Travel Is Back : Travel Tips and Memorable Trips
136. Spooktacular Halloween Destinations for a Haunted Halloween Holiday
In this episode of “Travel is Back,” Journey Joe Mitchell dives into the best Halloween adventures in LA and beyond. He takes listeners through the spine-chilling thrills of Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, where you’ll run from zombies, face off against Stranger Things’ Upside Down, and encounter classic movie monsters in immersive mazes. For a more family-friendly experience, Joe highlights Disneyland’s Halloween Time, where the Haunted Mansion transforms into a “Nightmare Before Christmas” wonderland, and the Headless Horseman leads a magical Halloween parade.
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- Broadcast on:
- 02 Oct 2024
- Audio Format:
- other
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Head over to Dickies.com and use the promo code WorkWear20 at checkout to save 20% on your purchase. It's the perfect time to experience the quality and reliability that has made Dickies a trusted name for over a century. Caleroga Shark Media Hey there, Thrill seekers and ghost hunters. It's Journey Joe Mitchell, and you're listening to another spine-tingling episode of Travel Is Back. As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, there's a certain eerie energy in the atmosphere. That's right, folks. Halloween is just around the corner. So grab your pumpkin spice latte, or should I say your witch is brew? And let's dive into some of the spookiest, most haunted destinations perfect for your Halloween getaway in 2024. First up on our ghostly tour is none other than Salem, Massachusetts. Now, I know what you're thinking. Joe, isn't that a bit obvious? Well, let me tell you, there's a reason why this place is the Halloween capital of the world. I visited Salem last October and let me tell you, it was like stepping into a real life horror movie. But in the best possible way. The entire month of October in Salem is basically one big Halloween party. They call it haunted happenings, and boy, do they live up to the name. As soon as you set foot in town, you can feel the electric atmosphere. The streets are packed with people in costumes, from witches and warlocks to zombies and vampires. It's like Comic Con met Halloween and decided to throw a party in New England. One of the must-do activities in Salem is the night tour of the old town. I joined one led by a local historian dressed as a 17th-century witch hunter. As we walked through the narrow cobblestone streets, our guide regaled us with tales of the infamous witch trials. Standing in front of the old courthouse where the trials took place, with the autumn wind whistling through the trees, let's just say I felt a chill that wasn't just from the cold. But it's not all doom and gloom in Salem. Make sure to check out the Witch House. The only structure still standing with direct ties to the Salem witch trials. It's fascinating to step back in time and see how people lived in the 17th century. And if you're into magic, the fun kind, don't miss the magic show at the witch mansion. I saw a performance there that had me questioning reality in a good way. For a truly unforgettable experience, time your visit to coincide with the annual grand parade. Picture this, thousands of people in elaborate costumes floats that look like they've come straight out of a Tim Burton movie and an energy that's absolutely electric. I found myself marching alongside a group dressed as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus, which, by the way, was filmed right here in Salem. Talk about life-imitating art. Now, if you're looking for something a little more off the beaten path, let me tell you about a hidden gem I discovered, Sleepy Hollow, New York. Yes, that's Sleepy Hollow, the one from Washington Irving's famous story. And let me tell you, this place takes its spooky heritage seriously. I arrived in Sleepy Hollow just as the sun was setting, and the first thing that struck me was how the whole town seemed to be shrouded in mist. It was like stepping into the pages of a gothic novel. My first stop was the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Washington Irving himself is buried. Taking a lantern-lit tour through the cemetery at night, hearing the crunch of leaves under my feet and the hooting of owls in the distance, it was deliciously creepy. But the highlight of my visit to Sleepy Hollow was undoubtedly the great jack-o-lantern blaze. Imagine this. Over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins all lit up and arranged into incredible sculptures. I'm talking a pumpkin statue of liberty, a pumpkin-covered bridge, even a pumpkin planetarium. Walking through this pumpkin wonderland with spooky music playing in the background, it was like being in a Halloween dream. For those of you who like your scares with a side of luxury, I've got just the place, the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. This grand old hotel is famous for inspiring Stephen King to write the Shining. And let me tell you, it lives up to its spooky reputation. I stayed at the Stanley Last Halloween, and from the moment I walked into the lobby, I could feel the weight of history, and maybe a few spirits all around me. The hotel offers a ghost tour that takes you through some of the most haunted spots in the building. Standing in room 217, where Stephen King stayed and got the idea for his novel, I swear I could feel the creative and maybe supernatural energy in the air, but the Stanley isn't just about ghosts and scares, it's set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, and in October the fall colors are absolutely stunning. I spent an afternoon hiking in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, surrounded by golden aspens and the bugling of elk. Coming back to the hotel as the sun set behind the mountains, seeing it all lit up against the darkening sky, it was hauntingly beautiful. If you're up for a real adventure, time your visit to coincide with the hotel's annual shining ball. Picture this, you're dressed in your finest 1920s attire, sipping cocktails in the same ballroom where Jack Nicholson's character lost his mind in the movie. The attention to detail is incredible. From the ghostly twins in the hallway to the creepy bartender who looks just a little too much like Lloyd from the film. It's like being in the movie, but with the ability to escape back to your room at the end of the night. With the Lucky Land sluts, you can get Lucky just about anywhere. Daily Beloved, we're gathered here today. Has anyone seen the bride and groom? Sorry, sorry, we're here. 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Let me paint you a picture, elaborate floats themed after monsters and urban legends, marching bands playing eerie tunes, and dancers and costumes that have to be seen to be believed. The energy in the French Quarter during the parade is absolutely electric. It's like Mardi Gras met Halloween and decided to throw the party of the century. Of course, no visit to New Orleans is complete without a ghost tour of the French Quarter. I joined a tour led by a local historian who looked like he'd stepped straight out of an Anne Rice novel. As we walked through the gaslit streets, our guides spun tales of voodoo queens, pirates, and star-crossed lovers. Standing in front of the infamous Lallore mansion, hearing the gruesome stories of its past, let's just say I was glad to be in a group, but New Orleans isn't all about ghosts and ghouls. Make sure to visit the aboveground cemeteries or cities of the dead, as they're known locally. I took a tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where voodoo queen Marie LaVoe is said to be buried. The ornate tombs, the quiet alleys, the way the sunlight filters through the trees. It's hauntingly beautiful, and a photographer's dream. And of course, we can't talk about New Orleans without mentioning the food. I had dinner at Muriel's Jackson Square, a restaurant that's said to be haunted by the ghost of the original owner. They even set a table for him every night. The combination of delicious creole cuisine and the possibility of a spectral dining companion made for an unforgettable meal. For those of you looking for a Halloween experience that's truly out of this world, let me tell you about Roswell, New Mexico. Now, I know what you're thinking. Joe, what does Roswell have to do with Halloween? Well, let me tell you, this little town takes its alien heritage and runs with it, creating a Halloween experience like no other. I arrived in Roswell just in time for their annual UFO festival, which happens to coincide with Halloween. Picture this, an entire town decked out in alien-themed decorations, people walking around in the most elaborate alien costumes you've ever seen, and a parade led by a float shaped like a flying saucer. It's like Halloween met Comic Con in the middle of the desert. One of the highlights of my visit was the tour of the International UFO Museum and Research Center. Now, I consider myself a pretty skeptical guy, but walking through those exhibits, hearing the eyewitness accounts, seeing the evidence, let's just say it made me question everything I thought I knew. And isn't that what Halloween is all about? Suspending disbelief and embracing the unknown. But Roswell isn't just about aliens. The surrounding desert is hauntingly beautiful, especially in the fall. I took a sunset hike in the nearby bottomless lake State Park, and let me tell you, watching the sun set over those deep blue lakes with the desert landscape turning golden in the fading light. It was otherworldly in the best possible way. Now, for those of you who like your Halloween with the side of Hollywood glamour, you can't beat Los Angeles, California. I know, I know. LA might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Halloween, but trust me, this city knows how to do spooky in style. My first stop in LA was the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Now, this isn't your average cemetery. It's the final resting place of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Taking a twilight tour through the grounds, seeing the elaborate memorials to cinema's greats, all while dressed up for the cemetery's famous Dia de los Muertos celebration, it was like being on the world's spookiest movie set. But the real highlight of Halloween in LA is Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights. Imagine this. You're walking through incredibly detailed sets from your favorite horror movies and TV shows, with professional scare actors jumping out at you when you least expect it. I found myself running from zombies in a walking dead-themed maze, trying to escape the upside down in a Stranger Things attraction and coming face-to-face with classic movie monsters. It's like being in a horror movie, but with the ability to leave when it gets too scary. For a more family-friendly Halloween experience, don't miss Disneyland's Halloween time. Seeing the haunted mansion all decked out in Nightmare before Christmas theming, watching the headless horseman lead the Halloween parade down Main Street, USA, it's spooky and magical and equal measure. As we wrap up our ghostly tour, I want to remind you that Halloween isn't just about the scares. It's about embracing the unknown, suspending disbelief, and letting your imagination run wild. Whether you're exploring the witch trials of Salem, chasing ghosts in the Stanley Hotel, or running from zombies at Universal Studios, remember to approach it all with a sense of fun and adventure. And hey, speaking of adventures without interruptions, don't forget that you can enjoy all these episodes ad-free. That's right. Unlock an uninterrupted podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media. Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle-free. For Apple users, just hit the banner on your Apple Podcasts app. And for Spotify or other players, head over to caloroga.com/plus. No plugins needed. So thrill seekers, where will your Halloween adventures take you? Whether you're hunting ghosts in New Orleans, chasing aliens in Roswell, or embracing your inner witch in Salem, remember? The real magic of Halloween is in the stories we create and the memories we make. This is Journey Joe Mitchell signing off. Until next time, keep exploring, stay curious, and have a spooktacular Halloween. 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