With the crisp seasonal air and eerie scenery provided by fall, New York is one of the best places for anyone to experience Halloween. Most areas in our state will be featuring some kind of local attraction that will get you excited for the upcoming holiday, but there are some destinations in New York that are simply more terrifying than others. Getting you in the spine-tingling spirit that you should be in during this time of year, here are a list of towns that will please you to your core if you're looking to dive into an evening full of all things frightening and ghostly.
1. Tarrytown
Tucked right next to the famed town of Sleepy Hollow on the Hudson River, Tarrytown is another Halloween destination that's great to check out. The town is well known for Lyndhurst, the incredible castle-like mansion that sits on nearly 70-acres of land in the Hudson Valley. During the month of October Lyndhurst features their Classic Mansion Tours with a Halloween Twist as well as their very own Jay Ghoul's House of Curiosities. From October 19th through the 31st, Jay Ghoul's House of Curiosities at Lyndhurst pretty much lets you play a real life game of Clue. Putting you in a gorgeous castle and leaving the guests to find out the missing pieces of an unsolved murder, Tarrytown is incredible to visit during halloween. To find out more information, click here.
2. Croton-on-Hudson
Just north of Tarrytown up along the river is the town of Croton-on-Hudson. Starting in the end of September and running through the month of November, the town puts on The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze that's known for being one of the most eye-catching events in our entire state. Made up of thousands of lit up magical pumpkins, you won't believe the spectacular displays that are put together at the Van Cortlandt Manor every year! If you plan on taking advantage of this Halloween event, you'll want to buy your tickets soon because there are very few available dates and times left. To find out more information, click here.
3. Saratoga Springs
This isn't the first time that we've talked about spooky Saratoga Springs. Around this time of year those in search of all things Halloween can head to places like Yaddo to take a ghost tour through the gardens or search for paranormal activity at real haunted spots like the Batcheller Mansion and Canfield Casino. But aside from the truly haunted destinations that have become popular in town, there's also something new happening this year! This year will be the first Haunted House right in downtown Saratoga, with all different levels of terror with family-friendly attractions on bottom and haunting terror waiting for the brave up on the top floors. To find out more information, click here.
4. East Bethany
A tiny town out between Buffalo and Rochester, East Bethany offers a more remote small town Halloween experience that makes for an even more frightening setting. Many of our residents head out to the town of East Bethany to visit Rolling Hills Asylum, an abandoned asylum that now serves as one of our state's top haunted attractions. Those looking for a Halloween thrill can take a tour through the asylum and participate in one of their "3 Hour Psych Hold Ghost Hunt" that's terrifying as can be. If you're looking to take the scare factor down a notch, also check out the Haunted Forest Hike that's taking place on October 28th at the Genesee County Park in town. To find out more information, click here.
5. Sleepy Hollow
The next door neighbor to Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow is one of New York's most popular Halloween towns to head to. All throughout town you can find pieces of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving's famous creation that was based off of the area. During October and all around Halloween you'll find stuff going on in town like a Haunted Hayride, Lantern Tours through Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and most fun of all the Horseman's Hollow. Every year, Philipsburg Manor transforms into Horseman's Hollow, a frightening place to be that's filled with the dead, monsters, ghosts and even the Headless Horseman himself. To find out more information, click here.
6. Canandaigua
Lots of towns out in the Finger Lakes to take advantage of the annual Halloween spirit that's infectious in the air, the charming area of Canandaigua is just one of them! Canandaigua is home to Sonnenberg Gardens, a scenic spot that turns into another world during the month of October. Once we get closer to Halloween Sonnenberg Gardens puts on their Mansion Mysteries and features their annual Garden Stroll! In town you can also find Trick or Treating in the village and a Mystery Radio Theatre at the Bristol Valley Theatre. To find out more information, click here.
7. Albany
The oldest town in our state, Albany turns into quite the spooky place once the Halloween season rolls around. All around the city you can find restaurants, bars and businesses putting on Halloween events that will give you something exciting to do. But also in Albany you can experience things like the Halloween Spooktacular at the New York State Museum and local ghost tours of the Capitol and other local destinations. To find out more information, click here.
Which town is your favorite to visit during the month of October? To enjoy other seasonal attractions that will have you on the edge of your seat, read about how There's A Terrifying Haunted Cave In New York And It's Not For The Faint Of Heart!
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