Just Scary Enough: 5 Family-Friendly Halloween Happenings

  |  October 27, 2014
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Sure, trick-or-treating on Halloween night is swell and practically a rite of passage for kids, but why not throw some other family-friendly activities into the mix? There are certainly plenty of things to do around the Hudson Valley and Catskills on Halloween, including the following five picks for the spookiest (and funnest) of holidays:

Ghoulish Halloween Entertainment – Woodstock Playhouse, Woodstock (GMAP):

Halloween is a pretty hopping night in the village, with a Halloween parade where folks can show off their ghoulish finery. Ever year, the Woodstock Playhouse helps end the night right by hosting a free Halloween party with treats and performances by the NYCA. Parking is free, too. Starts at 6pm.

 Trick or Treat with Ichabod and Mr. Toad – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel (GMAP):

Bethel Woods in Sullivan County is arguably the cultural and entertainment heart of the Catskills. The Center will host a special family event NOT on Halloween night, but the day before. Who says you can’t start the fun early? On October 30th, kids can participate in a treasure hunt in the museum, no admission charge. The hunt starts at 5pm and a screening of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad follows at 6pm (tix for the movie are $5 kids, $8 adults, and $6 for members).

Halloween Haunts and Happenings – Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz (GMAP):

Halloween falls on a Friday this year (and there was much rejoicing by kids and parents of school-age kids), so why not make a weekend of it? Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz has all kinds of activities planned including a haunted house, costume ball, campfire sing-alongs, and mask-making. More info on accommodations here on the Mohonk website.

Trick or Treat on Huguenot Street – Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz (GMAP):

Historic Huguenot Street in the village of New Paltz will be closed to cars from 4pm to 6pm on Halloween night for trick or treating. Participants can hit up the local historical properties for the free sweet stuff provided by Candy Candy and Rite Aid of New Paltz.

The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze – Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson (GMAP):

There is no other place in the Hudson Valley that veritably screams “Halloween” like Sleepy Hollow and environs…for obvious reasons. Croton’s Van Cortlandt Manor capitalizes on Sleepy Hollow’s rich and spooky history (thanks to Washington Irving) by festooning the grounds with over 5,000 carved and lit pumpkins. And snakes, spiders, and serpents. And acrobats. And dinosaurs. Tickets for Halloween night are $20/adults, $16/kids 3-17, and free for kids under 3. For the stronger of heart, there’s also Horseman’s Hollow. Advanced tickets for both are required.

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