While pumpkin patches and corn mazes may be easily found in a rural countryside near you, these urban locales have some serious seasonal fun ready for families. Through special events and fall festivities, your family can get in all the scares and thrills you dare with the help of these ghost hunter-approved cities.
Boston
First and foremost, Boston is on many a most-haunted city list for good reason. Sure, you can book a tour with nearly any history enthusiast in the biz, but Ghosts and Gravestones goes a bit beyond the pale in the best way. This 90-minute tour combines a classic walking city excursion with a trolley ride, all accompanied by gravedigger guides. Listen to the haunted history with the kids and take in the spooky city sites, including historic Boston Harbor, centuries-old graveyards and visits to the plots of the nation’s Founding Fathers.
New Orleans
Another no-duh, New Orleans is historically a haunted city brimming with spooky tours — perfect for the Halloween season. You can find adult scares and fun with drinking tours and truly terrifying ghost tours, or you can keep it kid friendly with all-ages fun every weekend through Nov. 2 at Scout Island Scream Park. This carnival-themed event includes a scare-free kids zone, hay rides, music, food, adults-only thrills and haunted houses for the older kids.
Halloween decorations on a shop window in New Orleans. Photo: Enrico Della Pietra | Dreamstime.com
Denver
For a good, old-fashioned corn maze, Denver has you covered. Head to the Denver Botanical Garden for all-ages fun, movies and a wide variety of experiences. The Maze will be open every weekend through Oct. 27.
Chicago
One city true crime enthusiasts already have on their lists, Chicago boasts a free light festival. Yes, free! Head to Pier Pumpkin Lights at Navy Pier any time through Nov. 2 for fall family fun. For the best visuals, wait until after dark to see the glowing lights, jack-o-lanterns and haunted maze for the older kids. Don’t worry, you can bring the little ones during the day for a friendlier experience.
Las Vegas
One city that may not be on your list, but should be: Las Vegas. With a production value and attention to detail only the Strip could provide, VTheater at the Planet Hollywood Resort brings a unique show for the zombie-enthused adult children in the family. “Zombie Burlesque” is a unique comedy of tragedy set in 1958, complete with dancers, stand-up comedy and live music. This one is for the adults and runs through the end of the year, and then some.
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