Upstater Destinations: Two Spooky Events in Sullivan County

  |  October 10, 2013

scary forest

This is the weekend to shore up your plans to visit the Catskills. The leaf colors are at peak right now, which means stunning vistas abound at every turn up here in the mountains. Need an excuse to get up here? Feeling in the Halloween spirit? We found a couple of family-friendly spooky events happening in the land of Sullivan County this weekend. Come early in the day, wander through the pretty scenery, and then get ready to meet some ghosts (and maybe learn a little local history, too) when the sun goes down.

Fort Delaware Museum Haunted Lantern Tours

The Fort Delaware Museum, located in Narrowsburg, is a living-history museum that shows reenactors portraying “an authentic depiction of the life of the Delaware Company Pioneers who settled in the Upper Delaware Valley in 1754,” according to the museum’s webpage. This Saturday night (October 12), the museum will be presenting an evening of family-friendly ghost stories complete with a performance by the 18th century Scottish Pipe and Drum band, the King’s Highlanders. One of the ghost stories on the evening’s agenda is entitled “Who Killed Joseph Skinner?”, an historical whodunit about the mysterious disappearance of Skinner, one of the Delaware Company’s most prominent leaders, during the late 18th century. Legend has it that Skinner’s restless spirit still wanders the Delaware River Valley, thirsty for justice. Did you get a chill up your spine? The ghostly program runs from 5pm to 9pm and cider, donuts, and treats will be provided, as well as a tour of Fort Delaware after dark. Bring your own flashlight. Admission is only $5, and kids under 5 get their scares for free. Find out more on the Fort Delaware Facebook page. GMAP

House of Horror, Fallsburg

If Fort Delaware is a little too tame for your liking, check out the town of Fallsburg’s House of Horror, located at Morningside Park in the hamlet of Hurleyville. It starts this Friday, October 11th, and runs every weekend until Halloween. Apparently, it’s so scary that kids under 16 must be accompanied by adults. Adult supervision? Is there anything more frightening to a teenager? Admission is $5 and the cost includes both a hour of the House of Horror and a hayride. You can go either Friday or Saturday nights from 6:30 to 10pm, or you can bring the wee ones (5 & under) to some less intense fun on Saturdays from 1pm-5pm. More information here. GMAP

Whatever you choose to do in Sullivan County this weekend, make sure you leave plenty of time to taste some hot apple cider and cider donuts at a farm stand or two. It just isn’t fall in the Catskills without them.

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

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