There’s a chill in the air and the famous PSL is back at every coffee shop in town. Do you know what that means? Fall is officially here! And everyone knows the best part about autumn is Halloween. This haunt season may be a little different than others due to Covid, but there are still plenty of ways to have a spooktacular time around Seattle while being safe. I’m excited that Chevy loaned me a Chevy Bolt EV to cruise around to find spooky things to do in Seattle this Halloween and I’m thrilled to share the experience with you!
Before we hit the road, let’s talk about the Chevy Bolt EV
I’m always up for an adventure, and it’s important to me that the car I drive is too. The Chevy Bolt EV is a fun compact car that is fully electric. It gets about 259 miles to each charge, so even though we made a lot of stops around the Seattle areas this energy-efficient car was ready to ride.
I have to be honest, I’ve never driven an electric car and I was impressed with not only how efficient it is, but how well it drives. It felt a lot like a regular car, but much quieter and better for the environment.
This small wagon in Cayenne Orange Metallic was packed with many exciting features. A few of my faves:
- Built-in WiFi Hotspot, for pulling over to blog on-the-go!
- Bose 7-Speaker Sound System, for cranking up the tunes from one stop to another!
- myChevrolet app, which allowed us to plan our trip, as well as charging locations along the way.
With the Chevy Bolt EV, our masks, and hand sanitizer a cup holder, my husband and I enjoyed what I like to call a “haunted weekend”, our two-fold adventure exploring the most unearthly experiences the Seattle area has to offer. There were so many stops on the list that we had to split it into two days. While Chevy Bolt EV had plenty of battery life to keep going on day one, our human batteries needed time to rest and relax.
Spooky thing to do in Seattle this Halloween Season
Let’s hit the road to the spookiest places in Seattle, as well as some fun fall activities!
Hotel Sorrento (Bloody Mary from Stella Restaurant)
Our first stop is the oldest hotel in Seattle. This Seattle icon was built in 1909 and with such a long history, it’s no surprise that its halls are said to be haunted. By who exactly? Well, that’s the interesting part. Alice B. Toklas, who has been credited with inventing the pot brownie is said to be roaming around room 408. While you can’t get a special brownie here, you can have dinner with Alice. Sort of. Each year the hotel offers its Annual Alice B. Toklas dinner, but make sure to book early because this event sells out fast!
Missed on tickets to this exclusive event? Do what my husband and I did. We rolled up to the Stella Restaurant at Hotel Sorrento to enjoy their delicious brunch. If you’re not going to be behind the wheel, make sure to try their Bloody Mary, just don’t say that 3 times in front of a mirror!
Beneath the streets: Underground Tour
Way before Amazon and the tech boom that Seattle is currently known for is a Gritty city once labeled as skid row. Its history includes the great fire of 1889, which Seattle later built the current city today. The Underground Tour gives you a peek of the Seattle that once was through tunnels under the city in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. This walking tour is a great way to learn the history of the city, both for locals and visitors, all while hearing stories of the underworld of prostitution and prohibition that once ruled the streets of Seattle.
Over 21? Check out the Underworld Tour. It’s an adult version of the famed underground tour which goes deeper into Seattle’s red-light district and steamy scandals!
Merchant’s Cafe & Saloon
The next Seattle scare is right across the street. This old-world restaurant started off as a saloon in 1890 and it’s one of the oldest operating restaurants in the west. While the restaurant has a classic charm featuring stained glass windows and gorgeous chandeliers, something darker is within the walls. Through the years employees and guests have had several ghostly encounters. From slamming doors to whispers from a woman, and small child-like shadows running through the restaurant. If you’re looking for a paranormal experience, this is one way to get one.
Moore Theatre
Our next stop takes us to the Moore Theatre. This vintage gem is the oldest operating theatre in Washington. From the outside, it’s filled with character and charm. But here’s where the creep factor comes to the stage. When the venue was built in 1907, it’s said to have been constructed on top of a graveyard! Yep, you read that correctly. Insert blank emoji face here.
If that wasn’t enough, rumor has it that haunted by a former actress. Due to Covid, the theatre is currently closed, but it’s worth a visit when it opens again. In the meantime, you can pose for a pic like I did to see if any orbs showed up in my photo.
Pike Place Market
Pulling up to our next stop and it’s a staple of the Northwest. Not only is the Pike Place Market one of the biggest tourist attractions in Seattle, the place with the best fresh veggies, flowers, and home of the flying fish, the market is also riddled with ghost stories.
The Pike Place Market has been standing since 1907 and as you can imagine, a lot has happened in the 113 years since then. With all of the ups and downs, the city of Seattle has experienced, the market has been known to have its fair share of bone-chilling paranormal encounters.
While tours are currently on hold due to the pandemic, you can take a walking ghost tour of the Pike Place Market to learn more about the skeletons in the closet when things get back to normal, but for now, you can still enjoy all of the local fish, food, and goods the market has to offer while practicing social distancing.
Ghost Alley Espresso
While you’re at the market you have to stop by for a ghoulish cup of Joe from Ghost Alley Espresso. Nested by the gum wall, right below where they throw the fish at the market is this little gem of a coffee shop. It’s a cozy spot that offers a true PNW coffee experience featuring coffee front local rosters, with a Halloween twist.
My menu pick? The mystery mocha. It’s a hand-crafted mocha where the barista will create your special brew. Mine was rich and chocolatey with a hint of pumpkin spice.
Kurt Cobain’s House
You can’t talk about Seattle without talking about the 90s grunge era it’s famous for. Some of the most iconic grunge bands were born and breed right in Seattle, including Nirvana and it’s frontman Kurt Cobain.
Unfortunately, Cobain experienced a tragic and questionable death in 1994 and was found dead in the home. Regardless of its eerie past, Cobain’s former home sold in 2019 for $7.5 million dollars! To commemorate Cobain, my husband and I drove by the home jamming to Smells Like Teen Spirit in remembrance of Kurt and the band that defined our youth. The 7-Speaker audio system in the Bolt EV made us feel like we were getting a private concert experience. The bonus here was the blue ambiance lighting inside the car!
If you decide to visit, please be respectful of the current homeowners and neighbors. There is no parking in front of the house and there is a gate upfront.
Molly Moons
If your favorite thing about Halloween is the treats, then you have to visit Molly Moons for a not so spooky experience. This is my favorite ice cream spot in Seattle and their pumpkin Clove seasonal scoop is a must-try. It’s made with organic pumpkins from Corvallis, Oregon, and spiced with all your favorite fall flavors.
Jimi Hendrix Grave Site & Memorial
Our next stop is just outside of Seattle in Renton, but it’s worth the drive, especially when traveling in the comfort the Chevy Bolt EV has to offer. It may be a compact car, but inside there is plenty of legroom room, plus heated seats to keep you toasty.
Jimi Hendrix, Rock legend and musician extraordinaire, was a Seattle native. He passed away at the young age of 27 on September 18th, 1970 in London. Jimi’s body was brought back to the states and his remains are located at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Renton. The grave has been a local tourist attraction for decades. In fact, according to TripAdvisor, it’s the top tourist attraction in Renton. While Jimi’s remains have been moved for their original location, they are now in a memorial on the property that features a larger than life marble dome. It’s a really intimate experience to walk in and see a replica of his guitar, song lyrics, and all of the trinkets and flowers fans leave to honor the rock legend.
Georgetown Morgue Haunted House
First of all, let me just say morgues are creepy. Haunted houses are creepy. But a haunted house inside of a former morgue is downright scary. But wait, there is a twist. In 1968, after a questionable “business meeting” between the former owners, 9 people were forced into the crematorium chambers, making it the site of one of the greatest unsolved crimes in Seattle. Even with my previous background creating characters for haunts, visiting the Georgetown Morgue makes my spine-tingling. All through the month of October and November, you can experience this feeling for yourself by visiting their socially distant self-guided haunted house tour of the Seattle Haunt.
Monte Cristo Ghost Town
If you’re up for a scenic drive, about an hour outside of Seattle you along the mountain loop highway, you’ll find the Monte Cristo Ghost town trailhead. In 1890, this area was a booming mining town with over 200 mining claims. Unfortunately, this remote town faced many woes and by 1907 it was a ghost town, with some of the eerie memories of the town still in place today. This 4-mile hike is perfect for any skill level hiker looking to explore the mining town that once was. If you head out for an adventure, make sure to properly prepare by wearing the right clothing, packing snack and water, and wearing your mask when passing others on the trail.
Cabbage Patch Restaurant
While in Snohomish, you have to visit downtown Snohomish. This quaint area features tons of small shops and restaurants, including the Cabbage Patch Restaurant. Some come here for the food, others for the paranormal experiences. Employees of the restaurant have had man encounters and according to paranormal experts and psychics, there is defiantly ghost activity here. From a young girl that experienced a tragic death to her four-legged friend. Who will you encounter during your visit?
Stalker Farms Drive-Thru Haunted House
If you want to take your Halloween experience from spooky to downright scary, then you need to visit the award-winning haunt, Stalker Farms, in Snohomish. The farm has created a 40-minute haunt where you drive-thru different scenes of a haunted house to get your scare on, safely from the inside of your vehicle. You’ll get the fright of the season from demonic creatures, creepy clowns, and all the freaks that come out at night. Make sure you book your tickets to Stalker Farms in advance because this event sells out quickly!
If you’re looking for more things to do in the Seattle area this fall, make sure to visit my guide to Deceptions Pass + Whidbey Island.
Have you visited any of these spooky places in Seattle this Halloween season? Let me know!
Dawn Latrice Gibson-Thigpen says
I love this post. The colors really pop