This Minnesota Town is Among Nation’s Best For Halloween

My fellow heathens: it's a month that ends in 'ber', so that means it's SPOOKY SEASON! Minnesota knows a thing or two about Halloween; we hear "1991" and compulsively launch into our personal tale of trick-or-treating in a blizzard (uphill, both ways).

It should be no surprise that Minnesota's Halloween Capital landed on the nationwide list of top Halloween towns. But did this list give Anoka its rightful place at the top?

#7: Estes Park, Colorado

The gateway to the Rocky Mountains is also watched over by the historic Stanley Hotel, most famous as the inspiration for Stephen King's "The Shining". Estes Park hosts the Pumpkin & Pilsners Festival every October.

#6: New Hope, Pennsylvania

There legally has to be one "-sylvania" on a list about Halloween towns. Creep-tastic Colonial-era villages and vibrant Fall foliage make for a spooktacular experience.

#5: Half Moon Bay, California

It's not just the sky-high cost-of-living that makes California scary; the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival is world famous for its pumpkin weigh-off...which was won last year (2023) by Anoka, MN (more on that soon) resident Travis Gienger's 2,749 pound pumpkin. OH MY GOURD!

#4: St. Helens, Oregon

It was the filming location for Disney's 1998 movie Halloweentown, so that's where it gets its 'Ween cred. St. Helens was also the filming location for the Twilight franchise, which should automatically and permanently disqualify it from this list.

#3: Sleepy Hollow, New York

Another colonial-era village (those colonials were scary), Sleepy Hollow is America's first "horror" town. After all, it's the setting for Washington Irving's iconic "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" horror story from 1820.

#2: Anoka, MN

Two? TWO? The Halloween Capital of the World is only number TWO on this list?! Again with the flyover state hate...

Anoka was the first to host Halloween parades over a century ago, and still hosts the House Decorating Contest. If you're a spooky squirrel chaser, the Gray Ghost Run may interest you.

#1: Salem, Massachusetts

Spelling the state's name without the help of a spell-checker isn't the only terrifying thing about Salem: perhaps you've heard of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692? Back then there was nothing scarier than a woman sneezing or daring to have thoughts. This being America, the town has monetized the ignominious history to top the country in Halloween celebrations.

H/T: The Travel