The Midwest has its share of spirited fall events, including theatrical haunted houses, tours, parades, ghost walks and even campground celebrations.
By Ann Hattes

Ghosts and goblins, scarecrows and pumpkins abound in the Midwest in October. You don’t have to look far for scary frights suitable for little goblins, as well as curious ghost hunters.

In Title: Six Flags St. Louis offers its Fright Fest on weekends in October with family fun during the day and and scary frights at night. Six Flags St. Louis photo Above: A cast of hundreds put on theatrical haunted houses in Kansas City in the old warehouse district, but with intense frights and professional costumes, they’re not for the faint of heart. Full Moon Productions, Inc. photos

Ghoulish events brewing in Missouri

At Six Flags St. Louis, family thrills by day and frightening chills by night await visitors for Fright Fest on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. During the day, activities are planned for the younger crowd. At dusk though, creepy characters roam the park, while teens and adults get spooked.

For a fright-free Halloween, visit The Magic House, the children’s museum in St. Louis for a Not-So-Haunted House, Oct. 24–26. Storybook characters will be on hand to sign autographs as kids trick-or-treat through the four-story house. Come back Dec. 14 when The Magic House unveils its long-awaited expansion.

At the Lemp Mansion, one of the most haunted houses in St. Louis, a troubled brew master and his family met their deaths. St. Louis Spirit Search conducts tours of the spirit-ridden mansion every Monday night throughout the year, with additional tours during the Halloween season. Operating now as a restaurant and inn, the Lemp Mansion hosts a murder mystery dinner theater each Friday and Saturday, and an annual Halloween party with a costume contest.

You never know what’s lurking in some of the best theatrical haunted houses in America found in the old warehouse district of Kansas City. A cast of hundreds begins the scaring season at The Beast and Edge of Hell in late August and provides an intense sensory stimulation not for the faint of heart.
Beginning Sept. 20, Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City adds chills to the usual thrills, and is not recommended for children under 14 after 7 p.m.

For Halloween fun without the fright, the Scarecrow Spectacular shows scarecrow styles from homespun to spooky through October at Powell Gardens in nearby Kingsville, Mo.

In central Missouri take part in the free Ha Ha Haunt at Ha Ha Tonka State Park Oct. 24 from 5–8 p.m. Walk along 1/4-mile trail lit by jack-o-lanterns to eerie castle ruins where a storyteller, s’mores and hot chocolate await.

Tricks and treats in Illinois

Alton’s tragic history of floods, epidemics, the Civil War and Underground Railroad contributed to dramatic events in this Mississippi river town that calls itself one of the most haunted small towns in America. Delve deep into the mysterious past with Troy Taylor’s History and Hauntings walking tours. Antoinette’s Haunted History Tours also take the brave on trolley or walking tours into the dark corners of the town. Children younger than 14 are not allowed. Mineral Springs Haunted Tours exclusively tours the Mineral Springs Mall, formerly a hotel and one of Alton’s most haunted locations. Vintage Voices, a theatrical presentation/ cemetery tour, are on Saturday afternoons in October. The annual Halloween parade celebrates haunted Alton with floats, bands and everyone in costume on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.

In Springfield, a 90-minute Lincoln Ghost Walk is more fascinating than scary, so it’s suitable for children. The tour is offered Tuesday through Saturday in October. For spine-tingling tales and visits to sites reputed to be haunted, there’s a 2.5-hour lantern-lit Haunted Dead Walk every Friday and Saturday in October that’s not suitable for children younger than 12.

Everyone can enjoy the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular and see 2,008 hand-carved, lighted pumpkins illuminating Springfield’s Memorial Carillon and Washington Park Botanical Garden. The event will be from 6–10 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 18.

Something always is happening in Chicago, and the Windy City has Halloween fun the entire family can enjoy. Visit Halloween Pumpkin Plaza (Daley Plaza) Oct. 10–31. Stop by the Haunted Village for pumpkin decorating, scary storytellers and performances by the Midnight Circus. Grab a costume and march in the Halloween parade along State Street on Oct. 25. Stop by Navy Pier for more Halloween activities geared for families, including a family costume contest on Oct. 31 featuring prizes like a $5,000 gas gift card and airline tickets.

In South Elgin, the Fox River Trolley Museum will stage Halloween Hiawatha on Oct. 25 and 26, which includes a ride to the banks of the Fox River for a campfire, hot chocolate, s’mores and ghostly stories. There also are pumpkin and haunted trolley rides available through October.

Check out Terror on the Railroad in Union just northwest of Chicago at the Illinois Railway Museum for a good scare. Daring souls 13 and older can explore a haunted train wreck site, ride an antique streetcar through the dark and roam the Train of Chills. The terror starts Oct. 10 and continues Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1.

Charming Galena will roll out its 30th annual Halloween parade on Nov. 1. Costumes, floats, prizes and treats are part of the fun there.

Scare up the fun in Indiana

Holiday World, a theme park in Santa Claus, will celebrate Halloween until it closes on Oct. 12 this year. Ride The Raven roller coaster, Scarecrow Scrambler, The Legend (of Sleepy Hallow) roller coaster, or Frightful Falls log flume. You’ll fly like a witch on her broom on HallowSwings.

Next door at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort enjoy “HallowWeekends” mid-September through Nov. 1. Come for ghost stories told around the bonfire, haunted hayrides, campsite decorating contests, spooky movies, costume contests, and trick-or-treating. A children’s carnival is each Saturday during the event and offers rides and games for little ones. Also, Lincoln State Park offers Halloween-themed camping and a haunted trail during the month of October.

In nearby Rockport, the recently restored Lincoln Pioneer Village and Museum with its 14 Lincoln-era replica cabins becomes a Haunted Pioneer Village on Oct. 24 and 25 from 7–10 p.m. and Oct. 26 from 6–9 p.m.

The Indianapolis zoo provides safe trick-or-treating plus a haunted train ride, a hay maze and Not-So-Scary animal shows during Halloween ZooBoo, Oct. 16–19 and 23–26. At Conner Prairie, a living history museum located just outside of the city, meet the Headless Horseman while enjoying campfires, food, old-fashioned games, spooky tales and a haunted hayride. More holiday fun for youngsters will be at the Children’s Museum beginning Oct. 11.

Pranks on the prairie

In Atchison, which bills itself as the most haunted town in Kansas, board a trolley for a one-hour Haunted Atchison Tour. Tours are available every Friday and Saturday from Sept. 12–Oct. 25, and nightly from Oct. 27–31. History/Mystery Walking Tours and cemetery tours also are offered, as well as psychic readings.

Fort Scott also offers trolley tours, Oct. 13–31, cruising past homes and through the cemetery while listening to scary stories.

Haunted trains depart Baldwin City with ghosts and goblins, mummies and vampires on Friday and Saturday, Oct.17 and 18, 24 and 25. The train rolls out at 6:30 p.m, 8 and 9:30 p.m.–the later the train, the scarier the ride.

Independence celebrates with a Neewollah festival (Halloween spelled backwards) as the oldest and largest annual festival in Kansas. The event, Oct. 17–25, started in 1919 to provide all ages with an alternative to the typical Halloween pranks. Neewollah offers three parades, a band competition, chili cook-off, hometown musical, queen’s pageant, carnival and Great Pumpkin contest.

In Wichita, the Sedgwick County Zoo offers fun for children 2–10 years during Night of the Living Zoo, Oct. 24–26. Try pumpkin bowling, tour through the reptile building and stroll down jack-o-lantern lane where hundreds of carved pumpkins are displayed.

Remember to make Halloween plans early as many of the haunted ghost tours and other special events require reservations and sell out fast.

Ann Hattes is a contributor from Hartland, Wis.