Halloween

When we think Coney Island, we generally picture it in summer. Beaches, hot dogs, roller coasters—it already seems so far off. But fall is actually a wonderful time to visit New York City's most famous beach community, while it’s still pleasant out and the crowds are thinning. The Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium gives us another great reason to go since it transforms into the Ascarium every October in honor of Halloween. This year's edition has a pirate theme, and there are cool activities and Halloween decorations at every turn. Plus plenty of kids dress up in their Halloween best, which adds to the festive atmosphere. Ascarium at the New York Aquarium is a good deal, too: For every full-price general admission adult ticket purchased, one child under age 12 in costume gets in free. But you've got to hurry: This is the very last weekend of Ascarium this season. Missing it would truly be frightening.

Most families host at-home holiday parties in December. But in my house (make that jam-packed two-bedroom apartment), Halloween is when we throw our big annual shindig. Although my Halloween parties have changed over the years from adults-only spooky suppers with deadly cocktails to more family-friendly affairs, the haunted holiday still gets my creative juices flowing. We host a kids' party every year, and my son and his friends always look forward to it—in fact they usually start asking me about it on the first day of school!

While some aspects of our party remain the same from year to year—revelers come in costume (yes even the parents) and candy is handed out—I try to switch up activities so it's never the same celebration twice. In a few weeks, we'll be hosting our seventh annual party, so I have a lot of tips and ideas for families who want to throw their own Halloween party—yes, even in a tiny New York City apartment.