Halloween is a favorite holiday here at Kayak (check out Kayak engineer Ron Lohse’s blog to see how we play). What better way to mark the looming date than traumatizing your kids at these world-class haunted houses? It’ll be a trip seared in your memory.

New Orleans teams with ghost tales and strange activity (and not just on Bourbon Street after dark). New Orleans Ghost Tours offer a walking tour through the French Quarter and a separate tour of St. Louis cemetery. Ever wonder about Anne Rice’s inspiration? The tour also swings past celebrity homes and favorite film locations. Next, head over to the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum in the French Quarter. With any luck, you’ll be able to find a doll that resembles your boss; just don’t forget to purchase extra pins.

• Flights to New Orleans
• Hotels in New Orleans
• Stay at the French Quarter Hotel St. Marie from $76
• Talk to other Kayakers about New Orleans

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO is famous for its portrayal in The Shining. Who can forget the demonic little twins and redrum rants? Rumor has it the ghosts aren’t evil like in the movie, though the entire fourth floor is supposedly a party for ghostly activity. Try to get into room 418, ghosts love to hang out in there. Also worth a visit is nearby Baldpate Inn where founding owners Ethyl and Gordon Mace are said to roam the halls. But hold onto your drinks, Ethyl likes to knock glasses over.

• Flights to Denver
• Hotels in Denver
• Talk to other Kayakers about Denver

Key West packs in the ghosts in its two miles by four miles. A doll named Robert in the East Martello Museum is possessed. His antics include preventing his picture from being taken, moving toys, and tapping on his display case. “Papa” can be found clicking away on his typewriter at The Hemmingway Home & Museum.

• Flights to Key West
• Hotels in Key West
• Talk to other Kayakers about Key West

Pack a necklace of garlic and silver bullets when coming to Romania; you are visiting Dracula’s house. Vlad the Impaler, Bram Stoker’s historical inspiration for Dracula, ruled this area of the Balkans from 1456-1462. A reputation for cruelty secured his legend. Be sure to visit Vlad’s birthplace in the 14th Century town of Sighisoara; Castle Bran (Castle Dracula); and, of course, Curtea Domneasca, Dracula’s palace in Bucharest.

• Flights to Bucharest
• Hotels in Brasov

Want to see Ron’s creations in the flesh? “Party With The Dead” comes alive Halloween Night at 26 Silver Street in Randolph, MA.

Get the Fare Buzz for these haunted vacations from your home airport.

Huddling under the covers,
Steve and Paul, Kayak.com co-founders

This entry was posted on Monday, October 16th, 2006 at 11:36 am and is filed under Newsletters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.