They are out there...old, colonial places, historic farmhouses, buildings that have seen a lot: the 'real' haunted houses of Connecticut. No plastic skeletons jumping out of the corner, no fake blood pouring down the wall - just eerie stories about weird noises, strange events and sightings of surreal things. Read on to find out about Connecticut's most famous haunted houses. Several are museums, inns or restaurants today, favored and visited by people as much for their exhibits, comfort and food as for their spooky reputation. Many organize special Halloween events during October to lure their ghosts out of hiding for a special trick and treat for visitors.

This craft is sponsored by Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

Families come in all shapes and sizes. A new picture book, Little Elliot, Big Family, tells the story of a small elephant who finds a family of his own in the big city. We travel with Little Elliot and his friend Mouse through 1940s NYC, visiting favorite landmarks.

This charming tale inspired us to celebrate our own family with a special picture frame craft. This easy project is a picture perfect way to save cherished family memories.

Half a century ago on Halloween, the ocean liner Queen Mary made her last luxurious journey across the Atlantic, then set off the long way around to the Pacific (she was too wide for the Panama Canal) and docked in her permanent resting place at the port in Long Beach, California. There she has sat ever since, alternately charming and frightening visitors year-round, a key shape in the Long Beach skyline. She looks pretty, but is there a reason to bring your family on board the Queen Mary for a visit? Is there enough to entertain kids? We spent an afternoon on board so that we could know what we're talking about when we say absolutely, yes.

Before it's time to hibernate for the winter, find some time to enjoy the perfect running weather this October in Connecticut. Family friendly fun runs are a great way to get the entire family involved in a little bit of physical activity. No matter what your skill level, there is a little something for everyone around Fairfield County this month.   

What’s one of the best parts of apple picking in the Lower Hudson Valley? Apple cider doughnuts. Whether you like them cakey or fluffy, sugary or plain, we dare you to find a better seasonal treat than a warm cider doughnut directly out of the fryer. We’re not sure there’s such a thing as a bad cider doughnut, but we’ve selected some of our extra-special favorites in the area. Be sure to check out our choices for the best places for fruit picking in Westchester and in Orange and Dutchess, as well as our Fall Festival Guide!

The Staten Island Museum recently opened a second location, adding to its existing space in St. George, and it's just minutes from the Staten Island Ferry terminal, making it a great destination for NYC families from other boroughs.

The new museum nestled in the island's beautiful Snug Harbor Cultural Center isn't a kids' museum per se, but we found plenty there to engage the four boys, ranging in age from 3 to 14, who tagged along with mom. Plus, kids under 12 are admitted for FREE!

Pumpkins, painting, and um, poop, are some of the highlights of this first-full-week-of-October's activities. Have pumpkin-filled fun at South Jersey Pumpkin Show and Read & Pick: Pumpkins. Kids can paint their own masterpieces at Be Craftful’s Kids Only Paint Party. Plus, young scientists will learn all about forest creatures at Pyramid Mountain’s The Scoop on Poop. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

There are all sorts of things you can do with this first week in October, and surprisingly it's not all about Halloween. If you're on your first kid, the subject of preschool likely looms large. Westsiders will want to attend Monday’s Preschool Admissions Panel where representatives of six local preschools will discuss their individual programs and philosophies. If you attended the Preschool 101 workshop, this is a great follow up. If you didn’t make it, more are scheduled later in the month.

As always, the first week of a month means lots of free admissions and two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) of LEGO giveaways. The Natural History Museum, Kidspace in Pasadena, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, and Orange County Museum of Art all offer free admission days this week. Of course my new favorite museum, The Broad, is always free; but it might be best to wait for the crowds to die down before attempting that hot spot with kids.

We often praise the El Capitan Theatre which never disappoints. This week they begin a trilogy of Halloween themed movies starting with Hocus Pocus.

And yes, it is October, and Halloween will be here before you know it. Be sure to check out our Halloween Fun Guide and Daily Events Calendar.