From special Halloween events at major theme parks to ghost trains or haunted boat rides in a blackwater swamp, here are several destinations for spooky Halloween fun in the Southeast.
Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train Halloween Festival
Photo of the always popular annual Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train: Courtesy of Tweetsie Railroad
Friday and Saturday Nights: October 3 - November 1, 2008
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Enjoy seasonal fun for all ages in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take a spooky ride with Engineer Casey Bones and his ghostly crew on the popular Ghost Train, or enjoy some seasonal mischief-making at the haunted house or with other fun activities. Some attractions are more suitable for adults and older children, although there are plenty of shows and attractions for younger family members as well, such as face painting and trick-or-treating. A limited number of tickets are available for each evening and advance tickets are required. Regular Park hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Ghost Train Festival hours are 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Telephone: 1-800-526-5740.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Enjoy seasonal fun for all ages in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take a spooky ride with Engineer Casey Bones and his ghostly crew on the popular Ghost Train, or enjoy some seasonal mischief-making at the haunted house or with other fun activities. Some attractions are more suitable for adults and older children, although there are plenty of shows and attractions for younger family members as well, such as face painting and trick-or-treating. A limited number of tickets are available for each evening and advance tickets are required. Regular Park hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Ghost Train Festival hours are 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Telephone: 1-800-526-5740.
Halloween at Major Theme Parks in the Southeast
Busch Gardens Europe's Howl-O-Scream. Photo Credit: © 2007 Busch Entertainment Corp
Various Dates
Throughout the Southeast
Find out about all of the spooky things to do at the major theme parks throughout the Southeast, from About.com's Guide to Theme Parks' Scaredy-Parks Guide, including information about Six Flags Fright Fest (Georgia and Kentucky), SCarowinds at Carowinds in North Carolina, Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Europe and Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion in Virginia and much more.
Throughout the Southeast
Find out about all of the spooky things to do at the major theme parks throughout the Southeast, from About.com's Guide to Theme Parks' Scaredy-Parks Guide, including information about Six Flags Fright Fest (Georgia and Kentucky), SCarowinds at Carowinds in North Carolina, Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Europe and Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion in Virginia and much more.
Homegrown Halloween in Chapel Hill
October 31, 2008Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill has launched a 2008 campaign, Homegrown Halloween in Chapel Hill, to reduce the number of Halloween revelers in the downtown Franklin Street area this year. Unlike in recent past years, the 2008 celebration will not include shuttle services to downtown from Park and Ride lots. A traffic diversion plan will restrain access to downtown through lane and street closures starting at 8 p.m. Downtown restaurants and bars will charge a minimum $5 cover charge to patrons who are not attending a private event and they will close their doors to new patrons at 1 a.m. In addition, downtown convenience stores that sell alcohol will either close their doors or stop selling alcohol at 1 a.m.
Halloween Fun in Williamsburg
Various Dates throughout October 2008Williamsburg, Virginia
Experience the ghosts and legends of Colonial Williamsburg by lantern light during an evening guided tour or enjoy lots of spirited fun at a unique evening of ghost stories, graveside readings and dinner at the James River Plantation Progressive Ghost Feast Tour and Dinner, on selected days in October or scream yourself silly at Busch Gardens' annual Howl-O-Scream, to mention just a few of the fun spooky events taking place this Halloween season in Wiliamsburg.
Cypress Gardens Halloween in the Swamp
October 24 - 25, 2008Moncks Corner, South Carolina (About 25 miles north of Charleston)
Not many places are scarier than a blackwater swamp on a dark night. Enjoy a haunted boat ride, complete with swamp goblins, and a haunted walking trail. Haunted events are not recommended for young children. Other activities include a fun house for kids, marshmallow roast, campfire and stories. Telephone: 843-553-0515.
Dungeon of Horrors at the Former West Virginia Penitentiary
Various Dates in October and Halloween Weekend 2008Moundsville, West Virginia (About 10 miles from Wheeling)
This really scary annual event takes place in the former West Virginia Penitentiary on scheduled days during the Halloween season, although ghost hunts and tours are scheduled year round at this building known for its reported elevated paranormal activity. During Halloween, the Dungeon of Horrors event ramps the fright factor up a notch in what organizers and visitors call one of the scariest places behind bars. This event is far too scary for young children and is not recommended for anyone under the age of 12.
Broadway at the Beach
Various Dates, October 2008Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
HallowFest Weekend at MagiQuest features pumpkin and cookie decorating, games, prizes and more, October 25th and 26th from noon until 4 p.m. Also at Broadway at the Beach, an Adult Costume Party in Celebrity Square begins at 8 p.m on October 25th. On October 31st, Halloween Day, kids may enjoy fun trick or treating throughout Broadway at participating merchants from 5 - 7 p.m. while supplies last.
Halloween Spook-Tacular at Wintergreen Resort
October 24 - 26 and October 31 - November 2, 2008Wintergreen, Virginia
Family halloween fun includes pumpkin carving, mask making, a haunted house, trick-or-treating, spooky storytelling and more. Wintergreen Activities telephone: 434-325-8180.
The Louisville Zoo "World's Largest Halloween Party"
October 4 - 5, 9 - 12, 16 - 19, 23 - 26, 2008Louisville, Kentucky
Family fun that is not-too-scary features costumed characters, storybook scenes, the Halloween Express Train ride, trick-or-treating for kids 11 and under and more. Special tickets, which may be ordered in advance to avoid waiting in the ticket line, are required.
Halloween in Old Salem
Various Dates and VenuesWinston-Salem, North Carolina
During October, Old Salem Museums and Gardens offers an array of fun, safe opportunities to explore the spooky side of local history, including evening lantern tours, musical performances and more.
See Page 2 for Haunted Train Rides and More Events
