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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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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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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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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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.

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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