You don’t really have to go around trick-or-treating, if you’d rather be spooky and enjoy the candy too. That you can, with these Halloween themed hotel packages and parties.

Spooky suite at Loews Hotel NYC

Loews Hotels: R.I.P in a ‘Spooky Suite’ at 13 participating Loews hotels. Package includes a Halloween themed suite, a loot bag with tricks and treats, and a selection of costumes from a catalog for both children and adults (and babies and pets too).

The adult costume choices include Harry Potter themed costumes, Greek warrior/ Olympic goddess and hippie couple. Kids can choose to be a loyal knight, lil sheriff, referee, purple witch, a garden fairy or wear a flight suit.

The offer is valid Oct 25-31, and you have to book five days in advance and choose your costumes at least 3 days before arrival.

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego: If you’re looking for a Halloween party, it won’t get any better than this. The Hard Rock San Diego has a massive Halloween party planned across three floors and multiple venues with some huge DJ talent to rock the place.

Your room package includes two VIP tickets to the most happening party in San Diego on Saturday, October 29.

Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, CO: The most famous haunted hotel in the US has its annual ‘Shining’ ball scheduled for Oct 29. But that’s not all, because there’s a murder mystery dinner on Oct 28.

Not to mention that the “Scarecrows in Estes Park Festival” is on until Oct 31, where you can see 150+ scarecrows every weekend, and enjoy everything from face painting to coloring contests and lots of entertainment.

Universal Orlando: The theme parks in Orlando tend to go overboard with their Halloween events, and Universal Orlando is doing its best to make it the best Halloween ever this year with “Halloween Horror Nights” for 25 days beginning Sept 23.

Universal is promising to scare you out of your wits with fiendish creatures, deceased souls and a Lady Luck who transforms from tempting seductress to bloodthirsty beast. The vacation and hotel package information can be found at www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando.

Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA: The hotel’s Halloween in Hershey package includes luxe accommodations, breakfast with Hershey’s product characters and one-day admission to Hersheypark In The Dark, in addition to admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum.

Photo – Loews Hotels & Resorts

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The 10th anniversary of 9/11 on September 11 this year is obviously going to be a special day. But it also happens to be the first Sunday after Labor Day – which makes it the 32nd anniversary of National Grandparents Day.

Grandparents hotel specials

Many hotels are going out of their way to make sure that grandpa and grandma feel the love and affection while on family vacations with a gaggle of kids and grandkids.

A bunch of hotels in Irvine, CA are coming together to offer a whole range of specials, including free meals, attraction passes and shopping gift cards.

The Irvine Spectrum Center Candlewood Suites, for example, has a package for grandparents with a discounted rate and a Boomers All-Day Play Pass that includes miniature golf, bumper boats and go karts, among other things.

“More and more grandparents are traveling with their grandkids,” says Wendy Haase from Destination Irvine. “Irvine’s affordability, recognition as ‘America’s Safest Big City,’ along with its close proximity to all Orange County has to offer make it an attractive destination for a family vacation.”

Velas Resorts in Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit (includes the Velas Vallarta and the AAA 5-Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit) also have a Grandparents package.

The grandparents’ stay is complimentary at Velas Vallarta, while the other two resorts will charge $65 nightly rate for the grandparents, as long as the kids are in tow and at least four suites are packed in with family.

The Velas Resorts offer also includes private airport transportation, a $500 resort credit for a future stay, guided tours and discounts on activities. Use promo code GVV.

The Hotel Collection Group in the UK (includes Woolley Grange in Nr. Bath and Moonfleet Manor in Dorset, among others) has a similar ‘Grandparents Stay Free’ offer. Book 3 nights with family before December 21 and grandparents can stay free.

The Seralago Hotel in Kissimmee has a ‘Grandparents Rule’ package that includes a free 4th night, breakfast for 2 adults daily (kids 10 & under eat free, 2 per room). Also includes 4 tickets to Congo River Adventure Golf, 10 tokens for the hotel’s game room, and a branded coffee mug from the hotel with free coffee.

Photo – Velas Resorts

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There’s trouble brewing in paradise this weekend. It’s all that Karma, or is it Carmageddon? The Sepulveda pass section of the 405 Freeway is being closed for 53 hours, choking off traffic in Los Angeles.

From 7 pm Friday to 5 am Monday, half a million vehicles that use the gridlocked pass will have to find another way in or out (Jetblue is offering $4 flights…). The city is advising people to stay put, or as Tom Hanks puts it – “Grid-lock-apalooza! STAY HOME. Eat & shop local!”

Fairmont Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica

For those who would rather escape the gridlock, a number of hotels from Santa Monica and Los Angeles to Newport Beach and Las Vegas are offering Carmageddon 405 escape hotel deals.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica: The $405 ‘Live Like a Local’ package offers a ’405 free weekend’ with deluxe accommodations, overnight parking and poolside relaxation at the hotel’s Beach Club.  Valid for the month of July 2011.

Fairmont Newport Beach: The Fairmont’s ‘Escape the LA Gridlock’ package includes overnight accommodations, 40% off on a 60-minute massage or facial treatments at the hotel spa, 2 cocktails, complimentary valet parking and a late 4 pm checkout. Valid July 15-17, with rates from $139.

Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas: The aptly priced $405 Carmageddon package includes 2 or 3 nights in the hotel’s casino tower, a complimentary cabana and VIP access to Vanity Nighclub. Package valid July 15-17. For more details or booking, call 800-343-4346 and use promo code ‘HCARMA.’

Hotel Palomar Los Angeles: Their Carmageddon weekend package includes complimentary parking, $40.05 dining credit and $4.05 specialty cocktails. Just call (800) 472-8556 and ask for the Carmageddon package.

Mammoth Mountain: Their $405 package includes a 3 night stay in your choice of lodging from the available options, which are the The Mammoth Mountain Inn, Tamarack Lodge & Resort, Juniper Springs Resort and The Village Lodge. The package is valid July 13 – 17, 2011 and you can add additional nights for $135/night, if you want.

Sheraton LAX: Plan a relaxing weekend with a stay at Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel and enjoy rates starting from $99. Valid July 15-17, 2011. For more details or booking, call (866) 716-8134 and use promo code ‘CARMAGDN.’

Newport Beach alone has six hotels (including the Fairmont and the Island Hotel) offering Carmageddon deals and packages. There are even more Los Angeles hotels, restaurants, bars and shopping centers offering all kinds of deals that are mapped out here.

Photo – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

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Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

On the Fourth of July at 9:00 pm, three million people in New York will be watching the Macy’s Fireworks live. That’s 40,000 fireworks (1,600 shells per minute) fired from six barges positioned on the Hudson River, synchronized to a 25-minute music score.

This year’s theme is “Gift of Freedom” –  a tribute for the 125th Anniversary year of the Statue of Liberty.

For those who want to enjoy the gift of freedom in style, some hotels are offering “Macy’s Fireworks specials” with plush guest rooms and a view of the fireworks.

Trump SoHo: At Trump SoHo, a few select deluxe, premiere and Penthouse suites have views to the north and east and toward the fireworks. The 2-night suite package includes breakfast for two each morning and a special Dean & Deluca welcome amenity.

For those who want to make a party of it, Trump SoHo is offering to help you plan your Fourth of July picnic in one of the penthouse suites.

Two couples can spend the night and invite friends to enjoy a picnic dinner featuring Kobe beef sliders, lobster salad, truffle mac’ and cheese, apple pie, and more as you watch the fireworks. More details here.

New Yorker Hotel: The hotel’s 4th of July BBQ special includes access to the 38th floor balcony overlooking all of the action where a traditional barbeque dinner and drinks will be served. More details here.

Affinia Hotels: Affinia, which has five hotels in New York, is offering a package which includes two exclusive tickets to watch the Macy’s Fireworks from Hudson River Park. The event will feature food, games, and live entertainment before the big show. More details here.

Crowne Plaza Manhattan: Package includes a guest room overlooking the Hudson River and a special amenity basket. More details here.

W Hoboken: The W doesn’t have a package deal lined up, but the view from the other side of the Hudson is going to be spectacular. If you do stay at the W for the 4th of July, head straight for the hotel’s Chandelier Room lounge for the best view of the fireworks.

Mandarin Oriental: The “Fireworks on the Hudson” package includes accommodation in Hudson River View guestroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, daily American breakfast for two and a 6 pm late checkout. Minimum 2-day stay required, and the package is valid only from July 1-5. More details here.

Photo – Macy’s

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