Spooky Escapes: Quick Halloween Getaways from Miami for 2025

Halloween may conjure images of pumpkin patches and crisp autumn air, but for South Floridians, spooky season looks a little different. Just a short drive or flight from Miami, destinations across the Caribbean and South Florida are trading haunted hayrides for beachside bashes, costume parades, and cocktail-fueled soirées under the stars. Whether it’s dancing the night away at Key West’s legendary Fantasy Fest, braving a haunted speakeasy in Fort Lauderdale, or taking the family trick-or-treating in paradise, these quick Halloween getaways promise plenty of thrills — all without straying far from the sunshine.

For travelers craving a mix of sunshine, sand, and spirited festivities, Sandos Playacar’s Halloween celebration brings the magic to Mexico’s Caribbean coast. This family-friendly resort transforms into a playground of spooky delight with a day-long lineup of activities for guests of all ages. The fun begins with pumpkin decorating on the beach and trick-or-treating at the Kids Club, before the Main Square turns into an immersive Halloween hub. Expect everything from horror make-up stations and face painting to the famed Haunted Tunnel — a highlight for thrill-seekers.

Adults can toast the occasion with “cauldron cocktails” during the resort’s “Welcome Spell,” while families enjoy a costume contest, an energetic 80’s show, and a final “ritual” performance starring classic Halloween characters. The evening culminates at the Eclipse Disco, where haunting beats, strobe lights, and eerie décor bring the celebration to a thrilling close.

A quick drive down the Overseas Highway leads to one of the most iconic Halloween celebrations in the U.S. — Key West’s Fantasy Fest. Founded in 1979, this 10-day costuming extravaganza turns the island into a living stage for parades, parties, and playful chaos. Southernmost Beach Resort sits at the epicenter of it all, hosting a series of themed events tied to the 2025 Fantasy Fest theme, “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters.”

The festivities begin October 19 with the Dead Doctors & Nurses Zombie Watch Party at the Avalon Guesthouse — a haunted hospital setting where guests can watch the city’s famous Zombie Bike Ride. On October 21, the property hosts a lively tutu-and-tango-filled Salsa Night, followed by a pajama pool party at Shores Pool the next evening, featuring live performances by Les Greene and the Swayzees. By midweek, spooky trivia nights and Halloween-themed cocktails keep the energy alive. The crescendo arrives October 25, when the Fantasy Fest Parade fills Duval Street with vibrant floats and costumed revelers. To recover, the resort’s Hangover Pool Party on October 26 provides the perfect ending — complete with music, cocktails, and Booze Bandages for a spirited send-off.

Hyatt Centric Las Olas | Fort Lauderdale, FloridaThis year, Hyatt Centric Las Olas invites guests into its chillingly creative pop-up, Nightmare on Las Olas. Taking over Room 901, this two-week speakeasy experience immerses visitors in a world where horror meets high style. Step inside and choose your fate: a trick or a treat. Will it be a spooky shot, or perhaps a blood-red dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth?

Freddy Krueger himself makes a cameo behind the bar, serving eerie cocktails such as the “Las Olas Zombie” and “Chainsaw Massacre.” Every inch of the space exudes eerie elegance, from cobwebbed corners and flickering portraits to a skeleton who never vacates his seat. With Ouija boards on the tables and spine-tingling playlists in the background, Hyatt Centric’s haunted hideaway is ideal for those who prefer their scares served with a side of craft mixology.

A quick flight from Miami transports travelers to the recently revitalized British Colonial Nassau — an elegant escape blending colonial charm with Bahamian flair. This historic landmark along Nassau’s waterfront celebrates Halloween in refined yet spirited fashion, offering both sophistication and seasonal fun.

Guests are invited to don their best costumes for a Halloween party under the stars, hosted in the hotel’s beachfront courtyard. The evening promises themed cocktails, live entertainment, and a festive crowd ready to dance the night away. Families, too, will find enchantment in the weekend’s programming, including property-wide trick-or-treating and a Halloween-themed movie night under the Caribbean sky.

Between festivities, enjoy the hotel’s private white-sand beach, lounge by the pool with a rum punch, or explore Nassau’s cultural landmarks just steps away. At British Colonial Nassau, Halloween isn’t just a holiday — it’s a celebration where history and haunt meet in tropical luxury.

With destinations like these just a short drive or flight from Miami, celebrating Halloween has never felt more luxurious — or more convenient. Whether dancing under the stars in Nassau, sipping cauldron cocktails in Playa del Carmen, or joining the costume parades of Key West, these quick getaways transform October into a season of adventure and allure. This year, skip the ordinary and make Halloween a getaway worth remembering.