Remember the one about the ghost with the bloody finger, who had to go from house to house, scaring the living daylights out of countless young children before he finally reached his destination and asked for a band-aid?
Your search for the right family-friendly Halloween activity is a little like that. Not too scary, not too gory, not too messy, not too sugary, not too (insert your personal preference here). Never fear, All Hallowed Mamas, the Bergen Mama Halloween activity guide is here!
NOT SO SCARY
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze: Meander through a display of over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins on the historic grounds of the legendary Van Cortlandt Manor http://www.hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze. See slithering serpents, dinosaurs, pirates and ghosts while you walk the grounds after dark, complete with music and sound effects. Finish off with hot cider or a treat from their treat bar. The Blaze runs from the 4th of October to the 15th of Novemeber, tickets are selling out fast! (tickets start at $16, under 3 is free, Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-the-Hudson, NY)
Zoo Boo at the Bergen County ZooThink trick or treating, a Haunted Train Ride, Magic Shows and Ghostly Storytelling. Now running two days! (Friday October 23rd 6pm to 9pm, and Saturday Oct 24th 11am to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm, Tickets available for purchase at the Zoo office PRE-REGISTRATION is recommended. Tickets $6 ages 3 and up, train $5)
The Haunted Forest at Tenafly Nature Center This not too spooky educational tour includes live animal encounters and lasts for 1.5 hours. Finish off with a stop at the bonfire where refreshments will be served. (Saturday, October 24th, 4pm to 6pm, & Sunday, October 25th, 4pm to 6pm, tickets $16/non member)
Bronx Zoo Boo at the Zoo Mystery & Mischief Illuminated pumpkins, over-the-top carving demos, animal pumpkin smashing, treat stations and a costume parade make this a must-see stop for Halloween fun. (weekends, October 3rd through November 1st, kids tickets start at $21, under 2 is free)
Halloweenie at Fresh & Fancy Farms What do you get when you marry a gourmet hot dog tasting with pumpkin decorating and fall craft activities? Halloween fun for the whole fam. (Saturday, October 24th, 12-3pm)
Glen Rock Central School’s Annual Haunted House With a “Walking Dead” theme and lights allowed for younger kids from 6pm-6:30- kids young and old are guaranteed a spooky time. (Friday, October 23rd, 6pm-9pm; Saturday, October 24th, 6pm-9pm, $5 single admission)
REALLY SCARY
Brighton Asylum (tweens and teens) Set in old abandoned warehouses, this “asylum” is now home to ghosts and the walking dead. With 13 haunted “events” and over 12,000 square feet of scare-space, it will keep the kids enthralled. ($25 for all events, Open Friday-Sunday September 26th-October31st, see website for hours of operation, Passaic, NJ )
Pure Terror Scream Park (tweens and teens) Dubbed the “scariest haunted house in NY”, this haunted house is set in pitch black woods near “Devils Field”, visitors will experience three separate haunted houses for the ultimate spooky experience. (Museum Village, Monroe NY, runs from September 26th through Halloween Fridays Saturdays Sundays and some Thursdays *visit website for more details, tickets are $40)
The Horseman’s Hallow at the Philipsburg Manor is a walking haunted tour, depicting a town gone mad from the terrifying headless horseman!
Staring Friday the 4th of October through the 1st of November. Runs weekends at 7pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $20.
