Halloween In Virginia: A MapQuest Guide

From zombie parades and costume contests to haunted houses and hayrides (to haunted anything!), the Halloween season casts its spell and awakens our inner ghouls and goblins. As part of FrightQuest -- a MapQuest series on spooky destinations and activities -- here are three options to celebrate Halloween in Virginia that are sure to be a scream.
— Barbie Carpenter

Haunts Of Richmond

People interested in the dark side of Richmond, Virginia, can sign up for one of four walking ghost tours through the city, which run from May through October. The Haunts of Richmond ghost tours include a stroll through Shockoe Bottom, an old Richmond neighborhood known for being haunted, or a visit to the city's Capitol Hill, also said to have a haunted past. The Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl invites guests to some of Richmond's oldest and most haunted watering holes. Tickets are $13 for each tour, and guests should wear comfortable shoes.

1914 E. Main St., Richmond, VA 23223 | Get Directions

Howl-O-Scream

Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, gets spooky from late September through Halloween with its annual Howl-O-Scream event. Five haunted houses and three live shows throughout the park put guests on edge as they encounter creepy creatures lurking in the shadows. The bravest guests can enter the park's Scare Zones, including Grin and Scare It, a creepy carnival. Adult single-day tickets to Busch Gardens are $66.99.

1 Busch Gardens Blvd., Williamsburg, VA 23185 | Get Directions

Haunted Halloween Fest

Virginia Beach's Hunt Club Farm offers fun for the whole family at its annual Haunted Halloween Fest. Teens and adults can hop aboard the Haunted Hayride, stroll through the Village of the Dead or bravely enter the Field of Screams. Younger guests can enjoy the farm's carnival rides or attend the one-day Kids' Halloween Party, which features costumed characters, a petting zoo and pumpkin and cupcake decorating. The festival runs throughout October, and tickets are $22.

2388 London Bridge Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23456 | Get Directions

Busch Gardens Williamsburg transforms into a spooky spot in October.

Did we miss a Halloween event in Virginia? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

Want other great Halloween-season ideas? Check out FrightQuest and our coverage in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Baltimore.

FrightQuest Special: Read Antarctic-demigod warrior Oderus Urungus's take on Halloween -- and how Virginia's blood-soaked history helped shape his heavy-metal vision.

Interested in more stories about Virginia? Go to Patch and scroll the list of states to get great local coverage of your neighborhood.