Halloween Activities in Portland, Oregon

Best Kids Event: Outdoor Trick-or-Treating Event in Portland, Oregon
"Howloween" at the Oregon Zoo
October 25 and 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Free with zoo admission

What could be more fun than to trick-or-treat among tigers, monkeys, and elephants? Come check out the Oregon Zoo's newest baby elephant, Samudra, while bringing your children to this fun and unique outdoor event.

Dress up your little trick-or-treaters in their costumes and participate in activity stations and a scavenger hunt. Participants will also receive goody bags.

Don't forget to stop by the elephant exhibit to watch them perform the annual "Squishing of the Squash" on October 24th at 10:00 a.m. This hilarious event will delight your children as they watch these giant creatures smash an enormous pumpkin.

Most Horrifying and Scary Haunted House Event in Portland, Oregon
Frighttown at the Memorial Coliseum
October 4, 5, 10-12, 16-19, 22-31 and November 1
Price: $20 for all ages with a coupon available on the website

Frighttown is billed as one of the scariest Halloween Haunted House events available in Portland. The event contains three bone chilling attractions that are including in the admission price:

Baron Von Goolo's Museum of Horrors - madhouse of humor and horror

Elshoff Manor: The Asylum - medical themed house of horror

The Chop Shop - thrill ride

Due to the intense graphic nature of this attraction, young children should not attend. In fact, you may have trouble sleeping once you have experienced the delicious freakiness of this event.

The website contains in-depth information of the history of each attraction, a photo gallery, and information on how you can become a monster in one of the attractions.

Most Realistic and Bone Chilling Group Halloween Event in Portland, Oregon
The Portland Underground Shanghai Tunnel Ghost Tours
Meets at Hobo's Restaurant at 120 N.W. Third Avenue
See website to set-up a tour
Cost: $13 for adults and $8 for children under 12

For a truly remarkable and frightening look into Portland's history, consider scheduling a tour of Portland's infamous underground tunnels. These tunnels were developed to kidnap men (and sometimes) women, forcibly hold them in cells, and then sell them to work aboard ships for no pay.

Ask for the ghost tour during Halloween to really give yourself a fright. Tour participants have been known to see and hear ghosts on the tour. You'll get an eerie feeling that will haunt you for days on this tour while learning about a less savory aspect of Portland's past.

Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and pants on this tour. You may get dirty. Not recommended for young children.

Enjoy dinner and wine at Hobo's Restaurant prior to your tour for a delightful evening with friends. Don't forget your camera: you never know when you'll bump into a ghost in the Shanghai Tunnels!

Best Corn Maze and Pumpkin Hunting in Portland Oregon
The Pumpkin Patch at Sauvie's Island
Hayrides into the pumpkin fields weekends in October from 10 a.m. and noon on Monday-Friday
Cost: Varies: hayrides are free, fees for produce, fees for the Haunted Field of Screams

The Pumpkin Patch has hosted generations of pumpkin pickers and has grown in size to support the Halloween season. This field has the best annual corn maze in the entire Portland area. During the day, the corn maze is a great activity for children. Let your kids enjoy the maze before picking pumpkins so that you don't have to carry them around all day!

In the evening, the maze is transformed into the Haunted Field of Screams. This event is offered every weekend night (Friday through Sunday) throughout October from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Admission is available for just the maize or the Haunted Field of Screams or for a combo ticket. Prices range from Free to kids 5 and under to $15 for adults for a combo ticket. See the website for a complete price listing and a coupon.

You'll find many kid-friendly activities to do at the Pumpkin Patch this year including: hayrides, a cow train ride, a giant slide, a hay pyramid, an animal barn, a farmer's market, a cafe, and a gift shop.

Dogs are welcome at the Pumpkin Patch!! Woof!

Best Outdoor Halloween Haunted Trail for All Ages
The Halloween Fantasy Trail at Wenzel Farm
October 1-31 except October 5; 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Cost: $4 adults and $3.50 for kids aged 12 and under

This is a fun family-friendly Halloween event that can help you to introduce your kids (gently) to the fun and scary side of the holiday. Participants walk through a Halloween Fantasy Trail set deep in the woods.

Take smaller children to visit during the day. Older children may like to visit this haunted trail at night to see trail lit up. The trail contains a 40 foot castle set with various Halloween scenes. The trail also includes a tunnel, a maze, a crooked house, and a suspension bridge.

The farm also has a pumpkin patch and refreshments available for visitors.

Wenzel Farm and the Halloween Fantasy Trail are located in Oregon City on South Ridge Road. Directions are available on the website.

Sources:
The Oregon Zoo
Frighttown
Shanghai Tunnels
The Pumpkin Patch
Wenzel Farm