Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in Northern Virginia

1. Old Town Alexandria — Alexandria

With all of its ghost tours and old Colonial houses—some of which are said to be haunted—Old Town is festive enough on its own. But the homeowners on Lee Street take it up a notch with over-the-top decorations, making it one of the best places in the area for trick-or-treating. The street is closed off to traffic to make it extra safe for little ones, and the houses are close together, which means you can visit more of them in a shorter time.

When you're finished on Lee Street, hit up the stores on King Street. Many of them give out candy as well!

2. Ashton Heights — Arlington

For decades, the homes on N. Jackson Street have gone all out with Halloween decorations. There's been a rusty old hearse driven by a skeleton, an entire house decorated to look like a pirate ship, a clown riding a tricycle, and lots more. And, of course, the candy flows.

3. The Ponds of Burke Centre — Burke

The Ponds neighborhood is full of families that create a festive atmosphere during Halloween. There are lots of decorated houses, with two in particular that have competed to see which can decorate the most. One year, one of them carved a 400-pound pumpkin into a jack o' lantern with a chainsaw, while its next-door neighbor put out a 20-foot-tall skeleton. And trick-or-treaters amass quite the candy haul!

4. Del Ray — Alexandria

Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood becomes truly spooktacular for Halloween. On Clifford Avenue you'll find a house with a Creepy CarnEvil and another with a graveyard and pumpkin patch. E Nelson Avenue is home to two more themed houses—the Die-In Theatre and Welcome to Hogwarts. And on Russell Road, you'll find Pirates Revenge. 

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Costumed kids flock to Rodgers Forge to trick-or-treat. Photo courtesy of the Rodgers Forge Community Association

Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in Maryland

5. Rodgers Forge — Baltimore

Kids come from miles away to trick-or-treat in this Towson neighborhood just north of Roland Park. Homes are decorated like crazy, and because most of them are townhouses, it's easy to hit up a lot of them in a short time. The Halloween parade that typically takes place each year is also a big draw for many families.

6. Bethesda Overlook — Bethesda

The candy is just a bonus when you trick-or-treat at Bethesda Overlook. Families flock to this condominium complex to see spooky inflatables, light shows, dancing witches, and more creepy Halloween decorations.

7. Fells Point — Baltimore

This historic neighborhood, which celebrates Baltimore's British nautical roots, is full of decorated homes that welcome trick-or-treaters. Restaurants and stores typically hand out candy as well. To find the festivities, head to the place where Fleet Street, Eastern Avenue, Aliceanna Street, and Thames Street meet.

8. Kentlands — Gaithersburg

Kentlands really does it up on Halloween, with houses decorated with spooky lights, gravestones, skeletons, and other creepy decorations. But don't be scared—the residents welcome trick-or-treaters with smiles and plenty of candy!

9. Kensington

Fewer people love Halloween—and handing out candy—more than those who live along Perry Avenue off University Boulevard in Kensington. Revelers ranging from babies to grown-ups get dressed up in all manner of costumes and flock to this neighborhood to enjoy ghoulish decorations and lots of sweet treats.

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Soak in the spookiness of Capitol Hill. Photo by Mike Maguire, Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in DC

10. Capitol Hill and East Capitol Street

Halloween is such a big deal in Capitol Hill that folks who live there and on East Capitol Street plan for thousands of trick-or-treaters each year. The decorations are elaborate, the owners are dressed up, and full-size candy bars abound. One house on Tennessee Avenue NE, just north of Lincoln Park,  is all decked out with floating witches' hats!With the rowhouses all connected, be sure your kiddo brings a giant treat bag!

11. Chevy Chase

This historic neighborhood in northwest DC is great for trick-or-treating, especially on Rittenhouse Street NW between Broad Branch Road and Utah Avenue. All of the houses are extravagantly decorated and the homeowners love to hand out candy. The stores on Connecticut Avenue usually pass out treats as well.

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Georgetown homes show plenty of Halloween spirit. Photo courtesy of Amaury Laporte, Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

12. Georgetown

Thousands of revelers flock to Georgetown on Halloween, where you're bound to see lots of crazy costumes on M Street. But for trick-or-treaters, the narrow side streets between M Street and Wisconsin Avenue are where the candy jackpot lies.

13. Brookland

Lots of houses in Brookland do it up for Halloween, which is why the neighborhood tends to attract many trick-or-treaters. Be sure to visit the rowhouse at 915 Hamlin Street NE, which in past years has featured a Stephen King's IT theme (complete with dozens of creepy clowns) and a haunted walk-through cornfield. Homes along Franklin Street near Langdon Park also will not disappoint.

Lead photo by Diane Krauthamer via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)