This Town in Georgia Is One of the Best Halloween Destinations for Its Haunted Mansions, Ghost Tours, and ‘Witch Float’ Down the River

The calendar has turned the page to September, which means we aren’t just firmly in autumn, we’re also firmly in spooky season. And if you and your coven are looking for a perfect place to celebrate this particularly ghoulish time of year, we’ve got an idea for you. 

Each October, in Macon, Georgia, hundreds of witches take to the Ocmulgee River to see if they can float. (OK, they cheat a little bit by actually taking standup paddleboards and canoes for a little ride down the river, but we won’t hold that against them.)

The annual Witches Float at Amerson River Park invites “witches, warlocks, and wizards” to swap their broomsticks for paddles and get into the “spirit of the season with this family-friendly event.” Guests are encouraged to attend in costume and bring any non-motorized flotation device they want. 

The 2024 event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2-5 p.m. local time, with all the witches gathering at 3 p.m. before taking to the water. Don’t worry about getting back to the starting point; these witches have a spell for that. (Fine, they have a shuttle bus, but it is the same thing.) 

Now, here’s the best part: the $25 regular fee and the $30 day-of fee go to a great cause. Proceeds from the float benefit Macon Periods Easier, a nonprofit that works to “raise awareness of period poverty in Middle, Georgia, provide menstrual products to those in need, and  normalize the conversation about menstruation.” Part of the proceeds also go to the Scholarship Fund for ABC Breathe. 

And while this is certainly the highlight of the season in Macon, there’s still plenty to see and do while you’re in town before or after the float. 

You see, the town is home to nearly 180 Victorian mansions that are all pretty darn spooky and absolutely filled with ghosts. Don’t just take our word for it. You can join the Ghost Hunt Weekends crew every weekend in October to visit local haunted historic locations, including the Grand Opera House, 1842 Inn, Fort Hawkins, and the Douglass Theatre … if you dare. 

You can also take part in not one but two ultra-spooky walking tours, including the Haunts & History on the Hill, a walking ghost tour of Macon’s Intown neighborhood, and Saints and Sinners, a walking tour through Riverside Cemetery with actors representing spirits of some of Macon’s historic characters. And finally, you can join in on the 17th annual Thriller Parade and be among the hundreds of zombies who recreate Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance sequence every year. 

As for where to stay, there may be no better spot than The 1842 Inn, which is believed to be haunted by the ghost of John Gresham, the mayor of Macon, who died here in 1900. Maybe you can invite a few of your new witch friends over for a seance while you’re at it.