The Best Halloween Events in the Metro DC Area
Halloween is only a month away. I noticed some places are getting ready for their Halloween sales. That means kids and adults will dress up in the wildest costumes. However, plenty of events in the DC metro area are preparing for Halloween, and you don’t need to spend money on an outfit to enjoy this occasion. For those who are looking for something more than another slasher flick or bar hop, here are some Halloween events you can check in the DC Metro region.
Freight Fest at Six Flags: Every October, Six Flags in Largo, MD holds one of the Washington, DC Area’s largest Halloween Celebration. It has spooky rides and cool entertainment for kids and adults. The event takes place Friday night, Saturday and Sunday from October 7 through October 29, 2006. Operating hours are: Friday: 5-10 p. m., Saturdays and Sundays: 12 noon – 10 p. m.
Boo At The Zoo: We all the National Zoo in Washington, DC is home to some wild animals. However, it also brings out creatures that go bump in the night as well. From October 27-29, Boo at the Zoo is a safe and fun way for families with children ages two to 12 to enjoy the fall holiday. This event will have the traditional spiders, owls, and other animals on hand every day. Plus the Zoo’s traffic-free walkways and many animal houses will make trick-or-treating a kid-friendly activity. In addition, you can check out the new Asia Trail. Tickets are $13 FONZ members (limit of six tickets per order), $23 for non FONZ members, and kids under two are free.
Bennett’s Curse: Entering its 6th year, Bennett’s Curse has quickly established itself as Maryland’s “must see” Halloween event. It tells the story of rise and fall of Castle Bennett. This year’s attraction in the House of Vampyres includes Dominion of Darkness and Sanctuary of Insanity. Bennett’s Curse takes place on the Weekends starting September 29 through October 29. It’s located in Arundel Mills Mall on 7000 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover, MD. Tickets are $15 (either Insanity or Vampyres/Darkness) or $20 for all 3 attractions.
Markoff’s Haunted Forest:It was started by the Markoff Brothers in 1993, and it has become one of the hottest Halloween destinations in the state of Maryland. Among the featured activities at the Haunted Forest include: Haunted Hayrides, Spider Walk, Bat Fight, Death Jump and the Haunted Bus. The forest is on 19120 Martinsburg Road in Dickerson, MD. It opens from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weeknights and 6 p.m. to 10: 30 p.m. on weekends until Halloween. Tickets are $15 for October 13 and 14. Other nights are $20.
The Ghost Story Tour of Washington: DC has its share of haunted house, ghost stories and other pieces of history you find in your history class. The Ghost Story Tour of Washington will lead you through Washington’s most haunted locale, LafayetteSquare Park, with an entertaining interactive production featuring the specters rumored to haunt it. Walk with your ghostly guide, hear stories, meet spirits, and take home a sweet treat!
The Haunted Train Rides Again:The Wheaton Regional Park Miniature Train and Carousel is your destination for Halloween fun. Get ready to hop aboard on one of the spookiest rides you and your family will ever experience. This attraction runs from 10/12 to 10/29, Thursday through Sunday nights from 6 to 9pm.
Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association Field of Screams: The scariest Halloween fun around! Be prepared to experience lots of new thrills and chills as you take a 30-minute walk through the haunted forest. Watch out for the Crazed Woodsman; enter the Ransacked Security Office if you dare! Caution – Zombies and other demented creatures abound! In addition, there’s a kiddie playground and make a smores section. It happens on weekends from 0ctober 13-29th. It’s $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
Halloween Haunted House Workshop: Wanted to create a Halloween that people won’t forget? Head over to the NationalBuildingMuseum for their Haunted House Workshop. Families are invited to create a spooky haunted house to place in a window at home for Halloween. Construct a house or barn with wood and cardboard, and then adorn it with miniature ghosts, monsters, and jack-o’-lanterns. Tantalizing treats and moody music provided! The price is $11 per house for Museum members; $16 for nonmembers. It’s recommended for children age 5 and up. Prepaid registration required by October 18 at family@nbm.org or 202.272.2448, ext. 3413.
Discovery Theater – Pumpkin Party & Parade: The Discovery Theater is holding there Pumpkin Day and Parade. It’s for Halloween spooks and kooks. Come in costume (or not) to enjoy Nicolo Whimsey’s fun interactive show; a parade for the whole audience, and a sweet treat to celebrate goblins on the move. Grown-ups, you don’t want to forget your cameras.
