The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Boston to See Halloween Decorations [10/01/23]

Time to eat, drink, and be scary. Halloween is right around the corner, but you don’t have to drive all the way to Salem to see something spooky. Boston’s decked out in some pretty spooktacular decorations, so beware. Here are the 10 best neighborhoods to see Halloween decorations around the city (note that photos were taken from previous years.)

1) South End

Stop by the South End and you’re sure to see some freakish sights. Start by grabbing a cardamon clove latte from Greystone Café or a good ol’ PSL from South End Buttery. During the day, breathe in crisp autumn air and see the front stoops decked out with huge orange pumpkins, green gourds, and yellow squash. Once the witching hour creeps up on you, you’ll be surrounded by spooks! (Photo by @doorofsouthend.)

The best South End spots to see Halloween decorations are…

Union Park
Waltham Street
West Canton Street
Rutland Street (which is usually car-free every year and is one of the very best places to trick-or-treat in all of Boston)
Titus Sparrow Park (where Halloween festivities are usually held.)

Keep an eye out for giant spiders, radioactive buckets and skeletons galore (even skeleton cats!) When the evening hits, stop by Shore Leave’s Scare Leave for unique decorations over a drink and a bite.

2) Back Bay

Back Bay has got us under its spell. Here, you can admire mum bushes and pumpkin-filled stoops by day— but by night, the street evolves into something a bit freakier. Wander through the streets and you’ll find some pretty scary sights–including hexed witches, bizarre clowns, skeleton bats, and floating spirit specters. (Photo by @boston_commoner from Comm Ave.)

The best Back Bay spots to see freaky decorations include…

Commonwealth Avenue
Marlborough Street (which doubles as one of the best trick-or-treating destinations and houses are known to give out cotton candy and giant chocolate bars!)
Clarendon Street (visit the Clarendon Street Playground during Halloween; it typically has an annual gathering for trick-or-treaters to show off their costumes)

End your night with a spooky drink from Buttermilk and Bourbon– maybe the Frozen Blood Ritual, Blackened Bloody Mary, or the Moon Flower cocktail?

3) Beacon Hill

What’s more classic than Beacon Hill in the fall? This old Boston neighborhood dates back to 1635, and it’s been the city’s creepiest crown jewel ever since. At night, you can sneak past spooky decorations, follow the glowing orange lights, and catch a glimpse of the famous Alice and Wonderland-painted pumpkins. You’ll also find possessed scarecrows, giant tarantulas, and cobwebs galore. Better beware. (Photo by @travelikealocalma from Louisburg Square.)

To see some of Beacon Hill’s best Halloween decorations, visit…

Louisburg Square (be on the lookout for the graves of Taylor Swift's boyfriends)
West Cedar Street
Pinckney Street and
Mount Vernon Street (which also are great trick-or-treating destinations, since they’re typically closed to traffic)

Once the kids are put to bed, check out The Liberty Hotel for a Barbie-themed party or enjoy Roxanne’s The Fortune Teller cocktail, a butterfly-infused pea gin and elderflower concoction, for something more lowkey.

4) Roslindale

Roslindale has some pretty fa-boo-lous and freaky Halloween decorations, so don’t get too spooked. Here, you can check out dozens of houses looking as creepy as possible. (Photo by @munceygroup from Tyndale Street)

For this year’s best decor in Roslindale, make sure to check out:

Bradfield Avenue
Tyndale Street (which is absent from most traffic, making it one of the most popular (and safest) trick-or-treating spots -- also, residents are known for giving out some special treats)

5) Cambridge

Cambridge is one of the scariest spots to stop by before Halloween night. Here, you can find eerie jack-o-lanterns, spooky fog, and tons of creepy cobwebs, just to name a few. (Photo by @bikepedantic from Dudley Street)

For the best Halloween decor in Cambridge, make sure to check out:

Dudley Street
Brattle Street

Pro tip: To really get in the Halloween mood, end your night at Grafton Street Pub and Grill’s Halloween in Harvard Square party. You can admire the freaky decorations while also wearing your freakiest costume.

6) Charlestown

Charlestown is a historic place, which means that it’s also a pretty haunted place. (Photo by @hoodoo.you.love)

To find the very best Halloween decorations here, make sure to wander down…

Monument Avenue (which is also usually car-free on Halloween)
Monument Square (where an annual Halloween party is typically held)

7) Brookline

You’ll be bewitched by Brookline. The neighborhood has tons of creepy decorations– from witches to ghosts to ghouls. You might get lost amidst the freaky fog and frightening sights. (Photo by @lifeinbrookline from Beals Street)

Here, you’ll find the very best decorations on…

Beals Street (which is also usually closed to traffic on Halloween night)

Once you’re tired from walking around the decorations, consider attending a ghoulish Halloween-themed cheese tasting at Curds & Co.

Wander throughout these neighborhoods, but beware: you’ll see the stuff of nightmares. This Halloween will be the spookiest yet!

8) Somerville

Somerville may be famous for its unique festivals (hello, HONK! and What the Fluff?) but there are areas that also go wild for Halloween. Head to these streets for the most chilling experience. (Photo by Greg Cook from Medford Street)

Springfield Street (has a reputation for going all out with their Halloween decorations. It’s a favorite among trick-or-treaters for the spooky decor)
Medford Street (another local haunt (pun intended) for terrifying and festive holiday decorations; graveyards, undead guests, and larger-than-life spiders often make an appearance)

Don’t have the stomach for hardcore decorations? Attend the family-friendly SomerStreets: Monster Mash event instead.

9) Beverly

You’d be surprised how spooky a seaside town like Beverly can get. Generally trick-or-treating is held downtown on Main Street and the city does deck itself out for that. But there’s one spot in town you really don’t want to miss.

Halloween on the Hill at Long Hill (a month-long spooktacular event at the 114-acre historic property. with more than 1,000 jack-o-lanterns lined through eerie woods along with light installations, live music, and more)

Be sure to snag tickets early to this Halloween experience (Video by @thetrusteeslonghill), they go quickly!

10) Melrose

Melrose is just 11.6 miles from Downtown Boston, an easy jaunt to get a little fright in during the Halloween season.

Washington Street (one house in particular on Washington Street is known for going all out on Halloween, even making a full-on haunted house some years)
Main Street (during trick-or-treating hours Main Street is closed to traffic from Upham Street to Grove Street and businesses decorate accordingly for the costumed visitors)

In Melrose, you can choose just how spooked you want to be. Keep it tame with the children on Main Street or get the thrill of your life on Washington Street.

Main photo by @bostonvibes.jpg

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Boston to See Halloween Decorations

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