Are you looking for a day trip that is a little more spooky?
These Halloween travel ideas are worth the drive! You will find special Halloween-themed events in South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee that will make for a memorable time with your family. These events go all out with spectacular light shows, costumed characters, and out-of-this-world Halloween displays.
Let us know how you’re celebrating Halloween in 2025 in the comments.
Check out our Kidding Around® Guide to Halloween with special events, trick-or-treating, Halloween activities, and more!
Celebrating Halloween In 2025! Halloween Travel Ideas
It’s that epic time of year to go all out for Halloween! We found some great day trip activities to celebrate this year. They are not only entertaining, but they will get you exploring a new town. These festivities make a great day trip or a weekend getaway! We’ve compiled extra info if you decide to make a trip of it!
Halloween Trips to Georgia
If you’re thinking of making a weekend out of Halloween this year, check out our Guide to Travel in Georgia for ideas to fill out your itinerary.
Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival
1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain GA
The Glow By Night Experience is a journey through a storybook tale that comes to life with thousands of glowing lights, massive carved pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, bubbles, fog, and plenty of kid-friendly, glow-in-the-dark adventures after dark.
- September 13th- November 2nd, 2025
- Adult (ages 12+) $39.99 / Child (ages 3-11) $36.99 / Children two years and younger are free.
- Pumpkin Festival Tickets
Six Flags Over Georgia Frightfest
275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell GA
In addition to all of the fun Six Flags Over Georgia normally offers, guests will experience Halloween-themed extras. Live character interactions and shows top off the list of themed things you can expect. Kids Boo Fest is spooky fun for all ages, including trick-or-treating, family-friendly rides, and other fall activities.
- September 13th – November 2nd, 2025 (select dates)
- general admission prices varies
- $30 per car parking fee
- Purchase Tickets
Check out a local dad’s review of Six Flags Over Georgia.
Walk With The Spirits in Augusta, GA
Downtown Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is hosting its annual historic cemetery tour. Notable “spirits” come to life! This ghost tours aims to increase awareness of Augusta’s past by connecting current residents and visitors with the people and places that still influence us today through their contributions to Augusta’s cultural legacy.
- October 25th-26th, 2025
Tickets may be purchased on the Explore Historic Augusta website.
Scarecrows in the Garden: Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta, GA
If you are looking for something spectacular that is a little more tame, the Atlanta Botanical Garden will host their annual Scarecrows in the Garden from October 1st – November 2nd, 2025. You will get to explore the fabulous botanical garden while seeing the creative and unique scarecrows as you walk about.
While you’re in Atlanta, check out our Kidding Around® Atlanta Guide for things to do with your kids during your day trip to the ATL.
Halloween Trips to Tennessee
If you’re thinking of spending Halloween weekend in Tennessee, check out our Ultimate Guide to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for some excellent lodging options, things to do, and places to eat.
Dollywood Great Pumpkin Luminights
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Dollywood guests will be invited nightly to glow with Great Pumpkin LumiNights. This event was named the “#1 Theme Park Halloween Event in 2019″ by USA Today. The park is one of the top Halloween destinations in the Southeast because of how well the decorations are executed.
- Thousands of Jack-O-lanterns, special fall treats, and more are waiting for you this Halloween at Dollywood, September 12th – October 27th, 2025
- Purchase tickets online
Halloween Trips In North Carolina
Carowinds Halloween Events
14523 Carowinds Boulevard Charlotte, NC
- Select Dates September 13th – November 2nd, 2025
- SCarowinds tickets begin at $46.99, Tricks and Treats fest tickets are general admission tickets at $49.99.
SCarowinds
SCarowinds is one of the Carolina’s biggest Halloween events and a top Halloween-themed destination, happening September 12th, 2025 – November 2nd, 2025. The theme park has evening events that contain haunted mazes, scare zones, live entertainment, and more. It is a scary event, not for small children!
Tricks and Treats at Carowinds
Carowinds’ fall and Halloween festival for families, Tricks and Treats, has all the regular Carowinds fun, plus great fall and festive Halloween activities with just a tiny bit of spooky. It’s happening Saturdays and Sundays, September 13th, 2025 – November 2nd, 2025. Enjoy seasonal treats, fun costume parades, and more family-friendly fun.
Read our Kidding Around® review for more information on Carowinds.
Pumpkin Fest at Silvermont
Head to Brevard, North Carolina this October for this annual, family-friendly event! Pumpkin Fest on October 3rd-4th, 10th-11th, 17th-18th, and 24th-25th, 2025. The event typically features displays of lighted carved pumpkins, local musicians, fun and games for the entire family, food trucks, storytellers, face painting, a tour of the mansion, and of course, a white squirrel scavenger hunt! The event is sponsored by Friends of Silvermont, and admission starts around $7).
Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad in Boone, NC goes all out for spooky season in the fall with their Ghost Train ride through the park, and we got to check it out, along with all the fun of carnival rides and trick or treating at the park.
We’ve got everything you need to know to plan your family’s trip here!
Check out Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train
Halloween Travel Trips in South Carolina
South Carolina Railroad Museum: Pumpkin Patch
110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro, SC
Hop aboard for a train ride to the pumpkin patch! When guests arrive at the patch, kids will choose a pumpkin and decorate it with provided supplies. There will also be a maze and games at the patch to enjoy for about 40 minutes before heading back aboard the train to return to the museum.
- October 18th and 25th, 2025
- Purchase tickets in advance. They range from $17 to $120 depending on the seating class purchased.
SC State Museum- Dark History Tours
Visit the SC State Museum for a special kind of history tour full of spooky legendary tales from South Carolina’s history. Tours are self-guided and are available every day, or you can attend an educator-led haunted history guided tour any Saturday in October. Dates for 2025 are TBD.
Visit The City of Halloween!
Each October Conway, SC transforms itself into The City of Halloween. Also known as Hallowen Town, SC the city features tons of Halloween decorations, coffin races, costume contests and loads of festive events. Get the full schedule and all the details in our Halloween Town, SC story.
If spending the night in haunted hotels or cabins sounds like an excellent way to spend Halloween, don’t miss our list of Haunted Cabins, Hotels, and Tours.
Celebrate Halloween! Travel ideas for a spooky good time!
