Burbank has the iconic Horror Row, where you can enjoy horror-filled fun year round, and is, in my opinion, the best place to spend a spooky-filled day in LA. There are literally so many things to do that the official itinerary doesn’t include all Burbank has to offer, so read to the end for honorable mentions to mix and match your day. While you can cram everything into a single day, I think you’ll want more time than you expect in each place, so your best bet is a second spooky-filled day in Burbank.
Horror Vibes Coffee
You’re going to start off in North Hollywood, on the border of Burbank, to get your caffeine fix at the iconic Horror Vibes Coffee. An iced Gordy’s Home is my absolute favorite, but I’ve never had a bad drink, so listen to your heart. This place is very instagrammable with its horror character murals inside and out, so carve out a few minutes for pictures and hunting for your horror favs.
Now that spooky coffee is checked off the list, take a short drive down the street to Mystic Museum.
Mystic Museum
There is nothing quite like the Mystic Museum. You’ll begin with the front section, which is a store filled with everything you can think of: bones, oddities, shirts, soaps, water bottles, paintings, just too many things to list and all spooky themed. Do a little retail scare-apy (too cheesy?) and snag a souvenir. There are also models, life-sized figures, and sculptures from horror movies throughout the store, so a ton of photo ops. Then you’ll head to the register to buy an exhibit ticket.
The Mystic Museum has a special exhibit in the back of the store, which gets updated about once a year if I’m tracking correctly. Please check their exhibit page to confirm what the current exhibit is and to make sure the exhibit is open. I’ve been to the Horror High Reunion, Y2Kills, and 90s Slashers exhibit and they’ve all been amazing. It’s not a huge area in back, but the quality and level of detail in each space is incredible. You will take so many pictures and videos, so prepare yourself and your phone storage.
At this point if you’re hungry, you’re going to walk across the street to grab some pizza.
Lucifer’s Pizza
Lucifer’s Pizza has a small chain of stores around Los Angeles, and they make a pretty solid pizza, especially if you like crust. This is a perfect pit stop to rest your feet, cool off if it’s a hot day, and enjoy a spooky(ish) lunch. My favorites are Roast Pumpkin & Prosciutto (on theme) and Hot Honey Loaded Pepperoni.
Once you’re full and rested, you’re going to head next door to the Horror Boodega.
The Horror Boo-dega
I have been to so many spooky places, but can confidently say I’ve never been somewhere like The Horror Boodega. It’s a horror themed convenience store and has every spooky drink, snack, and sweet treat you can think of. It also has skincare and I gotta give a shout out to the spooky pimple patches for making the bad days better. While you’re here grab everything you need for a movie night because you are making a stop at a video store. Also, if they have the Horror Boo-dego tote bag in stock and you’re considering it, just get it cause they are popular and sell out all the time.
Now it’s up to you if you want to walk the 4-5 blocks down the street or take your car to the next group of places. Map it and do what’s right for you, but if it’s a busy day, parking can sometimes be a little tough to find. First, let’s take it back to a Friday night in 7th grade and hit up Be Kind Video.
Be Kind Video
As an elder millennial that’s a sucker for nostalgia and someone who loves flipping through physical media – this place is it. DVDs, VHS, and Blu-Rays for rent and sale. I wish I lived closer cause I really miss renting real movies. Depending on your plans, rent or buy a movie to go with your Horror Boo-dega movie snacks, and they even rent out VCRs, so if you want the perfect summer slasher movie experience, here you go.
If you’re still hanging in there, bravo. Only two more stops. From Be Kind Video, walk two blocks down to Vulture Culture Oddities.
Vulture Culture Oddities
This is a proper oddities store. The taxidermy selection is vast and fascinating to look at. There’s also a massive spine hanging in the middle of the store, a skeleton in a coffin, and a super detailed horror dollhouse with intricate room setups. They also carry a bunch of other dark items, magic accessories, candles, jewelry, oils and perfumes, and teacups. Check their events calendar because they host a ton of special events, from photo ops with Krampus at Christmas, to art classes, to workshops on how to communicate with the other side.
And for your last stop, you’re going to grab a drink from Bone Juice for the ride home.
Bone Juice
This little juice shop is a mystic apothecary dream. After making it through an entire spooky itinerary, get a wellness shot, take a seat, and sip out of a glass skull. If there’s ginger or turmeric in it, it will burn so good, but just talk to the staff and they’ll help you find the right choice. I would also grab a smoothie for the road cause they’re delish. I love the Cacao Creme or Good Sugar but haven’t tried any others cause I just love them so much and can never bring myself to try something different.
If you still have some gas left in the tank (or maybe you’re planning another spooky day?), here are a few more places worth checking out while you’re in the area:
Blast from the Past
This vintage toy and collectibles shop is packed wall-to-wall with nostalgia in the form of comic books, figurines, masks, bags, and more. While it’s not horror-specific per se, they have an impressive amount of spooky treasures throughout the store.
Hyaena Gallery
This dark art gallery is perfect if you love horror art, oddities, and unique pieces you won’t find anywhere else. It’s part creepy museum, part underground art show, and definitely worth a visit. They rotate featured artists regularly, so there’s always something new, and something tempting. There’s a Ghostbusters original animation cel with my name on it once I save a little bit.
Halloween Town
Halloween Town is actually made up of two different stores (one costume-focused and one for decor, props, and other merch) and it’s Halloween year-round. The inside is pretty cool too, not a plain-walled store, but you feel immersed with the set-like areas they have set up. They do not allow videos or photos inside, but I promise you it’s cool.