Halloween Fun in NYC

“NYC Halloween Parade”
Image copyright Oliver Fluck

Halloween is a big deal in New York. It’s the one day when disparate New Yorkers are encouraged to let their freak flags fly together. With the city’s range of ethnic, religious and social backgrounds, it’s always a sight. Millions of people getting as crazy as they want — it’s a spectacle unlike anything else. The Halloween celebrations have calmed down, to make the city more tourist-friendly these days. You won’t see many drag queens in full evening dress, or S&M freaks with dog collars walking around this All Hallow’s Eve. There’s still a few cool & scary things to do in the new ‘family-friendly’ New York, though — here’s a few of them.

Everyone knows about the famous NYC Halloween Parade. Again, it’s not the total psycho freakfest it used to be — but you’re bound to see some really interesting floats and costumes anyway. If you intend to go, get there early; it’s a HUGE tourist draw and you’ll be fighting them for space otherwise. Also, try to get a spot near the start of the parade route. That’s where you’re more likely to see some true New York style freaks.

But Halloween’s on a Tuesday, and you might something freaky to do this weekend. We recommend Nightmare, the haunted house experience that WILL scare you. Another good scarefest is Blood Manor, in Midtown.

If the haunted houses are too much for you, there’s still creepy fun all over town. For examples, you can take a tour of Merchant’s House, one of NYC’s most haunted landmarks. Green-Wood Cemetary in Brooklyn offers a guided tour that’s sure to give you a chill. Maybe you’re already chilly enough from the weather; if so, you can enjoy a special 3D re-release of The Nightmare Before Christmas in a warm, comfy movie theater. It’s playing in Manhattan and Brooklyn — CLICK HERE for details.

Speaking of Brooklyn, you should check Horrorwood, a fun little haunted house made by a nice local couple. Click HERE to read the NY Times article about them, or just go to Clinton Ave. between Dekalb and Lafayette & see it for yourself. (It’s near the Pratt Institute.) While you’re out there, you may want to take a detour down onto Fulton St. between Grand and Classon; the Outpost Lounge will be having a pumpkin-carving contest, for anyone into the more traditional elements of the holiday. For even more tradition Halloween fun, the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden will host a reading of works by Edgar Allan Poe, the godather of the horror story.

Over in Red Hook, The Hook is offering Halloween fun & games, plus free Blue Point beer tonight (Oct. 27th). For the kids, The Montauk Club is having a children’s costume contest Sunday. There’s even an event for dogs: A dog costume contest in Fort Greene - also this Sunday.

If we missed anything worth checking out, feel free to let us know. Regardless, we hope you enjoy your Real New York Halloween!

Technorati Tags:
halloween in nyc events haunted houses nightmare before christmas 3d