Halloween Doesn’t Have to Be Canceled! 10 Alternatives for Trick-or-Treating

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

By: Brittany Loggins

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Spooky Adventures

Like everything in 2020, it’s safe to say we can all expect Halloween celebrations with the family to look a little different.

For one, social distancing orders and mask mandates are still in place in most states and, even if they’re not, it’s understandable if you’re hesitant to let your kids hang out with a group of their friends and go door-to-door like they normally would. That being said, all of these crazy events don’t have to cancel Halloween. There are still lots of ways that you can celebrate with the entire family. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ideas that will help you celebrate spooky season in a festive, fun and safe way.

Visit a Haunted House in New Orleans

New Orleans is the perfect Halloween town because it’s filled with magical, mysterious happenings all year-round. In fact, the city prides itself on being the most haunted city in the United States. To up the ante, you could also stay at a historically haunted VRBO like the Fleur de Lis Mansion, which was actually visited by paranormal investigators Maria Pinheiro and Michael Bill. They found that the space, which is also super charming and features iconic New Orleans architecture, was haunted by a spirit named Bill who likes to play pranks. Harmless (and kind of fun), right?

Watch the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Hudson-on-Croton, New York

The Pumpkin Blaze is located in Hudson, New York, and it’s one of the cooler seasonal attractions I’ve ever personally attended. There are over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins illuminated and arranged in different designs, including a huge tunnel, scenes from movies, zodiac signs and so much more. They also have little treat and cider stands that will help you embrace the fall season. It’s perfect for kids as well, and there are lots of photo and souvenir opportunities. The surrounding area even offers lots of hiking trails and stunning sites that you could stop and take in on the way.

Explore Spookywoods in North Carolina

Near High Point, North Carolina lies an attraction that will keep you entertained and leave you screaming (out of both fear and excitement, hopefully). One of the nation’s largest attractions, Spookywoods features a haunted house, a haunted corn maze, and a haunted woods “sanitorium.” This is definitely one that you’ll want to save for teenagers or older kids, but it’s truly a way to head into the holiday with a fun, festive activity. As an added bonus this year, they’ve integrated face masks into all of the costumes to keep guests safe.

Take a Haunted Drive Through Granville Haunt Farm in Oxford, North Carolina

If you’d rather keep your spooks to a confined space, Grantville Haunt Farm in Oxford, North Carolina has a solution for you. They have created a drive-thru haunted experience that brings to life terrifying scenes from movies, as well as lots of other chilling scenarios that will make you happy to be safely in your vehicle. They can even scan your ticket through your car window to limit interactions.

Watch a Drive-In Scary Movie

Throw it back to drive-in movie days and catch a horror flick from the comfort of your very own car. Lots of theaters across the country will be showing kid-friendly favorites, as well as horror movies later in the evenings. A lot of theaters are even doing trunk-or-treat events, so make sure you check ahead of time to see if you need to put on your scariest costume.

Get Lost in a Corn Maze

You probably have one of these in a neighboring town but may not have visited since high school or college when you were hoping to get lost (literally) with your crush. Just me? Regardless, they are a super fun way to celebrate the season while keeping a safe distance from others. If you have young kids, there are almost always little photo opps and treat stands set up. If you’re looking for a fun date night, check to see if they have a haunted version later in the evening.

Visit Zoos and Botanical Gardens

While your town may have more or less strict trick-or-treating mandates, local botanical gardens and zoos are great places to check for activities. The New York Botanical garden will be hosting lots of activities, and even have a scarecrow display that will definitely leave you feeling festive. Just like the botanical gardens, lots of zoos are hosting “boo at the zoo” events that are as fun for kids as they are for adults.

Check Out Spooky Offerings at Local Museums

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta is hosting “Ghostly Gatherings,” and the Chicago Field Museum is hosting spooky hands-on events, so make sure you head to your local museum’s website to see what’s going on.