Goblins, Ghouls, Ghosts and Goodies!  Halloween festivities and celebrations date back to 1700s.  Apple bobbing, dressing in disguise, carving jack-o-lanterns, lighting bonfires are just a few of the many things we like to partake in.  Halloween has transformed through the years from dressing up in costume to ward off ghosts to now dressing in costume to get all the candy!
We’ve compiled a list of 5 things to do this Halloween season, both family friendly for those looking to get the candy corn spooked out of them.

Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch
Dress the kids up in their Halloween smocks, costumes or fall best.  Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch is the perfect back drop for those Fall themed post cards!  There’s TONS to do at the pumpkin patch.  Mrs. Heather does story time and educates our little pumpkin pickers on how pumpkins grow, the thrill seekers zip line across the patch and on the weekends,  you can paint your own pumpkin!
Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch is right off Interstate 55 in Hammond, Louisiana.  The pumpkin patch is transformed into a strawberry patch during strawberry season and can always be used as a wedding venue.  Mrs. Heather has something for all walks of life.

The 13th Gate
This haunted house, ranked one of the top in the nation, is not for the faint of heart (nor those who are pregnant, have a weak bladder or are very young).  The name, 13th gate, signifies the 13 different realms that you go through before exiting the haunted house on River Road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Professional actors, make-up artists and dark-minded creators gather every year to make this “way to real to be fake” haunted house come to life.  Literally this haunted house comes to life through its live snake pit and other various characters following you throughout the experience.  If you love to be too terrified to walk, love to experience great acting/make-up, love to watch your friend cry as they are chased around by a crazy clown, then this haunted experience is for you!

Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Audubon Zoo.  The zoo transforms into a spooky paradise, perfect for those ghosts and goblins under the age of 12.  There’s treats, games, inflatables, rides, haunted houses, etc.  So much for you and the kids to enjoy in one place.
A Zombie Train ride and haunted house will take care of the thrill seeker in your group and the non-haunted house and Monster Maze will take care of the less thrill-seeking parties in your group.  Boo at the Zoo offers so much for just a couple nights out of the season.  Be sure to check out their schedule of events and bring your ghosts and goblins for some fun!

Escape Games
Even though they are open year-round, escape game establishments have been popping up all around town.  So, this Halloween season, give one a shot.  If you like it, great news, they are open ALL YEAR!
It starts by choosing a backdrop.  Choose your story and your location and enter your room.  You are locked in this room.  The goal is to answer a series of questions and solved a series of puzzles in order to free yourself from the room. This is a GREAT team building exercise or just a great excuse to hang out with your family and/or friends.  We’ve listed some of our favorites below:

Rise Escape Rooms (right outside Hammond, Louisiana)

Escapology (Covington, Louisiana)

​Clue Carre’ (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Trickin’ and Treatin’ at the Covington Trailhead 
Happening the Saturday before Halloween, October 28th, Trickin’ and Treatin’ is the perfect time to dress the kids up and stock them up on candy.  There’s face painting, pumpkin decorating, gaming and crafting AND rumor has it that there will be a “Wildlife Express” ride thanks to the Audubon Nature Institute.
While we feel these hit all the categories you’re looking to fulfill this Halloween season, we know there are a ton of other activities and events going on all around us this season.  Several schools host “trunk or treats.”  Reach out to your local schools and/or churches to get the schedule(s) on these.  Many of your neighbors may host Halloween parties, costume contests, or even haunted houses!
AFTER Halloween passes, round up your kids and their candy.  Some local dentists are offering “candy buy back” programs.  Dentists will pay children for their candy and in an effort to help our troops overseas.  Check out this one dentist in Mandeville, Louisiana that is paying children $1 per pound of candy.
In closing, we hope you all have a spooky and safe Halloween!