Looking for the ultimate Halloween backdrop? Fayetteville and Cumberland County are bursting with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, eerie landmarks, and one-of-a-kind events that will light up your feed. Whether you’re road-tripping with friends, taking the kids on a fall getaway, or chasing your next viral selfie, we’ve rounded up the best pumpkins, props, and poses to make your October unforgettable.
Pack your make-up brushes and costume, charge your phone, and come stay for a weekend because the best shots happen at golden hour, after dark, and in the daylight. Greater Fayetteville is where spooky season meets photo season.
📍 Halloween Photo-Ops & Best Poses
- Butterfly Wings Mural (Hay Street): Stand centered with arms outstretched. Let the wings complete your costume. (Tip: Best Time for this is Golden Hour to make the colors glow.)
- Downtown Halloween Décor: Snap candid sidewalk strolls among storefronts, pumpkins, and skeletons.
- Zombie Walk (Oct 24): Go candid! Flip your phone to selfie mode in the crowd, or stage a playful “zombie chase” with friends.
- Poe House: Séance & Secrets (*Tickets Required): Grip a lantern or stair railing and glance back over your shoulder — instant vintage ghost-story vibes.
🌽 Family-Friendly Farms & Gardens
- Halloween at the Boo-tanical Garden: Glowing pathways and festive décor.
- Gallberry Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch: Classic fall fun for kids and group shots.
- Gillis Hill Farm Corn Maze: A working farm with a seasonal corn maze that’s perfect for daytime exploring and kid-friendly photos.
🧟 Haunted Houses & Attractions
- Black Ops Paintball: Zombie Hayride & Haunted House: Capture a pose with a mock scream in the haunted corridors.
- Stoney Point Trail of Terror: These fog, props, and jump scares are best snapped 🌙 after dark.
- Backwoods Terror Ranch (Sweet Valley Ranch): Elaborate movie-set-quality props, plus built-in selfie stations.
- Birch Creek Haunted Manor: A projection show that lights up the façade. You’ll need to step back to capture it in full.
- Haunted Hallows (Godwin): Creepy costumed actors often join in for surprise cameos.
🕰️ Reportedly Haunted / Historic Spots
- Sandford House: Built in 1800, said to be watched over by Margaret Sandford even after her death, and haunted by a heartbroken young woman searching for her sweetheart. 🌅 Golden Hour adds eerie glow.
- Oval Ballroom of Heritage Square: The last oval ballroom left in North Carolina, rumored to host the ghost of Ann Simpson, once accused of poisoning her husband.
- Kyle House: Rumored home of Jesse Kyle or his ancestor James, who may linger restlessly since the house left family hands.
- 1897 Poe House: Historic by day, reportedly haunted by night. Beyond its rich history, this year’s night tours like Séance & Secrets add atmospheric chills. (Tip: Best for daytime historic shots or seance inspired evening selfies.)
- Cross Creek Cemetery: Established in 1785, whispered tales speak of wandering spirits in this moss-draped cemetery for Fayetteville’s earliest citizens.
🗓️ A Weekend Selfie Itinerary
With so many photo-ops happening at different times — golden-hour murals, daytime pumpkin patches, and after-dark haunted houses — the best way to capture Fayetteville’s Halloween season is to stay for the weekend. Start your Friday evening downtown with murals, seasonal décor, and the Zombie Walk. Spend Saturday exploring farms and pumpkin patches before grabbing lunch at Dirtbag Ales, then dive into haunted houses and cap the night with the candlelit tour at the Poe House or Black Ops Paintball. On Sunday, wrap with glowing selfies at the Boo-tanical Garden and a stop at Sandford House or Cross Creek Cemetery.
📖 Want the full breakdown with times and tips? Download the Weekend Itinerary Checklist or download our free Destination Guide to customize your stay.
📲 Pro Tips for Capturing Haunted History
- 🌅 Golden Hour: Sandford House, Cross Creek Cemetery, corn maze.
- 🌙 After Dark: Boo-tanical Garden, Birch Creek projections, haunted houses.
- ☀️ Daytime: Downtown murals, pumpkin patches, tavern exteriors.
- Poses: glance back at historic homes, hand-in-hand at the Oval Ballroom, silhouette yourself under Spanish moss at Cross Creek.
Greater Fayetteville is where Halloween comes alive in pumpkin patches, haunted houses, historic halls, and selfie-ready murals. With so many experiences across different times of day, an overnight stay is the only way to capture it all…