A science fiction horror series with its claws deep in pop culture, Stranger Things has been praised for its originality and hugley watchable plot. However, contrary to its name, the series is no stranger to all things ghoulish, gory, and gruesome.
With all the drama that unfolded in season four, it’s safe to say that the monster-fighting squad from Stranger Things desperately needs a vacation from The Upside Down. Here are some destinations around the world you’d likely find the crew enjoying their Halloween holiday. And, lucky for you, there’s no need to curl up in a pizza freezer full of ice water and salt to transport to any of these locations.
After the debilitating struggle of protecting Hawkins (and the rest of the world) from the evil domination of Vecna, these two love birds would flee town for the romantic streets of Paris. The couple would likely spend their free time enjoying tasty baguettes, French cheese, and non-alcoholic grape juice in front of the Eiffel Tower. Then they'd learn how to make macaroons alongside a Parisian chef and take Insta-worthy snaps together at Disneyland® Paris.
Finally, they'd swap The Upside Down for the underground ... the Parisian underground, on a tour of the Paris Catacombs, during which El would probably hold Finn close—or, let’s be honest—Finn would hold onto El for dear life.
After convincing himself that the single life truly is the best life, lovelorn Steve would likely find himself in a city where no single person could possibly feel sad: Las Vegas. Dubbed the city of sin, Steve would become infatuated with the nighttime lights of The Strip, catch a show at a famous hotel, crash a couple’s wedding at a nearby chapel, and order room service for days on end.
When his appetite peaks for something spookier, he’ll probably take a day trip to Area 51 to spend the day contemplating the existence of aliens (and whether or not Nancy still has residual feelings for him).
Trying her best to forget Vecna’s existence altogether (and her residual feelings for Steve), Nancy would likely bury her face in a good book and ponder her future. An avid reporter, book geek, and journalist, Nancy would visit Oxford. Home of the University of Oxford, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world, and a place where Nancy wouldn’t mind pursuing higher education.
During her stay, she’d make a point to tour the university’s campus, visit some real-life Harry Potter filming locations, and ring in Halloween with an after-dark ghost tour. At the very end of her trip, in true Nancy style, she’d probably find a way to turn her solo adventure into a riveting story for the Hawkins Post.
Once all the excitement dies down, Robin would realize that staying in a small town like Hawkins suppresses her ability to express her true identity. She’d want to embark on a solo trip to one of the most famous cities in the world, New York City. (Not bad for a small-town girl.) Here, she’d be inspired by the locals who express themselves authentically on a daily basis—whether it be through their style, artwork, or just the very way they carry themselves. Robin would spend her days marveling at all the tall skyscrapers, catching Broadway shows, and gazing at some thought-provoking art in a nearby museum.
When Halloween appears on the horizon, she’ll aim for something more spine-chilling, such as touring the New York City catacombs by candlelight. By the end of her trip, there’s no doubt that Robin will return to Hawkins with an Empire State (of mind). (Cue Alicia Keys.)
A basketball fan, Lucas wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to visit the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. And, of course, his sister Erica would be right there with him. Together, they’d spend their free time playing Dungeons and Dragons, tasting all the diverse foods in LA, embarking on a twilight bike tour, and attending Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, where Erica would make sure to ward off any costumed ghouls chasing after her and her big brother.
The trauma of being Vecna’s prime target would prompt skater-girl Sadie to swap her skateboard for a surfboard and head to Venice Beach, California. Here, she’d spend her free time curating beachy playlists for her morning surf sessions, catching unforgettable sunsets, and biking to Santa Monica.
The coastal activities and crisp fall air would keep her grounded, and when in the mood for some Halloween fun, she’d likely meet Lucas in nearby Santa Monica for a haunted ghost tour on the pier.
In an attempt to mend their brotherly bond, Will and Charlie would head on an outdoor adventure to the Grand Canyon. The pair would ring in Halloween night doing one of the most popular autumnal activities in existence: camping. After all, what else brings people closer together than sharing a tent?
They’d likely spend the majority of their trip jamming out to their favorite songs like “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by the Clash, staying up late indulging in ghost stories, taking a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway, hiking, and going on an off-road sunset safari to connect with one another.
Together, there’s probably nothing Dustin and Suzie couldn't solve. So, their love of puzzling mysteries and conspiracy theories would take them on a road trip to the town of Roswell, infamous for the 1947 weather balloon crash, which many believe to be an UFO sighting instead.
These two would celebrate the spooky season by doing what they do best: pairing up and solving anomalies. In their free time, they would likely squeeze in a date night that starts with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride in nearby Albuquerque and ends with a nighttime ghost tour.
In the name of rock ‘n’ roll and as a special homage to his favorite Warlock electric guitar, Eddie would probably spend his vacation days in London, a city rich in musical history and associated with Jimmy Page, The Beatles, and the Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman. Given that the legal drinking age in London is 18, Eddie would likely spend his free time completing rock music tours and pub hopping. When that liquid courage finally kicked in, he’d get Halloween off with a bang by learning more about London’s most infamous serial killer, Jack the Ripper.
Argyle would want to escape all the drama in Hawkins and run off to a much simpler destination, one that accommodates his laid-back lifestyle and colorful way of life: San Francisco. Here, he’d be able to spend much of his free time contemplating whether or not pineapple truly is the supreme topping for pizza. In his free time he would take a 70s-inspired sightseeing tour inside a hippie van and eat away his thoughts on a local food tour that would no doubt satisfy his munchies. When Halloween rolled around, he'd celebrate with a nighttime tour of Alcatraz.