Best Scary Florida Halloween Events and Haunted Houses 2008

Best Scary Florida Halloween Events and Haunted Houses 2008

Scary Places, FL - During October the wind starts to howl through the trees and somewhere in the distance, bells hung in a church tower mournfully begin to toll… well maybe not. After all this is Florida, but that doesn’t mean Floridians don’t enjoy a cooler October and go all out for Halloween. From the Panhandle to Key West, Florida boasts what many believe are some of the most haunted cities in the nation. Whether you believe or not, Halloween is a perfect time for to find a costume and get ready to Monster Mash, so be sure to get out and get scared at a few of these popular events.

Halloween at Orlando Theme Parks

Central Florida Theme Parks have been scaring visitors for years, some like Disney and SeaWorld have age appropriate celebrations for children of all ages. But teens or adults wont settle for Fairy Princesses, they head to Universal Studios for the best in horrific inspiration.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom - When the Disney characters dress up for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this October, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be debuting a whole new look.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando - For 23 nights this fall, guests will experience the most chilling and psychologically intense Halloween Horror Nights in history. There will be all-new haunted houses, scarezones and shows. View Halloween Horror Nights for more info.

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular - Offering more than 2 million pieces of trick-or-treat sweets, SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular uniquely brings children’s “fantaseas” to life with enchanted pathways and charming sea creatures, providing the utmost in family-friendly trick-or-treating.

More Central Florida Halloween Events

Bludzwurth Casket & Urn Company in Davenport - This Halloween night, dare to visit The Bludzwurth Casket & Urn Company, almost 10,000 square feet of terror! On October 31 7:00-11:00 pm, Encounter a family unlike you’ve ever met before. Doctor Bludzwurth brings you a free haunted walk through where at least 30 live haunters bring the event to life… or some say death. The Bludzwurth’s have had their hands in everything from running the local circus, carnival & freak shows to owning doll and toy factories, morgues, asylums, junkyards, slaughter houses, graveyards, toxic dumps and state prisons. You never know what new twist they have added to their long list of family run… or should I say, run down… ventures.Located about 20 minutes from Orlando Florida. View website

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream - For 17 select nights, October 2 - November 1, Howl-O-Scream 2008 transforms Busch Gardens into a nightmare of inescapable fear with psychotic surprises around every turn, devious creatures infest all-new haunted houses and scare zones. Enjoy thrilling shows and bone-chilling roller coasters that will keep the screams coming all night long, even the streets themselves will have guests watching their backs. Howl-O-Scream is intended for an adult audience. Discretion is advised. View website

Space Coast Halloween Events

Boo At the Zoo - Brevard Zoo, Melbourne - Perfect for younger kids is Boo at the Zoo. Featuring such things as a jungle mystery maze, Boo Choo train, a costume contest, games, crafts and more. A couple of new things this year are the addition of a Hunted Trail, which will be for children 10 an up, and every hour specialty stage acts will perform magic, juggling, comedy and more. Something else to be aware of is this year is admission will be $8 per person the first weekend and $10 per person the second weekend. Zoo members and Space Coast Credit Union members will receive $1 off admission prices for either weekend. Located 1/2 mile east of I-95 the event runs from October 17-19 and October 24-26. For more info call 321.254.WILD. View website

Port Canaveral Weekend in the Cove - Live Entertainment, Local Food & Drinks. Kids activities and Halloween costume contest, Bed & Bathtub race, live entertainment. This event is scheduled to take place Friday October 24 & Saturday October 25 Free admission. View website

Halloween Hapenings - Pompano Beach - October 29 there will be a Halloween Party at Mitchell/Moore Gym - 6-8:30 pm The night will include refreshments, games, activities and prizes awarded for costumes and a “Haunted House”. For more information please call 954.786.4131. October 30 come enjoy a Halloween Fun Fair in the Amphitheater Parking Lot from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm There will be a magic show, costume parade, and fun and games for children ages 10 and under. You can either donate 2 canned goods or pay a fee of $2 per child. For more information please call 954.786.4111 or view website.

South Florida Halloween Events

Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds - West Palm Beach - This year the World Famous Bros. Grimm Sideshow come to town. Tauted as weird, intoxicating and blood stirring, it is living, moving color and has enough sights, sounds and smells to quicken the pulse of every man woman and child. Select dates through November 1st. View website

X-Scream Halloween - West Palm Beach - From Deathmask Studios X-Scream Halloween has grown into an eagerly anticipated yearly Haunted Event & 2008 will be no exception. This year is larger than ever before with 4 haunted attractions, 2 outdoor fright zones and much, much more come enjoy a full night of purely mischievous terror! Open Fri - Sat October 10 - November 1. View website

Fantasy Fest - Key West’s wildest party is to turn bipartisan when Fantasy Fest, the island city’s outrageous annual costuming and masking festival, takes aim at America’s upcoming presidential elections.

North Florida Halloween Events

Cancun Lagoon - Daytona Beach - Tricks, treats, margaritas and the true spirit of Halloween awaits you at the 1st Annual Halloween Bash at Cancun Lagoon Bar and Grill. This event promises to be the largest and most exciting adult Halloween party in Daytona Beach! Events start at 7 pm. For more information, call 386.255.6500 or view website.

St Augustine Haunted Tours, Trains & More

Ripley’s Halloween Ghost Train - Catch a ride on this train for a ghostly experience that you won’t soon forget. The train makes several stops at various locations throughout the haunted streets of St. Augustine. The tour begins and ends at historic Castle Warden (Ripley’s Believe it or Not) where you may experience actual events. The train starts at 8:30 pm & Reservations are required. Dates and rates for special Halloween Tours can be obtained by calling 904.824.1606 or view website.

Ghosts and Gravestones Tour - Are you brave enough to endure the “ultimate” in a frightseeing experience? Take the tour that explores the darkest side of St. Augustine, where you’ll visit what are considered to be the three most haunted sites in St. Augustine; The Old Drug Store, The Spanish Military Hospital and The Old Jail. The Old Jail is listed on the Florida and National Haunted Places Register. If you would like tour times, ticket prices or to make reservations, please call 904.829.3663 or view website.

Ancient City Tours - A Ghostly Encounter - Friday October 31 and Saturday November 1. These tours start at 7:00 pm at the Spanish Military Hospital and leave every 20 minutes. After a tour of the hospital, costumed guides take you through the haunted streets of St. Augustine telling stories and bringing the past to life.

The Costume Parade and Trick or Treating on Sunday October 26, Ancient City Tours is sponsoring the Annual Costume Parade/Trick or Treating. Starting at 2:00pm at the Clock Tower at the Visitor Information Center and ending at the downtown Plaza, where the costume judging will take place. From 3:30pm-5:00pm safe trick or treating will take place along the Historic Downtown streets. For more information call 1.800.597.7177 or view website.

Ghost Tours of St. Augustine - A Ghostly Experience - Walk, Ride or Sail though Haunted St. Augustine.

The Walking Tour starts every night at 8:00pm on the north end of St. George St. across from the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse and 9:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. This tour features the area north of the plaza including 2 cemeteries, haunted Bed & Breakfasts and other spooky sites.

To Ride, hop aboard the “Ghosts & Legends” Tour to the haunted Lighthouse, listen Your guide tell accounts of unsolved mysteries, murders, scandalous tales, ghostly sightings, and share intimate details of the oldest city in America. Opportunities to disembark for an up-close and personal look will be provided during your ghostly adventure.

For a sailing adventure it’s the Ghosts of the Matanzas Glide through the dark haunted waters aboard the 72′ Schooner ” FREEDOM” for a one hour cruise on the bay. Enjoy the night while your ghostly host tells stories and sings songs. The tour starts at City Marina near the Bridge of Lions, weather permitting. Group rates and private cruises available.

For reservation and more information call 904.461.1009 or 888.461.1009 or view website.

Halloween in Panama City Beach

Haunted Trail and Pumpkin Patch - The Junior Museum of Bay County invites you to their 9th Annual Haunted Trail and Pumpkin Patch, a seasonal family favorite with areas for all ages.

The Peek-A-Boo Trail - This place is completely non-scary for the youngest members of the family, the bigger little ones will have a decorated area, where non-scary characters around each turn will be handing out treats. Then visit The Pumpkin Patch full of non-scary fun and lots of prizes which includes games such as Boo Bowling, Pumpkin Putting, Digging for Bones and much much more! Be sure to dress your little monsters because there will be costumes contests with three categories per age group, trophies for first place winners, Honorable Mention prizes and consolation prize bags for all. Meet and pet the “Shrunken Horses” of the Wild Rose Miniature Horse Ranch. At dark, take a stroll down the Haunted Trail, recommended for children 7 and up, caulk full of scary, but not gory, surprises. Carnival style food will be available both nights of the event! For more information call 769.6128 or view website.

Halloween at Schooners - Schooners, tauted as the last local beach club, has become something of a Halloween tradition. Join them Friday October 31st to see the scary decorations of bats, monsters, ghosts, witches, lights, fog, coffins, tombstones… and that’s just on the OUTSIDE… once you get inside…well just come and see for yourself. There will be a costume contest with cash and prizes and live music with Latitude 29. For more information please view website.