Village Parade, “Boos Cruise” and Haunted Storytelling will raise “Spirits” this Month
As economic concerns continue to heighten, New York City is remaining upbeat as the City prepares to welcome residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy the Halloween festivities taking place across the City in the weeks leading up to October 31, including a variety of free and value-oriented activities.
Like scary stories? Be sure to read our Halloween special: 13 of the Spookiest Haunted Hotel & Ghost Stories in Canada.
Most famous is the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, now in its 35th year, which draws approximately 2 million people, while other events throughout the five boroughs include a Halloween “Boos Cruise,” haunted storytelling, pumpkin carving, magic shows and face painting.
“We want to remind New Yorkers and visitors that no one knows how to throw a party like New York City,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, the City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization. “Halloween in the five boroughs is an extended celebration with tricks and treats for residents and visitors of all ages, and from the array of child-friendly events to the nation’s largest public Halloween parade, the energy and excitement that fills the City is truly unique.”
Fun and Spooky Halloween Events and Activities in NYC
Starting at 7pm on October 31, the annual Village Halloween Parade (halloween-nyc.com) featuring thousands of costumed New Yorkers and visitors as well as hundreds of puppets, bands, dancers and artists, will be held in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. Known for its liveliness and vibrancy, the convivial parade, which anyone in costume is invited to join, draws a large and diverse crowd and follows a route up Sixth Avenue from Spring Street to 21st Street.
Halloween weekend at South Street Seaport Museum (southstreetseaportmuseum.org) will offer visitors the chance to embark the Good Ship Adventure on November 1 and 2 from 1pm and 3pm, complete with Maritime Pirates, a ghost and other festive antics, along with pirate Halloween goodies such as spider rings and tattoos.
The Halloween “Boos Cruise” on October 31st promises surprises, giveaways and a fun costume contest, aboard the Circle Line Downtown (circlelinedowntown.com) Halloween Cruise. The 2½ hour Halloween Cruise on the ZEPHYR, a 143-ft luxury yacht, which will tour the New York harbor, boards at 9pm, sails at 9.30pm and returns dockside at midnight. Tickets are $47 in advance (price includes a complimentary drink), and $50 at the door for guests 21 and over.
Beginning mid-month, October weekends at the Bronx Zoo (bronxzoo.com) will be filled with activities including magic shows, spooky stories, costume parades, and musical hayrides, in addition to a chance to visit the bats, cats, and world of reptiles. Furthermore, during weekends from October 11-26, one child dressed in Halloween costume will receive a free child’s limited admission ticket with the purchase of one full price adult limited admission ticket.
In Brooklyn, from October 25-26, visitors are encouraged to Celebrate Halloween at the Ascarium with the sea monsters at the New York Aquarium (nyaquarium.com). The annual Halloween celebration includes an abundance of holiday fun, including carnival activities such as Flounder Slide and Match, Marine Darts, Pick-a-Duck, Scary Sea Creature mask-making, and Sea Life Bingo, as well as a pumpkin patch, a haunted house and the chance to board the Haunted Mine 3-D Ride. Children aged 3–12 wearing a costume receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult.
Located in Staten Island, Richmond Town (historicrichmondtown.org) will offer visitors trick-or-treating in the historic village, along with crafts, apple bobbing and festive games on Friday, October 24. Prepaid reservations required. On Saturday, October 25, stories based on the Staten Island Historical Society’s archival material will be told around a campfire, with additional tales and haunted verse told in a deserted basement in a house almost 200 years old, and two other buildings for visitors whose nerves allow. Light refreshments will be offered at the conclusion of the program.
Queens County Farm Museum (queensfarm.org) on October 25, 26 and 31 from 4–7pm will have a Halloween Haunted House recommended for children aged 4–12. The House, located in Floral Park, will be filled with Halloween treats, hayrides, mulled cider, pumpkins and apples. Admission is $4 per person and hayrides $2 per person.
W Hotels of New York (whotels.com/newyork) is offering a Halloween package with rates starting from $479 per night. Visitors will receive two trick-or-tini cocktails, two sweet treats and unlimited scary movies as part of the package, to be booked by October 30, 2008 for stays October 26-November 2.
For more information about what’s happening throughout the five boroughs, go to nycvisit.com.