Scary Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Chills and Thrills 2025

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Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are teeming with top-of-the-line haunted houses and scream parks, many boasting Hollywood-quality makeup and special effects. If you have teens keen on a thrilling screamfest this Halloween, look no further. 

Read on for our list of the top haunted houses and scream parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Some of these are returning favorites that have been recognized as the top haunted houses in the country, such as Pure Terror Scream Park in Monroe. Others can even boast of being held in historic haunted locations, like the Dark Forest at Burn Brae Mansion in Glen Spey.  

Find more great Halloween activities in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide. 

Trunk-or-Treats on Long Island for Kids to Collect Candy 2025

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Take your costumes for a test drive at the family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat at Hauppauge Library. Photo courtesy of the library

Trunk-or-treats offer Long Island kids a safer alternative to trick-or-treating. Instead of wandering door to door, young trick-or-treaters can load up their Halloween bags with candy from decorated cars.

These trunk-or-treats—many of which are FREE—take place in parking lots or parks. They sometimes include parades, costume contests, and other Halloween activities. Another bonus for sugar-crazed kids: Many take place before Halloween. That means double the loot if you plan right!

For more boo-tiful Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Guide for Long Island Families. 

Must-See Jack-o'-Lantern Displays and Pumpkin Festivals in New Jersey 2025

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The Jack-o’-Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium features more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Skylands Stadium

Kick off the festive fall season at one of the many wonderful pumpkin-themed events and festivals happening around New Jersey, from elaborate jack-o'-lantern displays, like Jacks & Lights at Argos Farm, to pumpkin decorating at events like Thompson Park Day. There's also plenty of fun to be had at pumpkin-picking farms.

Read on for our top picks, plus a couple of bonus events worth a drive across state lines. You can find our guide to pumpkin picking in New Jersey and even more seasonal events in our Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

Creepy and Cool Teen-Approved Halloween Events in NYC

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Blood Manor isn't for the faint of heart—or those under age 14—as it serves up some serious scares. Photo courtesy of Union Square Advertising

Halloween in NYC is just as much fun for teens as it is for little ones. While teens may no longer go trick-or-treating, they still want to hit the streets and celebrate with their friends. Many of our favorite kid-friendly Halloween activities don't appeal to teens, but that doesn't mean there aren't Halloween activities and events in NYC for teens.

We've rounded up the best Halloween events in New York City for teens to help them plan their spooky night. From Halloween-related performances to the world-famous Village Halloween Parade and blood-curdling haunted houses, teens have a lot of options when it comes to Halloween in New York City.

Read on for our teen-approved picks for a ghoulish Halloween in NYC. To give your teens more ideas on how to spend a night out in NYC, check out our recent piece on the best after-dark teen activities in NYC and our entire NYC Teens Guide to Fun Things To Do.

The Ultimate Guide to Minneapolis, MN with Kids: 38 Top Things To Do You Can't Miss

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Let kids' imaginations run wild at the Minnesota Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

There are so many fun things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul, making the Twin Cities the perfect midwestern family getaway. From the famous Mall of America (there's an indoor amusement park!) to thousands (seriously, thousands) of lakes to explore, you're guaranteed to find kid activities to entertain everyone in your family.

Seasons are for real in Minneapolis and St. Paul, leading to glorious landscapes in the fall and spring, when families flock to the area's outdoor offerings. And when the "Mini Apple" becomes a frozen tundra (in, say, January and February), there are plenty of fun things to do in Minneapolis indoors, as well as those lakes to skate on in the open air. 

The Twin Cities offer the best of both worlds, where big-city energy meets scenic landscapes and nature. Families chasing outdoor excursions can kayak on the Mississippi and bike on miles of winding trails, while those craving culture can take their pick of world-class museums and restaurants. And they don't call it "Minnesota nice" for nothing—you won't find a warmer population of people, despite those wintertime subzero temps! 

Plan your midwestern getaway with our list of things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul with kids. For more family vacation ideas in this part of the US, check out our Midwest Family Travel Guide.

3-Day Itinerary in St. Kitts with Kids for Your Perfect Family Caribbean Getaway

Elsa Simcik's picture Submitted by Elsa Simcik on

Your family and followers will know exactly where you're vacationing when you send them a pic at the St. Kitts sign at the Timothy Hill Overlook.

St. Kitts may only be a 69-square-mile island in the Caribbean, but it packs in a ton of family fun. I know this firsthand: I recently visited St. Kitts with my teenage son, and we did more in three days than we have ever done on other Caribbean vacations. St. Kitts is an ideal destination for travelers of all ages, offering a mix of outdoor adventure (hello, zip-lining through the rainforest!), picturesque beaches, and kid-approved food. 

On our trip, we primarily stuck to St. Kitts, with a quick hop over to its smaller, just-as-beautiful sister island, Nevis.  Read on to see our three-day itinerary for St. Kitts with kids, including my picks for the best family-friendly St. Kitts hotels and restaurants. Now you don't have to plan your vacation or worry about anything, as I tried it all out and have some great tips.

Want more ideas for your next family vacation in St. Kitts? Check out our list of 21 Things to do in St. Kitts with Kids. Our Caribbean Family Travel Guide has even more ideas for tropical adventures.

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