If you’ve chosen the Peach State as your home base, you’ve hit the jackpot when it comes to spooky experiences, thanks to the South’s long history of legends, unmarked graves and ghosts tales that have stood the test of time.
Looking to chase some ghouls this Halloween? Here’s seven things around Atlanta to add to your Halloween bucket list.
1. Boo at the Zoo
Photo courtesy of Zoo Atlanta
The annual family-friendly event at Grant Park’s Zoo Atlanta, Boo at the Zoo, has kids’ crafts, a costume parade, pumpkin carving and even some trick or treating.
The zoo – home to more than 1,000 animals – will be decorated with friendly spooks and roaming princesses and superheroes. Don’t forget your costume when you stop by.
2. Lawrenceville ghost and cemetery tours
Explore the oldest city near metro Atlanta to learn more about its haunted history and ongoing paranormal activity. You have your pick of three different tours – a ghost tour, a haunted pub crawl or a haunted cemetery tour, all of which will guide guests through the area while telling spooky stories about hidden spots in Gwinnett County.
If you’re seeking a bilingual experience, the city also offers Spanish-speaking tours. Tour ticket prices vary on your age, what night of the week you decide to go and which tour you’re doing.
3. Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain
Don’t miss out on Stone Mountain’s Pumpkin Festival, now with a Glow in the Night experience happening after dusk. Here you’ll find thousands of carved jack-o-lanterns that light up each night and you can get up to $10 off your all-day pass when you show up wearing a costume. The festival also boasts a tea party, pie eating contest, glow in the night mini golf and a party parade.
4. Fright Fest at Six Flags over Georgia
Photo courtesy of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags offers the screams and haunts during Fright Fest, with multiple haunted houses and scare spots throughout the park, in addition to the already scare-inducing rollercoasters.
New attractions in 2018 include several haunted mazes, live performances and an alien abduction-themed laboratory. Come ready to scream and enjoy some thrills and rides.
5. Ghostly Gatherings at Fernbank Museum
The hidden forest near Fernbank Museum remains mostly untouched and is now home to woodland spirit installations. The wire-constructed creatures appear to be ghostly spirits in the darkness.
The outdoor installation is the perfect experience for the Museum’s Fright Night, where you can learn more about the ghosts that live within the forest.
6. Netherworld
Did you know one of the best haunted houses in the country is located in Atlanta?
People from across the southeast head to Atlanta to experience Netherworld, a massive haunted building filled with live actors, monsters and Hollywood-quality special effects. This event probably isn’t for children, and if you’re going to go, get there early – lines can be over an hour long during some of the busiest times.
7. Explore Savannah
Ok, so technically not around Atlanta, but you can’t have a list of haunted attractions in Georgia and not mention Savannah. One of the most haunted cities in the country and only about a four-hour drive from Atlanta, Savannah hosts many haunting stories, unmarked graves and plenty of legends and apparitions beyond Halloween.
Take one of the many ghosts tours in town and get to know some old souls that have some trouble resting. Don’t miss the Civil War-era The Marshall House — you may just spot ghosts in the hallway.
