6 Spooky Yet Kid-Friendly Places to Visit This Fall
Fall is the best time to lean into the magic. Think foggy nights, glowing pumpkins, silly scares, and stories that give just the tiniest chill. These 6 kid-friendly destinations mix haunted history with playful thrills, so you get all the vibes without the nightmares. Grab your little ghouls and let’s explore the places where family travel meets friendly frights.
Sleepy Hollow, New York — Where Storybook Legends Come to Life
If your family loves the tale of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, visiting this real-life village is like stepping straight into the storybook. The town fully embraces its eerie charm every fall, blending cozy autumn vibes with classic folklore.
Must-See Family Activities
Sleepy Hollow and its neighboring town, Tarrytown, are packed with spooky-yet-sweet attractions:
🎃 The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze — Over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins glowing across beautiful historic grounds. It’s pure Halloween magic.
🕯️ Irving’s Legend at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside — An atmospheric live performance of the classic ghost story that’s both enchanting and family-friendly.
⛪ The Old Dutch Church & Sleepy Hollow Cemetery — Great for a daytime stroll (and educational if you’ve read the story with your kids!).
🏘️ Downtown Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown — Wander through the decorated streets, grab cider and donuts, and soak up all the autumn charm.
Most of these attractions require advance tickets — they sell out quickly, so be sure to book early and plan your visit carefully.
💡 Mom Tip: With multiple little ones in tow, planning transportation can make or break the trip. Luckily, Sleepy Hollow is accessible by Metro-North Railroad, which helps you skip parking headaches. Pack cozy layers — evening events can get chilly by the river — and bring a wagon or carrier for tired kiddos. If your crew loves pumpkins, schedule The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze after dark for the most magical experience.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze — A Glowing Fall Wonderland in Hudson Valley, NY
If your family loves fall adventures as much as mine does, you have to check out The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in the Hudson Valley, New York! 🍁 Imagine strolling through a glowing trail filled with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, some shaped into New York landmarks and pop-culture favorites (yes, even Wicked makes an appearance). It’s honestly like stepping straight into a Halloween movie.
🌕 Spooky Fun & Cozy Magic
About a third of the way through, you’ll find The Headless Horseman’s Hideaway — the cutest stop for themed snacks, warm drinks, and, if you’re lucky, a visit from the Headless Horseman himself! 👀 You can even bundle your Hideaway tickets with Blaze admission to save a little money — the combo includes a snack, souvenir cup, and gratuities.
🎟️ Tickets start around $22 per person and include admission, free parking, and access to the courtyard snack stands (perfect for grabbing a cocoa or pumpkin treat before or after your walk). They also offer Flex Anytime Tickets, which are great if you’re traveling or just don’t want to lock into a strict time — because let’s be honest, kids + tight schedules = chaos 😂
The Blaze runs September 12–November 16, and kids 2 and under are FREE — music to any parent’s ears. 👏 Whether you’re planning a family night or a cozy date with your boo, this event is pure autumn magic. Bring snacks, wear comfy shoes, and get ready for a night of glowing pumpkins, giggles, and fall memories you’ll talk about all year. 🧡✨
💡Mom Tip: Dress in layers — it can get chilly once the sun sets along the Hudson River. Strollers are allowed (the paths are fairly smooth), but if you’re bringing toddlers, plan a quick stop for snacks or a warm drink at The Hideaway about halfway through. And if you want those perfect glowing pumpkin photos, visit right after sunset — the light is magical for family pictures.
Salem, Massachusetts — Witchy History and Halloween Magic for All Ages
Salem Witch House II” by Salem Puritan, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Salem is practically the epicenter of Halloween charm — a place where history, hauntings, and family fun come together every fall. This seaside town, famous for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, transforms into a whimsical, witchy playground during spooky season.
🎃 Family-Friendly Fun & Festivals
One of the biggest highlights is the Haunted Happenings Festival, a month-long celebration featuring parades, street performers, local vendors, and family-friendly tours. It’s a must-see for visitors of all ages!
Don’t miss these kid-approved attractions:
🕯️ The Halloween Museum — A colorful, walk-through display of all things Halloween. Tickets start at $5 for kids 12 and under and $10 for adults — super affordable!
🧹 The Land of Witches & Pirates — Three attractions in one, and you can even save by bundling your tickets.
🏛️ The Salem Witch Museum — One of the most popular stops in town. Tickets start at $16 for kids (ages 6–14) and $19 for adults, and kids 6 and under are free!
Looking for something truly magical? Check out the Salem Haunted Magic Show — they offer earlier shows around noon that are perfect for little ones. Tickets are around $20 per person, and it’s a great way to mix a little mystery into your family itinerary
💡Mom Tip: Salem gets busy during October, especially on weekends. Bring snacks, water, and a stroller if you have younger kids — navigating the cobblestone streets can take time. Book parking or train tickets early (the MBTA commuter rail is a lifesaver), and aim for weekday visits when crowds are lighter. And don’t forget your witch hats — matching family ones make adorable photo ops downtown!
Jack O’Lantern Spectacular
Okay, spooky friends — if you’re anything like me and live for cozy fall nights, twinkle lights, and all things pumpkin, you have to add the Jack O’Lantern Spectacular in Louisville to your family’s fall bucket list! 🍂
Picture this: you’re walking down a winding trail through the woods at Iroquois Park, surrounded by thousands (yes, thousands!) of glowing, hand-carved pumpkins. The air smells like fall, there’s music playing, and every pumpkin tells its own little story — some funny, some spooky, and some so detailed it’ll make your jaw drop. It’s honestly pure Halloween magic.
The event runs from October 2nd through November 2nd, and it’s the perfect mix of spooky and sweet — not too scary for the little ones, but still fun for us parents who secretly love this season just as much (maybe more 😏).
💡 Mom Tip: If you’re traveling in or just want a little weekend getaway, you can actually get a spooky good deal at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Louisville NE/Old Henry Rd. Just book your stay through the Jack O’Lantern Spectacular website and you’ll get a discount — which means more money for cider, snacks, and matching Halloween PJs!
🎟️ Tickets are super reasonable too — $12–$15 for kids and $16–$22 for adults, depending on the day. Totally worth it for a night of glowing pumpkins, family giggles, and a memory that feels straight out of a Halloween movie.
We loved it so much last year that the kids were already asking when we can go again before we even made it back to the car. So if you’re looking for something spooky, affordable, and totally family-friendly, this is it. Don’t forget to bring your camera — and maybe a little snack stash, because trust me… the kids will get hungry halfway down the trail. 😉🧡👻.
Orlando, Florida — The Ultimate Fall Playground for Families
Orlando basically turns into the ultimate fall playground for families, and trust me, it goes all out for spooky season! 🍁
If your crew loves theme parks, you’re in luck. Walt Disney World and Universal Studios pull out all the stops with Halloween decorations, seasonal events, and tons of family-friendly fun.
🎢 Theme Park Highlights
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights — Definitely for older kids or adults who enjoy a good scare!
SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular — Perfect for little ones: costumes, candy, trick-or-treating, and roaming characters make it a safe and fun introduction to Halloween.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Magic Kingdom) — Family favorite with trick-or-treating, character meet-and-greets, spooky parades, fireworks, and the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular show. ✨
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival — Snack your way through fall flavors while exploring the park.
Disney Springs — Enjoy skeleton stilt walkers, zombie drummers, and other autumn-themed entertainment.
💡 Mom Tip: Check the crowd calendar before you go! Party nights at Magic Kingdom mean the park closes early for party guests, which actually makes other attractions easier to get on earlier in the day—score!
🎡 Beyond the Parks
Orlando is also packed with local fall festivals and events around the city. From pumpkin patches to spooky-themed shows, there’s something fun for every kid (and grown-up) to enjoy.
Savannah, Georgia — Spooky-but-Chill Family Fun in the South
Looking for a spooky-but-chill fall getaway with the kids? Savannah is your perfect match! 🍂 Known as one of America’s most haunted cities, it’s packed with history, charm, and just the right amount of ghostly vibes—without any full-on scares.
This city is famous for haunted walks, ghost stories, and centuries of history that practically whisper secrets along the cobblestone streets. Many paranormal investigators have explored Savannah, which is said to sit on ancient Native American burial grounds. The best part? You can enjoy all the haunted fun without anyone losing sleep! 🌙✨
🎟️ Family-Friendly Haunted Fun
Ghosts & Gravestones Bus Tour — Starting at $37 for adults and kids, this spooky ride is perfect for kids 6 and up.
Pirates and Treasure Museum — Ages 4+ will love the piratey adventures with just the right amount of spooky flair. Tickets start at $7.50 for kids and $12.99 for adults. 🏴☠️
Savannah Day and Night Tour — Kids 6 and under ride FREE! This fully narrated trolley tour includes 16 stops exploring Savannah’s haunted history from day into night. Tickets start at $57.90 for kids and $81.90 for adults, ideal for a full family adventure. 🌌🕯️
💡 Mom Tip: Savannah is perfect for families who love a little spookiness without the scares. Bring comfy shoes, a flashlight for extra fun, and your camera—you’ll want to capture all the cute (and slightly creepy!) family photo moments! 📸👻
Spooky memories are some of the best memories. Whether your family loves wandering old ghost towns, sipping cider during a haunted hayride, or learning the legends behind those creaky cobblestones, there is a whole world of eerie fun made for families like ours. Keep exploring, keep believing in the magic, and keep haunting every little corner you visit as a family. Stay spooky, stay playful, and never stop filling your home with tiny thrills all year long. 🎃💕
