When you live in New York City, things that go bump in the night are the least of your worries. In a city that has it all it’s no surprise that there are more than plenty of activities to get you in the Halloween spirit. From plays to haunted houses and everything in between, we are bringing you the best frights, tricks, treats and more!
Blood Manor: This haunted house has been around for a number of years, but it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Wind your way through 5,000 square feet of terror, through a room of killer clowns, zombie strippers, 3D madness, and other horrors you can scarcely imagine. Blood Manor’s big strength is their amazing props, costumes, makeup and set design. It is truly a sight to see (we won’t blame you if you close your eyes though). This haunted house does not stick to one theme, but includes tons of rooms filled with blood, gore and screaming. You never know what you will encounter next.
Dracula: Horse Trade Theater Group presents RadioTheatre’s original rendition of Dracula. The show is a live storytelling audio-theater adaptation by Orson Welles and Dan Dianchi of Bram Stoker’s original classic. You won’t find elaborate costumes or scenery, but you will encounter a fabulous cast of storytellers, an original orchestral score and fun sound effects. Imagine a live reading of your favorite ‘books on tape’…that is RadioTheater. The actors provide amazing voicework that will keep you captivated and get you in the mood for All Hallow’s Eve.
Killers 2: Nightmare NYC celebrates its tenth year in operation, with its second year using the theme Killers. Each year, Nightmare haunted house hosts a different frightening theme — last year’s successful run played host to some of the world’s most horrific serial killers and this year is round two. Journey your way (if you dare) through the worlds of Charles Manson, Aileen Wournos, and Patrick Bateman, along with other notorious killers, and prepare to be in awe of the amazing theatrical performances in each room. For a more frightening experience, opt to have a bloody ‘X’ painted on your forehead, which gives the actors permission to touch you and use you in their performance. Unlike other haunted houses that you can leave rest assured it was all make-believe, this one is based on real life serial killers, so you will leave with the knowledge that these events actually took place, making for a bone-chilling, one-of-a-kind experience!
Walking Tour Ghosts, Murder, Mayhem: This two hour walking tour highlights the historic and haunted past of our beloved New York City. Tours are offered in different neighborhoods and feature haunting tales of ghosts, murder and mysteries, both past and present. These tours are so jam packed with stories you won’t even notice you are walking. Follow your animated, lantern-holding tour guide through dark alleyways, past graveyards and right by some of the city’s oldest buildings, while you hear interesting and terrifying stories, supported with photos and old letters.
Pumpkin Pie Show: Boogedy Boo: This show is a Halloween inspired performance, bringing real life scenarios into a creepy, but funny, story telling setting. The name itself does the performance no justice as the tales they tell make you rethink a lot of real life situations. Located at Under St. Marks Theater, this small, very “New York” space, makes for the perfect setting for this fun campfire like performance. The three actors are raw, passionate, and quite comedic. The stories they tell are curiously creepy, but they manage to somehow make the audience crack up with laughter throughout the performance. The Hair Extensions tale will have you second guessing just where those gorgeous “real” locks come from, while the mother suffering from Post Partum Depression, will put images in your head that will be hard to forget without a happy movie afterwards. This show is a must see and will put you in that Halloween mood, with tailored songs that fit the stories and keep the fun, creepy, vibe going. -Sara Lehman
Halloween Harvest: For something that will really take you back to your childhood days, Coney Island’s Luna Park is celebrating the holiday with family friendly weekends, complete with spectacular decorations, costumed characters and pumpkin painting. Additionally, upon entering the park you will be greeted by a giant pumpkin — guess its weight correctly and you could win $1000! They also have fun events each weekend, such as trick or treating, pie eating, and more!
