Anoka, Minnesota, Is Known as the ‘Halloween Capital of the World’ — Learn how to Go to

Anoka, Minnesota, may simply get misplaced within the crowded tourism market. Nevertheless, the city of nearly 18,000 individuals has a secret. It is really the “Halloween Capital of the World.”

How did this tiny city alongside the scenic Rum River, roughly half-hour north of Minneapolis, earn such an accolade? For starters, it is the primary place within the U.S. to host an official Halloween celebration — and it has been holding spooky occasions ever since. 

“Anoka has an extended custom because the ‘Halloween Capital of the World,’ courting again to 1920. With three parades and quite a few occasions all through the month of October, there’s one thing for everybody,” Peter Turok, president of Anoka’s Chamber of Commerce, shared with Journey + Leisure. 

As Karen George, an Anoka native and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, added, vacationers needn’t attend a particular occasion to get into the spirit right here. 

“The historic downtown is adorned with our signature Halloween banners, and the native companies have Halloween shows,” she shared.  

From paranormal ghost excursions to 5k races, there actually is one thing for all vacationers in Anoka. However in case you want slightly extra inspiration and steerage, this is the place George and Turok recommend you go to profit from your Halloween vacation. 

What to Do in Anoka for Halloween

Watch the Anoka Halloween parade.

Anoka’s Grande Day Parade is a Halloween season spotlight. Guests line the streets to see the artistic floats and costumed performers placed on a present to recollect. Simply you’ll want to arrive early to snag a chief viewing spot. And in case you miss this one, don’t fret — there are two different parades to take a look at. “The three parades are all nice — from the Gentle Up the Evening Parade to the Huge Parade of Little Individuals, and the largest of all, the Grande Day Parade,” Turok defined. 

Be part of the run.

Feeling sporty? Join the Grey Ghost Run, an Anoka custom since 1985. Individuals can decide between a one-mile stroll or a 5k race. And sure, after all, you possibly can (and may) run in costume. Once more, enroll early, as this race tends to promote out rapidly. 

Really feel a chill on an Anoka ghost tour.

Tag together with the Anoka County Historic Society for a ghost tour by a number of the city’s most haunted spots. As for what to anticipate from the stroll, “There is a home the place the rocking chair rocks with nobody sitting in it. A enterprise on the town has staff who will not enter components of the constructing due to the lady seen solely in a mirror,” the Historic Society defined.

The place to Keep in Anoka

Ticknor Hill Mattress & Breakfast

This historic Victorian mansion, inbuilt 1867, has been lovingly was a bed-and-breakfast. Even higher, it is near the city’s fundamental sights, together with the Halloween festivities, so you possibly can pop out and in as you would like. 

The place to Eat in Anoka

The Mad Hatter

Take pleasure in a bit of caprice in your journey to Anoka by reserving a day tea at The Mad Hatter. The restaurant affords a number of excessive tea experiences, together with its Queen of Hearts service that features tea, an appetizer, a scones course, a savories course, and a dessert trio. There’s additionally a Kids’s Tea service ideally suited for these touring with youthful youngsters. 

Serum’s Good Time Emporium

Get a hearty Midwest chunk at Serum’s Good Time Emporium, a city staple since 1929. The restaurant is legendary for its wings and energetic bar scene, all housed inside a historic constructing, making it much more of a must-see.

MaGillycuddy’s

Get fast and straightforward service at MaGillycuddy’s, one other native favourite in ANoka. The low-key eatery is beloved for its consolation meals, significantly its burgers. Plus, it repeatedly hosts karaoke occasions, so begin practising your favourite tune. 

Billy’s Bar & Grill

For each nice meals and a few spooky enjoyable, head to Billy’s Bar & Grill. The bar is housed in a constructing courting again to the 1800s and has a popularity for being haunted by former staff. Regardless of a couple of ghosts, Billy’s has remained a well-liked spot, with pizzas and burgers being the go-to objects on the menu. 

When to Go to Anoka

The perfect time to go to Anoka is all through the month of October, when the city embraces its Halloween heritage. The crisp autumn air and vibrant fall colours make for a super backdrop to all of the Halloween-related actions (particularly in case you’re becoming a member of the 5k race). 

“As for the perfect time to go to, there are occasions all month lengthy, but when I needed to decide someday, it might be the final Saturday in October as that is the Grande Day Parade,” Turok shared. Nevertheless, if Halloween is not your factor, Anoka continues to be worthy of a go to in the course of the different seasons. As Turok defined, “Anoka is without doubt one of the oldest cities in Minnesota, and with its distinctive historical past, it is small-town America at its greatest. It is value a stroll within the downtown space, with its distinctive shops and eating places, all positioned alongside the scenic Rum River.” 

Learn how to Get Round Anoka

By Automobile: For those who plan to go to Anoka, it is best — and most handy — if in case you have your personal 4 wheels. Having a automotive lets you discover the city extra readily and see the encircling space alongside the Rum River. And fortuitously, there’s ample parking downtown.

By Public Transport: For those who do not wish to hire a automotive there is a native bus service, although it might not run as continuously as in bigger cities.

Learn how to Get to Anoka

By Aircraft: The closest main airport to Anoka is Minneapolis–Saint Paul Worldwide Airport, a couple of one-hour drive from the middle of city. From right here, you possibly can hire a automotive from main firms like Hertz and Enterprise to get you the remainder of the way in which. 

By Automobile: Anoka is well accessible by way of U.S. Route 10 and Minnesota State Freeway 47. It is a couple of 40-minute drive northwest of downtown Minneapolis, so it is a straightforward day journey or lengthy weekend vacation spot. 

By Prepare: Need to skip the automotive? Simply e-book a ticket on the Northstar commuter rail, which supplies common service from Minneapolis to Anoka, with a journey time of about half-hour (roughly the identical as driving, minus the effort). The Anoka station can also be centrally situated, making it straightforward to discover the city sans car.