Haunting Halloween Adventures in Baton Rouge, LA for 2010

Halloween is a fun time of the year for those who love to be frightened out of their pants, or just love the holiday for the annual "trick or treat" activities. Many adults love the holiday because it signals a transition into the winter months in the northern states and brings cooler temperatures to the south.

Halloween also means a variety of new things to do in town. Baton Rouge residents have several activities to choose from, in fact you can take part in a different event or two each week leading up to Halloween night.

Here are a few of my favorite Halloween activities that I selected to highlight for you.

The 13^th Gate

The 13^th Gate is a tradition in Baton Rouge, LA and is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until October 31, 2010. The 13^th Gate has been billed as one of the largest and scariest haunted houses in the United States by Haunt World and Haunted Attraction.

The 13^th Gate is housed in a 40,000 square foot building and the haunting take up every bit of the space. The 13^th Gate uses different themes throughout the haunted house. The sets are designed with movie quality materials, which bring a supernatural authenticity to each theme. Many of the actors are professionals who are made up each night by professional make-up artists.

Next year a new attraction will be added across the street from The 13^th Gate. The 13^th Gate Necropolis will consist of a replica of a New Orleans cemetery and cover a 25,000 square foot area. The new event is in celebration of The 13^th Gate's 10^th anniversary.

Walking through The 13^th Gate takes approximately 40 minutes. This attraction is not recommended for small children or anyone with heart conditions. An admission fee is charged.

Boo at the Zoo

The Baton Rouge Zoo will once again be hosting the popular Boo at the Zoo event on October 23-23, 2010 from 9:30 to 4:30 pm. Boo at the Zoo is a fun event, especially for the younger children.

Children should wear their costumes to this event which features treat stations located throughout the zoo, a hay maize, and they can get a picture taken with some of the zoo animals.

Regular admission price to the zoo will get you into Boo at the Zoo.

Cajun Country Corn Maze

The Cajun Country Corn Maze has moved to Pine Grove, LA. It is located on Hwy. 16, approximately five miles from the Bear Creek Steak House. The Cajun Country Corn Maze features a gigantic corn maze that offers haunting throughout the second half of the maze.

After completing the corn maze, you can head on over to the haunted trail. The haunted trail is a new addition to this year's Halloween offerings. Other activities offered at Cajun Country Corn Maze are pig races, cow train rides, pumpkin blaster, duck races, animal alley, singing chicken show, corn cannons, and concession stand.

The Cajun Country Corn Maze opens at dark and is open every weekend in the month of October. The Cajun Country Corn Maze closes at 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday nights and 9:00 pm on Sunday nights.

Admission to the corn maze is $10.00 for ages 12 to adult and $8.00 for children age 4 to ll. All children under the age of 3 are admitted free. Each person will receive a token to be used on other activities at the maze. Season passes are also available. For more information visit www.cornfieldmaze.com or call 1-800-843-9421.

Bluebonnet Swamp Haunted Hike

The Bluebonnet Swamp on Bluebonnet Blvd. in Baton Rouge provides a haunted hike through the swamp on October 22 and 29, 2010 from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. The hike features a walk through the swamp filled with creatures and of course, candy.

Educational stations are also set up along the hike that teaches children about all those "creepy" creatures.

The Bluebonnet Swamp Haunted Hike is an excellent choice for smaller children. Admission fee of $6.00 each is charged. Participants are asked to bring their own flashlights. For more information call the office at 225-757-8905.

AgMaizing Corn Maize

The AgMaizing Corn Maize is a fun adventure for the entire family. The AgMaizing Corn Maize is located in Port Allen, LA and is open every weekend through the month of November from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Fridays. The maize opens on 12:00 noon on both Saturday and Sundays and closes at 10:00 pm.

This year's maize has the word "LOST"cut into the middle of the corn maize. There will be frightful creatures wandering in and out of the maize from 7:00 pm to closing each night.

The AgMaizing Corn Maize also offers a haunted hayride, concession stands and a picnic area. For more information on the AgMaizing Corn Maize visit their website at AgMaizing Corn Maize

Spooky Spectrum at Highland Road Observatory

Spooky Spectrum will be held on October 30, 2010 at 8:00 pm until midnight and is open to all ages. This event caters to those who love freaky and bizarre things in astronomy, physics, and aeronautics.

Spooky Spectrum will include scary stories about disappearances, extraterrestrials, etc., creepy science demonstrations, and more!

Admission to this event is free. More information can be obtained by calling 225-768-9948.

YMCA Third Annual Boo Bash

The YMCA is hosing another Boo Bash this year on Friday, October 29, 2010 at the C.B. Pennington YMCA on Old Hammond Highway in Baton Rouge. The event starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm and features fun for the entire family. The event consists of carnival games, face painting, hayride and of course, a haunted house.

Admission price charged is $5.00 per child. Parents enter free, as well as children age three and under.

The House of Shock

I am including The House of Shock located in New Orleans, LA for those die-hard haunted house fans. The House of Shock is a New Orleans tradition and features a live stage show with live actors, stunts, fire, bands, freak acts, etc.

Sources:

Baton Rouge Zoo

The 13th Gate

Brec's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Boo Bash at YMCA