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| Photo by NYC & Company |
Salem and Sleepy Hollow aren’t the only destinations that go all-out for Halloween. For those who will be in New York City over Halloween weekend, there’s plenty to do and enjoy. From the sweet to the scary there’s something for people of all ages and interests.
The Bronx Zoo is a go-to destination for both families and parents alike. Start the day off at Boo at the Zoo, where guests will enjoy family-friendly activities like magic shows, costume parades, a hay maze, pumpkin painting and live music, among other things. On display at the zoo will be a ton of creepy critters for guests to view. Kids in costume are granted free admission, available every weekend until early November. Once the kids head home, it’s time to enjoy Brew at the Zoo, the 21+ event making its debut this year at the Bronx Zoo. On October 29, the after-hours event will have over 40 beer vendors, 100 varieties of beer to sample, food trucks, live music, DJ’s and more. Animal exhibits will be open during the brew fest, offering a different view of the classic scenes.
Visit www.bronxzoo.com/boo-at-the-zoo and www.bronxzoo.com/brew
At Coney Island’s Luna Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of Halloween-themed arts and crafts, live performances and a pumpkin patch complete with a giant pumpkin in addition to the theme park’s year-round rides and attractions during the Halloween Harvest, open weekends from 12-6 p.m. through October 30. The event will also have karaoke nights, a free petting zoo and pony rides, dance contests and more. Guests are encouraged to guess the weight of Jack, the Giant Pumpkin located near the main Luna Park entrance, for a chance to win prizes valued at over $1000.
Visit www.lunaparknyc.com/events/halloween-harvest/ for more.
Fort Totten Park in Bayside, Queens, is transformed into a haunted house for a lantern-lit tour lead by Urban Park Rangers on Friday, October 28. Guests can tour this historic Water Battery and catch a glimpse into New York’s past as the battery was once a fortress that guarded New York Harbor during the Civil War. Call Mike Kuchinskas at 718-352-4793, ext. 302 for more information. On the 29th, guests can enjoy the Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, as the outdoor art spaces transforms into a circus themed festival for the fall holidays. Activities of the festival include costume-crafting, jugglers, stilt-walkers and a dog costume contest, among others.
Visit www.socratessculpturepark.org/program/halloween/ for more.
In Manhattan, dogs will hit the streets on Saturday, October 22. The 26th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade features hundreds of dogs in costume alongside thousands of spectators. After the pups show off their outfits in a runway competition, a best in show is declared prior to a parade for all to enjoy. The following week, the 43rd Annual Village Halloween Parade of Lower Manhattan will take place on Halloween night – Monday, October 31 – starting at 6:30 p.m. The Village Halloween Parade is New York’s largest and most well-known Halloween celebration, with an expected 50,000 participants to march in this year’s parade. Starting at Canal and Spring Streets, the parade runs along Sixth Avenue guided by live music. Costumes are required to march.
Visit www.tompkinssquaredogrun.com/halloween and www.halloween-nyc.com for more.