Halloween

15 Family Friendly Spooky Places in New York State

September 26, 2018 By Ann Leave a Comment

Halloween is a spooktacular time of year! Ghosts and goblins abound everywhere – and most especially in New York State. Spooky and fun family attractions your entire clan will love abound in this great state, so I have gotten together a list of my favorite 15 Family Friendly Spooky Places in NYS for you to visit and explore. Have a haunting good time.

15 Family Friendly Spooky Places in New York State

Halloween season is fast approaching. As summer gives way to cooler temps, leaves abandon their trees and stories of ghouls and goblins patrolling the night are being told over apple cider and hot cocoa. If you are the mood for spooky Halloween sites but do not want to frighten your own little ghouls and goblins too much, here are some suggestions for Family Friendly Spooky Places in New York State!

New York State is one spooky place! Stories abound of ghouls and ghost at Indian burial sights, haunted mansions, and early colonial spirits. Some stories are of mere hauntings, while other specter sightings are much more elaborate. This list includes those places that are spooky but may still be appropriate for children. Please use your best discretion as to what level of fright you believe that your children will be to handle – and not have nightmares.

Whether it is Halloween-themed pumpkin decorations, haunted walks or train rides, New York offers a variety of activities and attractions for families to celebrate a friendly and safe Halloween season. Stay warm and have fun trick or treating!

• Beardslee Manor & Castle – 123 Old State Rd, Little Falls, NY
Another beautifully restored home that is now a restaurant, Beardsley Manor hosts weddings and receptions – and maybe a few ghosts as well. During the 1700’s, the home served as the storage depot for munitions. Stories are told of some Native American warriors who broke into the home who set off the munitions with the flames from their torches. Their spirits are now seen wandering through the dining and ballrooms. There also have been numerous reports of rainbow colored and bright lights showing up at various places on the estate where there is no reason for those to occur. More spirits wandering perhaps?

• Explore & More’s Not So Scary Halloween Spooktacular – Buffalo area
Dress your little ghosts and goblins in their favorite costumer and head to Buffalo’s Explore & More Children’s Museum for the Not So Scary Spooktacular Oct. 28. The two-hour event (noon-2 p.m.) features indoor trick or treating, games, and activities.
300 Gleed Ave, East Aurora, NY 14052

• Ghosts of NYC Walking Tours – New York, New York
There are a multitude of places that are haunted or having spooky connotations in New York City. The best way to see them is on a walking tour. Each tour covers less than a mile of walking and takes about 90 minutes. There are ghost tours, tours celebrating Edgar Allen Poe and even George Washington.

• Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze – Croton-On-Hudson
You may not see the Headless Horseman, but you’ll encounter lots of carved pumpkin faces at the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. Located an hour’s drive north of New York City, the Hudson Valley is home to about 7,000 decorated jack-o-lanterns waiting to entertain your family. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze invites your family to tour the pumpkins, including light shows choreographed to music. Pumpkins feature a variety of displays, each designed to entertain visitors. The event runs nightly Oct. 4-31, after opening the weekend of Sept. 28. It also four weekend dates in November. An added bonus – children three and younger get in for free.

• Grimsley’s Gorge Haunted Walk – Oswego
Prepare for a chillingly good time for the entire family as Grimsley’s Gorge hosts its annual Haunted Walk Oct. 26-28. While older kids and adults may enjoy a walk in the darkness, unaware of the fear waiting to envelop them, younger children are encouraged to visit during the day, when monster-less paths can be safely followed.
376 SW 8th St, Oswego, New York 13126

• Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses – Ulster Park, New York
There are all kinds of opportunities for scary family fun here. There is a mile long hay stack ride and six separate haunted houses. There is also a corn maze and a walk through adventure! There is elaborate staging in each house and there is a story to follow for each one as well.

• Kingsbury Cemetery Haunted House
Galleria of Shops, 100 Victory Highway, Painted Post, New York – The theme for this haunted house changes from year to year. This Haunted House is not recommended for children under 12, although they will not deny entry to younger children. Special “not so scary” Sunday Kids Matinee event.

• Monster Mash and Bash New York State Museum, Cultural Education Center 260 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY
2-4 p.m. 4th Floor Terrace, Free
Join the New York State Museum for the new Halloween Spooktacular filled with tricks and treats for everyone! This event will feature crafts, games, dancing, story-telling, and spooky science. Costumes are encouraged—we will have a children’s costume parade at 3 pm. A special appearance by Pumpkin Head will add fun and excitement to the festivities! Come out for a Spooktacular time!

• The Old Bermuda Inn – 301 Veterans Rd West, Staten Island, New York
This is an old house that has been renovated to house a restaurant. The house is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young woman. She has been seen walking through the dining room and walking up the staircase in the main entry. Those eating have reported feeling cold breezes and pressure on their arms and shoulders.

• Old Fort Niagara – Youngstown, NY
Old Fort Niagara is famous for its many ghost stories. Encounter them firsthand as you take our Lanterns and Lore Ghost Tour. Walk the dark rooms and corridors of the French Castle and other buildings illuminated only by lantern light and hear about the headless ghost, the spectral count and the hobgoblin. Discover other more recent unexplained phenomena such as phantom soldiers and ghostly orbs.
Groups leave at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 per person and must be purchased in advance by calling (716) 745-7611. Group size is limited. Tickets go on sale September 4. There will be no tickets available at the door.

• Spook Hill Newell Road, Middlesex, NY
Starting this list off with a place called “spooky hill” seems fitting. Legend has it that if you put your car in neutral at a certain spot on Newell Road in Middlesex, Native American spirits will push your car back up the hill. Drive to the top of the big hill, sit and be spooked as your car rolls backward up the hill! Here are the exact coordinates.
Note: beware as oncoming traffic will not see you.

• Smith-Ely Mansion – 39 W. Genesee St, Clyde, New York – This house has been converted into a bed and breakfast, but it is said to have multiple ghosts. The spirits of many of the former residents have been seen by locals and visitors alike. During renovations, there were so many people who stopped by to tell their stories of hauntings that one worker declined to work on the project any longer.

• Trick or Treat Train Rides – Rochester
All aboard! Ride the rails for some Halloween fun with the Rochester & Genessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Trick or Treat Train Rides Oct. 27. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumes as they participate in trick or treating among the museum’s attractions. Ride tickets can be purchased for trips between and 2-7 p.m. Train tickets also allow time to tour the museum’s displays. Families can enjoy complimentary apple cider and cookies during the event.

• USS Sullivans Canalside, Buffalo, New York – Five brothers of the U.S. family, the Sullivans, were stationed on the USS Juneau during WWII. The ship was sunk and all five brothers died. To honor the family’s service, the Navy commissioned the building of the USS Sullivans. It was eventually retired and brought to Buffalo for its permanent home. George Sullivan is said to wander the decks looking for his lost brothers who were below deck when they were all killed.

• ZooBoo at Seneca Park Zoo – Rochester
Creatures that go bump in the light of day will haunt Seneca Park Zoo during ZooBoo weekends in October. Young visitors are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes and participate in the costume contests Oct. 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28. Visitors can meet zoo staffers wearing their favorite costumes, as well as participate in Halloween-themed games, crafts, and activities, including face painting. Tour the conservation graveyard during your visit. Participants can also take part in animal enrichment programs. ZooBoo tickets ($6.50) are in addition to the regular zoo admission for people participating in the activities. While children under two get into the zoo for free, they will need a ZooBoo ticket if parents are going to have them participate in the activities.
2222 St. Paul Street Rochester, NY 14621

• Looking for more spooktacular places to go in New York State? Here my list of Top 10 Spooky Places to Visit in New York State. Be warned, they are not for the faint of heart, and most likely not for young children.

• For more spooktacular spots to visit in New York State, check out the haunted history trail!

• 101 Non Candy Halloween Treat Ideas –
Need alternatives to candy this Halloween for school or house parties or to hand out to trick or treaters? This list of 101 Non-Candy Halloween Treat Ideas has something for everyone.

• Disclosure: the links in this post may be affiliate links.

• For more Halloween posts on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

• For more Travel posts on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

• If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for the Ann’s Entitled Life weekly newsletter, and never miss another article!

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Filed Under: Halloween, Holidays, NewYork, Travel

Easy Halloween S’mores Recipe

October 4, 2017 By Ann 4 Comments

Easy Halloween S’mores Recipe

You do not need a campfire to get the great taste of S’mores. Make these delicious Halloween S’mores in your kitchen in about 10 minutes. Great for parties and snacks, these cute Halloween s’mores are a simple sweet treat adults and children will love!

These are one of the easiest treats you can make!! And they taste great.

The etymology of an s’mores suggests it is a contraction of “some more” as in “give me some more of that delicious chocolate-marshmallow-campfire-goodness!!”

Notes:

• These are jumbo marshmallows. The larger the marshmallow, the more difficult it is to work with, so keep that in mind. These take several bites to eat. You can use large marshmallows instead for a quick one-bite treat!

• While we used Mini Reese’s Cups, Tootsie Rolls, and Hershey Kisses for toppers (the kisses worked, and looked the best!), you do not “need” a candy topper.

• These are whole, jumbo marshmallows. They will burn quickly. Pay attention when you brûlée as you will probably need to blow out a fire.

• If you are not sure how fast the candy melts in your local grocery store turnover, but some Wilton chocolates. They are a great consistency and generally easier to work with.

• You do not have to purchase colored chocolate melts. You can buy white chocolate and color the chocolate with coloring.

• When working with chocolate, try and dip the darker color first, then a lighter color.

• If you have too much chocolate from your orange base and it forms a puddle, no worries. Allow it to dry and break off the overflow. No one will notice as you are dipping in yellow chocolate which will cover it.

• You can dip in your Graham cracker crumbs on just the bottom if you like. We went higher on this one.

• You do not have to do black-purple-orange. You can do black alone, black-purple, black-orange, purple-orange, black-green – whatever color combo you like! Some of these are three colors, some are two, and some are one color.

• You can use a fork inserted into the marshmallow to dip in chocolate or your fingers.

• Remember to allow the chocolate to dry, so you do not make finger prints in the chocolate.

• These are so stinking cute it isn’t funny. These photos truly do not do them justice. Make them; you will be glad you did!

Easy Halloween S’mores Ingredients:

• 24 Jumbo Marshmallows
• 1 cup Black Melting Chocolate
• 1 cup Purple Melting Chocolate
• 1 cup Orange Melting Chocolate
• ¾ cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 24 Hershey Kisses, Tootsie Rolls, or Mini Reese’s Cups (optional)

Easy Halloween S’mores Mise en Place:

• Measuring Cup
• 2 Bowls
• Butane
• Culinary Torch
• Wax Paper
• Spoons
• Fork

Easy Halloween S’mores Directions:

• Place a piece of waxed paper down near your work area.
• Place Graham cracker crumbs in a bowl. Set aside.
• Place a cup of black chocolate melts into a bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Heat in microwave for another 30 seconds; stir. Repeat a third time. Check the consistency of your chocolate. If smooth, do not heat further. If it still does not stir and drips smoothly heat one more time.
• Place a marshmallow on a fork.
• Dip the marshmallow into the black colored chocolate two-thirds the way up the marshmallow.
• Place on wax paper. Allow to dry.
• Place a cup of purple chocolate melts into a bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Heat in microwave for another 30 seconds; stir. Repeat a third time. Check the consistency of your chocolate. If smooth, do not heat further. If it still does not stir and drips smoothly heat one more time.
• Place a black chocolate covered marshmallow on a fork. If any excess puddles of chocolate dried at the base of the marshmallow, pinch them off.
• Place the black chocolate covered marshmallow into the purple colored chocolate. Dip approximately one-half the way up the purple chocolate.

• Place on wax paper. Allow to dry.

• Place a cup of orange chocolate melts into a bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Heat in microwave for another 30 seconds; stir. Repeat a third time. Check the consistency of your chocolate. If smooth, do not heat further. If it still does not stir and drips smoothly heat one more time.
• Place a black and purple chocolate covered marshmallow on a fork. If any excess puddles of chocolate dried at the base of the marshmallow, pinch them off.
• Place the black and purple chocolate covered marshmallow into the orange colored chocolate. Dip approximately one-third of the way up the orange chocolate.
• Immediately dip the wet orange chocolate covered bottom of the marshmallow into the Graham crackers.

• Set on wax paper to dry.

• Fire up your culinary torch.
• Quickly brûlée the top of your marshmallow. Try not to light them on fire! (Always use caution when working with an open flame.) If you do, blow out the flame immediately.

• If you are adding a candy tops to the Halloween s’mores, now is the time. Dip the bottom of the candy into melted chocolate, place on top of a Halloween s’more.

• Drizzle with melted colored chocolate.

• Allow Halloween s’mores to dry completely.

• Serve

Easy Halloween S’mores Recipe
By Ann
You do not need a campfire to get the great taste of S’mores. Make these delicious Halloween S’mores in your kitchen in about 10 minutes. Great for parties and snacks, these cute Halloween s’mores are a simple sweet treat adults and children will love!

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

Directions:

• Place a piece of waxed paper down near your work area.
• Place Graham cracker crumbs in a bowl. Set aside.
• Place a cup of black chocolate melts into a bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Heat in microwave for another 30 seconds; stir. Repeat a third time. Check the consistency of your chocolate. If smooth, do not heat further. If it still does not stir and drips smoothly heat one more time.
• Place a marshmallow on a fork.
• Dip the marshmallow into the black colored chocolate two-thirds the way up the marshmallow.
• Place on wax paper. Allow to dry.
• Place a cup of purple chocolate melts into a bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Heat in microwave for another 30 seconds; stir. Repeat a third time. Check the consistency of your chocolate. If smooth, do not heat further. If it still does not stir and drips smoothly heat one more time.
• Place a black chocolate covered marshmallow on a fork. If any excess puddles of chocolate dried at the base of the marshmallow, pinch them off.
• Place the black chocolate covered marshmallow into the purple colored chocolate. Dip approximately one-half the way up the purple chocolate.
• Place on wax paper. Allow to dry.
• Place a cup of orange chocolate melts into a bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Heat in microwave for another 30 seconds; stir. Repeat a third time. Check the consistency of your chocolate. If smooth, do not heat further. If it still does not stir and drips smoothly heat one more time.
• Place a black and purple chocolate covered marshmallow on a fork. If any excess puddles of chocolate dried at the base of the marshmallow, pinch them off.
• Place the black and purple chocolate covered marshmallow into the orange colored chocolate. Dip approximately one-third of the way up the orange chocolate.
• Immediately dip the wet orange chocolate covered bottom of the marshmallow into the Graham crackers.
• Set on wax paper to dry.
• Fire up your culinary torch.
• Quickly brûlée the top of your marshmallow. Try not to light them on fire! (Always use caution when working with an open flame.) If you do, blow out the flame immediately.
• If you are adding a candy tops to the Halloween s’mores, now is the time. Dip the bottom of the candy into melted chocolate, place on top of a Halloween s’more.
• Drizzle with melted colored chocolate.
• Allow Halloween s’mores to dry completely.

Makes 24 Easy Halloween S’mores

• Disclosure the links in this post may be affiliate links.

• For more Recipes on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.

• If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for the Ann’s Entitled Life weekly newsletter, and never miss another article!

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Filed Under: Desserts, Halloween, Holiday Cookies and Sweets, Holidays, Recipes

Halloween Haunted House

September 14, 2017 By Ann Leave a Comment

Your craft will really pop when you use these easy step-by-step haunted house directions! Just ten minutes of your time will upgrade your foam Halloween houses with these ideas.

These start with a foam house base. It is pretty cute without doing anything to it… but 10 minutes of your time REALLY make a difference in this craft. These Halloween Haunted Houses are great for table decor, a centerpiece or on top of your mantel.

Halloween Haunted House

Halloween Haunted House Materials:

Note: except for the foam structure, everything else is “if you want it.” This is a highly personal crafting upgrade, so do what you like!

• 3D Foam Structure – I used this one and the tricks treats one. There are others you can choose from click here or click here.
• Glitter Branches
• Glow in the Dark Spider Web
• Googly Eyes
• PomPoms
• Pipe Cleaners
• Fiber Fill
• Glue Gun
• Hot Glue Sticks
• Scissors

Halloween Haunted House Ideas:

• Assemble according to box directions, do not discard the scraps. The box directions do not tell you to secure with glue. If you want to save this craft from year-to-year, be certain to hot glue the pieces in place.

• Measure the glitter branch against the height of your foam house. You may have to poke a hole into the foam where you want to place the glitter branch.
• Place a dab of hot glue over the hole.
• Glue a branch (or two or three) around your house.
• Place a scrap of foam on one side of the branch, and a second piece of foam on the other side (to form a branch-sandwich). Glue the small foam piece in place. This will support the glitter branch.

• If your foam house has a chimney, place some fiber fill in the chimney to simulate smoke.

• Line the edges of your house (or doorways and/or windows) with spider webs!
• Hot glue the spider web(s) in place.
• Place a bit of webbing on your glitter trees and hot glue in place.

• Add a few pompoms for color.
• Add a few ghosts for atmosphere!

• Any hot glue lines should be left in place. Hot glue strings on a “spooky” Halloween craft are never a bad thing.

• If you have scraps that show eyes, place another colored scrap behind it and then adhere it to the house (the house has eyes!).

• This is the “before.”

• This is the “after.”

• Even just a few small steps to personalize these cute little foam houses go a long way! I kept these crafts as they are super cute, very lightweight, and so whimsical and different.