Hello Friends!
It’s officially sweater weather! This is one of my favorite times of year. Football season is in full swing, garden harvests are bursting with veggies perfect for salsa, soups, and chili—and it’s a great time to plan a getaway! Whether you’re seeking tropical sunshine without the swelter or eager to dive into festive holiday traditions, there’s no better time to pack your bags.
Best places to travel during the Holidays; Lets start with Halloween
The Medieval Midwest
For those local to the Midwest and not looking to go to far, Galena Illinois boasts a spectacular event drawing in thousands of little monsters from all over the nation called Galeen-o-ween. It is jam packed with floats that run along Galena’s Main street for 2 ½ hrs
But don’t worry, you can still pop in and get food and refreshments at many of the soda pop establishments or an adult bev at the numerous bars and restaurants where all the staff is representing their festive spirits in their own costumes. There are a few adorable Air B&Bs to stay in but they book up quickly. You can make a cute weekend out of it by staying 15 minutes away in Dubuque, Iowa and enjoy the Fenelon Place Elevator Company and take a ride on the shortest and steepest trolley car in the world. At the top you have amazing sites of the Worlds 3rd largest river, the Mighty Mississippi as well as three states, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. You can also test your luck at the Q Casino.
For the Brave
If you are a little more dangerous, check out Salem Massachusetts, West Hollywood California or New Orleans Louisiana. Salem has a haunting past notarized by the Salem Witches and is self-proclaimed the Halloween capitol of the world. There is even a Halloween Museum! But the parade happenes on the 1st Thursday of October but don’t worry there are plenty of events for Halloween. Check out the events calendar here. For something on a more cinematic event, first launching in 1987, it is the 40th anniversary of the West Hollywood Carnaval. It is a grandeur affair drawing many celebrities and enthusiasts alike. The carnival is hosted along Santa Monica Boulevard from N. Doheny Drive to N. La Cienega Boulevard for 5 hours with live DJs, food trucks and just a huge Halloween Bash! New Orleans sports an entire other level of Halloween Parade. The Krewe of Boo Parade is a spectacle all of its own. Originally starting as a fund raiser after Hurricane Katrina, this parade has become a beloved tradition for the people of New Orleans and those brave enough to partake. There is a Happy Hour in the Square at Pat O’Briens, viewing parties, a Monster Mash and a dance off to name a few events.
If you desire something more traditional and that is steeped in culture check out San Antonia for their famous Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Parade. This is one of my personal favs! The Muertos Fest launches the festivities in the San Antonio community of Hemisfair. Locals brandish spooktacular costumes and floats to honor their departed loved ones. There is also the River Parade along the famous River Walk, yet another unforgettable event.
Halloween around the World
If you want to travel abroad and experience how the rest of the world celebrates, as to be expected, Bran Romania, located in the Transylvania Region, has a extraordinary 2-day party at Castle Bran (Dracula’s Castle). This is a party that includes the entire flea market outside of the castle and you can visit the haunted town of Brasov right down the street to titillate your fancy.
If your taste takes you more towards the ceremonial Dia De Los Muertos, then Mexico is your go-to. Mexico City offers a fabulous ceremony but the real heritage is celebrated more in Oaxaca. The actual origin is controversial but it will still be an epic experience regardless.
However, if you really want the ultimate experience, Derry Ireland has the largest Halloween party of them all. After all, this is where is started over 2000 years ago. It was a celebration for the winter harvest and mixed in with the pagan traditions of the ancient Samhain festival. Spanning 4 days with an average of 80,000 visitors each year it is by far the largest event for Halloween. Here is an interesting article on Newgrange.com about the history of the Samhain Festival and its traditions.
Final Thoughts
Whether you desire a delightfully scary experience or something steeped in tradition, don’t let this season escape you. There is also time to resrve your destination for Turkey Day Travels. Stay tuned for the next blog.