The National Retail Federation's annual consumer survey projects Halloween spending to reach a record $13.1 billion this year, and it's not all trick or treating. From historic cemeteries to themed escape rooms, Americans flock to haunted attractions in growing numbers each fall. Every fall, ghost tours, escape rooms and haunted hotels draw crowds looking for thrills that go beyond costumes and candy.

As October rolls in, the country leans into its love of all things eerie. Spooky season adults take it even harder, booking travel to the historical cobblestone streets of Salem, the witch cave or the Lizzie Borden House for super spooky experiences. Even if you can't go that far, you can plan your own creep-tober events.

Pregame your spooky season decision-making

If you want to set the mood before you plan spooky season festivities, turn to podcasts. Look up the area you're interested in traveling to and search for podcasts about it. Not only will podcasters talk about locations familiar to them, they'll take you with them on their journeys to eerie sites all around the country.

The best part is you can pick and choose from various podcasts, so there is sure to be one just right for you. If you don't like someone's style, just turn it off and choose another podcaster on the same subject. You might just discover your next favorite series to follow while getting the lowdown on creepy haunts.

Ghostly landmarks

For those who want to go all in, haunted hotels and legendary destinations can take things up a notch. Some inns and historic buildings lean into their ghostly reputations with special tours and overnight stays. Larger destinations like Salem, New Orleans or Tennessee's Bell Witch Cave are known nationwide for their haunted history, making them bucket-list stops for fans of the paranormal.

Haunted sites are at their busiest in October, so pack your patience if you go. Many of these towns also host seasonal events to keep visitors entertained. Plan to spend a couple of days exploring, and enjoy the local food and drink while you're there.

Local boos

If closer to home is more your speed, you're not alone. Planning to travel is not in everyone's budget. Look for local ghost tours, which are guided walks that mix local history with eerie legends, often visiting old buildings, graveyards or streets tied to spooky stories. They've become a popular way to explore a city's past while adding a thrill of the supernatural.

Cemetery tours offer a similar experience, especially in warmer regions where they can be held outdoors at night. They bring together folklore, fact and the chance to see familiar places in a whole new light, combining local history with untimely ends. Some cemeteries host tours with reenactors who dress up and tell their tales to folks getting their spook on. Look locally for one near you.

Underground tours typically offer a blend of history and lore spun in basements, tunnels and cellars. They're an intriguing way to tour a city and mix in some local lore and maybe get a little scared. Are they always spooky? No, they're not meant to be, but they're almost always entertaining.

Escape this

If you'd rather actively participate than listen, local escape rooms often roll out spooky themes during October. These timed, puzzle-solving adventures are especially popular with groups of friends or families with teens who want a different kind of Halloween fun.

They might not be haunted in the traditional sense, but the rush of beating the clock fits the spirit of the season. A group effort is needed to solve the clues and beat the clock, so choose your companions wisely.

A killer night in

Hosting a murder mystery at home is an affordable way to bring spooky season fun indoors. Choose from a wide array of mysteries at your local bookstore or online; choosing one is the hardest part.

Invite friends, assign characters and ask everyone to bring their favorite Halloween dishes for a potluck-style dinner. As the night unfolds, everyone enjoys party food while working together to solve the mystery. It's a playful mix of food, fun, storytelling and suspense that can be supremely entertaining.

Boo it yourself

Spooky season has grown into more than costumes and candy, with travelers chasing chills in cemeteries, escape rooms and haunted hotels. Whether you head for Salem or stick to a local ghost tour, there's no shortage of eerie fun to try.

Even if you skip the traveling for the season, podcasts, escape rooms and local tours can keep the thrills coming. However you celebrate, October is the perfect excuse to lean into a little fright.

Laura Sampson of Little House Big Alaska is on a mission to teach modern family-oriented home cooks how to make old-fashioned foods new again. She shares her passion for home cooking, backyard gardening and homesteading on her website and blog.

Hello, spooky season: Ghost tours, escape rooms and haunted hotels await