Midtown boutique
3-min to subway, safe evening strolls.
Big-City Halloween (NYC + LA) vs Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2025
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Halloween Travel Showdown
Big-City Halloween (New York + Los Angeles) v Orlando: Halloween Horror Nights
Two very different moods: fairy-lit rooftops and story-rich walking tours in the big cities, or an all-night scare buffet at the country’s most intense Halloween event. Below you get both routes fully mapped: what to do, which tours are worth it, where to stay, and how not to waste time in lines.
Big-City Halloween • NYC + LA
Vibe, rhythm, photos: why the big-city route works
Program density
All day + night
All day + night
Budget
Mid to high
Mid to high
Flexibility
Maximum
Maximum
New York and Los Angeles in October are more than decor. Think themed bars, seasonal pop-ups, film locations, outdoor markets, and tours that feed you stories, not just jump scares.
Orlando • Halloween Horror Nights
One-stop mayhem: why HHN is worth the hype
Intensity
High adrenaline
High adrenaline
Budget
Mid to high (Express)
Mid to high (Express)
Queues
Manageable with Express
Manageable with Express
Universal Orlando’s HHN means multiple houses, scare zones, shows, and themed food in one concentrated hit.
New York: tours & things to do
- Greenwich Village Ghost Walk — classic, story-first, easy pace. Book on Viator
- Chinatown Ghost Hunt — immersive ghost hunt in LA’s Chinatown. Book on Viator
- Hudson Evening Cruise — skyline + costume-friendly photo ops. Book on Viator
Los Angeles: tours & things to do
- Hollywood Ghosts & True Crime — boulevard lore. Book on Viator
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour — set magic. Book on Viator
- Universal Studios Hollywood (evening) — not HHN, but strong decor and photos. Book on Viator
Where to stay: big-city bases
SoHo design stay
Trendy cafés and nightlife blocks.
Hollywood Hills
City lights view, easy studio access.
Find your stay:
Tickets, Express, survival tips
- Entry tickets — choose your date, weigh value vs crowds. Buy HHN tickets
- Express Pass — with one night only, time is money.
- Arrival window — 16:30–17:00 entry, first house by 18:30.
- Route — early houses, then snack + show, then late houses after midnight.
Where to stay: Universal area
On-site Universal
Immersive vibe, late-night walk back.
Shuttle I-Drive
Budget-friendly with quick access.
Family Suites
Spacious and group-friendly.
Find your stay:
Which trip fits you?
Pick NYC + LA if you…
- Love photogenic decor and themed bars.
- Want a day-night mix with many short activities.
- Don’t mind higher spend for atmosphere.
Pick Orlando HHN if you…
- Want the concentrated “full Halloween attraction” hit.
- Can handle crowds and invest in Express if needed.
- Crave themed food, shows, and a long night.
Ready-made trip ideas
- NYC in 3 days: Midtown photo spots + Village ghost walk; SoHo + evening cruise; Brooklyn brownstones + themed bar.
- LA in 3 days: Warner Bros + Hollywood ghost tour; Santa Monica day + Universal night; Pasadena film locations + rooftop.
- HHN in 2 days: Night 1 HHN with Express; Day 2 pool + CityWalk; Night 2 repeat favorite houses.
Halloween Travel Showdown
Big-City Halloween (New York + Los Angeles) v Orlando: Halloween Horror Nights
Two very different moods: fairy-lit rooftops and story-rich walking tours in the big cities, or an all-night scare buffet at the country’s most intense Halloween event. Swipe through the highlights below.
Big-City Halloween • NYC + LA
Why the big-city route works
All day+night
Mid-high budget
Max flexibility
New York and Los Angeles = decor, bars, markets, and story-driven tours.
Orlando • HHN
Why HHN is worth it
High adrenaline
Mid-high budget
Express = key
Universal HHN packs houses, scare zones, shows, themed food all in one night.
New York tours
Los Angeles tours
Big-city stays
Midtown boutique
3-min to subway, safe evening strolls.
SoHo design stay
Trendy cafés and nightlife blocks.
Hollywood Hills
City lights view, easy studio access.
Find your stay:
HHN Tickets
- Entry tickets — Buy HHN tickets
- Express Pass — saves hours with one-night visit
- Arrive — 16:30–17:00 for first house by 18:30
Universal stays
On-site Universal
Immersive vibe, late-night walk back.
Shuttle I-Drive
Budget-friendly with quick access.
Family Suites
Spacious and group-friendly.
Find your stay:
Which trip?
Pick NYC+LA if:
- You love decor & bars.
- You want day+night mix.
- You don’t mind higher spend.
Pick HHN if:
- You want all-in-one Halloween.
- You’ll invest in Express.
- You can handle crowds.
Scrolling is out. Smart selection is in.
