Halloween In New York City: 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 New York City that are sure to be a scream.
— Joan Firstenberg

Greenwich Village Halloween Parade

It's not only one of New York City's best free Halloween events, but it's also the biggest Halloween parade in the world -- going strong since 1973. Anyone who arrives in costume to the Village Halloween Parade is welcome to march, joining hundreds of puppets, marching bands, music bands, dancers and artists -- all in costumes ranging from scary to fanciful to movie-themed -- along with a few decorated floats and cars. The event is televised in New York City, and every year, the parade has an artistic, if not mildly disturbing theme.

Avenue of the Americas and Spring Street, New York, NY 10013 | Get Directions

Haunted Pumpkin Garden

Inside the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, the Haunted Pumpkin Garden awaits kids and adults with evil-looking, pumpkin-headed scarecrows, creepy-crawly spiders and slithery snakes. It's all created just for Halloween by artist Michael Natiello, who carves a scary world in the Botanical Garden's Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Children also get to explore a pumpkin house made from a huge gourd, put on a scary show at the Pumpkin Puppet Theater and search for slimy worms under a rotting log.

2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458 | Get Directions

Halloween At The A-scarium

The New York Aquarium on Coney Island transforms itself into a scary Halloween adventureland on October weekends with Halloween at the A-scarium. Parents, children and even the fish are entertained by readings of ghost stories, live music, crafts, treats and magic shows. Visitors can go on the Haunted Sea-fari to explore the brig and survive a wild sea storm, or view the 4-D film The Curse of Skull Rock.

Surf Avenue and West Eighth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224 | Get Directions

Thriller performed at the Village Halloween Parade in 2010.

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

Want other great Halloween-season ideas? Check out FrightQuest and our coverage in New York State, New Jersey and Vermont.