Courtesy of Headless Horseman
Welcome to Boo York, Boo York—a truly enchanting place to be.
From haunted galas to ghostly excursions that are sure to enlighten, the city turns into a Halloween playground this month—with all five boroughs bursting with frightful fun.
Whether you prefer mingling with spirits in Brooklyn, enjoying potions in SoHo, or taking a trip upstate to face the Headless Horseman, thrilling ways to celebrate this eerie season are abundant.
Out with pumpkin spice! This autumn, the flavor of fear is gracing New York’s autumn menu—accompanied by an extra flair.
Bronx Bursting With Haunts
Excitement is brewing in the Boogie Down, as Halloween Town makes its presence with Jack Skellington leading the festivities.
Back by popular demand, the New York Botanical Garden (2900 Southern Blvd.) has undergone a transformation into Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Light Trail—with glowing Oogie Boogie figures, chilling tunnels, and endless photo opportunities.
Bigger and brighter than last year—with 8,300 square feet of lights, projections, and 3D displays—this enchanting stroll is a family must this fall.
“As soon as you step through the gates, it feels delightful—better food and beverages, more sculptures, and enhanced lighting and sound effects. In this magical setting of trails, trees, and ever-changing skies, the visual splendor shifts nightly. That’s part of the thrill, the surprises, and the joy,” stated organizer Jeffrey Seller, founder of Adventurelive, to The Post.
Adult tickets are priced at $37.50, and children’s tickets at $27.89. Don’t wait—this glowing spectacle runs through November 30.
Just a stone’s throw away, the iconic Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Blvd.) is illuminating the autumn with its own festivities.
Harvest Glow, ongoing through October 12 and then from October 16-31, dazzles visitors with a trail of 5,000 carved pumpkins, mystical forests, and captivating animal displays that will enchant both kids and adults alike.
With live pumpkin carving, the Wildlife Theater, and even a moonlit Dinosaur Safari featuring 60 animated dinosaur replicas (including 11 new additions this year), this Halloween bash is one for the wild. Tickets cost $34.95 for adults and $24.95 for kids.
Grave Tales
The spine-tingling action takes place at Nightfall, one of the city’s most chilling celebrations, held at the breathtaking landmark known as Green-Wood Cemetery (Fifth Ave. and 25th St.).
On October 16 and 17, enchanting circus performances, candlelit narratives, and unsettling visuals will transform the historic grounds—all for $85 a ticket.
If you can’t join in on the eerie activities, daring participants may embark on after-dark strolls through monuments and illuminated paths, culminating with special access to the Catacombs, running every Friday and Saturday night in October and November, at $30 a ticket.
In Manhattan, immersing yourself in the city’s eerie past is a must with the Catacombs by Candlelight tour at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral (266 Mulberry St.).
For 80 chilling minutes, adventurous ticket holders can explore off-limits crypts and walled cemeteries where some of the city’s most powerful citizens have rested for over 200 years.
A seamless blend of ghostly tales and factual history awaits—tours run Thursday through Monday until the end of the year, starting at $32 (don’t come in costume, lest you invite an exorcism!).
Haunted Wilderness
If you think NYC’s haunted houses are terror-inducing, wait until you visit the renowned Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions in the Hudson Valley—home to chills that have rivaled the city for years.
Nestled near fashionable Kingston on a vast 65-acre historic estate dating back to 1793, the immersive experience shifts its theme every Halloween.
From spine-chilling hayrides under blood moons to Jack’s Inferno trail, Widow’s Walk, and the Glutton’s Diner & Slaughter House haunted house, expect thrills, chills, and endless heart-stopping surprises—including the Dark Harvest Corn Maze if you dare, where you may leave with more than just a pumpkin.
Prepare to scream every Friday through Sunday until November 1, with tickets at $79.81 each.
For those who enjoy admiring illuminated pumpkins, the “Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze” at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson is back and more spectacular than ever.
Featuring life-sized dinosaurs, a 24-foot spider web, and a Pumpkin Planetarium, this event showcases over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins glowing against an 18th-century backdrop until November 16. Tickets start at $24.
Nearby, the infamous Sleepy Hollow awaits—sorry, Sleepy Hallow—one of the most haunted locales across the nation.
Here, horror-themed events abound, inspired by Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, and the Headless Horseman himself, at the Historic Hudson Valley’s Twilight Village with thrilling gatherings such as murder mysteries and readings of Gothic literature in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, perfectly blending fright and delight.
Every weekend now through November 1 features different ticket prices for various events.
Intelligent Frights
Craving knowledge while getting spooked? Embark on Manhattan’s most educational ghost tours this Halloween at the Merchant’s House Museum (29 E. 4th St.)—a residence with a family that lived there for nearly a century, some of whom may have never departed.
Here, enthusiasts can book a tour led by paranormal investigator Dan Sturges who will unveil spine-tingling discoveries from years of scientific exploration (weekend tours in October, tickets ranging from $45 to $70).
In the uptown area, enjoy the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s eerie side with Ghost Stories: A Mysterious, Macabre Tour—an interactive exploration of the museum’s most haunting artworks.
Unravel woven tales and sinister secrets behind artworks from Egypt, Europe, and America, exploring how various cultures depicted their deepest fears, occurring every other Friday and Saturday at $47.50 per ticket (100 Fifth Ave.).
For a whimsically haunted excursion through Brooklyn, catch Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours—a 90-minute ride filled with local legends and amusing interludes. Prices range from $59 to $69, ensuring a spooky journey through the Borough of Churches’ haunting history (meet at 510 Driggs Ave., Williamsburg).
Witchy Wonders
Ready to shop for spellbinding items? Kick off your quest at Enchantments, NYC’s oldest occult emporium.
From tarot decks and spellbooks to hand-crafted oils, powders, and pre-packaged spell kits, this East Village haven provides every essential to conjure spirits or simply dazzle your coven.
Whether you’re a curious newcomer or an experienced practitioner, the aisles at 165 Avenue B boast an array of original products to optimize your supernatural endeavors.
“We stock a large selection of cleansing items—sage, incense, candles, oils, alongside seasonal incense and oils,” shared owner Stacy Rapp with The Post.
As this time of the year encourages us to honor those who have left us, October sees a surge in customers at the shop, Rapp noted.
Staying in tune with the mystical vibe, head to SoHo’s The Alchemist’s Kitchen located at 119 Crosby St., a plant-driven sanctuary for herbs, elixirs, and well-being.
“As autumn arrives, there’s an innate instinct to safeguard, cleanse, and prepare,” stated Ezza Valdez from the store, speaking to The Post.
A contemporary witch’s paradise, the apothecary stocks everything from immune-supporting herbal mixtures to mushroom powders, as well as incense and ritual herbs.
This month, they’re also hosting events such as witchcraft workshops and tarot readings.
