SCARING UP SOME HAUNTS: A roundup of Halloween fun

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By Christine Schaefer

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Halloween attractions throughout the Indianapolis area are now open to celebrate the spooky season. Here’s a summary of some of the regional offerings.

Children’s Museum offers alternative to annual haunted house

INDIANAPOLIS — The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St, will host Monster MASKarade at the museum Friday evenings and Saturday mornings in October. Held outdoors in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience, the events feature spooky, silly and socially-distanced fun. Friday evening events are 6 to 8 p.m. and include a boxed dinner. Saturday morning events are 8 to 10 a.m. and include a boxed breakfast. Some events are already sold out. Visit childrensmuseum.org to order tickets.

Newfields celebrates that spooky time of year

INDIANAPOLIS — Harvest at Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road, is a month-long celebration of fall and Halloween with day and nighttime events for families. The nighttime outdoor walking experience guides visitors along a path of thousands of glowing pumpkins around the twists and turns of an enchanted forest, an eerie ghost train and a grand finale at Mischief Manor at the Lilly House. During the day, guests are invited to explore the garden strewn with Indiana-grown pumpkins blanketing the campus and enjoy horticulture displays. Weekends will bring special activations from many of Newfields’ most beloved partners. Tickets for children through adults range from $13 to $25. Visit discovernewfield.org for more information.

The Headless Horseman rides again

FISHERS — As he does each year about this time, the Headless Horseman haunts the fields and dirt roads of Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road. October 22, 23, 24, 25, 29 and 30, guests to the pioneer park can hitch a ride on a hayride that will undoubtedly meander through the Horseman’s territory. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The ticket prices include the Headless Horseman Wagon Ride, the Barrel-Train Ride (age 7 & under), the new Tubing Hill, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” theatrical and marionette show, the Fortune Telling Booth, the Monster Museum, the Mad Science Show, the Magic Show, Spooky Storytelling, the Corn Maze or the Haunted Corn Maze and games at the Midway. Tickets are available in advance and online only at connerprairie.org/explore/things-to-do/headless-horseman/.

Zoo-Boo is family friendly fun

INDIANAPOLIS — ZooBoo continues at the Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St., Thursdays through Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m. through Nov. 1. This annual event features a variety of activities such Pumpkin Town where Mayor Jack keeps everyone smiling with jokes and riddles. New this year is Professor Pumpkin who leads science demonstrations for little witches and wizards at Pumpkin School. Guests can visit with creatures at Jack’s Barn and enjoy the Halloween hits at the Dance Party from Patch radio. The Trick-or-Treat Trail features new decorations and four treat stations. Additionally, an Adult Trick-or-Treat Trail is open from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For more Halloween fun, visitors can tackle the Mystery Hay Bale Maze, a carousel that goes in reverse and a spooktacular train ride. Attendees are welcome to wear Halloween costumes and bring a reusable bag to collect treats. ZooBoo timed tickets are available only in advance. Visit indianapoliszoo.com for more information.

The museum looks different after dark

INDIANAPOLIS — Twilight brings out all of the things that go bump in the night — especially at the Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. Oct. 21 and 28, 7:30 and 9 p.m. guests can venture through a dark, silent museum flashlight tour to visit some of the creepiest artifacts in the collection. On this guided tour, staff will point out collection items on display while discussing the Indiana folklore relating to the items. The evening begins with tales about paranormal investigations at Hoosier historic sites and learning about collection items with unique pasts. Tickets are going fast. All tickets must be purchased in advance online at indianamuseum.org. No walk-up tickets will be sold. This program is recommended for ages 15 and older.

And so do off-roading trails…

LINTON — Dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, four-wheel drives and other off-road vehicles are invited to attend the night ride that begins at dawn Oct. 24 and goes through dusk Oct. 25 at Redbird State Recreation Area, about 90 miles southwest of Indianapolis at 15298 West County Road 350N in Linton. Participation in the night ride is $25 per vehicle and is open to dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides, 4 x 4s and other off-road vehicles. For more information, call 812-847-0146.

Conner Prairie Corn Maze Honors 200th Anniversary of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

FISHERS — In addition to the annual ride of the Headless Horseman, fun at Conner Prairie includes an award-winning corn maze that honors the 200th anniversary of the classic ghost story, Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” During the day, families can enjoy the 22,160-foot corn maze in the shape of the Headless Horseman. But on select nights, the maze — named one of the 10 best in the nation by USA Today in 2019 — transforms into a scare-filled haunt from sunset to 10 p.m. This year’s design depicts a sword-wielding headless rider leaping out of an open book, surrounded by bats in flight and features three different adventure paths: the Puzzle Maze; the Kids’ Maze; and the Haunted Maze where explorers should prepare to be scared. For information on admission and hours of operation visit connerprairie.org/explore/things-to-do/corn-maze/.