Looking for the best places to trick-or-treat in the DC area? Here are 13 great neighborhoods for trick-or-treating 2023.

There's nothing more exciting for kids than going trick-or-treating on Halloween. Luckily for DC-area children, there are tons of great neighborhoods to trick-or-treat in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Residents of these neighborhoods love to do it up, from extravagant decorations and crazy costumes to haunted houses and tons of candy.

We did research and interviewed local parents to put together this list of 13 great neighborhoods to trick-or-treat in the DC area, all of which are sure to put your family in the spooky spirit. For more Halloween fun this month, check out our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC, which includes our list of the top Halloween events in DC for kids and families. Happy Halloween!

We love to trick-or-treat in Atlanta and the surrounding communities, and this city knows how to do scary—zombies and monsters creep around The Walking Dead and Stranger Things sets, and terrifying Atlanta haunted houses like Netherworld make even the bravest cry. So of course surrounding trick-or-treat Atlanta neighborhoods go all out for Halloween! Grab your candy buckets because we're highlighting some of our favorite neighborhoods to trick or treat in Atlanta.

For even more Halloween content, make sure to visit Atlanta's Ultimate Halloween Guide! We've got so many holiday ideas, like FREE Halloween Events in Atlanta, Best Halloween Events for Toddlers in Atlanta, and more sugary sweet Halloween articles.

The best Orlando Halloween event in October is a night to trick-or-treat! While several families choose to trick-or-treat in their own Orlando neighborhoods, we realize that’s not possible for everyone. We’ve rounded up the best neighborhoods to trick-or-treat in Orlando for a Halloween to remember.

Besides our favorite Halloween neighborhoods to trick-or-treat near Orlando, we've got a ton of Halloween content in our Orlando Halloween Events Guide. Learn more about FREE Halloween Events in Orlando, Halloween Activities for Toddlers, and much more! 

Trick-or-treating in Chicago is here! You know, that annual excuse to get the family dressed up, sugared up, and out for a spooky adventure? You’ve got the perfect Halloween costume and trick-or-treat bag (plus an extra bag for when that one gets full). Now, you just need to find that extra-special neighborhood to trick-or-treat near Chicago. 

Whether you’re looking for haunted mansions, festive parades, live entertainment, or over-the-top decor, we have the best neighborhoods in Chicago for trick-or-treating and Halloween fun for families. If you strategize, you can even hit up multiple events for maximum returns on that costume.  

Need more Halloween ideas? Check out our Halloween Guide.

North Adams, MA, a hub of arts and culture in the Berkshires, is home to one of the largest centers for visual and performing arts in the US—the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). Mass MoCA is a massive, vibrant space where creativity knows no bounds, even for the little ones. Amidst the colossal industrial buildings, there are a ton of activities tailored for children.

Mass MoCA is housed in a renovated factory space, which allows for large and open galleries spread throughout 14 buildings and 250,000 square feet. In addition to the museum, there are several retail spots, restaurants, a coffee shop, and some outdoor art exhibits. You can also grab a picnic table or spread out a blanket on a grassy spot and enjoy the sunshine and mountain views. So wear comfortable shoes, grab a map with your tickets, and plan to spend a day exploring Mass MoCA.

I recently visited Mass MoCA with my 11-year-old daughter and 10-year-old niece, and we all had a blast. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Mass MoCA with kids, plus more family-friendly things to do in North Adams, MA (including great North Adams hotels).

Check out our New England Family Travel Guide for more nearby fun, including our list of 25 things to do in the Berkshires with kids.

Tucked between Midtown and Druid Hills, the historic Virginia-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta offers families a fun day of exploring tasty restaurants, shady parks, and popular community festivals. And unlike some Atlanta neighborhoods, Virginia-Highland, GA offers tons of sidewalks, making it extremely walkable and stroller-friendly.

Check out our list of 35 top places for families to visit in Virginia-Highland and the adjacent neighborhood of Morningside. Both neighborhoods--over 100 years old--exude a strong sense of community as evidenced by many festivals and events. Families enjoy locally-owned hangouts and independent retailers amidst tree-lined streets brimming with historic bungalow homes. 

Get behind the scenes on everything from chocolate to motorcycles! What better way to enjoy a family-friendly educational experience than with a food or factory tour? From Philadelphia to the suburbs, as well as places that may constitute a day trip, Pennsylvania is a state that makes all sorts of things, and many companies are thrilled to have kids and grown-ups check out the process. That's where factory tours come in. Have you ever wondered how Herr's makes such cheesy cheese puffs? Does your little artist want to visit the Crayola Factory? Does you entire family want to tour the Hershey's Chocolate Factory to learn how they make the chocolate? 

Whether you are just looking for something to do this weekend or take a longer road trip, we have a list for you. Be sure to call or check the websites for the most up-to-date hours and ticket prices. Looking for something in your immediate vicinity? Our Events Calendar always has the latest scoop, and find more ideas for weekend fun with our Weekend Travel Guide. 

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, it's not uncommon to see people dressed like ghosts, goblins, and other creepy characters at Halloween events all over the DC area. But if you're looking for a more authentic experience this October—or all year long—why not try a DC ghost tour? These nighttime walking tours take visitors past places that are said to be haunted by the ghosts of presidents, assassins, heroes, and more.

My family recently went on a DC Ghosts ghost tour operated by US Ghost Adventures. It was the perfect activity to kick off Halloween season, and it taught us some interesting DC history. My 12-year-old twin sons and 9-year-old daughter enjoyed the ghost tour as much as my husband and I did, and while the stories were definitely creepy, the tour wasn't overly scary. In fact, there were several other children in our tour group and no one went home crying. Our kids are still talking about how cool it was.

Did we see any ghosts? You'll have to read on to find out! After you do, visit our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for DC Kids for more spooky (and not-so-spooky) ways to celebrate Halloween, from the best pumpkin patches and corn mazes near DC to the top free Halloween events in the DC area.