Welcome to AWM Destinations, the worldโs leading travel agency for faraway and fantastical destinations. Each week, AWM Destinations will showcase a unique and exciting vacation destination and spotlight some of the exciting attractions, dining, and lodging options available at each location. We hope you enjoy this series of articles and look forward to hearing about your travels with AWM Destinations.
Written by Matthew Masino
Halloweentown
As the month of October draws to a close, AWM Destinations brings you one final spooktacular vacation spot to add to your bucket list. This week we’ll travel to a magical place where witches, vampires, and monsters of all kinds live together in peace, Halloweentown.
The Origin of Halloweentown
Thousands of years ago monsters, ghouls, and witches lived alongside humans in towns all around the world. For a long time, these groups lived together peacefully, but soon fear and distrust overtook humankind and they attempted to destroy their supernatural neighbors. In response, the monsters did everything in their power to make the lives of their human neighbors as miserable as possible. As this conflict went on, the monsters felt a darkness growing inside and became afraid of becoming evil, which they are most definitely not. They decided to create their own world where they could live in peace and raise families and have jobs and start award-winning bowling leagues.
Since its founding, Halloweentown has remained largely cut off from the human world, except for once a year on Halloween night, when the portal between worlds opens. Thanks to AWM Destinations, you can be one of the select few human beings to step foot inside Halloweentown and experience the magic which is the town.
Getting There
Pack your bags and hop aboard the Halloweentown Express. On the night of your journey, youโll find a new bus stop sitting in front of your house. At a predetermined time, your traveling party will meet under the light of the full moon (and the bus stop sign) to sign a few waivers before the bus arrives. Before you know it, youโll be on the bus flying through time and space itself on your way to Halloweentown.
After you arrive, make sure to thank the bus driver, Skinner, before stepping out to the Halloweentown Town Square. Enjoy the bustle of the citizens of Halloweentown as you explore the Town Square for the first time. This large, centrally located area is home to many shops and entertainment spots including the historic Movie Theatre and the Broom Shoppe, a must-stop destination for all young witches and warlocks out there. Sitting in the center of Town Square, youโll find the giant Jack-O-Lantern welcoming you to Halloweentown. Donโt forget to get your picture taken! This is definitely a Kodak moment!
As you begin your adventures outside of the Town Square, youโll want to pick up a Psychic Taxi brand cab. You may even meet driver and local celebrity Benny the Cab Driver.
What to Do
Your first stop will take you to Witch University, a centuries-old school housed in Cromwell Castle. Here at Witch University (WU), discover if you have what it takes to brew the perfect love potion or discover a magical artifact. During your tour, youโll meet students and faculty members including Chancellor Lwaxana Goodwin and English Professor Persimmon Periwinkle.
Next, youโll visit the home of Gort the Rancourous, the foulest, meanest, smelliest citizen of Halloweentown. Everything that is lost in the mortal realm or in Halloweentown, ends up at the home of Gort. As the sort of โjunkman of the universe,โ Gort may be able to help you find that other sock you lost doing the laundry or the last piece of the puzzle you just canโt seem to find. Make sure you butter him up with lots of compliments because he is not one to part with any of his treasures.
Finally, youโll head over and through the woods to the home of Aggie Cromwell for a Halloweentown-inspired feast. Prepare for a dinner worth talking about, as Aggie Cromwell tells you the history of Halloweentown and the story of her family (she is the daughter of Merlinโs cousin Marvin after all). You may even meet her granddaughter, Marnie Piper, who is currently the subject of a proposal to open the portal year-round.
From the Cromwell Manor, youโll hop back in your cab to the bus awaiting you in Town Square that will take you home. Donโt miss the bus, as youโll be stuck in Halloweentown until the next Halloween night.
Itโs widely believed that our Halloween traditions are based on those of Halloweentown. So when you carve a Jack-O-Lantern or pick out your costume, make sure to thank the witches, monsters, and ghouls who inspired this spooky holiday. As we round our final bone-chilling destination, we want to thank you for following along. Whether your next vacation spot is an old colonial town that is home to legends of headless horsemen or an eerie hotel far away in the Colorado Rockies, AWM Destinations is glad to be your one stop shop for travel. Click here to learn book other spooky (and non-spooky) destinations. Everyone here at AWM Destinations wishes you a very happy and safe Halloween. Stay spooky and keep traveling!
AWM Destinations is the worldโs leading travel agency to faraway and fictional destinations. We provide custom travel services involving air, rail, twister transport, car rentals, magic portals, hotel reservations, tours, and sightseeing. Our mission is to connect travelers from around the world with a diverse range of destinations and experiences. From theme parks to tropical islands to fantasy kingdoms, AWM Destinations is your one-stop shop for inside access to the most exciting and exclusive destinations in the world, and beyond.
Matthew Masino is the Community Engagement Manager for the AWM. He is also a content creator, writer, and theatre director based in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated with a B.F.A. in Theatre Directing from Columbia College Chicago in 2019. As a theatre artist, Matthew has worked with the International Voices Project, the Chicago Fringe Festival, and BYOT Productions. You can learn more by visiting his website www.matthewmasino.com.