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. 

This article was originally published on 08/08/2019 and last updated on 10/02/2026.

Explore Scary Fun in New York State 

Two performers put on a fire show on the Chaos Midway at Frightmare Farms. Photo Credit: Rachel VanSlyke/Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park

The Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Attractions 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 (pictured) in Fulton, Double M Haunted Hayrides in Ballston Spa, and Field of Horrors in Troy. 

In a dim, blood-streaked room, a woman laughs beside a man as grimy, zombie-like figures loom nearby, creating a playful horror scene.Courtesy of Blood Manor

Horror isn't purely an upstate affair—New York City hosts Blood Manor (pictured), 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.

Looking for more? Check out our new Guide to Haunted Houses and Hayrides in New York State.

Experience The Fenimore Farm and Country Village in Cooperstown on a Things That Go Bump in the Night Ghost Tour. Your guide will take you a lantern-lit walk-through of the 19th century village, sharing ghostly tales along the way. 

A pull wagon with a flower pot stands outside the Fainting Goat Island Inn
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, or join a paranormal investigation of the Graestone Manor Bed & Breakfast to unravel the haunted history of this 1865 Victorian mansion in the Erie Canal countryside in Gasport.

If you're feeling brave, check out more haunted hotels and inns across New York State where you can book a stay.

Scare actors outside the “Survive the Sanatorium” Haunted House on Genesee Valley Council on the Arts' Murray Hill Campus. Photo Credit: Natalie Marino/Genesee Valley Council on the Arts

The Genesee Valley Council on the Arts is giving its historic headquarters in Mount Morris a horrifying transformation as it brings back its popular haunted house Survive the Sanatorium: The Blood Ward for six nights in October. Try to escape an actual 1930s tuberculosis sanatorium during a vampire outbreak in this high-intensity, immersive theatrical horror experience. The Family Fright Night on October 30 turns down the scares for a family-friendly version for children ages 5-12 with trick or treating included.

Discover Not-So-Scary, But Just as Fun Happenings in New York State 

A woman in a striped sweater and cowboy hat walks under a jack o'lantern archway at Blaze: Long Island
Credit: @sahquart on Instagram

The Great Jack o' Lantern Blaze (pictured), 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.

Child dressed up as a bug with wings at ZooBoo hosted by Seneca Park Zoo

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 (pictured) 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.

Two cheerful scarecrows in denim overalls and straw hats stand among garden flowers and leafy plants, creating a playful, welcoming farm-garden scene along the 2026 Scarecrow Trail at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

Explore the new Scarecrow Trail at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens (pictured), build a Halloween-themed terrarium and join in on festive fall fun at the BOOtanical Bounce Party and Spooky Artisan Market. The New York Botanical Garden is hosting a spirited fall celebration honoring the traditions of Día de los Muertos with beautiful floral displays, folk music and dance performances, procession of puppets, and more.

Pumpkin tower at the Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival

And what is fall without fresh cider and pumpkin doughnuts? The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence 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. 

A scarecrow standing amid hay bales and pumpkins with a train in the background

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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