NEWSLETTER
As autumn brings a chill to the air, haunted houses, hayrides, and attractions all across New York can send a chill down your spine. Here are the freaky, creepy, and the not-too-scary things you need to check out for Halloween.
Original published 08/08/2019 | Updated 10/02/2025
Scary Fun
The Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Attractions (pictured) in Ulster County are consistently some of the best-rated attractions of their kind in the nation. Maybe it’s the corn maze, hayride, or six haunted houses? And of course, the infamous Headless Horseman himself is always looking for a new way to get "a head." Gift shops, tasty cafes, and special children's days top off your visit.
Pure Terror Scream Park in Monroe holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest overall walk-through horror attraction in the world. For more freaky things, check out Frightmare Farms, Double M Haunted Hayrides (pictured), and Field of Horrors in the Capital-Saratoga region.
CREDIT: @DOUBLEMHAUNTEDHAYRIDES ON INSTAGRAM
The Fenimore Farm and Country Village in Central New York offers Things That Go Bump in the Night Ghost Tours, with a lantern-lit walk-through of the 19th century village and creepy stops along the way. Scary storytelling including bringing one of Edgar Allen Poe's classic tales to life make this recommended for visitors 10 and up only.
Horror isn't purely an upstate affair—New York City hosts Blood Manor, with 10,000 square feet of themed rooms, corridors, and a labyrinth of passageways.
On Long Island, Bayville Scream Park has five haunted house in its creepy collection while Darkside Haunted House in Calverton has over 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor scares, and Gateway's Haunted Playhouse in Bellport brings nightmares to life with a new theme and characters each year.
Credit: AmityPhotos.com
For a chance to have a "real" haunted experience, visit the Haunted History Trail of New York State to learn about attractions and hotels where eerie happenings have been reported. Spend the night at Fainting Goat Island Inn (pictured), twice voted the Best Haunted Hotel in the U.S. in a national poll.
Not-So-Scary, Just as Fun
Credit: @sahquart on Instagram
The Great Jack o' Lantern Blaze, a glowing wonderland with thousands of hand-carved jack o' lanterns, dazzles visitors at its longtime Hudson Valley home, Van Cortlandt Manor, while Peace, Love and Pumpkins puts a groovy spin on Halloween at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, home of the 1969 Woodstock festival.
Put a twist on your Halloween costuming plans this year—if you're dressing as an animal, you'll be in good company at Seneca Park Zoo in the Finger Lakes, which will play host to plenty of fun Halloween and fall-themed events this year. The Bronx Zoo comes alive weekends in October with Boo at the Zoo, complete with costume parades, a pumpkin garden, candy trail, boo dance party, and more.
Photo Credit: Avery Brunkus
Build a Halloween-themed terrarium or don your costumes for Family Fall Fest at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Transport yourself to Halloween Town and Christmas Town as The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail (pictured) at the New York Botanical Garden brings this Tim Burton classic to life in the most magical way.
And what is fall without fresh cider and pumpkin doughnuts? The Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival is the place for everything you love about autumn. Enjoy tasty fall food, corn mazes, hayrides, and other kid-friendly activities until October 31. This event is a family favorite and Buffalo must-do.
Photo courtesy of Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
For even more festive fun, capture the spirit of the season with scenic train rides to pumpkin patches courtesy of the Catskill Mountain Railroad, Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum, Adirondack Railroad, and more. Arcade & Attica Railroad's Haunted Halloween Express even includes a haunted house experience for a dash of frightful fun!
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