Halloween in Asheville and Milwaukee is a great reason to swap summer travel for a fall getaway. The air turns crisp, the evenings get cozy, and the cities we love, Asheville, North Carolina and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, go all in on Halloween. Late October brings haunted history, costume parties, Día de los Muertos traditions and plenty of family-friendly fun, often with a calmer, more relaxed pace than peak summer travel.
Whether you’re planning a grown-ups’ escape or a getaway with the kids, here are three of our favorite Halloween things to do in each city, plus a place to rest up afterward. Looking for more seasonal ideas? Read our fall guide to Asheville and Milwaukee.
Why Travel in Late October?
Fall is one of the most underrated times of year for a vacation:
- Crisp, comfortable weather that’s ideal for evening ghost tours, walking downtown and cozy nights in.
- Themed events everywhere, from costume contests and trick-or-treat trails to cultural celebrations.
- A more relaxed feel once the summer rush has passed, especially in the days around Halloween and into early November.
- Permission to relax inside. Contrary to the summer energy that seems to always call us outdoors, Fall seems to invite us to enjoy being indoors. A vacation rental gives your group space to gather, cook, unwind and warm up on a chilly day or night.
Things to Do in Asheville for Halloween
In Asheville, Halloween isn’t just one night. It’s a whole month of mountain mystery and costumed fun, set against the backdrop of fall color in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here are our three picks.
1. The Pink Lady Party at The Omni Grove Park Inn (Adults)
For a grown-ups’ night out, head up to the historic Omni Grove Park Inn for the Pink Lady Party, a toast to the resort’s legendary resident ghost. Join the fun at Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar on Thursday, October 29, from 7 to 10 p.m. for themed cocktails, tarot readings, dueling pianos and a costume contest. It’s elegant, a little eerie and a whole lot of fun.
Insider tip: tarot readings are part of the evening, so you can have your cards read and enter the costume contest in one stop.
2. Día de los Muertos Celebration at Xico (Family-Friendly)
Bring the whole family to Xico (175 Biltmore Ave.) on Sunday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a festive Day of the Dead brunch. The celebration includes a communal ofrenda where guests can bring photos of loved ones and marigolds, plus free face painting, a DJ and Chef Scott Linquist’s Pan de Muerto French Toast. It’s a meaningful, colorful way to experience the tradition together.
Insider tip: it falls the morning after Halloween, so it’s a gentle, joyful way to close out a long weekend. Bring a photo and marigolds if you’d like to add to the ofrenda.
3. A Tarot Reading with Asheville Wellness Tours (Mystic & Occult)
Asheville has a long-standing mystical streak, and a tarot reading is a memorable way to tap into it. Asheville Wellness Tours offers tarot readings at your home, rental, a park, a café or even over Zoom, starting at $160 for up to four guests. Gather your group in the living room of your stay and see what the cards have to say.
Insider tip: split between four guests, that works out to about $40 each, a fun group activity for a cozy night in.
Want to browse for crystals, candles and metaphysical goods? Asheville’s mystical shops, including House of Black Cat Magic in West Asheville and Auratherapy in the Grove Arcade, are worth a stop.
Planning your stay? Explore our Asheville homes
Things to Do in Milwaukee for Halloween
Milwaukee knows how to celebrate a season, and Halloween is no exception. From the zoo to a haunted speakeasy, here are our three picks.
1. Boo at the Zoo at the Milwaukee County Zoo (Family-Friendly)
It’s “merry, not scary” fun at the Milwaukee County Zoo, where families can trick-or-treat at the homes of monkeys, tortoises, bears and more at Boo at the Zoo. Expect a Trick-or-Treat Trail, live pumpkin-carving demos, light shows and live music, and costumes are encouraged for kids and parents alike. New this year, Saturdays include a daytime experience (9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.) in addition to the evening hours (Fridays 4:30 to 9 p.m.). The final dates are Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24.
Insider tip: tickets are online-only and must be bought in advance. On Saturdays, the Boo at the Zoo ticket is the only valid admission, so regular admission and Zoo Passes won’t get you in.
2. Hangman Tours at Shaker’s Cigar Bar (Adults)
For a spine-tingling night out, step inside Shaker’s Cigar Bar (422 S. 2nd St. in Walker’s Point), a former speakeasy in an 1894 building that’s considered one of the most haunted bars in the country. Hangman Tours leads guests through eerie tales, haunted spaces and close-up encounters with the building’s resident spirits. Their Original Ghost Tour runs nightly, and these tours are best suited to adults.
Insider tip: Shaker’s is also a full bar and restaurant, so plan to arrive early for a drink before your tour.
3. Day of the Dead Ofrendas at Latino Arts (Culture & Community)
For something reflective and beautiful, visit Latino Arts, Inc. (1028 S. 9th St.) for their annual Day of the Dead Ofrendas exhibit, on view October 22 through November 18. Local artists, schools and community organizations create traditional altars honoring loved ones, and this year’s theme celebrates corn and wheat as symbols of life, food and cultural fusion. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a suggested $1 donation. Pair it with Café con Arte on Wednesday, October 28, at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, churros and a guided look at the exhibit.
Insider tip: if your trip runs into early November, the opening reception is Friday, November 6, at 5 p.m.
Also worth a stop: Walk through the free, family-friendly Halloween Village at Baird Community Commons (400 W. Wisconsin Ave.) with its giant pumpkin, glowing displays and photo ops, open through November 1. Looking for something more atmospheric? The Pabst Mansion’s candlelit Illuminating the Dark tours run Friday and Saturday evenings through October 31 and are best suited to adults, as the mansion doesn’t recommend them for children.
Planning your stay? Explore The Belleview House in Milwaukee
More Halloween ideas: For full event listings, see Explore Asheville’s Halloween guide and Visit Milwaukee’s spooky season guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is late October a good time to visit Asheville or Milwaukee?
Yes. Late October offers crisp weather, seasonal events and festive energy in both cities. Many Halloween events run throughout the month, so you can plan around your travel dates.
What are the best family-friendly Halloween activities in Asheville and Milwaukee?
In Asheville, try the Día de los Muertos celebration at Xico. In Milwaukee, Boo at the Zoo and the free Halloween Village are great for kids.
Why stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel for a fall getaway?
A home gives your group more space to gather, a kitchen for cozy meals and a comfortable place to unwind after a night of ghost tours and trick-or-treating. And when you book direct with us, you skip third-party fees and get the best rates.
Book Your Fall Getaway
Spooky season is short, but the memories last. Book direct with Bromeliad Homes to save on fees and enjoy a more personal stay from start to finish.
Coming Soon…
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