The tiny town of Bucoda, Washington (population 575) is located in Thurston County, about 20 miles southeast of Olympia. And as you’ve probably guessed, there’s not much to it. But if you happen to go in October, you’d never know that, because “BOO-Coda” is in full swing. In this super spooky month, the pint-sized community becomes the best Halloween town in Washington.

Bucoda gets it name from the first two letters of each of the surnames of the three principal investors in its local industries: Buckley, Coulter, and David. But its original name is a lot more sinister.
Orin Blomberg / Flickr
Oliver Shead, one of the original settlers, named it Seatco, a native word said to mean evil spirit or devil. The name may have been fitting since this is where Washington's first territorial prison was built.
By town declaration, the name is changed to BOO-Coda every October.
Orin Blomberg / Flickr
And every October, the community plans local events to make sure the town lives up to its name.
Every Friday and Saturday night, you can brave the Scary Nights Haunted House, the top attraction in town.
Scary Nights Facebook
The haunted house is also open in the days leading up to Halloween.
You might be all smiles beforehand, but you might be a little creeped out after you go through the house.
Scary Nights Facebook
This experience isn't recommended for children under 10 -- it's pretty intense. The attraction takes place in the town gym, which is rumored to be haunted.

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There are plenty of family-friendly events on the calendar, like the Pumpkin Pancake Breakfasts on every Saturday in October, and the annual Coloring Contest.
Wikimedia
For such a tiny town, Boo-Coda has some BIG Halloween spirit.
One of the most fun Halloween events in BOO-Coda is the annual Thrill the World event.
Bucoda Thriller Facebook
This is your chance to dress up as a zombie and dance to Thriller with a bunch of other zombies. Yes, it's as fun as it sounds.
The Thrill the World dance is totally free, and it's the perfect way to get in the Halloween spirit... or unknowingly bump into one!
Bucoda Thriller Facebook
If you don't know the dance, someone will be happy to teach you. This creepy crowd-pleaser is all sorts of fun!
Before your BOO-Coda trip, stop by Eastside Big Tom in Olympia for a Boo-berry milkshake. They're only available in October.
Eastside Big Tom Facebook
This sweet concoction is made from Boo-berry breakfast cereal, blue raspberry, and marshmallow. Eastside Big Tom’s also offers $2 off coupons to Scary Nights Haunted House.
A lot of work goes into making BOO-Coda such a fantastic place.
Boo-Coda Facebook
If you love celebrating Halloween, check it out this year.

This dreamy small town is a witchy wonderland each October. Have you ever visited? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!

Halloween in Washington is always fantastic. Once you’ve checked out Boo-Coda, you can go on this haunted train ride near Mt. Rainier.

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The Best Halloween Town In Washington

Nikki Rhoades | September 01, 2019

What are the best Halloween events in Washington?

If you’re in search of the best Halloween events in Washington, you truly don’t have to look far. Each community has its own festivities to check out, no matter which part of the state you are in. If you’re in Seattle, you’ll find that it’s always Halloween at El Chupacabra cantina. A haunted train ride is sure to leave you delighted as well, but nothing is as welcoming and appropriate for all ages as a pumpkin patch train ride. Perhaps the best way to find the best place to celebrate Halloween in Washington is to ask around – locals are incredibly friendly, and you’ll find that each community has its own charm during this spooky season.

What are the best haunted houses in Washington?

Believe it or not, the Pacific Northwest has its own fair share of hauntings. In addition to fall events in Washington, you just may stumble upon a few actual ghosts. Port Townsend hosts one of the most haunted bed and breakfasts in the state, and it’s a super spooky place to enjoy an overnight stay. The Lewis Army Museum, though not a residence, is also worth checking out if you’re a fan of the paranormal. In addition to haunted houses, Washington also has an infamously haunted tunnel and even a haunted bar… if you’re in the mood for boos.

What is the scariest place in Washington to visit around Halloween?

Washington is a spooky place to celebrate Halloween. While each community in the state seems to have its fair share of ghosts, perhaps the scariest Halloween town in Washington is one of the state’s many ghost towns. If a visit to a local ghost town isn’t quite enough to get your blood pumping, perhaps you should plan a road trip to the most terrifying places in the state. Truth be told, the entirety of the state has much to offer each Halloween – the most mundane communities are inexplicably transformed into a witchy wonderland as soon as the autumn months begin.

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