The leaves are changing, the air is getting crisp, and jack-o-lanterns are on display: it must be spooky season (a.k.a. that wonderful time leading up to Halloween) again.
It’s also a great season for unusual getaways, especially if haunted houses and gothic cemeteries are your type of destination. These days, visiting those settings is known as dark tourism, and the United States has some excellent options for travelers craving spooky vacations.
So, if you want some ideas for spine-chilling weekend getaways, fear not: we’ve collected four of our favorite dark tourism destinations to make your spooky season travel dreams (or nightmares) come true.
The LaLaurie Mansion, Louisiana
One of New Orleans’ creepiest dark tourism destinations is the LaLaurie Mansion, an eerie mansion tied to the macabre. In the 19th century, this was Madame Delphine LaLaurie’s home. She was…an awful person, and her misdeeds have become the stuff of legend. Reports of ghost sightings and paranormal events have fostered its reputation as one of America’s most haunted houses. This is a perfect destination for spooky vacations in the runup to Halloween, as New Orleans embraces its more ghoulish side with seasonal activities like the famous Krew of Book Halloween parade. When you’ve had enough of the scares, you can also reward your bravery with a classic, delicious beignet.
Who do that voodoo like New Orleans? Nobody.
Alcatraz Island, California
With a quick boat ride out of the San Francisco Bay, you can easily reach another of the best dark tourism destinations: Alcatraz Island. Its federal prison, now a favorite sightseeing destination, was once home to infamous criminals like Al Capone. However, it was also home to some pretty bleak conditions for prisoners, giving it its dubious-or, for spooky vacations, perfect-distinction as a haunted prison beyond compare. Reports of unexplained phenomena, like sightings of ghostly figures, startling cold spots, and mysterious noises, help too.
If you’re planning to go here during any of your weekend spooky vacations, ask your guide about the legend of Cell 14D. The frightening tale of this solitary confinement cell is so chilling you’ll be grateful to step back out into the California sunshine.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania
Another prison in our list of dark tourism destinations, Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia is another prime spooky season spot. Opened in 1829, this historic prison was known for its severe isolation practices and notorious inmates. The facility closed in 1971, and since then, it has become a magnet for ghost enthusiasts, not to mention some professionals. The ESP featured prominently in an episode of the famous series Ghost Hunters back in 2004.
For any spooky vacations or weekend getaways that include ESP on their itineraries, we recommend scheduling your visit around special seasonal events. The prison usually has ghost tours, Halloween parties, and even historical reenactments that can help you immerse yourself in the frightful atmosphere of the morbid days gone by-if that’s your thing, of course.
The Lizzie Borden House, Massachusetts
Lizzie Borden had an axe, and…you may think you know the rest. Of our top dark tourism destinations, this Fall River, Massachusetts, home isn’t as opulent as the LaLaurie Mansion, but its history is pretty gruesome. The popular story is that Lizzie Borden killed her parents in 1892, but in truth she was tried and acquitted of their deaths. Even so, the case remains a famous unsolved American crime story, and the house itself is of special interest to those who love a good fright.
Out of all the famous settings you could visit on spooky vacations, this one is unique. Today, it serves as possibly the creepiest bed and breakfast, where you can stay overnight. The home has even been preserved to maintain how it may have looked when the murders took place, making visitors feel as if they’ve stepped back in time. Spooky indeed.
Don’t Let Obstacles Spook You-Get Travel Insurance
Planning a weekend trip to one of these dark tourism destinations will be scary enough, so don’t let yourself worry about what could go wrong on your trip, too. Instead, consider the protection of 2-day travel insurance.
Does travel insurance cover dark tourism, though? The answer is that your coverage doesn’t depend only on your destination, but on your specific concerns, and on what could occur during your trip. The right plan for your needs may be able to cover you financially in the event of delayed or canceled flights, lost or damaged luggage, or needs for medical attention.
One of the best ways to find the two-day travel insurance you need is to compare plans on InsureMyTrip.com.
As the world’s first travel insurance comparison website, we are an unbiased resource that you can use to build and compare quotes from top providers. With our online center filled with travel advice, as well as our Customer Care team of licensed professionals, you can also get answers to your travel insurance-related questions, including “Does travel insurance cover dark tourism?”
To begin finding the plan you need, you can start a quote on our site today. Then, have a scary good time on your haunted weekend getaway.
