Several attractions, historic hotels, and regional destinations across New York State earned top national honors in the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for fall travel and Halloween activities released on Wednesday. The annual rankings rely on industry expert nominations and public reader voting. They highlight travel, food, and lifestyle points of interest throughout the Empire State.
From haunted lodgings in upstate New York to true-crime trolley tours through the streets of Brooklyn and scenic fall towns, New York once again proved its status as a premier destination for autumn and Halloween enthusiasts.
Fainting Goat Island Inn Claims Top Spot
In the national accommodation categories, the Fainting Goat Island Inn in Nichols took the top spot as the best haunted hotel in the United States. Built in the 1850s as a railroad hotel in Tioga County, the property is famous for frequent reports of paranormal activity.
According to the Haunted History Trail of New York, the inn’s guest book features many chilling personal experiences. Guests have repeatedly reported being woken by voices, seeing visions of women having tea, and witnessing unexplained movements of objects.
Hotel Saranac Earns Fifth Place
Continuing the state’s strong showing in the haunted lodging category, Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake ranked fifth nationwide among haunted hotels. Spanning Franklin and Ess*x counties in the Adirondacks, the historic hotel is nearly a century old and sits on the National Register of Historic Places.
Built on the grounds of a former high school, the property is locally rumored to be roamed by the spirit of Howard Littell, the school’s superintendent. Other reported phenomena include mysterious scratching sounds on the third floor, a young girl walking on the fourth floor, and spectral singing on the sixth floor.
Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours Ranked Among Best Ghost Tours
For travelers seeking scares on the move, Madame Morbid’s True Crime Dark History Trolley Tour in Brooklyn captured seventh place nationwide in the ghost tour category. Patrons board a Victorian trolley to traverse old cobblestone streets during a 90-minute excursion.
The tour shares local lore and legend while exploring historic neighborhoods:
- Park Slope
- Williamsburg
- Navy Yard
- Cobble Hill
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Gowanus
- Prospect Park
New York Towns Shine in Fall Travel Rankings
Beyond specific attractions, multiple New York towns and counties earned high marks in USA Today’s best fall travel lists for seasonal foliage, events, and activities.
- Sleepy Hollow (#10 overall): Renowned globally as the inspiration for Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the town embraces the season with Headless Horseman lore, the Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze, and peak fall foliage.
- Saratoga County (#7 overall): Recognized for apple picking at Saratoga Apple, corn mazes at Schuyler Farms, and the annual Saratoga Fall Festival featuring the traditional pumpkin roll down Caroline Street.
- Rochester (#6 overall): Celebrated for offering spectacular waterfront foliage views spanning the Genesee River, Erie Canal, and Lake Ontario.
These latest accolades reinforce New York State’s reputation as a top-tier destination for autumn tourism, blending historical intrigue, local folklore, and festive seasonal celebrations.
