Long Island Halloween weekend events: Follow the Spooky Trail
Credit: Neville Harvey
Halloween is upon us and for those seeking a scare or some seasonal fun, a plan is needed. Here’s a trail of terror that will help guide you to events happening in Nassau and Suffolk to take your boo crew now through Oct. 31.
'ASYLUM, A LOVE STORY'
Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, 127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point
Have a frightening immersive experience at the Hempstead House in Sands Point Preserve by witnessing a theatrical presentation which intertwines love and madness. Actors travel with audience members throughout the mansion during this two-hour performance with an intermission and wine bar.
Cost $140; for ages 21 and over
More info 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31; 516-571-7901, sandspointpreserveconservancy.org
SCHMITT’S FARM HAUNT
Schmitt’s Farm, 26 Pinelawn Rd., Melville
Look out for live action monsters in the 10,000-square-foot haunted house where clowns and demons lurk in the dark. Then dare to enter the haunted corn trail where various living ghouls are tucked into the stalks. It has been expanded to include a new 3D experience. On your way out, hit the midway to participate in ax-throwing or play Zombie Brains .
Cost $42.99; for ages 12 and older, under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
More info 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 31; 631-271-3276, schmittsfarmhaunt.com
DARK NIGHT HALLOWEEN WORLD SCREAM PARK
Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill; 1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville
This scream park features a full evening with nine haunted attractions including “The End is A.I.,” plus a spooky vendor market, vintage Halloween museum, immerse photo-op experience, pumpkin trail and a candlelit outdoor art gallery in the woods.
“We are satirizing the rise of A.I. and its implementation by big corporations,” says co-owner Aidan Finnegan. “It’s a modern, relevant topic shown through the eyes of a fun Halloween event.”
Cost $35-$50; for all ages
More info 7 to 11 p.m., Oct. 31; 516-514-4792, darknightli.com
CHAMBERS OF HELL
1745 Express Dr. N., Hauppauge
The Impaler at the 'Chambers of Hell' Haunted house in Hauppauge. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Get three haunts for the price of one with the Trilogy of Fear. Each haunt has a completely different style.
Part one is the “The Bourbon Street Massacre” based on the local culture of New Orleans with jazz music, secret whisperings within the voodoo shop and the mausoleums from the infamous cemeteries.
“Legends” makes up the second section featuring monsters like Wendigo, Mothman, La Llorona, Bloody Mary and the Yeti.
“They are all trapped inside this giant cave system by monster hunters,” says co-owner Robert “Doc” Frankenberg. “It’s almost pitch black with nothing but a candle flicker down a hallway.”
The final haunt is “The Inferno” where visitors take a descent into hell.
“The demons are covered in metal, armor and spikes,” says Frankenberg.
Cost From $80 (admits 2); for ages 13 and older
More info 8 to 10 p.m. Oct. 31; 631-686-4424, chambersofhell.com
BAYVILLE SCREAM PARK
8 Bayville Ave., Bayville
Darkness Rising features 30 live actors across a 10,000 square foot haunt in Copiague. Credit: Kevin Baird
If you seek a full evening of evil, this spot has six haunted attractions that will make your hair stand on end.
Enter Bloodworth Haunted Mansion where twisted scientist Dr. Bascombe Bay experiments on corpses. Watch out for creepy clown Uncle Needles in the 3D Funhouse of Fear and the zombie mummies at the Temple of Terror. Inmates are running wild at the Bayville Haunted Asylum and prisoners of the Bay View Sanitarium are on the loose at Evil in the Woods. Meanwhile the Cage has a breakout of diseases.
Not enough? Catch some creepy cocktails at three secret bars, Zombie Pirate’s Voodoo Lounge, Diablo’s Lost Tequila Cantina and Dr. Decay’s Toxic Quarantine Club, located inside the haunted houses ($10 to access, 21 and older with ID).
Cost $56.75-$59.75; for ages 12 and older
More info 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 31; 516-624-4678; bayvillescreampark.com
DARKNESS RISING
800 Chettic Ave., Copiague
Travel to Victorian London where Jack the Ripper looms in the fog at this two-part haunt. In addition to “Jack the Ripper’s Reign of Terror,” attendees can experience "The Coven’s Curse" featuring a group of witches who have put a curse on a village in the 1600s.
“The vibe is more old school horror,” says co-owner and founder Kevin Baird. “It’s as scary as it can be without touching people.”
Cost $38-$55; for ages 12 and older
More info 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 31; 516-799-4747, darknessrising.org
GATEWAY’S HAUNTED PLAYHOUSE
215 S. Country Rd., Bellport
Beware of Mr. Tickles at Gateway's Haunted Playhouse in Bellport. Credit: The Gateway
The Sandman is terrorizing visitors and seeking revenge.
“This year’s haunt is based on a true story of when Gateway was a hotel back in the 1940s. Judge Michael Hawthorne sent some people off to death row that were actually innocent,” says haunt director Paul Allan. “The judge returned as a demonized Sandman and got inside people’s dreams at the hotel.”
There’s also a midway featuring a nightmare carnival, a “Fear Garden” for those 21 and over, plus a food truck.
Cost $40-$60; for ages 14 and over
More info 7 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 31; 631-286-1133, gatewayshauntedplayhouse.com
HALLOWEEN HOUSE
Broadway Commons, 358 N. Broadway, Hicksville
Get some wicked selfies in 10 different themed rooms.
This all-ages attraction features no live actors. Explore the "Beetlejuice" room, graveyard movie theater, zombie bunker and glow-in-the-dark room before checking out the interactive trick-or-treat house.
“You actually can go up to the house and trick-or-treat,” says founder Justin Schwartz. “A person answers the door and gives you candy. There’s even a tree that you can decorate with toilet paper.”
Cost $30-$40; for all ages
More info 3:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31; halloweenhouselongisland.com
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
