San Antonio's best spots for the scaries
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San Antonio might not have crisp fall air and colorful leaves, but it's still a pretty good city to get into the Halloween spirit.
The big picture: The Alamo City is more than 300 years old. Over the centuries, some famously haunted haunts have arisen.
- Plus, we have a strong alternative subculture scene. That's led to a lot of local businesses that make it feel like Halloween season year-round.
Downtown is chock-full of haunted locations and hotels. Plenty of companies offer downtown ghost tours that are great to take this month.
- Here are some of our other favorite places around San Antonio to visit in October.
For haunting experiences
The Texas Horror Museum: This new immersive museum at the Wonderland of the Americas features exhibits on South American and Texan legends like La Llorona and El Chupacabra.
- An adult ticket costs $25.
Forgotten Dollhouse Museum: Walk among hundreds of old dolls from around the world and learn their stories.
- Admission costs $15 for adults. A guided paranormal investigation costs $85.
South Side Ghost Tracks: Perhaps one of the most famous haunted locations in the city, the tracks are the site of a legend that says a school bus full of children stalled on the tracks and was hit by an oncoming train.
- You can visit for free. It's said that if you stop on the tracks yourself, you'll feel a push from ghostly hands.
Huebner-Onion Homestead: This limestone house in Leon Valley was a stagecoach inn for travelers, and the original owner is buried on the property. Later owners reported paranormal experiences.
Donkey Lady Bridge: Another South Side location steeped in legend. You can stop here to try to get a glance at the famed spectral woman who resembles a donkey.
Victoria's Black Swan Inn: This wedding and event venue on the Northeast Side was built on the site of the 1842 Battle of Salado Creek.
- You can take a ghost tour (starting at $25) or join a paranormal investigation (starting at $75).
Hot Wells Ruins: Now a public park, the ruins mark the site of the former bathhouse, hotel and entertainment spot. But all three uses at the location experienced fires.
For everyday eerie vibes
Near Dark: This small Southtown bar is the perfect place to cozy up with a themed cocktail. It's decked out in creepy paraphernalia.
Gravves Coffee: This Tobin Hill coffee shop is painted in black from ceiling to floor. Grab a black latte to boot.
Ghoulish Books: This horror-themed bookstore recently moved downtown and hosts writing circles, book clubs and free horror movie screenings.
Sisters Grimm Oddities Parlor: Inside the haunted Menger Hotel is this shop where you can buy themed stationery, jewelry, books and more.
Cream Cocktail Lounge: Now on the St. Mary's Strip, this goth-themed bar is always serving up scary vibes.
Last Caress: Another bar on the Strip, this very tiny spot is bathed in red light and offers a cocktail menu made for Halloween.