Who
says tricks, or treats for that matter, are just for kids? Halloween
in Boston is serious business and local attractions offer a wealth
of ghoulish fun for all ages. The following is a selection of things
going on in and around the Hub. Be sure to check out Currently and
Museum listings for more spine-tingling ideas.
Salem Haunted Happenings
Sites throughout Salem, 1-877-SALEM-MA. Events run until Halloween,
times vary. It may come as no surprise, but Salem is one of the
area’s most popular October destinations. The Witch Trials for which
the town is most famous have no historical association with
Halloween, but it’s a perfect day to learn more about the Witch
Hysteria of 1692 at the Salem Witch Museum, open until midnight on
October 31.
The hoards of horror-seekers can also find themselves entertained thanks to the Haunted Happenings festival. Events ranges from the grown-up friendly Harvest Brew Fest at the Hawthorne Hotel on October 29 & 31, where $10 gains you access to the macabre party and includes two beer samples. On Halloween, Derby Street becomes a giant festival of fright with activities for the whole family, including live music and street performers. For a complete event schedule, visit www.hauntedhappenings.org.
Jack-o-lantern spectacular
Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, R.I.,
401-785-3510. Through October 31, 6–11 p.m. If the Great Pumpkin
does exist, this is his temple. More than 30 professional pumpkin
carvers flex their skills, creating over 5,000 jack-o-lanterns
elegantly displayed over a three-acre woodland trail. The
centerpiece is the “Tree of Light,” decorated to its highest
branches with dozens of glowing pumpkins. Loads of new things are in
store for this year’s spectators, including a global makeover with
tributes to far-off countries and landmarks from around the world.
And as per usual, depictions of a host of notable celebrities and
movies are represented. This popular event often sells out, so
arrive early and check out the animals.
Ghosts
& Gravestones tour
Departing across from the New England Aquarium on
Old Atlantic Avenue, 617-269-3626. Nightly through November at 6, 7,
8 and 9 p.m. Reservations required. This two-hour tour led by a
grave-digging chaperon brings you into Boston’s dark past through
tales and legends of what lies beneath two of the city’s oldest
burying grounds—Copp’s Hill and the Old Granary. Some kitschy fun
gets the tour started as participants board an Old Town Trolley
painted black and dressed up with cobwebs and headstones (don’t be
surprised if you hear the theme from Ghostbusters). The second half
of the tour is on foot, so be sure to wear some comfy shoes and
dress appropriately. Throughout the tour, your guide tells ghost
stories—some true, some folklore—covering everything from death by
the Boston Strangler to death by molasses. It’s as much fun as it is
a history lesson.
spooky flicks
Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Ave.,
Brookline, 617-734-2500; Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge
617-876-6837; Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave.,
617-267-9300. If you’re a film geek who prefers dark corners to
garish masquerading, you may want to check out the Halloween Horror
Marathon featuring screenings of Texas Chainsaw Massacre (a new
print of the original), Blood Feast, Friday the 13th: A New
Beginning, April Fools Day, Peeping Tom and more at the Coolidge
Corner Theatre beginning at midnight on October 30. Or head to the
Brattle Theatre’s annual screening of the horror classic Evil Dead 2
on October 31 at 9:30 p.m., with prizes awarded to the best
movie-inspired costume. If you fancy yourself more of a high-minded
horror fan than a gore connoisseur, head to the Museum of Fine Arts
for a screening of Eerie Stories by Richard Oswald. This recently
re-discovered German silent film has been dubbed the first-ever
horror film, and is considered a cult classic. See it for yourself
on October 28 at 7:45 p.m.
lizzie borden’s house
92 Second St., Fall River, 508-675-7333. Tours:
Sat & Sun every half hour from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Lizzie Borden took
an axe and not only allegedly gave her parents 40 whacks, she became
known as one of Massachusetts’ most notorious criminals—even though
she was never even convicted. You can take a tour of her Fall River
house (50 minutes south of Boston) where the murders took place, or
even spend the night. The home functions as a bed and breakfast,
offering visitors with a penchant for the macabre a choice of crime
scenes to sleep in. In the morning, dine just as the Bordens did
their last day on earth.
costume shopping spree
Garment District, 200 Broadway St., Cambridge, 617-876-5230; Jack’s
Joke Shop, 226 Tremont St., 617-426-9640; Boston Costume, 69
Kneeland St., 617-482-1632. Call for shop hours. The best way to
have a good Halloween is with a great costume. You can rent one at
Jack’s Joke Shop or Boston Costume (how about a giant bunny suit?)
while picking up a few gags to add a little mischief to your night.
Or get creative on a budget with a recycled outfit from the Garment
District. Don some polyester duds and a wig and you’ve got yourself
a look even John Travolta would envy.
HAMMOND CASTLE OF THE
DAMNED
80 Hesperus Ave., Gloucester, 978-283-2080. Oct 29 & 30 from
6:30–10:30 p.m. This medieval-style castle 30 miles north of Boston
was built between the years 1926 and 1929 for John Hays Hammond, Jr.
Every year the curators and the local theater group Pastimes
transform the place into a house of nightmares. Walk the halls and
experience the Masque of the Damned, giant spiders, ancient demons
and every other phobia-inducing creature imaginable. And if that’s
not scary enough, those who work at the castle year-round claim it’s
really haunted by Hammond’s wife, the couple’s cats and various
other straggling spirits. This attraction is rather intense, so
young kids might be happier left at home.
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, 617-973-5200; Franklin Park
Zoo, One Franklin Park Rd.,
617-541-LION.
It seems wherever you find critters in town, you’ll find some spooky
Halloween action. The New England Aquarium gets things started with
its Witches, Fishes and Fun event on October 30 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
This kid-oriented event features treats, creatures from the deep and
a Halloween party, including a light meal and soft drink as part of
the ticket price. Costumed kids under 12 can even get in for free.
For land-bound animal fun head to the Franklin Park Zoo’s Zoo Howl
October 30 & 31 from 11 a.m–3 p.m. The haunted happenings include
creature encounters, creepy crafts, ghoulish games and a petrifying
trick-or-treat trail. Radio Disney spins some spine-tingling tunes
and hosts the howling and costume contests.
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