Halloween – Daytime & Nighttime

Katherine Andrianas

Dating back over 2,000 years ago, the traditional name for Halloween was All Hallows’ Eve. It was a secular holiday linked to the celebration of death, the supernatural and the transition between seasons. Also known as All Saint’s Day, Irish and Spanish cultures celebrated the faithfully departed through feasts, bonfires and sacrificial offerings. Over the years, beliefs and customs have meshed together to create the Halloween we know it as. With the amount of prep that goes into it: planning the perfect costume, picking the right trick-or-treating route, carving jack-o-lanterns, and visiting haunted houses, it has become more than just a day on the calendar. So, whether you stick to the traditional pumpkin picking or prefer finding your way out of a corn maze, the day and nighttime activities are endless.

DAYTIME:

Finks Country Farm – 6242 Middle Country Road, Wading River
Weekends until November 1st plus Columbus Day • 9:30AM-5:00PM
Family owned and operated for over 70 years, this is a great place to celebrate the fall season. The day will consist of unlimited hayrides, character guest appearances, live music plus additional attractions like a corn cannon, animal feed, pumpkin slingshot, kiddie train and more. (Ages 2 & under – FREE; Ages 3-16 – $17; Ages 17 & up – $15; Military/Law Enforcement/Fire – $11; Senior Discount, Ages 65 & up – $12).

Gateways Playhouse – 215 South Country Road, Bellport
( See website for latest updates – www.gatewayshauntedplayhouse.com )                        
This not-so-scary adventure is recommended for ages three and up. It lets kids explore a well-lit, Halloween-themed playhouse which introduces fun characters along the way. Admission includes activities such as face painting, balloon creations, a hay bale maze, classic Halloween movie showings and more!

Schmitt’s Family Farm – 6 Bagatelle Road, Dix Hills
Weekends until October 31st plus Columbus Day • 10:00PM-5:00PM
Come enjoy fall fun with the entire family! The day will consist of some of the best pumpkin picking on Long Island, hayrides, duck races, an animal train ride, great photo ops and much more. There will be locally sourced and produced fall items including: roasted corn, homemade candy apples, cider, pies and other delicious baked goods. You can also find gorgeous mums and ornamental cabbages/kales to add a little décor to your porch at home.

Woodside Nursery & Garden Center – 134 East Woodside Avenue, North Patchogue
Open daily through October 31st • 9:00AM-6:00PM
Building memories for over 25 years, Woodside Nursery offers a wide variety of family fun things to do for the pumpkin picking season. They’ll have scarecrow making, a balloon bounce and their famous haunted tunnel which consists of indoor exhibits (not-too-scary but not-too-timid): moving props, special effects and lighting, music and surprises. Come on the weekends, and they’ll also have roasted corn and goodies, face painting for the kids, along with a talented balloon artist.

NIGHTTIME:

Bayville Scream Park – 8 Bayville Avenue, Bayville
( See website for dates and times – www.bayvillescreampark.com )
Named one of the top thirteen haunted attractions in America, as per
Haunt World Magazine, this is where dreams go to die and nightmares come to thrive. Aside from their six main attractions, this year the Bayville Scream Park will have a Haunted Drive in Horror Experience: Covid-19 safe theatrical performance with live actors and special effects all from the safety of your own car. They will also be reducing the capacity in the park by offering two ticket options: peak night and off peak. So, save time and buy online by visiting bayvillescreampark.com/tickets/.

Gateways Haunted Playhouse – 215 South Country Road, Bellport
See website for dates & times
Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse has received much attention by the New York Times, and has been cited as one of the top ten haunted houses in New York by USA Today. This year, they’ll have three main attractions: a 1.5 mile drive-thru trail where you remain in your vehicle, unable to escape as a story unfolds around you; an outdoor walk-thru and a spooky film series (happening every Friday and Saturday).

Schmitt’s Farm Haunt – 26 Pinelawn Road, Melville
( See website for dates & times – www.schmittsfarmhaunt.com )
Celebrating their 26th anniversary, this is one of Long Island’s oldest
and scariest haunted attractions. Providing some of the ghostliest entertainment around, it’s a must-see exhibit during the Halloween months. Between their haunted corn trail and Melville asylum, even the biggest of horror fans are bound to be spooked. And, since no asylum would be complete without having patients that are violent or insane, here they have plenty of both. So, come this year for a fresh new experience and be ready to get your scream on, as plenty of surprises catch you off guard. Purchase a combo ticket and see updates at schmittsfarmhaunt.com/tickets/

Spooky Fest 2020 – 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre
October:16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, November 1 • 6:30PM-9:30PM
Find out what’s lurking in the woods this Halloween by taking a walk through wooded paths and exhibits filled with eerie lighting, special effects and creatures of all kinds. Meeting social distancing and CDC standards, only 1 family/pod will be allowed through the woods or craft area at a time. For just $15, you’ll have access to all attractions, both scary and non-scary: the scariest being a ¼ mile walk which features an abandoned cemetary where zombies come to life. Not-so-scary walk–a place for children to meet friendly Halloween characters, butterflies, friendly ghosts and happy scarecrows.

( Due to Covid restrictions, some activities may be subject to change. )