October is one of the very best times for a vacation in Gatlinburg, TN! In addition to the beautiful fall foliage, the city hosts a number of fun Halloween activities and events that are perfect for the whole family. To help you make the most of your getaway, Alpine Chalet Rentals has put together a guide to the top three ways to enjoy Halloween in Gatlinburg:

1. Visit a Haunted House

Gatlinburg is lucky enough to have two year-round haunted houses! The Mysterious Mansion has been terrifying visitors since 1980, making it the oldest horror attraction in the Smokies. The mansion is designed to look like an old Victorian home and features authentic furnishings lifted from antique stores and other curiosity shops. The three story building is filled with dark passageways and surprises lurking around every corner. Throughout the month of October, the Mysterious Mansion offers special Halloween presentations on weekend evenings that are even more intense than usual.

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is Gatlinburg’s newest haunted house. This 10,000 square foot renovated mansion is known for its high production values, particularly in the makeup department. Trust us, you’ll swear that zombie sneaking up behind you is real! Much like the Mysterious Mansion, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure offers special tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in October (as well as Halloween night). These “Fright Nights” are definitely not for the faint of heart!

(See Also: 4 Steps for Planning a Fantastic Fall Getaway at Our Gatlinburg Cabins)

2. Go on a Ghost Tour

For centuries, numerous legends and ghost stories have been passed down through the generations in Gatlinburg. If you want to hear these tales for yourself, and maybe even experience some real life paranormal activity, check out the Ghost & Haunt Tours of Gatlinburg. These excellent tours will take you to some of the most haunted locations in Gatlinburg, where you will learn all about the strange and spooky events that happened at these very spots. The tour also provides guests with six different types of ghost hunting tools that you can use at the White Oak Flats cemetery. Who knows what you will find!

3. Enjoy Gatlinburg’s Trick or Treat Kickoff Karnival

If you will be spending Halloween in Gatlinburg, you will definitely want to stop by the annual Trick or Treat Kick Off Karnival. Held from 1 – 5 p.m. on October 31 at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza, this fun event will feature costumed characters, games, contests, food vendors, and plenty of candy. Guests are encouraged to dress up for the occasion, so be sure to have your kids pack their Halloween costumes. Proceeds from some of the activities at the carnival will benefit the United Way of Sevier County. For more information about the event, call 1-888-240-1358.

When you stay at Alpine Chalet Rentals, you will be just a short drive from all of the best ways to celebrate Halloween in Gatlinburg. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 12 bedroom cabins, we are guaranteed to have the perfect lodging for your fall getaway. To start planning your vacation, check out our complete selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals!