Sherman's Travel

Low hotel rates over a holiday weekend? Now that’s something to scream about. Late October is still shoulder season for a lot of U.S. cities, meaning low prices during Halloween weekend at some major destinations. Many of the below cities are purportedly haunted themselves, meaning you’ll have plenty of scary sights to seek out this Halloween without spending too much on your hotel.

Philadelphia is said to be haunted by scores of Revolutionary-era ghosts, and you can stay at a brand-new, 4-star hotel in the center of all the history. The 4-star Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, a Kimpton Hotel is steps from Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Ben Franklin National Memorial. Rates start from only $169 per night throughout the fall, and $199 per night over Halloween weekend.  Enjoy the stylish modern décor and upscale onsite dining, then venture out for a good scare at some of America’s scariest haunted houses, like the Fright Factory in a century-old South Philadelphia Warehouse, and Terror Behind the Walls, a haunted house set up in the Eastern State Penitentiary, a 19th-century prison that was transformed into one of Philly’s coolest performance spaces. Read more

Today’s breed of Halloween-themed attractions grows more terrifying every year, making the haunted hayrides of bygone eras look like tea parties in comparison. This year is no exception, as many venues have upped the fright factor with freaky new themes (bloodthirsty humanoid centipedes, anyone?), mazes designed for solo exploration, and more serial killer clowns than you can shake a scythe at.

Nobody seems scared off; in fact, brave souls are flocking to these Halloween attractions in such high numbers that many parks have added a fast-pass ticketing option that allows visitors to bypass the lines. Here are our picks for the scariest Halloween attractions in 2012. Check them out – if you dare. Read more

Costume ready? Party planned? What, you don’t have plans yet for Halloween? With just six days left until the gayest holiday of the year, time is ticking to get your ghoul on – especially as its being on a Monday brings a whole weekend of frights beforehand. Let us be your guide with this crib sheet of the coolest gay events from coast to coast. As for costumes, just try to avoid one of these.

CHICAGO: The city’s biggest bash is in Boystown with a parade from Belmont to Bradley on Halsted Street with plenty of boozing, main stage entertainment (Musical of the Living Dead, Chicago Fire Tribe, and more) and after-hours action in the bars and clubs. Visit NorthHalsted.com for more info.

COLUMBUS, OHIO: Held early, on Friday the 28th, The Short North Highball Halloween combines both a public costume contest and a couture contest fashion show with plenty of queer creativity, pulling in crowds of over 20,000 from throughout the Midwest; from 5pm to 1am outdoors, under and around the area’s iconic arches. Read more

Startling a golfer during his backswing is typically frowned upon, but that’s what makes Halloween weekend different from any other at the Tampa Bay area’s Innisbrook resort, where a one-hour “Ghoulf Clinic,” replete with a deranged-looking clown, is among the activities in store from 6-9pm on October 29th and 30th.

The spooky golf lesson, available to grown-ups as well as kids 12 and under (costumes encouraged) is a first for the resort, though this is its second year of providing Halloween weekend programming. Two main events center on the property’s whimsically-shaped Loch Ness Monster pool. A “dive-in” movie, appropriate for kids 4-12, will include short films and cartoons and yes, swimming is permitted during the movies. Appropriate for the same age group, though by the sounds of it (literally) probably skewing toward the older end of that range, is a Haunted Hallow Trail, upon which 11 scenes staged by creepy witches and werewolves are designed to scare you and your family along the way.
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Ah, October – when the air begins to chill, the leaves begin to fall and the ghosts come out to play. Even if you don’t believe in them, restless spirits are top of mind as we approach the most haunted of holidays, Halloween. So if you want a late October getaway, complete with a possible apparition, check out these 10 otherwise historic and romantic hotels that do not hide the fact that at least a few of their guests refuse to check out.

1. The Don CeSar, A Loews Hotel, St. Petersburg, FL This “Pink Palace” was built in 1928 by Thomas Rowe for his lost love Lucinda (who died after her father forbid her to marry Rowe) and the ghost of a man in a suit and panama hat, accompanied by a woman with dark hair, is said to wander the second, fifth and sixth floors, from $254/night.

2. Equinox Resort & Spa, Manchester, VT More than 200 years of history make this luxury resort (shown above, courtesy of Equinox Resort & Spa), comprised of 17 structures in six architectural styles, a hotbed for the suite hereafter. Newly renovated, the property is reportedly roamed by ghosts that include Mary Todd Lincoln and her son, who had been frequent guests, from $159/night.

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October is upon us, and what better month to plan a trip to a destination that’s notorious for its haunted history? As a self-described Halloweenie, I am a huge fan of these three cities for their freak-out factor, but a plus for all travelers is that they also feature a wealth of other attractions, from world-class cuisine and museums to hopping nightlife. If you’re really adventurous, don’t forget to pack a digital camera and recorder to try to capture a truly spooky souvenir of your experience.

London: With the distinction of being the most haunted capital city in the world, London is a year-round destination for fans of the paranormal and macabre. Indeed, you could spend a month here and not have enough time to explore all of its hair-raising hotspots.

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Post Labor Day lull? As if. Gay travel heats up as temps cool down, and we’ve got four deals to get you on your way.

Win Free Airfare to NYC for Halloween

LogoTV is at it again. After having fans drooling over Gaga in Las Vegas, they’re inviting revelers to get their ghoul on in New York City over Halloween Weekend. Winners of the “Spooky in the City” sweepstakes will receive round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines and VIP access to the after party of the 37th Annual Village Halloween Parade, the largest and craziest costumed affair and street romp in the world. Click here to enter.

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Philadelphia may be known as the City of Brotherly Love today, but it wasn’t always this way. Abandoned for nearly 20 years after closing in the early 1970s, Eastern State Penitentiary – America’s most historic prison – has deep, dark secrets that are ready to be told. Hear all about this prison’s eventful past with the Al Capone Bed, Breakfast & Prison Hotel Package at the Hampton Inn. Starting from only $189/night, this package includes two daytime prison tour tickets (the prison also houses a frightening haunted house at nighttime called Terror Behind the Walls, which guests can attend for as little as $20 per person), complimentary breakfast, a welcome bag upon arrival complete with an Al Capone “mug shot” mug, a deck of E.S.P. playing cards featuring an Al Capone joker, an Al Capone magnet, as well as a reproduction of the Eastern State Penitentiary Inmate Handbook.

JetBlue just announced a special Halloween promotion that’s all treat and no trick. For today only, the low-cost carrier will be selling all remaining seats on nonstop flights departing on October 31 for just $31. All tickets must be booked by midnight tonight and must depart between 12:00pm and 11:59pm on Halloween. The deal is valid across JetBlue’s entire network of flights departing from the United States; however some routes are already selling out.

In addition to this incredible offer, JetBlue promises more legroom, free satellite TV, first checked bag free-of-charge on all flights, and complimentary in-flight email and instant messaging on “BetaBlue” carrier flights.

For more information, visit www.jetblue.com.