Whether you're looking to get spooked this Halloween or are searching for a milder thrill, Long Island is home to many haunted houses that are up to the task. We've rounded up the scariest spots delivering Halloween thrills for teens and not-so-spooky events and displays that are suitable for younger kiddos.

If you're looking for something more low-key, there is plenty of Halloween-themed fun at LI pumpkin patches, and we've got tons more seasonal fun in our Long Island Halloween Guide.

There's no shortage of candy stores in New York City, making it a good place to be a kid with a hankering for the sweet stuff. As we approach the king of all candy holidays—Halloween—this list may come in handy. Of course, this list is worth revisiting for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and any time you can't control your sweet tooth or need a sweet treat.

Many of these candy stores in NYC lack seating and bathrooms; instead, they house shelves and aisles overflowing with packages of colorful, cavity-creating treasures. A few offer more modern treats and additions like chocolate-making classes for kids. Read on for our 18 favorite candy stores in all of NYC.

Find more kid-friendly sugar spots, including our favorite destinations for over-the-top desserts in NYC in our NYC Kids' Restaurant Guide.

North Adams, MA, a hub of arts and culture in the Berkshires, is home to one of the largest centers for visual and performing arts in the US—the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). Mass MoCA is a massive, vibrant space where creativity knows no bounds, even for the little ones. Amidst the colossal industrial buildings, there are a ton of activities tailored for children.

Mass MoCA is housed in a renovated factory space, which allows for large and open galleries spread throughout 14 buildings and 250,000 square feet. In addition to the museum, there are several retail spots, restaurants, a coffee shop, and some outdoor art exhibits. You can also grab a picnic table or spread out a blanket on a grassy spot and enjoy the sunshine and mountain views. So wear comfortable shoes, grab a map with your tickets, and plan to spend a day exploring Mass MoCA.

I recently visited Mass MoCA with my 11-year-old daughter and 10-year-old niece, and we all had a blast. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Mass MoCA with kids, plus more family-friendly things to do in North Adams, MA (including great North Adams hotels).

Check out our New England Family Travel Guide for more nearby fun, including our list of 25 things to do in the Berkshires with kids.

Tucked between Midtown and Druid Hills, the historic Virginia-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta offers families a fun day of exploring tasty restaurants, shady parks, and popular community festivals. And unlike some Atlanta neighborhoods, Virginia-Highland, GA offers tons of sidewalks, making it extremely walkable and stroller-friendly.

Check out our list of 35 top places for families to visit in Virginia-Highland and the adjacent neighborhood of Morningside. Both neighborhoods--over 100 years old--exude a strong sense of community as evidenced by many festivals and events. Families enjoy locally-owned hangouts and independent retailers amidst tree-lined streets brimming with historic bungalow homes. 

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, it's not uncommon to see people dressed like ghosts, goblins, and other creepy characters at Halloween events all over the DC area. But if you're looking for a more authentic experience this October—or all year long—why not try a DC ghost tour? These nighttime walking tours take visitors past places that are said to be haunted by the ghosts of presidents, assassins, heroes, and more.

My family recently went on a DC Ghosts ghost tour operated by US Ghost Adventures. It was the perfect activity to kick off Halloween season, and it taught us some interesting DC history. My 12-year-old twin sons and 9-year-old daughter enjoyed the ghost tour as much as my husband and I did, and while the stories were definitely creepy, the tour wasn't overly scary. In fact, there were several other children in our tour group and no one went home crying. Our kids are still talking about how cool it was.

Did we see any ghosts? You'll have to read on to find out! After you do, visit our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for DC Kids for more spooky (and not-so-spooky) ways to celebrate Halloween, from the best pumpkin patches and corn mazes near DC to the top free Halloween events in the DC area.