Spooky Halloween Happenings Over the Connecticut Shoreline

Whether you are looking for a scary ride, a haunted house, a pumpkin patch, or even a scary story, there are several events going on along the Connecticut shoreline this special Halloween season.

From Stamford, a city near the Connecticut and New York border, to Mystic, a town near the Connecticut and Rhode Island border, several spooky attractions are conveniently located off Interstate 95.

These attractions and many more are highlighted on the Visit New England web site.

Fright Haven

For the scariest the region has to offer, one only has to travel to 480 Saw Mill Road in West Haven, across from Wal-Mart and located near exit 42 of Interstate 95.

The building used to house Staples Office Superstore but there is something much scarier than office supplies this Halloween season.

Three different haunted houses scare those who dare to enter them at this 25,000-square-foot attraction called Fright Haven.

The first house is Dead End Manor; a Victorian mansion infested with cannibalistic vampires paying tribute to the legend of Dudleyville, Connecticut and the story of the infamous masquerade party where town residents attended and were never seen again.

The second stop on the tour is the Frightmare Fear Institute: Achluophobia, the pitch black haunt exploring people's fear of the unknown lurking in the darkness.
The final stop on the tour is a Carnival of Evil in 3-D featuring the scariest clowns you will ever encounter. This stop pays tribute to Savin Rock Park, Palisades Park, Freedomland, Paragon Park, and what's left of Coney Island and all the amusement parks tore down over the years.

Fright Haven is open Oct. 3-4, and Oct. 30 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Oct 5, 12, 16, 19, 23, and 26 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Oct. 10-11, Oct. 17-18, Oct. 24-25, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Midnight, and Oct. 28-29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Oct. 28 and 29 are college nights, Oct. 30 is pre-Halloween night, and Oct. 31 is Halloween night and prizes will also be awarded on all four nights to those dressed in costume and wearing make-up.

On Nov. 1, a 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. matinee will be held featuring a family fun day and kids will be welcome to a "lights on" party while from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Midnight, those who are older and have plenty of courage can enjoy the last night of terror.

Tickets are $10 for each haunted house on Thursdays and Sundays only, $20 for all three attractions, and $35 for V.I.P. front-of-the-line service plus a free t-shirt.

Proceeds from the event benefit the United Way of Greater New Haven.

For more information call 203-795-4737.

Halloween Haunted Hayride

Another frightful treat can be found in Old Saybrook where visitors can go on a haunted hayride through the scary woods of this shoreline town.

For more than 40 minutes, visitors will see a world filled with ghosts, goblins, and ghouls as they embark on a possessed tractor-drawn hayride.

Additionally, the journey includes a walk-through haunted house and haunted trail.

The event is made possible through the hard work of the volunteers of the Old Saybrook Fire Department and is held at the Clark Memorial Field (Firemen's Field) at 210 Elm Street.

The field is located off Interstate 95 exit 67.

The event takes place Oct. 16-18 and 23-25 at 7 p.m. and adult tickets are $10.

It is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

More information is available by calling 860-395-5550.

Trick or Treating

For children looking for less scary fare, they should go to the Halloween Trick or Treat being held for those 12 years old and younger at the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets on Killingworth Turnpike in Clinton.

The outlet mall is located off Interstate 95 exit 63.

Participating stores will give out candy on Oct. 31 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

More information is available by calling 860-664-0700.

Jack O' Lantern Spectacular

In Norwalk, visitors can enjoy the Jack O' Lantern Spectacular at the Maritime Center at Norwalk where images of dinosaurs, mermaids, comedians, celebrities, animals, pirates, and politicians are portrayed on pumpkins.

The museum located at 10 North Water Street in Norwalk will feature the event from Oct. 23 to Nov. 2.

The museum is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The aquarium is located off Interstate 95 northbound exit 14 and Interstate 95 southbound exit 15.

For more information call 203-852-0700.

"Halloween High School" Musical

A high energy, monster mash family musical will take place from Oct. 11 to Nov. 12 presented by the Downtown Cabaret Theatre's Children's Company at the Downtown Cabaret at 263 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport.

The musical "Halloween High School" will be performed Oct. 11-12, Oct. 18-19, and Oct. 26 at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. while on Oct. 21-23 shows take place at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Three shows will take place on Oct. 25 at 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased online or by visiting the theatre box office.

The cabaret is located off Interstate 95 exit 27A, the Route 25/8 connector.

For more information call 203-576-1634.

Graveyard Express and Pumpkin Patch

The Graveyard Express will be featured this Halloween season at the Shore Line Trolley Museum at 17 River Street in East Haven.

The rides take place Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. with a cost of $10 per person and $8 for those in costume.

The museum is also hosting a pumpkin patch event on Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. where children can select a pumpkin to decorate.

Adult tickets will be $8 for that event while children tickets are $5 and senior tickets are $6.

The museum is located off Interstate 95 South Exit 52 and Interstate 95 North Exit 51.

For more information call 203-467-6927.

Ghosts, Goblins, and Gargoyles

Ghosts, goblins, and gargoyles will await those visiting the Henry Whitfield State Museum at 248 Old Whitfield Street in Guilford.

It is conveniently located off exit 58 of Interstate 95.

Secrets behind the stone walls of the Old Stone House, other scary stories, and scavenger hunts await visitors on Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Adult tickets are $4 while senior tickets are $3, and children between the ages of 2 and 17 will be charged $2.50.

For more information, call 203-453-2457 or visit the Culture and Tourism Web site.

Don't forget to visit Mystic where visitors can get into the Halloween mood through two scheduled events.

Nautical Nightmares

"Nautical Nightmares" takes place from Oct. 17 to Nov. 1 and includes historic ghost tales, legends, and unsolved mysteries where visitors can tour a haunted
coastal village.

The event takes place at Mystic Seaport, located at 75 Greenmanville Ave. (Route 27) with tours beginning at 6 p.m. each day except Oct. 31 when tours begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for adults are $19 while tickets for children ages 4 through 18 are $17.

The seaport is located off exit 90 of Interstate 95.

For more information, call 888-973-2767.

Spooky Nature Trail

Last but certainly not least is the Spooky Nature Trail taking place at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.

Visitors can explore spooky trails and enjoy crafts, treats, and visit the animals on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The nature center is located at 109 Pequotsepos Road in Mystic and is off exit 90 of Interstate 95.

For more information, call 860-536-1216.