5 Best Halloween Events in the USA
I always enjoyed Halloween as a kid but it is so much more fun as an adult. Am I alone in this opinion? Ok yeah….the 10-year old me LOVED the costumes and running around the neighborhood with my brother as we filled our bags with candy. As an adult, I do enjoy giving candy out to the neighborhood kids but I absolutely prefer to have fun with my friends…..especially my paranormal friends! There are a lot of options if you are an empty nester (or if you can ditch the kids) and take a trip. Below I will share five Halloween events that may interest the 10-year old in you.
Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns - Chicago, IL
Do you enjoy carving jack-o’-lanterns? Did you do that as a kid? I remember being so excited about school jack-o’-lantern carving contests. In fact, I remember being so excited that I even didn’t care whether I won or not. Well now, you can ooh and ahh over a thousand hand-carved pumpkins at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Chicago Botanic Garden opened 45+ years ago, and it has become a distinguished museum and conservation science center. They offer 27 gardens and four natural areas along with six miles of lake shoreline. People of all ages can participate in various programs and classes year-round, and the Garden is one of only 17 public gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums.
When I say you can see some jack-0’-lanterns, I really mean it. Some of these suckers are over 150lbs! The Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns is set against the backdrop of the Garden's fall setting, and it has ALL REAL pumpkins. While you’re there, enjoy some festive snacks and spiked cider. Come check out the Boo-tanical garden trail lined with LED lights. You don’t have to be a child to enjoy this……only a child at heart.
Fredericksburg Bat & Halloween Festival - Fredericksburg, TX
If you live in Texas, you likely know Fredericksburg for its quaint downtown and the surrounding wineries. Established in 1846, Fredericksburg has a palpable German feel to it. Home to plenty of history, good food, and a ton of wine (more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms in the county) means there’s a good time for everyone. Just be sure to make your hotel or B&B reservations early because they fill up quickly. Fredericksburg is popular and last minute hotel availability is pretty much impossible to find.
In my opinion, the fall is the best time to visit Fredericksburg. I love going to the wine tasting rooms and trying out the best that the Hill Country has to offer. Besides the spiced wine you can find in Fredericksburg, check out nearby Bankersmith, Texas and enjoy the Bat & Halloween Festival. Founded in 1913, Bankersmith is now a ghost town that was purchased and restored with a saloon, event center, and dance hall. As host to the Bat & Halloween Festival, if offers visitors a pumpkin patch, farm animals to pet and feed, a hay ride, and plenty of food and drink
Halloween Boo Bash at the Bay - Put-in-Bay, OH
Have you ever been to Ohio? I visited once for a tornadic 24 hours when I flew into Columbus, went to an overnight paranormal investigation at the Mansfield Reformatory, then flew back home the next day. Put-in-Bay, Ohio is an island for which you will need to take a ferry to visit. The small 2.5 x 5 mile island offers more than enough to stay a couple of days. They have a wide variety of dining options, plenty of trails for peaceful walks, Lake Erie for fishing, and a state park.
The Halloween Boo Bash at the Bay is Ohio’s largest Put-in-Bay Halloween Party. Costumes + and an abundance of food and drink + great live entertainment = a Halloween you aren’t likely to forget. Downtown business also decorate to add to the fun. Book your room in advance because they do sell out!
Al Capone’s Cell
Eastern State Penitentiary Cell Block
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia, PA
Opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was designed and built to provide “solitude” for the prisoners. The belief was that solitude would encourage regret, remorse, and rehabilitation in the prisoners although opponents to the design found it to be cruel and disparaging. Over the years cell blocks were added making it one of the most expensive prisons of its day. It had its share of notorious prisoners and even housed Al Capone 1929 - 1930. Friends and I spent one night for a private paranormal investigation and were able to look into his quite luxurious cell.
You can visit for day or night time tours, and you can enjoy some Halloween fun during Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary. The Halloween festivities has 15 attractions that consists of haunted houses, live performances, immersive walk-through experiences, and the ability to explore the penitentiary’s cellblocks and history. You can enjoy a cocktail at Al Capone’s Speakeasy or the Bloodline Lounge before heading out to the various experiences available. Please note that this is an old prison and is not fully accessible for individuals with mobility issues.
SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENTOWN - St. Helens, OR
30 miles north of Portland, St. Helens is a beautiful place that offers an abundance of outdoor serenity. I am not an outdoorsy girl by any means but I can appreciate the breath taking views of the Columbia River and Mount St. Helens. Fishing, birdwatching, and kayaking are just a few of the things you can do but I prefer to check out the history, restaurants, and breweries of the riverfront district.
The real fun begins at night though. St. Helens has several buildings that are believed to be haunted. Downtown has several buildings with reported paranormal activity but it is also home to the Spirit of Halloween. The courthouse plaza is home of a big pumpkin that stays lit for the entire month. You can participate in a fun scavenger hunt known as “Whisper in the Woods,” go to the Haunted Hotel haunted house, or hit Sand Island with the Sasquatch Seekers Club. There’s plenty to do in St. Helens so you need to add it to your list!
I hope you are able to get out and have some fun this Halloween season. Goodness knows we all need it! Please be sure to check out the websites for each event to make sure they are still on the schedule (not all activities are family friendly) and also for restrictions and requirements so that you and everyone else stay safe. My family and I should be returning from a cruise the day before Halloween so we haven’t decided where we will go for Halloween. God willing, we will be in Romania next Halloween so check out the event listing and JOIN ME!
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Annette