Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. That means a full spooky weekend, and you do not have to stay in the city for it. This guide covers the best Halloween weekend trips near Vancouver, with real events, real prices, and simple plans you can book now.
Most “weekend getaway from Vancouver” lists talk about Whistler, hot springs, and beaches. They do not say what is happening for Halloween. Some even still mention events that are cancelled. This guide fixes that, so you only plan around things that are actually running.
Why Take a Halloween Trip Instead of Staying in VancouverVancouver has great Halloween events, but they get crowded and tickets sell out. A short trip gives you a change of scenery, smaller crowds in some places, and a real “mini holiday” feel. Three spots are easy to reach from the city and have strong Halloween fun: Victoria, Abbotsford, and Harrison Hot Springs.
Victoria is about 114 km from Vancouver, and with the ferry the trip takes around three hours, according to this weekend getaway drive time guide. It is an easy, charming town for a spooky weekend.
What to do:
Check the full Tourism Victoria Halloween page for current dates.
If you want to be scared, this is the pick. Maan Farms in Abbotsford runs a Halloween Fright Festival until October 31. It has four haunted attractions, including the Slaughter House corn maze, 3D CarnEvil, The Way Down, and a new haunt called Badlands, as described by Miss604.
Good to know:
If you have kids or a friend who hates scares, the pumpkin patch is a gentle way to join the fun.
Harrison Hot Springs is about one hour and forty minutes from Vancouver. It is not a haunted house trip. It is a calm weekend with hot mineral pools, a lake, and mountain views. The village has also embraced the local Bigfoot legend, which gives it a fun, spooky edge.
Plan a hot soak after a scary night out. A good plan is to see Maan Farms on Friday night, then drive on to Harrison for a slow Saturday. You can find more spa ideas in our luxury and relaxation guides.
If you only have one night, stay close to home:
Top weekend getaway lists are built for the whole year. They do not say which towns have haunted tours, ghost walks, or fright festivals.
This is a big one. Many old articles still list it. The Ghost Train is not running in 2026, and it was also paused last year, as noted by Fan Vancouver. Do not plan a trip around it.
That helps you. You can go out Friday night, enjoy a full Saturday, and still have Sunday to rest or get home. But it also means the best nights fill up fast.
Victoria needs a ferry, and holiday weekends get busy. Reserve your ferry spot early and leave extra time. Walking on without a car is easier if you are staying in the downtown core.
Many haunted attractions are made for teens and adults. Fright Nights is listed for ages 13 and up, and Maan Farms recommends ages 14 and up. Always check before you buy tickets for kids.
The Scary Weekend
The Ghost Walk Weekend
What are the best Halloween weekend trips near Vancouver?
Victoria, Abbotsford, and Harrison Hot Springs are three easy picks. Victoria suits ghost walks, Abbotsford suits real scares, and Harrison suits a calm weekend.
Is the Stanley Park Ghost Train running in 2026?
No. It is not running this year, and it did not run last year either.
Where can I go for a scary Halloween experience near Vancouver?
Maan Farms in Abbotsford has four haunted attractions and a famous scary corn maze. Fright Nights at Playland is another strong option in the city.
Is Victoria good for Halloween?
Yes. It has ghost walks, a haunted mini golf course, castle tours, and a free street festival.
How far is Harrison Hot Springs from Vancouver?
About 131 km, or roughly one hour and forty minutes by car.
Are Halloween events near Vancouver good for kids?
Some are. The Maan Farms pumpkin patch and Victoria’s street festival are gentler. Many haunted houses are for teens and adults.
The best Halloween weekend trips near Vancouver are the ones that match how you like to celebrate. Pick Victoria for ghost stories, Abbotsford for big scares, or Harrison Hot Springs for a calm, cozy break. Book early, check ages and dates, and leave the Ghost Train off your list.
If you love BC trips, you may also enjoy our guide to the best adventure activities to try in British Columbia. For more of the country, see our Canada destinations page, our city breaks section for Victoria and Vancouver ideas, and our coastal and ocean getaways guides for ferry trips and island stays.
Why Muskoka Is Known for Luxury Spa TravelMuskoka has been a retreat for city dwellers since the early 1900s, when wealthy families from Toronto and beyond built summer cottages along its lakes. That history shaped the region into one of Canada’s top spots for relaxed, nature based luxury. Today, the best luxury spa resorts in the Muskoka region combine that old cottage charm with full service spas, lakeside dining, and treatments designed around the quiet of the forest.
Set on a rocky bluff above Lake Rosseau in Minett, this is the flagship luxury property in the region. The onsite Amba Spa offers massages, facials, and a full hydrotherapy circuit with steam rooms designed to ease tired muscles after a day on the water or the trails. It is about two and a half hours from Toronto and open year round.
Trillium is known as a quiet, adult focused retreat near Port Carling. It skips the big resort crowd in favor of calm, nature immersed relaxation, with a dedicated spa centre offering body treatments and esthetic services. This is a strong pick if you want rest without the noise of a family resort.
Deerhurst sits in the northeastern part of Muskoka near Huntsville and stays open all four seasons. Its full service spa and indoor pool make it one of the few resorts in the region built for a proper winter spa getaway, not just a summer visit.
Taboo blends spa relaxation with more active options, including golf and watersports on Lake Muskoka. It is a good fit if part of your group wants a spa day while others want to stay active outdoors.
Located in Gravenhurst, this resort pairs modern luxury with one of the best golf courses in the region. The spa here works well as part of a longer stay rather than a quick day visit, since the resort is built around a full weekend experience.
One of Muskoka’s most historic properties, sitting on Lake Rosseau since the 1800s. The onsite spa blends classic charm with modern wellness treatments, making it a romantic choice for couples who want history alongside relaxation.
Most existing guides are simple ranked lists based on star ratings. Here is what they usually leave out, and what this guide covers instead.
Most Muskoka resorts sit between two and two and a half hours from downtown Toronto by car. This matters for planning a weekend trip, since traffic on Highway 400 can add significant time on Friday evenings in summer.
Not every resort in Muskoka runs a full winter season. Deerhurst Resort and JW Marriott The Rosseau both stay open year round, making them better picks if you want a winter spa escape with snow outside the window. Smaller lakeside inns sometimes reduce hours or close for part of the off season, so always confirm before booking a winter trip.
Several Muskoka resorts offer day spa packages for visitors who are not staying overnight, often at a lower cost than a full room and spa package. This is a good option if you are visiting Muskoka for the day or staying nearby in a rented cottage rather than the resort itself. Always call ahead, since day pass availability depends on how full the resort is that weekend.
Trillium Resort and Windermere House lean toward a quieter, couples focused experience. JW Marriott The Rosseau and Deerhurst have more space and activities, making them a better fit for families or larger groups who still want spa access.
What is the best luxury spa resort in Muskoka?
JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort and Spa is widely considered the top choice, known for its lakeside setting and full hydrotherapy spa circuit.
How far is Muskoka from Toronto?
Most Muskoka resorts are about two to two and a half hours from downtown Toronto by car, depending on traffic and the exact location.
Are Muskoka spa resorts open in winter?
Some are. Deerhurst Resort and JW Marriott The Rosseau both operate year round, while some smaller lakeside inns reduce hours during the off season.
Can I visit a Muskoka spa without staying overnight?
Yes. Several resorts offer day spa packages for non overnight guests, though availability depends on how busy the resort is that day.
What is the best time of year to visit a Muskoka spa resort?
Summer, from June to September, is the most popular season, but fall foliage season in late September and October offers a quieter, scenic alternative.
Which Muskoka resort is best for couples?
Trillium Resort and Spa and Windermere House Resort and Hotel are both known for a calmer, couples focused atmosphere compared to larger family resorts.
Muskoka is one of the easiest luxury spa escapes to reach from Toronto, with resorts suited to almost every kind of trip. Choose JW Marriott The Rosseau or Deerhurst if you want a year round option, Trillium or Windermere House if you want a quiet couples retreat, and Taboo or Muskoka Bay if you want spa time paired with golf and outdoor activity. Book ahead for summer weekends, and Muskoka will feel like a proper escape just a short drive from the city.
For more relaxing escapes across our site, check out our full guide to luxury and relaxation getaways. If you are planning a wider Canadian trip, our Canada destinations page has more ideas, and our guide to fall and Halloween road trips in Canada pairs well with a Muskoka stop in October. If you want to add a city stop before or after your trip, our city breaks guide can help, and you can always reach out to us with specific trip questions.
Discover Hidden Gems Across the Globe With Glam N Globe
