Halloween Happenings in Mt Washington Valley, NH

From Scare-the-Pants-Off to Family Friendly Halloween Events, Mt Washington Valley offers plenty of ghostly fun

North Conway, NH — From over-the-top scary to simply sweet and fun, families can find something for everyone’s Halloween hilarity level in Mt Washington Valley. And while it’s hardly scary, the season starts out with plenty of fall pumpkins, apples and family fun at the Fryeburg Fair, October 1– 8, filled with rides, crafts, exhibits, live entertainment, fair food, and tons of animals.

While spooks are certainly part of the fun, no need to leave the faint-of-heart at home during Halloween season in Mt Washington Valley. The calendar is packed with fun for the whole family, so get into the spirit this Halloween with everything from giant swings to ghosts and ghouls.

Fridays & Saturdays, September 29-October 28: Experience the Ghoullog and Haunted Playground at Cranmore Mountain Resort, North Conway: It’s been ten years of fear as, Cranmore Mountain Resort is transformed into a haunted hallowed ground, offering something for every level of tolerance for the spookiness of the season. The Ghoullog is a 50- minute haunt featuring over 15,000 square feet of indoor space through a series of dark rooms, scary mazes and unknown places, plus an outdoor element which leads the unsuspecting through the dark woods with all of the scares and screams you can imagine in one haunted attraction. This haunted experience is not for the faint of heart, and is best suited for the older kids. However, the Haunted Playground (Cranmore Adventure Center transformed into a Halloween theme) offers plenty of tamer Halloween family fun. Ride the Mountain Coaster, Giant Swing and Soaring Eagle Zip line. All Haunted Playground rides offer a unique night-time experience with special lighting, effects and the occasional ghost or ghoul when you least expect it. Age, height and weight restrictions apply. End the night in the Broken Skull Pub and stop by the Rotting Corpse Gift Shop for a remembrance of the spooky evening. For complete information on the Ghoullog and Haunted Playground, go to http://theghoullog.com.

October 1-31: info. Maps and ballots are also available at any of the participating businesses located throughout the Conway and Jackson Area of New Hampshire. Info: http://www.jacksonnh.com/event/1232/Return-of-the-Pumpkin-People.

October 15-31: All Things Pumpkin Festival, Jackson, NH: This festival includes two weeks of Business open houses, silent auctions, pumpkin tasting tours (check for dates), Return of the Pumpkin People displays the "New England & Jackson Invitational Pumpkin Carving Competition and the “All Things Pumpkin” Chef Competition. On October 21st only, from 11:00am to 4:00pm, take the “All Things Pumpkin Tour” on a horse-drawn sleigh ride through Jackson Village, stopping at five properties (or more) where each rider receives a pumpkin treasure that consists of either a pumpkin edible or keepsake Info: Click here or call 603-383-9356.

October 20-22 & 27-29: All Aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express, North Conway: During these two October weekends, kids of all ages will not only enjoy riding the Conway Scenic Railroad train ride, but will go home with a hand-picked pumpkin too. On the last two weekends in October, special Halloween trains will go from North Conway to the "Pumpkin Patch" where each child will have the opportunity to select a pumpkin to take home. Costumes are encouraged. Info, schedules and fares: Click here.

October 20-21 & 27-28: Murder Mystery Dinner Train: Murder and mayhem add to the Halloween spirit on these two weekends, as adults attempt to solve the crime over dinner on the train. Board the train and gather together to celebrate the love of two brothers, three ex-wives, a brand-new bride and a killer thrown in for good measure. At this wedding “forever hold your peace” takes on a whole new meaning for one unlucky guest. The Conway Scenic Railroad presents an evening of fabulous food and entertaining Dinner Theater aboard the elegant dining car Chocorua or Hattie Evans. Passengers can participate as much or as little as they like in the tongue in cheek humor and zany antics that will keep everyone on their toes as they work the clues to determine the killer on board. The train departs promptly at 6:00. Plan to board early and enjoy a cocktail in one of our beautiful dining cars. Reservations are required. The $125.00 fare includes First Class seating for the 3-hour train excursion, a 4-course dinner, live theatrical performance by Arts in Motion Theater Company, taxes and gratuities. Beverage service is additional. Murder and mayhem is a formal affair, so dress the part and join the fun. This takes Halloween costumes to the next level! Call 800-232-5251 for reservations or more information.

October 20-22: New England and Jackson Invitational Pumpkin Carving Competition in Jackson, NH: Watch artists take regular pumpkins and carve them into something amazing in Jackson Village Park. Teams start any time after noon on Friday October 21 continuing through Saturday at 7:00pm, when judging begins. Winners and pumpkin lighting will take place on Saturday, October 22nd at 7:30 PM. Once pumpkins have been lit and on display, the public can purchase their favorite and take it home. Selling of pumpkins will take place throughout Saturday evening and Sunday October 23rd until 2:00pm. Info: Additionally, throughout the weekend taste special pumpkin creations and kids can carve and create a uniquely decorated pumpkin and enter it into the kids’ creation competition. Info: Click here.

October 21 & October 28: Silly, Spooky Halloween Extravaganza at Santa’s Village, Jefferson, NH: Celebrating its 8th season, Santa’s Village will be open from 11am to 5pm on these two Saturdays with plenty of family-friendly Halloween fun. Santa is usually here at this time, to see all of the children in costume, and those thinking ahead to Christmas joined by the Silly Nilly Witch of the North stirring her own spooky brew. The entire Santa’s Village Park will be transformed into a magical Halloween adventure. There are "spooky" areas for the older children; some "fun" areas for the younger goblins. Shops cater to the Trick or Treaters, and it’s much more fun if you arrive in costume. Even the Silly Helpers are dressed for the occasion. Admission for the entire day is $27.00 per person, and children three and under are free. Tickets include all the rides and festivities for the day. Last ticket will be sold two hours before closing. Sorry, "Return Passes" are not offered during this event. Info: Click here.

October 21: Halloween Town at Purity Spring Resort, East Madison, NH: On October 21, the rustic cabins at the Purity Spring Resort’s Camp Tohkomeupog will be theatrically transformed, each with its own theme, ranging from kid friendly to downright spooky. The cabins make up the Trick or Treat Trail, with over a half-mile of lighted pathways winding throughout the camp. Visitors to Halloween Town are invited to stop at each cabin and grab a Halloween surprise (candy and souvenirs). In addition to the Trick or Treat Trail, the event also features a kid carnival, petting farm, food court, tethered hot air balloon rides, and more! This free event is made possible by the generous sponsors throughout the area. This special event benefits The Laura Foundation for Autism and Epilepsy. Info: Click here.

October 28: Haunted Happenings at Settlers Green, North Conway, NH: Trick-or-treat at participating stores at Settlers Green Outlet Village! Kids age 12 and under are welcome to participate, accompanied by an adult. Orange signs (above) in store door windows indicate participating stores. While you’re there, visit the new Streetside expansion with 10 new stores. Info: Click here.

Hotels are offering Halloween themed events on weekends leading up to Halloween. At the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa guests can take part in fall and Halloween fun including pumpkin decorating and carving every Saturday in October. There will also be Apple Cider Pressing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Mountain View Farm. On October 31st, enjoy Mountain View Grand’s Halloween-themed Harvest Tavern specials, followed by delicious s’mores while telling spooky ghost stories around our evening campfire. At the Omni Mount Washington Resort, spend Halloween Weekend (Oct 27-29) in the Wicked Woods of the Great North. It’s a weekend of witches’ cauldrons, black cats, superstition, mischievous acts and spooky tales is fun for the entire family. Bring the spooky and cute costumes for the kids in your life; and for the adults get ready for the "Wicked" costume party in The Cave.

While it won’t be quite ready for Halloween, Adventure Suites in North Conway, NH, one of the top ten themed hotels in the USA, is diligently putting the finishing touches on their newest addition – a $1 million room called the Haunted Castle, scheduled to make its debut in November. This five-level room is the first and only simulated overnight haunted hotel experience in the world, and best of all you’re guaranteed to see a ghost (many of them!). Beds will shake, ghosts will appear and disappear, cupboards will open and close, to say nothing of the audio effects being designed for this experience. Adventure Suites has implemented a sophisticated computerized system involving motion sensors, time delays, video, projection pneumatics, lights, audio and more to scare the heck out of guests. The room sleeps up to 18 people. Guests can expect to be haunted, expect to have fun, but can’t expect to get much sleep. Special effects will last throughout the night. Try it after mid-November, if you dare!

To plan your Halloween getaway, visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org. Here you’ll find a master list of events, plus accommodations, dining, shopping, entertainment info and much more. To talk to a vacation concierge, simply call 1-800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH). For more information on planning to New Hampshire go to www.VisitNH.gov.

photos:

  1. Halloween Town at Purity Spring Resort offers family-friendly fun. Purity Spring Resort Photo
  2. The Ghoullog at Cranmore Mountain Resort – scary scene. Cranmore photo
  3. All Aboard the Conway Scenic RR for the Pumpkin Patch Express. Conway Scenic RR photo.

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