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We ’re almost halfway through October , which means one thing for repugnance sports fan and witchy traveller : We ’re good in the heart of the much - beloved scary time of year . Haunted houses , ghostwriter tours , and witch towns are bustle with visitor this calendar month , and traveller are looking to get scared in the most authentic room potential .

With a rich account of scarey stuff ( the Salem witch trials , for example ) , the US is doubtless the position to gossip during October . Over the age , some haunted landmarks and scary spot have achieve icon - level status when it comes to scary travels , but often , visitant are disturbed about them being patently erstwhile tourist traps rather than logical destinations for revulsion fans .

Which lend me to why I am here . AsThrillist ’s prescribed myth - buster(or better , trap - buster ) this hebdomad , I present the prescribed scary time of year tourist trap vibration check — a rated compilation of the most popular scary spots across the US based on a workweek - farseeing thoroughgoing daily analysis .

salem witch museum

Boston Globe/Getty Images

Is it worth visit Salem ’s witch museum , or is it a waste of your prison term ? What about the iconic Winchester Mystery House ? Does it give you actual shivers , or is it just fluff and hokey green goddess ? understand below to discover out and steer clear of real traps .

The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

How busy it got : It ’s peak " shivery tourism " season , so the hotel is , on average , meddling . However , rooms were still available to be book on Google for this week . What the weather was like : Glorious , sunny , and around 80 degrees all week . Google Reviews to note : " I would n’t usually care if it was a budget hotel but we spent a lot to outride here and the elbow room and amenity maintenance does n’t match the astronomic price tag end . [ … ] The food and service at The Stanley otherwise has been exceptional , it ’s a shame the room is so bad . “Social media highlights to mention : Nothing recent of note , although people in the past have documentedalleged ghost interactions . Overall scary vibe score:5.5/10

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California

How officious it got : Per Google ’s analysis , it was usually " a short busybodied " throughout the day . What the weather was like : Mostly sunny with some passing clouds . The temperature was in the higher LXX all calendar week , with some peaks into the 90s . Google Reviews to note:“This was a remarkable time for me , " one visitor wrote . " There ’s so much to see and take in that once you ’ve see it , you ’ll remember it for sprightliness . " Reportedly , tour guides are very well prepared , too . " I did the unconstipated ' Mansion Tour ' and the ' Explore More Tour , ' " another reader noted . " I also did the Halloween ' unhinge : Hotel ' ( seasonal only ) circuit , and it was a bang ! I commend all 3 to anyone . The circuit guide and the staff were great!“Social media highlight to note : have frightened at the Unhinged : Hotel tour isreportedly " top tier . “Overall scary vibe score:9/10

Salem Witch Museum, Salem, Massachusetts

How busy it got : On average , it is a little busy , according to Google . Weekends tend to get " as busy as it amaze . “What the weather was like : Quintessential scary autumn weather : Passing clouds , some rain , and temperatures between the high 50s and low LX . Google Reviews to note:“Not a museum , " one visitant said . " Rather an uninspired event where you sit around and listen to pre - recordings of historic events . " Adds another one : " As we waited in line , someone drive by and shouted that this place was the third largest holidaymaker maw in the USA . Their assessment was spot on . “Social media highlight to mark : Justdon’t come to Salem in October . September is much better , and you still get the scary vibraharp . Overall scary vibration score:4/10

St. Louis Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana

How busy it got : It can get a little crowded during the shuddery time of year , so you might ascertain cheat on groups of Halloween fans . mention , however , that you’re able to only get at the cemetery solid ground with a licensed tour guidebook . What the weather was like : gay , cheery , cheery . Average temperature : 80 - ish . Google Reviews to note : " Well worth the visit . Our tour guide was rum and versed . [ … ] I just rock up and paid , selected the time I wanted , and boom , done . “Social media highlight to observe : Nothing worth nothing this week . This is whatMarie Laveau ’s tomblooks like , though . Overall scary vibration score:8/10

The Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts

How interfering it got : It can get crowded during the scary season . What the weather was like : On average , around 60 degrees and cheery . Google Reviews to note:“I do n’t ordinarily like manoeuvre tours , and only take them when it is my only option to see something , " one user write . " This tour , however , greatly outstrip my expectation and really added to the experience . " Other visitors allege the circuit was comprehensive and allowed them to see the entire house . Stays are also well - rank . Social media highlights to note : Nothing worth noting this week , but this is why thehouse is said to be stalk and creepy , by the path . Overall chilling vibration score:8.5/10

Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, New Orleans, Louisiana

How busy it get : It can get very officious . Today ( a Friday ) is " as busy as it gets , " according to Google . What the conditions was like : TheSun was out , and so was the pleasant heat ( the average temperature was around 80 level throughout the week).Google revue to observe : The computer memory is fill with many " quirky , alone items , " but some visitors review the quality of the client service . Social media highlighting to note : No social media posts to highlight : tv camera are n’t allow inside . Overall scarey vibe score:7/10

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