We don't want to scare you, but it's already October and you're running out of time to enjoy all that Bergen County and New Jersey have to offer in the Halloween thrills and chills department. So, if you're all set with the Halloween costumes (at least until 2 days before the holiday when your kid tells you their costume is itchy and you have to panic shop for something else) and you have the candy situation under control (even if that means having to repeatedly hide the Milky Ways from yourself), check out these 20 Places for Halloween Fun in New Jersey and plan for some spookily good family outings.
NOT SO SCARY
Monster Mash Halloween Bash, Pascack Junior Women’s Club, River Vale Bring the whole family in costume to the annual Monster Mash Halloween Bash hosted by GFWC Paskack Junior Women’s Club on Sunday, October 20th 2 pm - 4pm at the River Vale Community Center. Your kids will enjoy games, music, a pasta dinner and a costume contest. Tickets are $10/person. Kids under 1 are free. Proceeds go to local charities. 628 Rivervale Road, River Vale.
Haunted Library, Bogota Library, Bogota Have a spooky good time on Saturday, October 26th from 11:00am – 1pm as attendees walk through a haunted house, watch a mini-movie and take part in carnival games, photo booths, crafts and more. Kids and parents are encouraged to wear costumes. Register online or call 201.488.7185. 375 Larch Avenue, Bogota.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, NY The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is guaranteed to sell out, so grab your tickets soon. Walk along Pumpkin Promenade on Van Cortlandt Manor and the surrounding historic 18th century landscape and marvel at the jack o’lantern Statue of Liberty, dinosaurs, the Pumpkin Zee Bridge and the all new medieval castle and signs of the zodiac. Then watch a star show in the Pumpkin Planeatarium before you stop by the Café Blaze for donuts and cider and head home with visions of pumpkins dancing in your head. September 28 – November 30. Online tickets start at $23 for adults/$17 for kids. Fridays and Saturdays $29 for adults/$22 for kids. 525 S. Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson.
The Great Pumpkin Train, Phillipsburg, NJ Hop aboard a vintage steam engine train and take the 90 minute, round trip ride to the pumpkin patch. Along the way, try out the corn maze or explore the Susquehanna Mine (additional charges apply). Everyone gets to pick a pumpkin on this scenic trip. September 28th – October 27th. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for children. 99 Elizabeth St, Phillipsburg.
Halloween Express, Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany On Sunday, October 20th, take a 10 mile, 45-minute round trip train ride and trick or treat while you ride. Tickets are $19 for adults/$14 for children in the club car and $16 for adults/$11 for kids in the caboose cars. Ticket price includes admission to the Museum grounds and Museum building which houses historical railroad and steam ship memorabilia displays as well as operating model trains, gift shop and the outdoor operating large scale model trains. 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany.
Zoo Boo, Bergen County Zoo, Van Saun Park, Paramus, NJ At Zoo Boo, hop on the Erie Express train ride for a friendly ride during the day, or a haunted, spine-tingling loop around the zoo at night. Then gather for ghost stories, have fun trick-or-treating and watch a magic show during this two-day event. Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th. Tickets go on sale on October 1st. $6/per person. 2 and under are free. Train rides are $5/per person. 216 Forest Ave, Paramus.
Haunted Forest, Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly, NJ Don’t be scared. No really, don’t. The Haunted Forest 90-minute walking tour is designed to be entertaining and educational – not scary. Arrive early or come after dark to visit the “haunts” (places animals like to hang out) of several nocturnal animals and learn how they adapt. Then stick around for treats and crafts around the bonfire. Tours run Saturday, October 26th every 15 minutes starting at 3:30pm and ending at 6:30pm. Tickets are $11 for members/ $16 for non-members. Children under 2 are free. Space is limited and reservations are highly recommended. 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly.
Giant Pumpkin Weekend and Spooky Pumpkin Nights, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY During Giant Pumpkin Weekend (October 26 – 27) you can marvel at pumpkins that weigh over a ton and speak with the folks who grew them. Or, head to the Gardens on Friday, October 18th or 25th or Saturday, October 19th or 26th for Spooky Pumpkin nights. Wear your costume, decorate a gourd, explore activity stations and collect healthy treats along the trail. Tickets are $25 for non-members/$20 for members. 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY.
Night of 1,000 Jack O’Lanterns, Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY Long Island’s most iconic, truly unique, family-friendly fall event, RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns has returned with over 1,000 hand-carved illuminated jack o’lanterns arranged along a walking path with a musical score designed to bring out the fall spirit in visitors of all ages. Open select weekdays and weekends through October 28th. Tickets are $26 for adults/$22 for children 3-12. Under 2 are free. 71 Old Westbury Road, Westbury; Meadowlands Expo Center October 26-27.
Boo at the Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY You’ve come to love Boo at the Zoofor the magic shows, interactive presentations with zoo keepers and animals, expert pumpkin carving, mind reading, corn maze, candy trail and costume parade. Plus, there’s Bootoberfest, a chance to try seasonal food and new brews and seasonal fun at Nature Trek. Weekends September 28 – November 3 plus Monday, October 14th. Zoo admission starts at $39.95 for adults/$29.95 for children 3-12. Kids 2 and under are free. 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx.
KINDA SCARY
Nightmare on River Road Haunted House, New Milford At this Boy Scout fundraiser, it's best to remember their motto, "Always Be Prepared" because you never know what's going to jump out at you! In addition to several local Boy Scout troops, numerous community organizations are working together to raise funds for to help a family in need each year. Visit the Haunted House Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm and Sundays from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Tickets are $20. 854 River Road, New Milford.
Haunted Orchards, Demarest Farms, Demarest Fear the farm. The evil spirits have awoken at Demarest Farms – enter if you dare. Take a spooky hayride and experience a series of haunted houses. Then visit the forgotten graveyard within the apple trees. Thursdays-Saturdays, October 3-November 2, plus October 6 and October 30. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. They’re dying to see you. 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale.
Cemetery Walk, Valleau Cemetery, Ridgewood, NJ Join the Ridgewood Historical Society for a Cemetery Walk. Start at the Schoolhouse Museum then stroll by lantern light through Valleau Cemetery where you will meet soldiers and civilians come back to life to tell their stories. The festivities continue back at the museum with stories, cider and doughnuts. Friday, October 26, 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm Tickets are $10 per adult/$5 per child/$20 per family if purchased in advance, $15/$5/$25 when purchased at the door. 650 E. Glen Ave, Ridgewood.
Ghost Tours and Ghostly Gatherings with medium Craig McManus, The Hermitage, Ho-Ho-Kus For many years there have been reports of ghosts haunting The Hermitage. Want to find out if they’re real? Join a tour led by medium Craig McManus who will tell you if he feels an otherworldly presence and then he’ll try and communicate with it. Tours last about an hour and are limited to 18 people ages 14 and older. Want to take it step further? Join a Ghostly Gathering and you’ll be in the mansion around midnight – the time when spirits most freely roam. Not recommended for kids under the age of 16. Friday, October 25th, Saturday, October 26th, Tuesday, October 29th, Wednesday, October 30th. Tickets start at $40 for the tours and $50 for the gatherings. 335 North Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus.
Spooky Sleepover, Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ Your family is in for a night of spooky activities and experiments when you visit Liberty Science Center for their Spooky Sleepover. You’ll attend exhibits like the Ghost Illusion and the Spider Maze, fight zombies in a virtual reality game, have an evening snack and then, after a good night’s sleep, a light breakfast. And, for the 13 and up crowd, get good and scared at the Doom Zoo, LSC’s horrifying walkthrough haunted house. Saturday, October 19th. Price is $65/per person and is recommended for ages 6 and up. 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City.
Irving’s ‘Legend’, Old Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow, NY Join master storyteller Jonathan Kruk as he offers a 45-minute dramatic performance of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Organ music enhances this tale of Ichabod Crane, the Headless Horseman and all the other characters in this unforgettable tale. Fridays-Sundays October 4 – November 3. Tickets are $28 for adults/ $22 for children under 18. 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow.
REALLY SCARY
Brighton Asylum, Brighton Industrial Complex, Passaic, NJ Legend has it that hundreds of inmates lost their minds amidst the harsh living conditions and grotesque medical experiments conducted at the Brighton Asylumin the 1940s. Now you can visit and see the place where insane patients still roam the halls and descend in an old elevator to The Tunnel where more horrors await. Slasher Thursdays are back this year. You’ll come face to face with your favorite horror legends, slashers and icons. This attraction is not for the faint of heart (pregnant visitors are advised to consult their doctors first!) For an extra scare, visit during the Black Out day on November 2, to experience the grounds in total darkness. Open through November 2nd. Tickets start at $35.99. 2 Brighton Avenue, Passaic.
Pure Terror Scream Park, Monroe, NY Pure Terror Scream Park is really nine terrifying experiences in one. Enter the Terror in the Woods and hope you make it out alive. Walk through the clown’s mouth and into Twisted Terror Under the Big Top with new 3D scares for 2019, then take yourself to church, like no church you've ever seen before in Desecration. Match wits with witches in Coven then run from horrifying killers in Legends of Horror. Open Fridays-Sundays, through November 3rd. Tickets start at $41.30. 299 Museum Village Road, Monroe, NY.
The Red Mill Haunted Village, Clinton, NJ Set in a historical wool mill, the Haunted Villageis three stories based on a theme. Twists and turns abound with ghouls and zombies lurking around every corner. But if you don’t relish the idea of terrified kids with nightmares, let your little ones enjoy the Happy Haunts instead. Fridays-Saturdays, October 11-October 26. Tickets start at $30, $10 for Happy Haunts. 56 Main Street, Clinton.
The Horseman’s Hollow, Phillipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow NY What’s more scary than a headless horseman? How about Horseman’s Hollow, a trail haunted by the Horseman, with creatures lurking in the shadows and special effects in full force. At the end, enter Ichabod’s Schoolhouse maze then end up in the lair of the horseman. Runs Fridays-Sundays October 4 – November 2. Tickets are $22/general admission. 381 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow.
Fright Fest, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ Beware! There is no place to hide as the ghouls are set free for their daily hunting excursions at Fright Fest. Terror is around every corner, or seek it out at the haunted attractions, seven haunted mazes and five scare zones. Your skin will crawl for days. New for 2019 is the Aftermath (can you escape it?), Scary-oke and Dead Mans Party 20th Anniversary Bash. Open now through November 3. Tickets start at $41.50, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Township
