Halloween is fun — no matter your age. And, no, we’re not just referring to the joy of eating all the fun-sized chocolate bars from Janet in Accounting’s candy dish. In fact, here in Cleveland, the October holiday brings a mix of events for kids of all ages.
Image courtesy Cedar Point
Thanks to its massive collection of roller coasters boasting superlatives like tallest, fastest and largest, Cedar Point is no stranger to being on the slightly scary side. During the fall, however, it’s no tricks and all treats when the park is transformed into the Great Pumpkin Fest, complete with kid-friendly shows, trick-or-treating, crafts, games, hay mazes and even a parade. Have a little scare left in you? Stay over during the weekend nights. Cedar Point also holds Halloweekends, something for all the daredevils to test their scare-level under the moonlight with rewards of candy, of course. (2018 DATES: Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28)
Image © Cleveland Metroparks/Kyle Lanzer
A Cleveland tradition, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo transforms into something downright boo-tiful every Halloween. Boo at the Zoo returns with a spooky train ride, Trick-or-Treat Street, magic shows, a dance party and special themed animal enrichment activities for the whole fam. (2018 DATES: Oct. 12-14, 19-21, 26-28)
Image © Greater Cleveland Aquarium/Joe Prada
What’s the scariest part of the Halloween event at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium? Coming nose-to-nose with huge sharks in the SeaTube. Otherwise, the event is a fun, family-friendly way to creatively celebrate Halloween complete with tricks, treats and — the best part — costumed scuba divers. (2018 DATES: Oct. 19-20, 26-27)
Image courtesy Cleveland Botanical Garden
Little boos and ghouls can get their game on at this University Circle attraction with Halloween garden hikes, hands-on crafts, dancing and candy-collecting galore. (2018 DATES: Oct. 20-21)
Little ghosts and goblins can make their way through 12 creatively themed, not-so-spooky Halloween houses and receive treats. Surrounded by fall foliage, pumpkins and larger-than-life decorations, trick-or-treaters also will enjoy pony rides, kiddie rides and live entertainment. (2018 DATES: Oct. 20-21, 27-28)
Image courtesy Great Lakes Science Center
Calling all mad scientists! The Great Lakes Science Center undergoes a hair-raising transformation for this STEM-centric event that features spooky hands-on activities and Halloween-themed demonstrations. (2018 EVENTS: Oct. 27-28)
“Psychic Sonya” is a well-known Cleveland spiritualist, paranormal researcher and Tarot Card reader who hosts Walking Ghost Tours on Thursdays and Ghost Bus Tours on Saturdays year-round. The walking tour in The Flats features tales of death, murder and suicide in the area known to be a dumping ground of the 1930s Torso Killer. The bus tour visits a haunted theater, an old pioneer cemetery and places where the Torso Killer dropped bodies. This is a scary one, folks! (2018 EVENTS: Thursdays & Saturdays year-round)
Join for a fun and fact-filled tour of the most macabre historic sites in The Land with this company that’s been touring hair-raising sites since 1999. This year’s tour options include Lakefront Ghost Tour and Torso Murder Tour. Don’t bring your little ones on this terrifying tour. Really. Don’t. (DATES VARY)