementoes his fans have left. You won’t want to miss the Jack -O-Latern Spectacular through Halloween at the Roger Williams Park Zoo.  You can also walk or take a boat ride to discover the paranormal side on a Providence Ghost Tour.

    Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

    Discover Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: Pumpkins Around the World, featuring thousands of artistically carved pumpkins illuminating the night.

     

  • 6. Bar Harbor, Maine

    Who knew that this scenic New England seaside town was a Halloween destination? Apparently, lots of people, as this town was named one of the top 10 for ghost tour in the country by USA Today readers!  You get the beautiful scenery of one of the most breathtaking spots on earth and a scary good time for Halloween. Win win. The Bar Harbor Ghost Tours are reportedly legendary! 

    RESULTS ARE IN! Thank you to everyone who voted. We are proud, once again, to be ranked among the best ghost tours in...

    Posted by Bar Harbor Ghost Tours on Friday, September 23, 2022

  • 7. Stowe, Vermont

    Conde Nast Traveler named “Emily’s Bridge” one of the most haunted places in America! Legend has it that Emily died at this bridge in the 1800s and now haunts it. Now, I’m scared. Of course the lovely New England town of Stowe is known for it’s fall foliage and events. But they do up Halloween, as it was intended…to spook you!

    There is plenty of fright, fun and festivities to enjoy around Halloween, from pumpkin patches, to haunted houses. From October 27-31, join Stowe, at Night, Lantern Tours for their 24th year! Carry your lantern, hear ghost stories and some history of the residents of Stowe.

  • 8. Damariscotta, Maine

    I know! I never heard of it either. It’s a tiny town of roughly 3,000 people in Lincoln County. It’s also known as the oyster capital of New England. However, this time of year it’s famous for it’s annual Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta. This event takes place this weekend.(October 6-0). Beyond that, in Damariscotta, it’s all things pumpkins, Halloween and fun. The Pumpkinfest finishes strong with a regatta race down the Damariscotta river in hollowed out giant pumpkins!

    There’s more. Damariscotta is also part of Maine’s Pumpkin Trail, which runs Labor Day through Halloween, and features 40 miles of activities along the coastline.

    Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta

    Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta

  • 9. Portsmouth, New Hampshire

    Scary-oke nights, a pumpkin smash, a parade…it’s all happening in this charming New Hampshire town. This gem of a seaside town hosts many events throughout the month. The town is dressed up in fall fare and pumpkin headed scarecrows everywhere. There are haunted open houses, if you dare. A haunted barn, and if the spirit moves you there’s a series of fundraising events from a rock show to pumpkin smashing. (Not to be confused with the rock band, Smashing Pumpkins)

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  • 10. Hartford, Connecticut

    I had no idea Hartford, Connecticut was spooky! It’s known for this holiday thanks in large part to Mark Twain.  The famed author of “the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” lived in this city. Twain wrote his prized prose, while living here from 1974-1891. What’s so scary about that?  Conde Nast Traveler claims it’s an “excellent place to experience the paranormal, apparently, as visitors have reported things like odd noises and a woman in white (isn’t it always?).” They say it’s one of the most haunted places in the country! The experience may raise hair.

  • 11. Harrisville, Rhode Island

    There is no way you are going to get me to stay in the house from the 2013 horror movie, The Conjuring. Tihe farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island was the inspiration for the movie. Country Living named this town one of the best to visit for Halloween, last year. Built in 1736 it’s considered to be one of the most “active paranormal locations in the world . The Conjuring was not actually filmed here, but as the article says, “the events that take place in the movie allegedly happened to a real family who lived there in the 1970s.” And the current owners admit it’s still haunted. You can stay over (NO WAY!) or book a regular tour.

    Home | The Conjuring House

    The Conjuring House offers many authentic opportunities to learn about and engage with the paranormal. Book an experience if you dare.

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