The Halloween season is upon us and that means it’s time to pick pumpkins, carve jack o’ lanterns, devise creative costumes, visit haunted houses and celebrate all the warm harvest feelings that emerge this time of year. What to do, where to go, and how to get there? We’ve got some ideas for you!

For all you thrill-seekers, New York is your oyster when it comes to haunted experiences. The Haunted History Trail of New York includes dozens of paranormal locations that span across 31 counties! Plan a spooky weekend getaway at a haunted inn, embark on a ghost hunt, or tour ghost-inhabited old home. For an easy car-free trip, visit Dutchess County on Metro North Railroad for a haunted tour of Bannerman Island, majestic ruins on the bank of the Hudson, which has a haunted history dating back to the 18th century.
Spend a spooky weekend in Central New York, where you can embark on a “subliminal, demented, original style walk-through horror attraction” at the Cayo Industrial Horror Realm! No car? Hop on Amtrak up to Utica and take a 5 minute cab over the warehouse of horror. After your frightful experience, delight in the fall foliage and explore one of the hundreds of “CNYFresh” locations in the region, including farms, wineries, breweries, distilleries, cider makers, farm-to-table restaurants and more!

Book a ReachNOW, drive through the breathtaking fall foliage, and spend a weekend in Delaware County or Sullivan County in the Catskill Mountains of New York! Attend the annual kid-friendly Harvest Moon Ball in Andes or partake in a murder mystery dinner at Burn Brae Mansion in Glen Spey. Built in 1908, this recently restored mansion has been the subject of number paranormal investigations. Enter if you dare! In case you need to take the edge off of a night of terror, check out some of the amazing wineries, breweries and distilleries on the Artisanal Beverage Trail.
For a nearby Halloween celebration, take a day-trip to Westchester County for the annual Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze! The tri-state area’s biggest fall event creates a breathtaking display along an 18th century riverside landscape…all out of infinite jack o’lanterns! Thousands of people attend every year, book your spot before they sell out! AND THEY WILL! Take Metro North Railroad to Croton-Harmon, cab 5 minutes to Van Cortlandt Manor. Or head over to Sleep Hollow for the annual Horseman’s Hollow at Phillipsburg Manor!
And, of course, what is Halloween without the sweet celebration of witches and wizards. Harry Potter nerd or not, plan a weekend getaway to Ithaca, NY for the ultimate Wizarding Weekend! October 27-29, partake in a Magical Artifact Scavenger Hunt, a Quidditch pitch, a Magic Ball, a Potions Crawl, magic classes and more all weekend long. Road trip upstate via ReachNOW or book a spot on the Greyhound Bus straight to Ithaca!
Hope you enjoy all the BOO-tiful fall foliage and spooky getaways, EscapeMakers! Tag us in your photos @EscapeMaker & #EscapeMaker.
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