The 20 Best Towns for Trick-or-Treating

Thrill-seekers flock to this World Heritage city to explore the largest haunted house in the country, but family-friendly fare can be found at the Scarecrow Walk, Boo at the Zoo, and the city’s acclaimed historic landmarks. In the West Philadelphia neighborhood of Cobbs Creek, historic homes of diverse architectural styles serve up eye candy while residents pass out the real kind on Halloween night.

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The Capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is also a hub for Halloween fun thanks to an abundance of amusement parks, observatories, and performing arts venues. Venture to West San Jose for the best trick-or-treating, or take a tour of the hauntingly beautiful historic landmark, the Winchester Mystery House.

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While the City by the Bay is known for its vibrant nightlife, trick-or-treaters can escape the bustle in the affluent alcove of Presidio Heights. Bordered by parklands and filled with old homes dressed in their Halloween best, the neighborhood offers endless spooky spectacles to make the holiday memorable.

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Dubbed “a great place on a Great Lake,” Milwaukee offers the family-friendly charms of a Midwestern town against a backdrop of staggering natural beauty. In the Golden Valley neighborhood, Halloween revelers can trick-or-treat at nostalgic 1950s-era homes while stealing glances at the scenic Menomonee River from the Menomonee River Parkway.

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Want to celebrate Halloween like the stars? Look no further than the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. Decked out in Halloween glitz, the gated mansions in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains make for a frightfully fun—and star-studded—setting for chasing candy.

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Nestled in the capital of the Grand Canyon State is the un-hectic and ultradesirable community of North Gateway. This glamorous subdivision extends a trove of delicious treasures to trick-or-treaters behind the safety of the community's gates.

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Outdoor adventurers may have another reason to get hiking in this Rockies town when they head to the trick-or-treating paradise of Cory-Merrill. The South Denver neighborhood is rife with Halloween delights, including an annual block party where family, food, and fun are always welcome!

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Portland's lush greenery and beautiful blooms aren't the only things that give the city its colorful character. Grant Park, which served as the setting for many of famed author Beverly Cleary's children's books, offers a plethora of kid-friendly venues to frequent on Halloween.

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While the Jet City counts many high-flying dignitaries as residents, Seattle remains a down-to-earth town for families. In the heart of the Laurelhurst neighborhood, treat-or-treaters will find pedestrian-friendly paths that lead to Halloween candy and lively, kid-appropriate adventure.

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Fall fun is always in the air in this Midwestern capital known for an annual Oktoberfest in its German Village. But you're really in for a treat when you venture to Smoky Ridge Estates, where retro-era single-family homes, colorful foliage, and sweet treats are sure to immerse trick-or-treaters in the sights and sounds of the season.

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Who knew? The entertainment capital of the world has a quiet side: Tule Springs. This development, home to Fossil Beds National Monument, offers a welcome sanctuary from the noisy crowds and neon lights of Sin City. Here, tree-lined rows of mission-style homes offer trick-or-treaters a candy-dense oasis at the edge of a sprawling metropolis.

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Baltimore boasts more public monuments per capita than any other city in the country, and Patterson Park is an exceptional example of this architectural density. The 137-acre park lures visitors with a fishing-friendly boat lake and a breathtaking pagoda, while Renaissance Revival homes in the surrounding neighborhood are prime picks for sweet-toothed trick-or-treaters.

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While downtown Dallas is known for its eclectic arts and historic districts, if you head northeast to the Lake Highlands neighborhood, you'll gain access to dozens of subdivisions filled with parks and prestigious hillside homes that are ripe for Halloween fun.

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Life is a beach in San Diego, nowhere more so than in the seaside neighborhood of La Jolla, where trick-or-treating is a community affair. Residents stroll La Jolla Boulevard in droves to enjoy the ghoulish decor of local shops. If you prefer to stick to residential areas, stop by one of the gated communities to shorten your candy commute.

Charlotte's banking industry may have put it on the map, but its southern charm and historical landmarks have helped the city maintain its prominence. In the historic neighborhood of Eastover, the old Manor Theatre and antiques shops are a stone's throw from well-preserved vintage homes that take trick-or-treaters on a trip back in time.

Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, the unique rhythm of the city can be witnessed well beyond Austin's concert venues. Windsor Road, in the city center, boasts elegant Craftsman-style homes bordered by Pease District Park—a perfect locale for birthdays, barbecues, and Halloween jaunts.

This former farming town in the West has been ranked among the fittest cities in the country, thanks in no small part to its myriad parks and bike paths. The San Gabriel neighborhood is no exception. Its tree-lined paths and proximity to the Sandia Mountains make it a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts, while well-stocked candy bowls make it a must-stop spot for trick-or-treaters.

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While Chicago's downtown dominates the city's skyline, the North Side is where kid-friendly fun leaves its mark. The West DePaul neighborhood is home to eclectic eateries, bookstores, and elegant stone edifices with wrought-iron fences that evoke an apt sense of mystery on Halloween night.

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True to its nickname, Music City, USA, Nashville annually hosts more than a dozen major performing arts events, including the famed Country Music Association Awards. For treats and tunes, venture to Green Hills, where the Bluebird Cafe draws songwriters, The Mall at Green Hills lures shoppers, and leafy streets entice candy hunters on Halloween night.

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You don't have to tour the White House to be wowed by the sights of our nation's capital. Head northwest to American University Park to observe more than 200 years of history reflected in the neighborhood's 2,700 homes. Many of these houses feature porches or stoops that make them easily accessible to trick-or-treaters.

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